cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Effects of methylmercuric chloride in the presence of cyclic AMP-stimulating agents on glioma and neuroblastoma cells in culture.

Abstract The intracellular level of adenosine 3′, 5′-cyclic monophosphate (cyclic AMP) increased in rat glioma (C-6) and mouse neuroblastoma cells (NBP2) after treatment with methylmercuric chloride (CH3HgCl). The effects of CH3HgCl in the presence of cyclic AMP-stimulating agents on glioma cells were in part different from those on NB cells. CH3HgCl increased prostaglandin E1 (PGE1)-induced growth inhibition (due to reduction in cell division and cell death) in glioma and NB cells. CH3HgCl did not reduce PGE1-induced formation of cytoplasmic processes in glioma cells except at a higher PGE1 concentration, but it did decrease PGE1-induced neurite formation in NB cells. The inhibitors of cyclic nucleotide phosphodiesterase completely prevented the cytotoxic effect of CH3HgCl on glioma cells, but they markedly enhanced the growth inhibitory effect of CH3HgCl on NB cells.
Protozoan Colonization Rates and Trophic Status of Some Freshwater Wetland Lakes

Primary productivity, chlorophyll a, phosphorus and nitrogen nutrients, and other chemical and physical parameters were measured in 13 wetland lakes in northern lower Michigan. These lakes included several examples located in each of the four major wetland types—bogs, fens, marshes, and swamps. Of the four types, the brown-colored waters of the acid bog lakes generally had the highest levels of primary productivity, chlorophyll a, phosphorus, and nitrogen. Primary productivity correlated positively with water color, total-N, and NH3-N (α≤ 0.05). By these measures, waters of the bogs were the most eutrophic of the four types of wetland lakes. These findings would seem to contradict the generally-held concept that “dystrophic” bog lakes are extremely oligotrophic. Protozoan colonization of artificial substrate islands was monitored at each wetland site. The correlation between protozoan colonization rates (G values in the MacArthur-Wilson noninteractive model) and primary productivity, measured by 24-h light and dark bottle incubations, was significant at the 95% confidence level (r= 0.850, P= 0.001) and with water color at the 90% confidence level (r= 0.599, P= 0.084). It was concluded that protozoan colonization rate was an excellent indicator of the trophic status of wetland lakes.
Short rest interval lengths between sets optimally enhance body composition and performance with 8 weeks of strength resistance training in older men

Purpose To determine if 8 weeks of periodized strength resistance training (RT) utilizing relatively short rest interval lengths (RI) in between sets (SS) would induce greater improvements in body composition and muscular performance, compared to the same RT program utilizing extended RI (SL).
Dialysis-associated systemic fibrosis (nephrogenic fibrosing dermopathy): study of inflammatory cells and transforming growth factor beta1 expression in affected skin.

Objective Nephrogenic fibrosing dermopathy (NFD) is a newly recognized cutaneous fibrotic disorder occurring in individuals with end-stage renal disease (ESRD). The aim of the present study was to describe the clinical and histopathologic features of 9 new cases and to characterize the inflammatory cells and expression of transforming growth factor β1 (TGFβ1) in affected skin. Methods Clinical and laboratory assessments, including serology and pulmonary function studies, were performed in 9 patients undergoing long-term dialysis (8 hemodialysis; 1 peritoneal dialysis) for ESRD of diverse etiologies. Skin, fascia, striated muscles, lungs, and heart were examined by histopathology. Inflammatory cells were characterized by immunophenotyping using specific monoclonal antibodies. TGFβ1 expression was determined by in situ hybridization. Results All patients displayed cutaneous features resembling both systemic sclerosis and diffuse fasciitis, with severe loss of motion and flexion contractures in multiple joints. Six patients displayed woody induration of the muscles of the legs, thighs, and forearms. Five of the 6 patients with lung involvement had a reduced diffusion capacity for carbon monoxide on pulmonary function testing. Marked elevations of the erythrocyte sedimentation rate and/or C-reactive protein level were found in 6 patients. Antinuclear antibodies were present at low titers in 4 patients. Histopathologic studies indicated that in addition to the dermis, the fibrotic process affected the subcutaneous tissue, fascia, striated muscles, lungs, and myocardium. Large numbers of CD68+/factor XIIIa+ dendritic cells and increased expression of TGFβ1 were found in affected skin and muscle. Conclusion Our findings indicate that the fibrotic process of NFD affects not only the dermis, but also the subcutaneous tissues, fascia, and other organs, including striated muscles, heart, and lungs. We therefore believe this is a systemic fibrosing process, and we suggest that dialysis-associated systemic fibrosis would be a better term for the condition.
Brain regional thyroid hormone status and Dio3: where genetics, epigenetics and psychiatric vulnerability meet

Thyroid hormones (TH), thyroxine (T4) and triiodothyronine (T3), are critical for metabolic homeostasis as well as brain development and functioning. The bio-active T3, metabolized from T4, binds to a family of nuclear thyroid hormone receptors (TR) and thereby regulates the transcription of neurodevelopmental genes. Expression of the a and b TR sub-families in the brain is isoform and region specific
Penicillin or Clindamycin for Primary Lung Abscess

Excerpt Penicillin is generally regarded as the preferred drug for treatment of anaerobic lung abscess. This consensus is reflected in recent authoritative texts dealing with internal medicine (1),...
An ab initio study of the reaction pathway between a mitomycin fragment model and ammonia

Ab initio self-consistent field calculatins with an STO-6G basis set are performed in order to determine the activation energy of a nucleophilic attack by ammonia on the double bond of 2-formyl-4-amino-2-pyrroline, a mitomycin fragment model.
Permeability of Noble Gases through Kapton, Butyl, Nylon, and 'Silver Shield'

Noble gas permeabilities and diffusivities of Kapton, butyl, nylon, and “Silver Shield” are measured at temperatures between 22 � C and 115 � C. The breakthrough times and solubilities at 22 � C are also determined. The relationship of the room temperature permeabilities to the noble gas atomic radii is used to estimate radon permeability for each material studied. For the noble gases tested, Kapton and Silver Shield have the lowest permeabilities and diffusivities, followed by nylon and butyl, respectively.
Landscape composition influences the activity density of Carabidae and Arachnida in soybean fields.

The distribution and abundance of semi-natural and crop habitats within agricultural landscapes is likely to greatly influence population dynamics of ground-dwelling arthropods. We investigated the influence of landscape heterogeneity and composition on the pitfall trap catch of Carabidae, Araneae, and Opiliones in soybean fields. Although we hypothesized that each predator group would increase with landscape heterogeneity and the amount of semi-natural habitat; we found variation in the response of the study organisms. The activity density of Araneae supported our hypothesis, increasing in soybean fields in landscapes with an abundance of forests and grasslands. The diversity of Carabidae in soybean fields increased in landscapes with an abundance of grassland habitat but the activity density of Carabidae declined. This decline was driven extensively by the species Poecilus chalcites which was less abundant in fields located within grassland-rich landscapes. Opiliones declined with increasing landscape heterogeneity but increased within forested landscapes. The spatial scale at which taxa responded to landscape composition also varied. Our hypothesis was that dispersal capacity would influence the spatial scale at which ground-dwelling arthropods responded to landscape structure. We found that Carabidae, which generally disperse by walking, responded to smaller spatial scales than linyphiid spiders, which frequently balloon. However, Lycosidae and Opiliones which also disperse mainly by walking as adults responded at larger spatial scales. These data suggest that understanding taxon-specific relationships to landscape variables should be considered in analyses of arthropod response to landscape structure. Published by Elsevier Inc.
More than one way to TRIM a capsid

Antibodies protect against lethal infection by bacteria or nonenveloped viruses such as adenovirus (1). They are secreted by plasma cells at the rate of thousands of molecules per second, and it has long been assumed that they function exclusively in the extracellular milieu. The recent discovery of a cytoplasmic process called antibody-dependent intracellular neutralization (ADIN) put an end to this dogma: virion-associated antibodies that fail to prevent virus entry into susceptible target cells have a second chance to block infection from within the target cell cytoplasm (2). In PNAS, Hauler et al. (3) generate a din of excitement by showing that the host AAA ATPase valosin-containing protein (VCP) cooperates with the E3 ubiquitin ligase tripartite motif-containing protein 21 (TRIM21) to dismantle the antibody-coated virion, thus permitting the proteasome access to the building block proteins of the virion capsid.
Targeted controls in clinical immunohistochemistry: a useful approach to quality assurance.

Few would argue with the premise that the tasks faced by laboratory physicians in the year 2001 are significantly different than they were even 10 years ago. Through the 1980s, for example, the expected role of the surgical pathologist was to establish a timely and accurate tissue diagnosis for any specimen sent to him or her, and providing answers to clinical questions on patient management generally was a straightforward derivative of that activity. Following the advent of the “molecular era” roughly a decade ago, that situation has begun to change. The gene-product “fingerprints” of various microorganisms and neoplasms have now been targeted as points of interest for adjunctive diagnosis and also as possible indicators of prognosis or response to treatment interventions. In particular, proteins that reflect the deletion, mutation, or amplification of germline gene configurations and that also seem to have an active role in cellular transformation or growth regulation command particular attention as “disease modifiers.” In other words, one may hypothesize that interventions that modify or interrupt the intracellular roles of such mediators may influence the disease in question and, in so doing, have a beneficial effect on the organism with that disorder. Aside from representing an advance in therapeutics, this line of reasoning also has had a definite impact on laboratory professionals. We are now expected to abet the assignment of patients to one treatment group or another, based on the molecular and kinetic alterations in diseased tissue that we are given to study. That task has become more and more focused, as therapeutic agents with increasingly greater putative specificity continue to emerge. However, there are several important issues that have received short shrift in our natural enthusiasm to participate in the cutting edge. It is those topics that will serve as the
Iron-Sensing Proteins that Regulate Hepcidin and Enteric Iron Absorption

The human body cannot actively excrete excess iron. As a consequence, iron absorption must be strictly regulated to ensure adequate iron uptake and prevent toxic iron accumulation. Iron absorption is controlled chiefly by hepcidin, the iron-regulatory hormone. Produced by the liver and secreted into the circulation, hepcidin regulates iron metabolism by inhibiting iron release from cells, including duodenal enterocytes, which mediate the absorption of dietary iron. Hepcidin production increases in response to iron loading and decreases in iron deficiency. Such regulation of hepcidin expression serves to modulate iron absorption to meet body iron demand. This review discusses the proteins that orchestrate hepatic hepcidin production and iron absorption by the intestine. Emphasis is placed on the proteins that directly sense iron and how they coordinate and fine-tune the molecular, cellular, and physiologic responses to iron deficiency and overload.
Effect of testing temperature on internal egg quality measurements

The objective of this study was to determine the effect of egg testing temperature on quality measurements of shell eggs. The quality measurements compared included 3 Haugh unit (HU) devices (electronic Haugh, tripod Haugh, and Haugh meter), egg weight, albumen height, albumen width, albumen index, yolk width, yolk height, yolk index, percentage of thin albumen, and vitelline membrane strength at 3 temperatures of 5, 13, and 23 degrees C from 2 strains of laying hens (Hy-line W36 and Bovans White) at 2 storage times. The HU measurements averaged 72.44 at time zero and 59.99 at 7 wk. At 7 wk for all devices, HU values decreased 6 units with increased temperature (P < 0.05). The electronic Haugh and tripod Haugh devices gave equal measurements for all testing conditions. The Haugh meter gave equal values at 5 degrees C for fresh eggs but lower HU at higher temperatures and 7 wk storage. Thus, it is recommended that egg testing temperature be reported when HU are measured. Coefficient of variation generally increased for all HU methods with increasing temperature. Although there was a proportionately different amount of thin albumen detected between the strains of laying hens, no significant difference was seen in HU. From the evaluated methods for measuring quality, the electronic Haugh, which electronically measures albumen height and calculates HU, provided the lowest coefficient of variation, was sensitive to quality loss, and gave the highest quality measurement (5 degrees C).
The Lived Experiences of Adolescents with Disabilities and Their Parents in Transition Planning

The educational transition process experienced by adolescents with disabilities and their parents was examined in this study. The results of the qualitative study can be interpreted to conclude that students rarely were engaged in transition planning, and when they were engaged, it came too late in their high school careers. Students with disabilities and their parents described dissatisfaction in the following areas: inadequate communication from school staff, frustration with assumptions made about the student, funneling of the student into traditional adult service programs, and a lack of accountability from the schools. Even those students who reported being engaged in the transition process experienced inadequate transition planning. Strategies to improve transition planning are presented.
Epitaxial growth of GaN on lattice-matched hafnium substrates

A method of producing epitaxial GaN on single-crystal Hf has been developed. The metal substrate is formed by a strain-anneal process yielding macroscopic (5-mm) grain sizes, followed by polishing, chemical etching, and Ar ion sputtering at elevated temperature in ultrahigh vacuum. The growth is conducted by plasma-assisted molecular beam epitaxy using an initial passivation layer deposited at low temperature and subsequent growth at 700 °C. The resulting films are in registry with the hep substrate lattice as observed by reflection high-energy electron diffraction during growth and verified by plan-view transmission electron microscopy. High-resolution x-ray rocking curve linewidths of the GaN and Hf [1012] peaks are as narrow as 900 and 180 arc seconds, respectively. The [0002] peak separation confirms the approximately 2.7% mismatch in the c axis spacing. Initial photo]uminescence observations at 20 K of a (donor-bound exciton) peak at 3.467 eV are consistent with the assumption of a nearly strain-free film resulting from the exact basal-plane lattice match and close thermal coefficient match between GaN and Hf.
Autonomous Shape Control of a Deformable Object by Multiple Manipulators

Shape control of a deformable object by a robotic system is a challenging problem because of the difficulty of imposing shape change by a finite number actuation points to an essentially infinite dimensional object. In this paper, a new approach to shape changing of deformable objects by a system of manipulators is presented. First, an integrated dynamic equation of motion for a system of multiple manipulators handling a deformable object is developed. The initial and the final shapes of the deformable object are specified by curves that represent the boundary of the object. We design an optimization-based planner that minimizes an energy-like criterion to determine the locations of the contact points on the desired curve representing the final shape of the object. The motion of each manipulator is controlled independently without any communication between them. Finally we design a robust controller for shape changing that can work in the presence of modeling uncertainty. The simulation results demonstrate the efficacy of the proposed method.
Pursuing Equity and Justice in a Changing Climate Assessing Equity in Local Climate and Sustainability Plans in U.S. Cities

Despite interest in the importance of social equity to sustainability, there is concern that equity is often left behind in practice relative to environmental and economic imperatives. We analyze r...
Cohesion in English to ASL simultaneous interpreting

A study was done with 12 American Sign Language - English interpreters to examine their use of cohesive devices while working simultaneously from ASL into English. Concern has been raised in the literature on spoken language interpreters that novice practitioners create target text that lack cohesion and instead sound like a disconnected list of facts (Sunnari, 1995). Halliday and Hasan's (1976) theoretical model of cohesion was used as a framework for this study. Only two aspects of cohesion were addressed, the first being conjunctive devices as defined by Fraser (1999), including conjunctions, adverbs or adverbial phrases and prepositional phrases. The second was reference. Specifically, only the conjunctive devices that created cohesion across sentences in the target texts were examined. In addition, only endophoric reference was explored as described by Halliday and Hasan (1976,), in that the antecedent for the reference was evident in the language and not recovered from the “context of situation” (p. 32). The participants included seven novice interpreters, who had seven or fewer years of practice with ASL and who were recent graduates of an interpretation program. In addition, five experts took part who had more than two decades of experience as interpreters and who were all nationally certified in Canada. Three Deaf interpreter educators rated each interpreter’s fluency in ASL, and found the experts created more fluent texts than the novices. No significant difference was found in interpreters’ target texts in terms of the number of signs created (p = 0.57), the number of unique signs used (p= .074), their signs per minute (p=0.57), or in their use of cohesive endophoric reference (p=0.46). However, there was a significant difference in the interpreters' use of conjunctions or transition words (**p=0.007), indicating that the experts made more frequent use of these devices. For interpreter educators and beginning professionals, this might suggest the need for targeted practice of conjunctive devices and transition markers to enhance perceived fluency and to increase target text cohesion.
Continuous selections from the Pareto correspondence and non-manipulability in exchange economies

Abstract In n-agent exchange economies, we show that all efficient and continuous rules are “diagonally dictatorial” over the restricted domain of linear preferences and, in the 2-good case, over the domain of homothetic preferences. The diagonal dictator receives the entire endowment whenever all agents have an identical preference. We show that (fully) dictatorial rules are the only rules satisfying, in addition, veto-proofness, the requirement that if truth-telling ever leads to the worst outcome for an agent, he should not be able to escape it, by misrepresenting his preference. The same conclusion holds replacing veto-proofness with stronger notions of non-manipulability, veto-proofness ∗ (no one can escape from the worst outcome or switch to the best outcome), weak strategy-proofness (no one can increase his bundle), and strategy-proofness. We extend these results to any larger domain imposing non-bossiness (no one can affect others’ bundles without affecting his own).
Structure Effects on Pyridine Hydrogenation over Pt(111) and Pt(100) Studied with Sum Frequency Generation Vibrational Spectroscopy

Sum frequency generation vibrational spectroscopy was applied in-situ during pyridine hydrogenation (10 Torr pyridine and 100 Torr hydrogen) over two well-defined platinum single crystals, Pt(100) and Pt(111). The surface reaction intermediates were clarified. Pyridine adsorbs to both crystals vertically, with in-tact aromatic ring. Over Pt(100) 1,4-dihydropyridine bound through the nitrogen was observed as a reaction intermediate, while over Pt(111) this was not detected. Upon heating the crystals from 300 to 350 K, the pyridine ring lies down flat on the catalyst surfaces. Over Pt(111) a tilted piperidine product is bound to the surface. Ring-cracking products were not observed over either surface.
BRITTLENESS, DUCTILITY, AND THE GRIFFITH CRACK

The material properties which determine whether a solid will fail by brittle fracture or ductile deformation are theoretically investigated by including the leading-order dissipative term describing plastic flow in the equations of elasticity. In particular, this term yields a time scale for the blunting of the elastic crack tip described by Griffith. This time scale is compared to the elastic response time of a solid to determine whether the solid will sustain the high stresses characteristic of a crack tip or will plastically relax the elastic strains. These dissipative equations of elasticity also describe the {open_quotes}work-hardened{close_quotes} state of a solid, where brittle fracture becomes possible in an originally ductile solid. {copyright} {ital 1997} {ital The American Physical Society}
Quantification of viable Candidatus Liberibacter asiaticus in hosts using quantitative PCR with the aid of ethidium monoazide (EMA)

Citrus Huanglongbing (HLB) is a devastating disease of citrus known to be associated with a fastidious, phloem-limited Gram-negative, yet to be cultured bacterium in the genus Candidatus Liberibacter. In the present study we have developed a method to quantify viable Candidatus Liberibacter asiaticus (Las) with the aid of ethidium monoazide (EMA) which can differentiate live from dead cells. First, calibration curves were developed with the aid of quantitative real-time PCR (QPCR) by using a plasmid template consisting of a 703 bp DNA fragment of rplKAJL-rpoBC (β-operon) region. Standard equations were then developed to quantify Las genome equivalents in citrus, periwinkle, and Asian citrus psyllid, Diaphorina citri. To overcome the limitation of quantitative PCR in discriminating between live and dead bacterial cells, EMA was used to inhibit the amplification of DNA from the dead cells of Las in plant samples. By using the standard equations and EMA-QPCR methods developed in this study, we found that the proportion of viable cells in citrus and periwinkle ranged from 17–31% and 16–28%, respectively. It was determined that a minimum bacterial concentration is required for HLB symptom development by quantifying the population of Las in symptomatic and asymptomatic leaves. The EMA-QPCR methodology developed in the present study should provide an accurate assessment of viable HLB pathogen, providing a tool to investigate disease epidemiology and thus act as a crucial component for disease assessment and management.
Optical orientation of spin polarized holes in bulk GaAs

Optical orientation of spin-polarized heavy and light holes followed by relaxation to other valence subband states has been observed unambiguously in undoped bulk GaAs. The spin relaxation time for the heavy holes is 110 fs /spl plusmn/ 10%.
Model Selection: An Empirical Study on Two Kernel Classifiers

This paper records our activities as a participant of the challenge in performance prediction for WCCI2006. We carry out model selection for two kernel classifiers, the support vector classifier and the Gaussian process classifier, on the five real-world data sets used in the challenge. K-fold cross validation is employed for the support vector classifier, while approximate Bayesian inference is used for the Gaussian process classifier. We give a detailed description of these model selection techniques and report the corresponding experimental results. The empirical study shows both techniques work well on these real-world applications.
The predictors of pelvic lymph node metastasis at radical retropubic prostatectomy.

ABSTRACTPurpose: We studied preoperative variables in a contemporary series of patients who underwent radical retropubic prostatectomy (RRP) to determine which variables were associated with lymph node metastasis.Materials and Methods: Between January 1995 and November 1999, 1,091 men underwent RRP, 695 of whom underwent bilateral pelvic lymph node dissection without any prior therapy. We evaluated biopsy Gleason score, maximum tumor length and maximum percentage of tumor in the positive core(s), location and number of positive cores, and total prostate specific antigen before surgery in 295 of these patients. We also developed a classification and regression tree analysis algorithm to segregate the risk of positive lymph node metastasis. Stepwise logistic regression analyses were used to determine independent predictors of lymph node metastasis.Results: Of the 695 patients 19 (2.7%) had lymph node metastasis. Clinical stage, Gleason score, positive basal core, greatest percentage of tumor on positive cor...
Climate variability slows evolutionary responses of Colias butterflies to recent climate change

How does recent climate warming and climate variability alter fitness, phenotypic selection and evolution in natural populations? We combine biophysical, demographic and evolutionary models with recent climate data to address this question for the subalpine and alpine butterfly, Colias meadii, in the southern Rocky Mountains. We focus on predicting patterns of selection and evolution for a key thermoregulatory trait, melanin (solar absorptivity) on the posterior ventral hindwings, which affects patterns of body temperature, flight activity, adult and egg survival, and reproductive success in Colias. Both mean annual summer temperatures and thermal variability within summers have increased during the past 60 years at subalpine and alpine sites. At the subalpine site, predicted directional selection on wing absorptivity has shifted from generally positive (favouring increased wing melanin) to generally negative during the past 60 years, but there is substantial variation among years in the predicted magnitude and direction of selection and the optimal absorptivity. The predicted magnitude of directional selection at the alpine site declined during the past 60 years and varies substantially among years, but selection has generally been positive at this site. Predicted evolutionary responses to mean climate warming at the subalpine site since 1980 is small, because of the variability in selection and asymmetry of the fitness function. At both sites, the predicted effects of adaptive evolution on mean population fitness are much smaller than the fluctuations in mean fitness due to climate variability among years. Our analyses suggest that variation in climate within and among years may strongly limit evolutionary responses of ectotherms to mean climate warming in these habitats.
Design of FIR Paraunitary Approximations to Principal Component Filter Banks

In this paper, we present two new algorithms for designing finite impulse response (FIR) paraunitary (PU) filter banks that are optimal approximations to ideal principal component filter banks (PCFBs). The first algorithm is optimal in the sense that it minimizes the mean square error between the desired response and the approximation. The second algorithm is optimal in the sense that it minimizes the maximum error. Both algorithms utilize a complete parameterization of FIR PU filter banks in terms of Givens rotation building blocks, and jointly optimize all the filters in the filter bank.
David Bailie Warden and the Development of Consular Law

On the basis of archival research the author documents the origins of the first American treatise on consular law by David B. Warden (1772-1845), the United States Consul at Paris, the impact of Russian international legal doctrine on the treatise, and the influence of the treatise on the formation of American legislation and practice regulating consular relations.
The Impact of Function-Flow Interaction on Left Ventricular Efficiency in Patients with Conduction Abnormalities: A Particle Image Velocimetry and Tissue Doppler Study

Background The aims of this study were to assess the influence of left bundle branch block (LBBB)–like conduction abnormalities on left ventricular (LV) blood flow patterns and to characterize their potential impact on LV efficiency by measuring the changes in vortex formation and energy dissipation in the left ventricle using echocardiographic particle image velocimetry. Methods Thirty-six subjects were prospectively studied, including 20 patients with pacemakers, six patients with LBBB, and 10 healthy control subjects, all of whom had normal ejection fractions (>50%). In patients with pacemakers, data were acquired in both DDD and AAI modes. Standard grayscale, tissue Doppler myocardial imaging, and contrast-enhanced echocardiographic particle image velocimetric data were acquired, and LV flow patterns were analyzed using dedicated software. Dyssynchrony was quantified by measuring apical transverse motion. Results Apical transverse motion was significantly higher in patients with LBBB compared with normal control subjects (mean, 4.9 ± 1.9 vs 1.0 ± 0.7 mm; P P Conclusion LV flow pattern analysis by echocardiographic particle image velocimetry reveals that conduction delay due to LBBB or pacemaker stimulation in the right ventricle (DDD) disturbs the transfer of kinetic energy during the cardiac cycle and causes less efficient LV function. These data contribute to a better understanding of hemodynamic consequences of conduction delays and may help in the optimization of therapeutic approaches.
Design and Construction of Experiment for Direct Electron Irradiation of Uranyl Sulfate Solution: Bubble Formation and Thermal Hydraulics Studies

Argonne is assisting SHINE Medical Technologies in developing SHINE, a system for producing fission-product 99Mo using a D/T-accelerator to produce fission in a non-critical target solution of aqueous uranyl sulfate. We have developed an experimental setup for studying thermal-hydraulics and bubble formation in the uranyl sulfate solution to simulate conditions expected in the SHINE target solution during irradiation. A direct electron beam from the linac accelerator will be used to irradiate a 20 L solution (sector of the solution vessel). Because the solution will undergo radiolytic decomposition, we will be able to study bubble formation and dynamics and effects of convection and temperature on bubble behavior. These experiments will serve as a verification/ validation tool for the thermal-hydraulic model. Utilization of the direct electron beam for irradiation allows homogeneous heating of a large solution volume and simplifies observation of the bubble dynamics simultaneously with thermal-hydraulic data collection, which will complement data collected during operation of the miniSHINE experiment. Irradiation will be conducted using a 30-40 MeV electron beam from the high-power linac accelerator. The total electron-beam power will be 20 kW, which will yield a power density on the order of 1 kW/L. The solution volume will be cooled onmore » the front and back surfaces and central tube to mimic the geometry of the proposed SHINE solution vessel. Also, multiple thermocouples will be inserted into the solution vessel to map thermal profiles. The experimental design is now complete, and installation and testing are in progress.« less
Understanding German Idealism: Sceptical challenges and the development of transcendental idealism

German intellectual life in the wake of Kant's philosophical revolution was astonishingly rich and varied. The late eighteenth and early nineteenth centuries gave rise to Hamann and Herder; Goethe, Schiller and Holderlin; the early Romantics, including Novalis and the Schlegels; and Schopenhauer. All of these authors made lasting contributions to philosophy and literature. The focus of this book, however, is the thinkers whose explicit aim was to complete the project of critical philosophy, and whose work towards that end contributed most signi-ficantly to the development of the movement now known as German Idealism. The key figures in this story are Fichte, Schelling and Hegel, who are the subjects of the next three chapters. This chapter offers an account of some of the initial responses to Kant that influenced the trajectory of these later idealists. The individuals discussed in this chapter – Jacobi, Reinhold and Schulze – have been selected for the direct role they played in the emergence of Fichte, and the specific texts discussed have been chosen for both their importance and their availability in English. The early Romantics are treated in the Conclusion, because although their work helped to propel the transition from Fichte to Schelling and Hegel, their primary tendency was to undermine, rather than attempt to fulfil, the philosophical aspirations of German Idealism.
Production drilling at WAIS Divide

The deep ice-sheet coring (DISC) drill was used for production ice-core drilling at WAIS Divide in Antarctica for six field seasons between 2007 and 2013. Continuous ice-core samples were obtained between the snow surface and 3405 m depth. During the 2012/13 austral summer, the DISC drill’s newly designed replicate ice-coring system was utilized to collect nearly 285m of additional high-quality core samples at depths of high scientific interest. Annual progress graphs are described, as well as milestones achieved over the course of the project. Drilling operations, challenges encountered, drill fluid usage, drilling results, and the drill crew’s experiences with the DISC drill and replicate coring system during production drilling are described and discussed in detail. Core-processing operations are described briefly, as well as the logistical undertaking of the DISC drill’s deployment to Antarctica.
On a problem of Stein concerning infinite covers

is claimed to settle a problem of Stein [2] by possessing various properties, one of which is that every integer is included in at least one arithmetic progression in the system. Actually it is not hard to see that none of the arithmetic progressions in (1) contain 0 or any power of 3. In the present paper the system (1) will be modified so as to provide a correct example of the type requested by Stein. A system {(mi: ai): i E S} is called a cover in case its union is the set of all integers, and exact if its sets are pairwise disjoint. The system is incongruent if mi 0 mi whenever i 0 j, and infinite if S is infinite. Stein's problem is to find an infinite incongruent exact cover {(mi: ai): i E S} such that
Intelligent mitigation of blackout in real-time microgrids: Neural Network Approach

In this paper, a novel application of Artificial Neural Networks (ANN) is deployed to prevent blackout in a microgrid after N-1-1 contingency condition. In fact, microgrids are vulnerable to disturbances and abnormal conditions due to their inherent small inertia. Therefore, stability of microgrids after a disturbance turns into a challenge in power systems. The key contribution of this paper is to utilize the artificial intelligence concept to prevent cascading failure practically at early stages and to make microgrids more reliable and robust by intelligent and adaptive re-dispatch of power. The proposed ANN control approach is tested on an experimental testbed microgrid. Experimental results verify the robustness, accuracy, and effectiveness of the ANN method for preventing cascading failure in addition to providing voltage and frequency stability after initiation of a disturbance.
Health and Epidemic Prevention Measures and Effects in Mianyang City Three Years after 5.12 Earthquake

[Objective]To understand the health and epidemic prevention measures and effects of three years after 5.12 earthquake in Mianyang City,to ensure that no major epidemic disease. [Methods]The information on infectious diseases,health and epidemic prevention work-related statements,the special investigation and report were collected;related epidemic prevention measures were proposed,including integration of resources,coordination command,health and epidemic prevention work coverage to the village;standardized emergency,unified technical plan;strengthening environmental health management and disinfection,elimination of risks of disease vectors;prevention of food-borne diseases and food poisoning,strict supervision and monitoring of food hygiene;ensuring the safety of drinking water,strengthening the combination of field monitoring and laboratory testing;accelerating the capacity recovery,focusing on analysis and surveillance of epidemic report;strengthening emergency vaccination,establishing effective immune barrier;active in health education,popularization knowledge of disease prevention among people after disaster;enhancing supervision and inspection of school health in victim settlements,carrying out vector monitoring,controlling vector breeding.Through study on health and epidemic prevention measures and effects in Mianyang City 3 years after earthquake the effects of health and epidemic prevention were analyzed. [Results]Due to the properly epidemic prevention work,the health status in disaster area was significantly improved.No case of category A infectious disease and related outbreak and public health emergencies had occurred until January 2011.Compared to the same period before earthquake(2008),the reported incidence of infectious disease category B and C decreased by 17.22%(from 24.0938 /100 000 in 2008 to 29.1069/100 000 in 2011). [Conclusion]The health and epidemic prevention measures adopted after earthquake in Mianyang City are scientific and effective,which achieves the goal that no major epidemic disease and provide reference for health and epidemic prevention work after massive natural disasters.
Pathways by which mothers' physiological arousal and regulation while caregiving predict sensitivity to infant distress.

Pathways by which maternal physiological arousal (skin conductance level [SCL]) and regulation (respiratory sinus arrhythmia [RSA] withdrawal) while parenting are linked with concurrent and subsequent maternal sensitivity were examined. Mothers’ (N = 259) SCL and RSA were measured during a resting baseline and while interacting with their 6-month-old infants during tasks designed to elicit infant distress. Then, mothers were interviewed about their emotional and cognitive responses to infant cues (i.e., cry processing) while caregiving using a video recall procedure. Maternal sensitivity was observed during the distressing tasks at 6 months and again when children were 1-year-old. Mothers who were well-regulated (higher RSA suppression from baseline to parenting tasks) engaged in less negative and self-focused cry processing while interacting with their infants, which in turn predicted higher maternal sensitivity at both time points. In addition, SCL arousal and RSA regulation interacted such that maternal arousal was associated with more empathic/infant focused cry processing among mothers who were simultaneously well-regulated, which in turn predicted maternal sensitivity, albeit only at 6 months. These effects were independent of a number of covariates demonstrating the unique role of mothers’ physiological regulation while caregiving on sensitivity. Implications for intervention are discussed.
Quantum Chromodynamics: Computational Aspects

We present a brief introduction to QCD, the QCD phase diagram, and non-equilibrium phenomena in QCD. We emphasize aspects of the theory that can be addressed using computational methods, in particular euclidean path integral Monte Carlo, fluid dynamics, kinetic theory, classical field theory and holographic duality.
Comparison of Heterojunction Device Parameters for Pure and Doped ZnO thin films with IIIA (Al or In) Elements Grown on Silicon at Room Ambient

In this work, pure and IIIA element doped ZnO thin films were grown on p type silicon (Si) with (100) orientated surface by sol-gel method, and were characterized for comparing their electrical characteristics. The heterojunction parameters were obtained from the current-voltage (I-V) and capacitance-voltage (C-V) characteristics at room temperature. The ideality factor (n), saturation current (Io) and junction resistance of ZnO/p-Si heterojunction for both pure and doped (with Al or In) cases were determined by using different methods at room ambient. Other electrical parameters such as Fermi energy level (EF), barrier height (ΦB), acceptor concentration (Na), built-in potential (Φi) and voltage dependence of surface states (Nss) profile were obtained from the C-V measurements. The results reveal that doping ZnO with IIIA (Al or In) elements to fabricate n-ZnO/p-Si heterojunction can result in high performance diode characteristics.
Real-time aerosol measurements in pilot scale coal fired post-combustion CO2 capture

Abstract Coal fired plants account for nearly 40% of the world's electric power generation and are a large source of CO 2 emissions. Post-combustion CO 2 capture using amine based solvents is a relatively mature technology. Recent pilot plants test data indicate that amine and its degradation produce emissions in the form of aerosols, which must be controlled for commercial success of this technology. In this study, the aerosols from CO 2 depleted flue gas at the National Carbon Capture Center (NCCC) Pilot Solvent Test Unit (PSTU) and Slipstream Solvent Test Unit (SSTU) were measured using an isokinetic probe and a Dekati Electric Low Pressure Impactor (ELPI +TM ). Multiple tests were conducted to quantify the effects of different process changes. PSTU measurements demonstrated sample sensitivity to transient intercooler start-up conditions, dilution gas temperatures and absorber beds in operation. During this test, the typical concentration (expressed in number of particles per volume) ranged from E+06 to E+07 cm −3 and the peak occurred near 0.12 µm with an observed increase in sub 0.01 µm aerosol concentration during transient intercooler start-up conditions. The measurements also demonstrated sample sensitivity to dilution gas temperatures by showing that aerosol size and concentration peaks shifted at higher diluter operating temperatures, especially above 100 °C. Several tests were also conducted at the absorber inlet and wash tower outlet of the SSTU with varying dilution ratios and temperatures. Comparison of SSTU and PSTU results are presented in this paper. The stage cuts for different impactor stages of different ELPI + instruments are calibrated which showed minimum deviation in the range of 0.02–0.70% from original calibration. Generally, the concentrations were higher at the absorber inlet compared to the wash tower outlet. Also, a higher concentration was observed for the smallest size fraction at the wash tower outlet compared to the absorber inlet. Similar to the PSTU, the concentration measured at the SSTU was in the range of E+06 cm −3 . These results are promising and will enable the development of process control strategies to mitigate solvent losses and reduce operational and maintenance expenses.
Modelling and performance evaluation of explosive storage policies in internet fulfilment warehouses

Internet Fulfilment Warehouses (IFWs) are designed to exclusively process online retail orders. An observational study reveals that IFW operating and design attributes are significantly different from traditional warehouses in their storage and fulfilment policies. Specifically, we identify six IFW differentiators: explosive storage, very large number of beehive storage locations, bins with commingled SKUs, immediate fulfilment, short picking routes with single unit picks and high transactions with total digital control. Explosive storage of incoming bulk allows for faster fulfilment of customer orders often within a few hours. A new IFW control model is developed. This describes the associated receiving and fulfilment flows. Two decision algorithms for generating (i) a stocking list and (ii) an order picking list are presented. A simulation model was built to evaluate the fulfilment performance of the explosive policy. Experimental runs on a problem with 400 SKUs, 3240 bins and 22,000 customer orders ove...
Stochastic Simulation of Isotopic Exchange Mechanisms for Fe(II)-Catalyzed Recrystallization of Goethite

Understanding Fe(II)-catalyzed transformations of Fe(III)-(oxyhydr)oxides is critical for correctly interpreting stable isotopic distributions and for predicting the fate of metal ions in the environment. Recent Fe isotopic tracer experiments have shown that goethite undergoes rapid recrystallization without phase change when exposed to aqueous Fe(II). The proposed explanation is oxidation of sorbed Fe(II) and reductive Fe(II) release coupled 1:1 by electron conduction through crystallites. Given the availability of two tracer exchange data sets that explore pH and particle size effects (e.g., Handler et al. Environ. Sci. Technol. 2014, 48, 11302–11311; Joshi and Gorski Environ. Sci. Technol. 2016, 50, 7315–7324), we developed a stochastic simulation that exactly mimics these experiments, while imposing the 1:1 constraint. We find that all data can be represented by this model, and unifying mechanistic information emerges. At pH 7.5 a rapid initial exchange is followed by slower exchange, consistent with ...
Paraduodenal pancreatitis: benign and malignant mimics at MRI

Paraduodenal pancreatitis, also known as groove pancreatitis, is a rare form of chronic pancreatitis that masquerades as pancreatic adenocarcinoma affecting the pancreaticoduodenal groove, a potential space between the head of the pancreas, duodenum, and common bile duct. Two forms of groove pancreatitis have been described. The segmental form involves the pancreatic head with development of scar tissue within the groove, whereas the pure form affects the groove only, sparing the pancreatic head. Imaging findings of groove pancreatitis often overlap with primary duodenal, ampullary, or pancreatic neoplasms, which often results in a diagnostic challenge. In addition, paraduodenal pancreatitis can be mistaken for cystic pancreatic lesions, especially when there is involvement of the duodenal wall. Preoperative recognition of this entity is very important in order to avoid unnecessary procedures, although surgery, such as pancreaticoduodenectomy, may still be required to relieve obstructive symptoms. In this article, the pathophysiology and magnetic resonance imaging characteristics of paraduodenal pancreatitis and important benign and malignant mimics are discussed.