cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Large-scale exploratory genetic analysis of cognitive impairment in Parkinson's disease.

Abstract Cognitive impairment is a common and disabling problem in Parkinson's disease (PD). Identification of genetic variants that influence the presence or severity of cognitive deficits in PD might provide a clearer understanding of the pathophysiology underlying this important nonmotor feature. We genotyped 1105 PD patients from the PD Cognitive Genetics Consortium for 249,336 variants using the NeuroX array. Participants underwent assessments of learning and memory (Hopkins Verbal Learning Test-Revised [HVLT-R]), working memory/executive function (Letter-Number Sequencing and Trail Making Test [TMT] A and B), language processing (semantic and phonemic verbal fluency), visuospatial abilities (Benton Judgment of Line Orientation [JoLO]), and global cognitive function (Montreal Cognitive Assessment). For common variants, we used linear regression to test for association between genotype and cognitive performance with adjustment for important covariates. Rare variants were analyzed using the optimal unified sequence kernel association test. The significance threshold was defined as a false discovery rate-corrected p -value ( P FDR ) of 0.05. Eighteen common variants in 13 genomic regions exceeded the significance threshold for one of the cognitive tests. These included GBA rs2230288 (E326K; P FDR = 2.7 × 10 −4 ) for JoLO, PARP4 rs9318600 ( P FDR = 0.006), and rs9581094 ( P FDR = 0.006) for HVLT-R total recall, and MTCL1 rs34877994 ( P FDR = 0.01) for TMT B-A. Analysis of rare variants did not yield any significant gene regions. We have conducted the first large-scale PD cognitive genetics analysis and nominated several new putative susceptibility genes for cognitive impairment in PD. These results will require replication in independent PD cohorts.
A Randomized Controlled Trial Comparing the Letter Project Advance Directive to Traditional Advance Directive.

Abstract Background: Simpler alternatives to traditional advance directives that are easy to understand and available in multiple formats and can be initiated by patients and families will help facilitate advance care planning. The goal of this study was to compare the acceptability of the letter advance directive (LAD) to the traditional advance directive (TAD) of the state of California. Design, Setting, Participants, and Measurements: A web-based, randomized controlled trial was conducted, in which the participants were randomized to one of two types of advance directives (ADs): the LAD (intervention) or the TAD (control). Primary outcomes were participant ratings of the ease, value, and their level of comfort in the AD document they completed. Results: A total of 400 participants completed the study, with 216 randomized to the LAD and 184 to the TAD by a computerized algorithm. Overall, participants preferred the LAD to the TAD (success rate difference [SRD] = 0.46, 95th percentile confidence interval...
Harnessing electronic medical records to advance research on multiple sclerosis.

Background:Electronic medical records (EMR) data are increasingly used in research, but no studies have yet evaluated similarity between EMR and research-quality data and between characteristics of...
Deep learning for sequence pattern recognition

Deep Learning is a superb way to solve remote sensing related problems, which mainly cover four perspectives: image processing, pixel-based classification, target recognition and scene understanding. In this paper, we focus on target recognition by building deep learning models, and our target is sequence pattern. Accurate prediction of sequence pattern would help identify significant characters from text sequence. Despite considerable advances in using machine learning techniques for sequence pattern recognition problem, its efficiency is still limited because of its involving extensive manual feature engineering in the process of features extraction from raw sequences. Thus, we apply a deep learning approach in sequence pattern recognition problem. The sequences of the datasets we used are self-generated genomic format sequences, and each dataset is generated based on a kind of pattern. We then investigate and construct various deep neural network models (such as convolutional networks, recurrent networks and a hybrid of convolutional and recurrent networks). The one-hot encoding method that preserves the vital position information of each character is presented to represent sequences as inputs to the models. The sequence patterns are then extracted from the input and output the probabilities of the existence of sequence patterns. Experimental results demonstrate that the deep learning approaches can achieve high accuracy and high precision in sequence pattern recognition. In addition, a saliency-map-based method is applied to visualize the learned sequence patterns. In view of the simulation results, we believe that we can find an appropriate deep learning model for a certain sequence sensing problem.
How Trust and Distrust Work in Organizations

When a person meets a neighbor’s new dog, it is customary to bend down and extend an open hand so the dog can smell it, become familiar with, and accept that person. When people are introduced, a handshake is an expected courtesy, and the nature of the handshake can impart a lot about the personalities of the two parties and how interested they are in meeting. Similarly, when an organization is telephoned the response of the person who answers the phone can tell a lot about the spirit and level of morale in the organization. A conversation with a CEO’s administrative assistant can give a caller insights into the management style of the CEO and the trustfulness of the organization, e.g., whether the assistant has to get approval from the CEO before making appointments. Trust or distrust have a way of saturating organizations. As one CEO told the author, “culture drives trust. All members of an organization, including staff, collaborate in a trusting organization—one leads the other. It starts with culture and values.”2
Fingerprints of Chaos, Nuance, and Creativity

How did one Nobel Prize winning scientist, Barbara McClintock, intuit—working as much artistically as scientifically—truths about genetic processes, studying corn? Why are so many outstanding scientists also artists? What is the “intimation” in Wallas’s stages of creativity that draws one in? Are there links to the “nuance” that has engaged many creative processes, including Einstein’s. We actually meet the infinite most everywhere, through the beautiful fractal forms of nature, and their self-similar patterns, at large/small scales, throughout our lifeworld (and in mathematics), from rivers and trees to brains and blood vessels. The life force reveals itself in “fingerprints of chaos” through “chaotic attractors” in complexity theory, also perhaps explaining new depths of mind and memory, and the pull of nuance. Is part of this even epigenetic?
Automated IFC-based building information modelling and extraction for supporting value analysis of buildings

The value of a building is quantified and analyzed based on its properties. Building information modelling (BIM), which allows for rich representation of building properties, creates an opportunity...
Madeira, Angélica. Livro dos naufrágios: ensaio sobre a História trágico-marítima. U de Brasília, 2005.

In her study of Gomes de Brito’s anthology, Angelica Madeira takes as her hypothesis that the shipwreck tales of the sixteenth century are embryos of the modern genres and that they reveal the early rise of a baroque prose and aesthetics.
Planning the Medical Response to Earthquakes

The major distinction between planning the medical response to earthquakes and other sudden mass casualty incidents (SMCI) is related to how severe damage will be the infrastructure of the city where the earthquake occurred.
A gene regulatory network explains RET–EDNRB epistasis in Hirschsprung disease

Disruptions in gene regulatory networks (GRNs), driven by multiple deleterious variants, potentially underlie complex traits and diseases. Hirschsprung disease (HSCR), a multifactorial disorder of enteric nervous system (ENS) development, is associated with at least 24 genes and seven chromosomal loci, with RET and EDNRB as its major genes. We previously demonstrated that RET transcription in the ENS is controlled by an extensive GRN involving the transcription factors (TFs) RARB, GATA2 and SOX10 and other HSCR genes. We now demonstrate, using human and mouse cellular and animal models, that EDNRB is transcriptionally regulated in the ENS by GATA2, SOX10 and NKX2.5 TFs. Significantly, RET and EDNRB expression is regulated by their shared use of GATA2 and SOX10, and in turn, these TFs are controlled by EDNRB and RET in a dose-dependent manner. This study expands the ENS development GRN to include both RET and EDNRB, uncovers the mechanistic basis for RET-EDNRB epistasis and emphasizes how functionally different genes associated with a complex disorder can be united through a common GRN.
Do Respiratory Therapists Follow Oxygen Weaning Protocols in a Timely Manner

Background: Supplemental O2 is the treatment of choice for patients exhibiting documented hypoxemia. Evidence suggests however, that the over usage of O2 may be associated with an increase in patient9s medical cost, length of admission, and risk of O2 toxicity. Departmental oxygen protocols have been created to minimize unnecessary exposure to O2. Adherence to such protocols is rarely documented. The main goal of this study was to determine the overall recognition and response time it took for RTs in the ICU to wean the FIO2 of patients as they met specific O2 weaning protocol criteria. Methods: Retrospective chart review (medical, surgical-trauma, neurological, and transplant ICUs) conducted at a 622-bed university-affiliated hospital in San Antonio, TX. Inclusion criteria: > 18 y of age, current oxygen orders, ICU admission. Exclusion criteria: patients receiving ECMO, prn O2 orders, respiratory arrest within the last 2 hours, and emergency intubation for CPR. Once the physician order was placed to initiate O2 therapy, the following patient information was obtained from the EMR: demographics, O2 modality, initial FIO2, any changes to FIO2 and time in hours before the first initial change in FIO2. Results: Data was collected from 64 ICU patients (60% male) with a mean age of 56.0 years (± 18.3). On average, these patients spent 8.19 (± 8.4) d in the ICU. Most physician9s orders were instructions for RT to maintain SpO2> 92%. The mean number of hours on oxygen therapy was 7.27 (± 8.25) h. The mean FIO2 that patients were initially placed on was 62.9% (± 28.3), and the most common documented oxygen weaning adjustment was a reduction of FIO2 by 12.2 % (± 8.6). Mean SpO2 before first change in FIO2 was 96.6% (± 4.7) and time to first change in FIO2 after meeting weaning criteria was 11.92 (± 18.9) h. Conclusions: The results of this study suggests that h weaning in ICU does not occur in a timely manner. RTs should be more proactive in weaning patients from oxygen therapy when parameters are met. These results could be used to revaluate and reinforce oxygen protocols and its adherence in order to minimize the time patients remain on oxygen.
Discerning the impact of disaggregated non-interest income activities on bank risk and profits in the post-Gramm-Leach-Bliley Act era

Abstract In the aftermath of the global financial crisis, many analysts have pointed towards the Gramm-Leach-Bliley Act and the associated regulatory changes in the banking industry as one of the key reasons for the financial meltdown in the US. Using an extensive dataset of all 5491 US commercial banks that were operational from June 2001 to March 2016, we examine the impact of aggregate non-interest income and its eleven disaggregated categories on bank-specific risks and profits. We find unequivocal evidence that both aggregate non-interest income and its different constituent categories increase bank risks, which is more pronounced in the post-crisis period. The results for bank profits are more mixed. The results call for a need to improve regulation and supervision of various disaggregated non-interest income activities such that the costs of engaging in these activities do not exceed their benefits for banks.
Calonectria (Cylindrocladium) Leaf Spot of Palm

Calonectria is a fungus that affects a large number of hosts worldwide, including timber and ornamental, agricultural, and horticultural crops, causing a wide range of disease symptoms, such as cutting rot, damping-off of seedlings, leaf spot, shoot blight, and root rot. This 4-page fact sheet was written by Jiaming Yu and Monica L. Elliott, and published by the UF Department of Plant Pathology, January 2013. http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/pp302
Automatic Transformation and Integration to Improve Visualization and Discovery of Latent Effects in Imaging Data.

Proper data transformation is an essential part of analysis. Choosing appropriate transformations for variables can enhance visualization, improve efficacy of analytical methods, and increase data ...
The role of in utero endotoxin exposure in the development of inflammatory bowel disease in mice.

Problem Although early environmental influences are thought to influence the development of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), little is known about the role of the in utero environment on subsequent IBD risk. We hypothesized that prenatal exposure to bacterial lipopolysaccharide (LPS) could modify the subsequent development of dextran sulfate sodium (DSS)-induced ulcerative colitis in adulthood by influencing the associated cellular and immune response. Method of study To test this hypothesis, we exposed developing mice in utero to LPS or saline (PBS) at E17.5, and then induced colitis at 5 weeks. We then assessed colitis severity and effects on the microbiome. In order to define the developmental impact of any potential LPS effect, we also exposed 1-week-old mice to either LPS or saline before inducing colitis at 5 weeks. Results Mice that had been exposed to LPS but not saline in utero were protected from subsequent colitis development, and their intestinal barrier integrity and tight junction expression distribution were similar to that of control mice that were not exposed to DSS. By contrast, mice exposed to either LPS or saline at day 7 of life all developed severe colitis upon subsequent DSS exposure. Conclusion These results identify an informative time window during fetal development during which exposure to an otherwise pro-inflammatory agent like LPS protects against an inflammatory disease in adulthood.
Individual differences in affective agenda setting: A cross-sectional analysis of three U.S. presidential elections:

Much is known about how individual differences such as age and education affect the news media’s ability to transfer its agenda of issues to the public, but little is known about them at the affect...
Individualized Context-Aware Tensor Factorization for Online Games Predictions

Individual behavior and decisions are substantially influenced by their contexts, such as location, environment, and time. Changes along these dimensions can be readily observed in Multiplayer Online Battle Arena games (MOBA), where players face different in-game settings for each match and are subject to frequent game patches. Existing methods utilizing contextual information generalize the effect of a context over the entire population, but contextual information tailored to each individual can be more effective. To achieve this, we present the Neural Individualized Context-aware Embeddings (NICE) model for predicting user performance and game outcomes. Our proposed method identifies individual behavioral differences in different contexts by learning latent representations of users and contexts through non-negative tensor factorization. Using a dataset from the MOBA game League of Legends, we demonstrate that our model substantially improves the prediction of winning outcome, individual user performance, and user engagement.
Massive Star Modeling and Nucleosynthesis

After a brief introduction to stellar modelling, the main lines of massive star evolution are reviewed, with a focus on the nuclear reactions from which the star gets the needed energy to counterbalance its gravity. The different burning phases are described, as well as the structural impact they have on the star. Some general effects on stellar evolution of uncertainties in the reaction rates are presented, with more precise examples taken from the uncertainties of the \cago\ reaction and the sensitivity of the $s$-process on many rates. The changes in the evolution of massive stars brought by low or zero metallicity are reviewed. The impact of convection, rotation, mass loss, and binarity on massive star evolution is reviewed, with a focus on the effect they have on the global nucleosynthetic products of the stars.
Additional Insights in Creating Large-Scale, High Quality Synthetic Grids: A Case Study

In this paper, a synthetic network has been developed to generate a fictitious but realistic power system model and improved based on the actual generation data on the Midwest U.S. footprint with capability to represent characteristic features of actual power grids, without revealing any confidential information. This synthetic network model is available online and can be shared freely for teaching, training, and research purposes. Geographic Data views (GDVs) and validation metrics derived from the North American Eastern Interconnect show the effectiveness and authenticity of the developed grid.
Syncope and Sarcoidosis: A Criss-Cross of Diagnoses.

Syncope has a broad range of differential diagnoses. Sarcoidosis, a multisystem inflammatory disorder characterized by the formation of noncaseating granulomas, is a rare but important diagnosis to consider while evaluating patients presenting with presyncopal or syncopal symptoms. Although sarcoidosis is most commonly known to affect the lungs, it is estimated that at least 25% of patients with sarcoidosis have myocardial involvement, with only 5% of these patients showing clinical symptoms. Here, we present the rare case of a Caucasian male patient diagnosed with cardiac sarcoidosis after presenting to the hospital with presyncope. The patient had an internal cardioverter-defibrillator placed during hospitalization and was initiated on prednisone and methotrexate in the outpatient setting. He exhibited clinical and radiographical improvement in the six-month follow-up period after treatment was initiated.
Attentional Shifting Mediates the Relationship between Parenting and Working Memory

A growing body of research has found a relationship between parenting and the development of executive function in young children ; however, fewer studies have examined how parenting is related spe...
A CRISPR-Cas9 screen reveals a role for WD repeat-containing protein 81 (WDR81) in the entry of late penetrating viruses

Successful initiation of infection by many different viruses requires their uptake into the endosomal compartment. While some viruses exit this compartment early, others must reach the degradative, acidic environment of the late endosome. Mammalian orthoreovirus (reovirus) is one such late penetrating virus. To identify host factors that are important for reovirus infection, we performed a CRISPR-Cas9 knockout (KO) screen that targets over 20,000 genes in fibroblasts derived from the embryos of C57/BL6 mice. We identified seven genes (WDR81, WDR91, RAB7, CCZ1, CTSL, GNPTAB, and SLC35A1) that were required for the induction of cell death by reovirus. Notably, CRISPR-mediated KO of WD repeat-containing protein 81 (WDR81) rendered cells resistant to reovirus infection. Susceptibility to reovirus infection was restored by complementing KO cells with human WDR81. Although the absence of WDR81 did not affect viral attachment efficiency or uptake into the endosomal compartments for initial disassembly, it delayed viral gene expression and diminished infectious virus production. Consistent with the role of WDR81 in impacting the maturation of endosomes, WDR81-deficiency led to the accumulation of reovirus particles in dead-end compartments. Though WDR81 was dispensable for infection by VSV (vesicular stomatitis virus), which exits the endosomal system at an early stage, it was required for VSV-EBO GP (VSV that expresses the Ebolavirus glycoprotein), which must reach the late endosome to initiate infection. These results reveal a broad, previously unappreciated role for WDR81 in promoting the replication of late penetrating viruses. AUTHOR SUMMARYViruses are obligate intracellular parasites that require the contributions of numerous host factors to complete the viral life cycle. Thus, the host-pathogen interaction can regulate cell death signaling and virus entry, replication, assembly, and egress. Functional genetic screens are useful tools to identify host factors that are important for establishing infection. Such information can also be used to understand cell biology. Notably, genome-scale CRISPR-Cas9 knockout screens are robust due to their specificity and the loss of host gene expression. Mammalian orthoreovirus (reovirus) is a tractable model system to investigate the pathogenesis of neurotropic and cardiotropic viruses. Using a CRISPR-Cas9 screen, we identified WD repeat-containing protein 81 (WDR81) as an essential host factor for reovirus infection of murine cells. Ablation of WDR81 blocked a late step in the viral entry pathway. Further, our work indicates that WDR81 is required for the entry of vesicular stomatitis virus that expresses the Ebolavirus glycoprotein.
When is BERT Multilingual? Isolating Crucial Ingredients for Cross-lingual Transfer

While recent work on multilingual language models has demonstrated their capacity for cross-lingual zero-shot transfer on downstream tasks, there is a lack of consensus in the community as to what shared properties between languages enable such transfer. Analyses involving pairs of natural languages are often inconclusive and contradictory since languages simultaneously differ in many linguistic aspects. In this paper, we perform a large-scale empirical study to isolate the effects of various linguistic properties by measuring zero-shot transfer between four diverse natural languages and their counterparts constructed by modifying aspects such as the script, word order, and syntax. Among other things, our experiments show that the absence of sub-word overlap significantly affects zero-shot transfer when languages differ in their word order, and there is a strong correlation between transfer performance and word embedding alignment between languages (e.g., R=0.94 on the task of NLI). Our results call for focus in multilingual models on explicitly improving word embedding alignment between languages rather than relying on its implicit emergence.
Time-Resolved Spectral Shifts of Femtosecond Pulses in Atmospheric Density Plasmas

Femtosecond pump-probe measurements of spectral shifts provide novel diagnostics of collisional dynamics in atmospheric density laser-produced plasmas under intense field conditions.
V locking protocol for materialized aggregate join views on B-tree indices

Immediate materialized view maintenance with transactional consistency is highly desirable to support real-time decision making. Nevertheless, due to high deadlock rates, such maintenance can cause significant performance degradation in the database system. To increase concurrency during such maintenance, we previously proposed the V locking protocol for materialized aggregate join views and showed how to implement it on hash indices. In this paper, we address the thorny problem of implementing the V locking protocol on B-tree indices. We also formally prove that our techniques are both necessary and sufficient to ensure correctness (serializability).
Sifting Myths for Truths About Our World

When They Severed Earth from Sky How the Human Mind Shapes Myth. By Elizabeth Wayland Barber and Paul T. Barber. Princeton University Press, Princeton, NJ, 2004. 310 pp. $29.95, £18.95. ISBN 0-691-09986-3. The authors, archaeologists, argue that myths contain elements of truth about the natural world and that we can use them as artifacts of sorts.
Identification of an antifungal peptide from hemolymph of an insect, Manduca sexta (976.4)

Insects secrete antimicrobial peptides as part of the innate immunity response. These peptides are often cationic, low molecular peptides with diverse structures. Most antimicrobial peptides from insects have antibacterial but not antifungal activity. We have characterized a newly identified peptide, antifungal peptide-1 (AFP1) from hemolymph of a lepidopteran insect, Manduca sexta (tobacco hornworm). AFP1 was isolated by size exclusion chromatography from hemolymph plasma of larvae. Fractions containing activity against the yeast, Saccharomyces cerevisiae were analyzed my SDA-PAGE and MALDI-TOF MS/MS and found to contain a 41 residue peptide that was encoded by sequences identified in M. sexta transcriptome and genome data bases. AFP1 is a member of the diapausin family of peptides, which includes members known to have antifungal activity. The M. sexta genome contains 14 genes with high similarity to AFP1, each with 6 conserved Cys residues. A cDNA for AFP1 was cloned from cDNA prepared from fat body RNA...
Multiple target detection and track identification using modified high order correlations

This paper is concerned with multiple dim target detection under heavily cluttered background from infrared (IR) satellite data. A new scheme which referred to as "high order correlation method" was recently developed which recursively computes the spatio-temporal cross-correlations between data of consecutive scans. In this paper, a new method is developed to identify each individual track in the scene by using the properties of the high order correlation method. A scoring process is also used to improve the discrimination ability of the scheme by employing velocity and curvature information. This new method not only significantly improves the clutter rejection rate, but also increases the feasibility of the modified high order correlation method for other areas such as track identification, data association, classification and tracking. Simulation results are also presented. >
Placental-fetal hormonal interactions : impact on fetal growth

The placenta plays a critical role in providing an environment that supports optimal fetal growth. It does this by providing the site of nutrient transfer from the mother to the fetus and waste secretion from the fetus to the mother, acting as a barrier against pathogens and the maternal immune system, and as an active endocrine organ capable of secreting hormones, growth factors, cytokines, and other bioactive products. Among the hormones produced by the placenta are members of the growth hormone/prolactin gene family, the placental lactogens (PL) and prolactin-related proteins. Although the exact functions of the placental members of this gene family have not been entirely elucidated, the available evidence supports a role for some in modulating maternal and fetal metabolism. The PL are secreted into the maternal and fetal circulations and, at least in ruminants, seem to mediate their effects through unique receptors, although this remains controversial. One action of the PL may be to modulate fetal IGF production. Research with mice, using gene ablation techniques, indicates the importance of the IGF for maintaining normal fetal growth rate. This research provided data on the timing of the onset of IGF effects on fetal growth and the receptors through which these effects are mediated. This review is about the structure, mechanism of action, and potential function of the placental members of the growth hormone/prolactin gene family and the recent evidence on the role of IGF in fetal growth regulation.
Land and population on the Indian reservations of Wisconsin: past, present, and future.

The historical relationship between land use and population change among Wisconsin's Indian groups has been strikingly emblematic of the larger American Indian population. The ingredients of this rich relationship include the state's natural resource base, as well as the major engines of demographic change, namely fertility, mortality, and migration. In addition, federal policies have played a critical role in mediating this relationship. These policies have figured prominently since the earliest contact between Europeans and Wisconsin Indians and have continued to exert substantial influence. This paper discusses the past, present, and future relationship between the land and the state's Indian populations, paying particular attention to reservation populations. The reciprocal relationship between land and population among Wisconsin's Indians has evolved in an environment of changing social and political forces. Hence, the paper treats these issues in a chronological manner. It begins by reviewing the early period of contact between Europeans and Indians in the area known today as Wisconsin. Then, it discusses the creation of the state of Wisconsin and various Indian reservations, as well as their implications for Indian populations in the state. Next, it discusses federal land policies of the 19th and 20th centuries, and their effects on Wisconsin reservation populations. Finally, it describes current land tenure issues and the implications of future population growth.
Hydrolysis of γ -glutamyl linkages by Fusobacterium nucleatum

The cell extracts of two human oral strains (FN2 and FN3) ofFusobacterium nucleatum displayed exceptionally highγ-glutamylpeptidase activity as determined withN-γ-l-glutamyl-2-naphthylamine as substrate. This activity was so dominant that the hydrolysis of otherN-aminoacyl-2-naphthylamines progressed at a rate <10% of the former. Two major enzymes (I and II) were partially purified from FN2. I had a molecular weight of 115,000 and did not hydrolyzeγ-glutamylcysteinylglycine (glutathione). II had a molecular weight of 70,000 and rapidly liberated only glutamic acid from glutathione. Strain FN3 contained several enzymes hydrolyzingγ-glu-2NA. Direct anion exchange chromatography of FN3 cell extracts separated one enzyme that liberated both glutamic acid and glycine from glutathione, one that was inactive against glutathione (but hydrolyzedγ-glu-2NA), and one that liberated only glutamic acid. Althoughγ-glu-2NA was a good synthetic substrate, glutathione was hydrolyzed at least 500 times faster by an enzyme present in both strains. These results indicate that the presence ofγ-glutamylpeptidase activity is very characteristic of theseF. nucleatum strains.
Graphics of acoustic emission point source location

Spherical coordinates of acoustic emission point-sources are computed using test data collected using a specialized hardware/computer and the software developed for this purpose. A data file of spherical coordinates thus obtained is used for a visual display of acoustic emission point-sources, leading to determination of developing failure patterns for thin-shell spherical structures manufactured by various methods. It is concluded that the display allows an immediate recognition of the flaw patterns developing in thin spherical structures, considerably enhancing evaluation of integrity and methods of manufacturing of thin spherical structures. >
The Impact of Psychological Trauma

This chapter examines how people adapt in the wake of experiencing psychological trauma. This is called the “longitudinal” (i.e., over a period of time) or “prospective” (i.e., beginning with a particular time or event and continuing into the future) course of posttraumatic adaptation. Traumatic stressors have an impact that is not limited to when they are occurring or the immediate aftermath. Experiencing psychological trauma affects how people adjust and carry on with the rest of their lives, beginning with traumatic events but continuing in the subsequent months, years and even decades. Like the aftershocks of an earthquake, the impact of traumatic stressors may be felt in many ways for many years and in ways that are not entirely predictable. The chapter begins by describing what makes a stressor traumatic and considering the acute (immediate) reactions that people have to psychological trauma, both of which are based upon a number of biological, psychological and sociocultural factors. Next, several patterns of positive and negative adaptation following exposure to traumatic stressors are examined. The impact of traumatic stressors includes a variety of changes in the pathway that a person's life takes which occur as time passes, including positive trajectories that have been described as “resistance,” “resilience, ” “recovery” and “posttraumatic growth.”
Interhemispheric communication after section of the forebrain commissures.

Abstract Cognitive information is shown to be transmitted interhemispherically through channels other than the neocortical commissures, presumably through subcortical pathways. What crosses through these subcortical channels does not appear to include the name or identity of stimuli but rather is more contextual or associative in nature. Results obtained with a technique for prolonged visual lateralization indicate that this information, when used in conjunction with cognitive strategies, allows the cortically disconnected left hemisphere under certain conditions to verbally identify stimuli projected to the right hemisphere or to cross-compare bilateral input. The presence of this subcortical communication would thus appear to help explain some of the increasing exceptions to characteristic disconnection symptoms reported among split-brain subjects. In particular, the present results challenge reports which have attributed oral naming of stimuli in the left visual hemif field to the typical disconnected right hemisphere.
Ferroelectric PZT/AlGaN/GaN field effect transistors

Ferroelectric field effect transistors (FFETs) with hysteretic I-V characteristics were attained with 25 nm thick Pb(Zr0.52Ti0.48)O3 (PZT)/Si3N4 gated AlGaN/GaN heterostructure. The PZT films used in the gate of the device was deposited by magnetron rf-sputtering at the substrate temperature of 700 oC. Increasing the PZT deposition temperature from that in previous device structures from 600 oC to 700 oC we obtained much improved device performance in terms of the IV characteristics inclusive of hysteretic behavior. The pinch-off voltage was about 7 V in FFET device compared to 6 V in a the control (conventional) AlGaN/GaN device. Counterclockwise hysteresis appeared in the transfer characteristic curve of a FFET with a maximal drain current shift of about 10 mA at the gate-to-source voltage of -6 V.
Thermodynamics of activated phase transitions of 8CB: DSC and MC calorimetry.

The present paper reports the heating rate effect on the phase transitions of a pure liquid crystal octylcyanobiphenyl (8CB) with use of Differential Scanning Calorimetry (DSC) and Modulation Calorimetry (MC) techniques. The DSC runs were taken at various temperature ramp rates from 20 to 0.5 K/min for heating and cooling scans. Well-defined endothermic/exothermic peaks were found at the melting/crystallization, smectic-A to nematic (SmA-N), and nematic to isotropic (N-I) transitions on heating/cooling scans, respectively. All transitions shift in temperature significantly with different ramp rates. The temperature shift of Cp peaks between heating and cooling scans indicates the order of the transitions. In addition, all transitions follow an Arrhenius behavior. The activation energy of a transition increases as the total energy involved in the transition decreases. The respective enthalpy and entropy change of each transition provides information on the Gibbs free energy. The significance of the results is discussed in terms of the order of transitions. A comparative analysis of MC and DSC techniques highlights the significance of the two techniques. MC is a practicable tool for observing the phase dynamics whereas DSC is a good tool for studying the rate kinematics of the transitions.
Synthesis and characterization of phosphine adducts of thorium borohydride, Th(BH4)4: Crystal structures of Th(BH4)4(PEt3)2 and Th(BH4)4(Me2PCH2CH2PMe2)2

Abstract Addition of tertiary phosphines to Th(BH4)4(Et2O)2 yields the new Lewis base adducts, Th(BH4)4(PMe3)2, Th(BH4)4(PEt3)2, and Th(BH4)4(dmpe)2, where dmpe = 1,2-bis(dimethylphosphino)ethane. If one considers the BH 4 − groups to occupy one coordination site, then Th(BH4)4(PEt3)2 adopts a trans-octahedral geometry, and Th(BH4)4(dmpe)2 adopts a trigonal dodecahedral geometry with the dmpe ligands bridging between the “inner” sites. In the PMe3 and PEt3 complexes, all four BH 4 − groups are κ3, whereas in the dmpe complex two of the BH 4 − groups are κ2 and two are κ3. In the dmpe complex, the Th⋯B distances to the κ2 and κ3 BH 4 − groups are 2.91 and 2.69 A, respectively. All of the Lewis base adducts of Th(BH4)4 are volatile and may be sublimed in vacuum. They have been characterized by infrared and 1H, 11B, and 31P NMR spectroscopy. The results show that thorium complexes of unidentate phosphines can be made and are stable enough to isolate and characterize. 31P NMR coordination chemical shifts of thorium phosphine complexes are on the order of 30–45 ppm. The compound Th(BH4)4(dmpe)2 is the first thorium complex to contain κ2 BH 4 − groups.
MAGNETIC HELICITY SPECTRUM OF SOLAR WIND FLUCTUATIONS AS A FUNCTION OF THE ANGLE WITH RESPECT TO THE LOCAL MEAN MAGNETIC FIELD

Magnetic field data acquired by the Ulysses spacecraft in high-speed streams over the poles of the Sun are used to investigate the normalized magnetic helicity spectrum {sigma}{sub m} as a function of the angle {theta} between the local mean magnetic field and the flow direction of the solar wind. This spectrum provides important information about the constituent modes at the transition to kinetic scales that occurs near the spectral break separating the inertial range from the dissipation range. The energetically dominant signal at scales near the thermal proton gyroradius k{sub perpendicular{rho}i} {approx} 1 often covers a wide band of propagation angles centered about the perpendicular direction, {theta} {approx_equal} 90{sup 0} {+-} 30{sup 0}. This signal is consistent with a spectrum of obliquely propagating kinetic Alfven waves with k{sub perpendicular} >> k{sub ||} in which there is more energy in waves propagating away from the Sun and along the direction of the local mean magnetic field than toward the Sun. Moreover, this signal is principally responsible for the reduced magnetic helicity spectrum measured using Fourier transform techniques. The observations also reveal a subdominant population of nearly parallel propagating electromagnetic waves near the proton inertial scale k{sub ||} c/{omega}{sub pi} {approx} 1more » that often exhibit high magnetic helicity |{sigma}{sub m}| {approx_equal} 1. These waves are believed to be caused by proton pressure anisotropy instabilities that regulate distribution functions in the collisionless solar wind. Because of the existence of a drift of alpha particles with respect to the protons, the proton temperature anisotropy instability that operates when T{sub pperpendicular}/T{sub p||} > 1 preferentially generates outward propagating ion-cyclotron waves and the fire-hose instability that operates when T{sub pperpendicular}/T{sub p||} < 1 preferentially generates inward propagating whistler waves. These kinetic processes provide a natural explanation for the magnetic field observations.« less
Against Mathematical Explanation

Lately, philosophers of mathematics have been exploring the notion of mathematical explanation within mathematics. This project is supposed to be analogous to the search for the correct analysis of scientific explanation. I argue here that given the way philosophers have been using “explanation,” the term is not applicable to mathematics as it is in science.
Age‐of‐onset and genetic transmission in affective disorders

Age-of-onset data were gathered on first-degree relatives of 252 probands with bipolar and unipolar affective disorders. Early onset probands (younger than 40 at onset) had more early onset relatives and a greater risk for affective disorder among their relatives than late onset probands (40 or older). This indicates that age-of-onset is a familial factor correlated with the liability to affective illness. Multiple threshold models of inheritance were applied to the data using age-of-onset as a liability-threshold determinant. The hypothesis of autosomal single-major locus was ruled out. Multifactorial-polygenic inheritance provided a better fit to the data. The data suggest that early and late onset affective disorders can be placed at different thresholds on a genetic environmental continuum and that the early onset form is more deviant genetically than the late onset type. The implications for genetic research in affective disorder are discussed.
Novel cytotoxic annonaceous acetogenins: (2,4-cis and trans)-bulladecinones from Annona bullata (Annonaceae)

Abstract A mixture of two novel cytotoxic adjacent bis-tetrahydrofuran (THF) ketolactone acetogenins, (2,4- cis and trans )-bulladecinones ( 1 and 2 ), was isolated from the bark of Annona bullata Rich. (Annonaceae). Adjacent bis-THF rings, located at C-12 and C-16 and having only one adjacent hydroxyl group, and the presence of an erythro vicinal diol in 1 and 2 are new features for the Annonaceous acetogenins.
The change of the physical properties of coal char during reaction

Abstract A bifurcated cylindrical pore model has been developed to simulate the change of the physical properties of coal char during gasification or combustion. This model demonstrates that changes in the pore structure of coal char can be characterized by dividing the pores into micropores and macropores. Because the micropores provide most of the char surface area, the change in the surface area can be simulated by using a single size micropore model. The evolution of surface areas predicted by the bifurcated pore model agrees well with the experimental data. The model further illustrates that under kinetic control, the combustion characteristic curve is a function of the initial micropore porosity. For char with very small initial micropore porosity, a single (master) curve can characterize the combustion behaviour of coal char.
Man in disorder: The cinema of Lina Wertmuller in the 1970s, by Grace Russo Bullaro

Man in disorder: The cinema of Lina Wertmuller in the 1970s, by Grace Russo Bullaro, Leicester, Troubador Publishing, 2006, 134 pp., £14.99 (paperback), ISBN 978-19-05-88639-5 Man in disorder: The ...
Synthesis of Tropine-Labeled Atropine IV: Labeling of the 2, 3, and 4 Positions of Atropine from Citric-14C Acid

Using a modification of the Robinson condensation, citric-3-14C acid, citric-2,4-14C acid, and citric-2,3,4-14C acid were converted into correspondingly labeled tropine and atropine. The specific activities of the products varied from 0.62 to 1.0 depending on the labeled compound. This is the first reported syntheses of tropine or atropine labeled with 14C in positions other than the endo-methyl group.
TEACHING WRITING IN SECOND AND FOREIGN LANGUAGE CLASSROOMS

Teaching Writing in Second and Foreign Language Classrooms. Jessica Williams. New York: McGraw-Hill, 2005. Pp. xv + 209. $41.56 paper.New in the McGraw-Hill second language professional series, this volume is a welcome addition to current resources for English as a second language (ESL), English as a foreign language (EFL), and foreign language (FL) teachers seeking an introduction to research and practice in second language (L2) writing instruction. The book unifies insights from multiple sources from a SLA perspective. An experienced language teacher, teacher educator, and researcher, Williams emphasizes that writing involves more than text production; “it is also a learning and thinking process” (p. 76).
Mean Reversion in Real Exchange Rates in Seventy LDCs: An Empirical Investigation

So far, comprehensive investigations of the behavior of real exchange rates in LDCs are scarce in the literature. As several LDCs policymakers have been implementing a purchasing power parity (PPP)-oriented exchange rate policy while others have continually intervened in the foreign exchange rate market, there is need to ascertain whether or not there is empirical support for mean reversion of real exchange rates or long-run PPP in LDCs. This study investigates the long-run PPP hypothesis in seventy LDCs. Our data are real effective exchange rates (REER) for the period 1980:1 through 2009:10 (i.e., 358 observations). Our results reveal evidence of mean reversion that is significantly stronger compared to that obtained by using linear tests alone, strengthening the support for PPP. The results find strong evidence in favor of both linear and nonlinear mean reversions, with the nonlinear mean reversion dominating beyond the 2005 sample period.
Critical point criteria in legendre transform notation

Legendre transform theory is used to develop two general critical point criteria for a classical thermodynamic system. The problem of indeterminacy is discussed, as is the option of employing mole fractions (rather than mole numbers).
Lead elimination and size effects on accumulation by two freshwater gastropods

Freshwater gastropods,Physa integra andCampeloma decisum, inhabiting a small reservoir with elevated levels of lead displayed widely differing soft tissue lead concentrations. Analysis of environmental factors did not fully explain these differences. Several physiological characteristics of the two gastropods were examined. The influence of snail size on concentrations of naturally-accrued lead was examined as was the rate of lead elimination from the two species. Lead concentrations inP. integra were independent of animal size, while those ofC. decisum were described by the curvilinear model:μg Pb/g dry wt=2.29(g dry wt)−0.25. Naturally-accrued lead inP. integra was eliminated rapidly during the first four days of clearance but slowly thereafter; a portion of the lead is apparently bound strongly. In contrast, no significant change in lead concentration of gravid or nongravidC. decisum occurred during a three to four week period in which the animals were maintained in a lead-free environment.
Proposed method of hydrogeochemical exploration for salt deposits using ClBr ratios, Eastern Province, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia

Abstract Despite the value of the salt (NaCl) and brine used by the chemical industry, geochemical prospecting techniques are not customarily employed in the search for these raw materials. In this study, Br geochemistry is used as the basis for a proposed hydrogeochemical prospecting technique that was designed to search for shallow halite beds in the Eastern Province of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. Near-surface brine samples were collected at Sabkhah Jayb Uwayyid, both directly above and distant from a buried salt bed. Brine samples collected both directly above and offset to the north-west of the salt bed had Cl Br ratios > 8000. The regional background Cl Br ratio of fresh nonmarime ground water is ≈300. The large range in Cl Br ratios and the association of high Cl Br ratios with the buried salt body suggest that the ratio can be useful in hydrogeochemical prospecting for sibakh-associated, shallow salt bodies.
Distributed Computer Intelligence for Data Acquisition and Control

The critical needs of nuclear science have motivated a trend toward distributed computer systems for data acquisition and control. Such systems combine the flexibility of distributed input/output systems with the capability of handling high data rates and critical control loops by localized intelligence and data reduction. Common problems of such systems such as data rate variations, analysis of alternative configurations, and utilization of standard modules are discussed. Emphasis is placed on the role of the microprocessor as a common component of the system.