cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Linear vs. Nonlinear

Why do we need to have a nonlinear theory and why bother to study a qualitative nonlinear theory? After all, most models that are currently available are linear, and if a nonlinear model is to be used, computers are getting to be ever more powerful at simulating them. Do we really need a nonlinear theory? This is not a naive question, since linear models are so much more tractable than nonlinear ones and we can analyze quite sophisticated and high dimensional linear systems. Further, if one uses linear models with some possibly time-varying parameters, one may model real systems surprisingly well. Moreover, although nonlinear models may be conceptually more satisfying and elegant, they are of little use if one cannot learn anything from their behavior. Certainly, many practitioners in industry claim that they can do quite well with linear time varying models. Of course, an opposing argument is that we may use the ever increasing power of the computer to qualitatively understand the behavior of systems more completely and not have to approximate their behavior by linear systems.
The asymptotic formula for the number of representations of an integer as a sum of five squares

In this paper we remark that the asymptotic formula for the number of representations of an integer as a sum of five squares can be derived by a simple elementary argument from Jacobi’s formula for the number of representations of an integer as a sum of four squares. A by-product of our argument is an asymptotic formula for the sum $$\sum\limits_{|j| < n^{{1 \mathord{\left/ {\vphantom {1 2}} \right. \kern-\nulldelimiterspace} 2}} } {\sigma (n\, - \,j^2 ),}$$ Where σ denotes the sum-of-divisors function.
Integrating supervised consumption into a continuum of care for people who use drugs.

KEY POINTS The opioid overdose crisis in North America demonstrates a need to scale up supervised-consumption services, as well as to experiment with a mix of potential service models. A range of new-to-Canada models have been implemented over the past two years. In some cities, including Toronto
Status epilepticus after C-4 ingestion: using liquid chromatography to quantify toxicity.

Context: C-4, a commonly used explosive in military operations, is sometimes consumed by soldiers as a rite of passage. The primary component of C-4 is cyclotrimethylenetrinitramine, or Research De...
Abstract P413: Association Between High Sensitivity Troponin T and N-Terminal Pro B-Type Natriuretic Peptide and Fall Risk in Older Adult Participants of the Atherosclerosis Risk in Communities Study (ARIC)

Background: Many health practitioners worry that treating cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk factors (e.g. blood pressure) could contribute to falls in older adults. While prior CVD is a known risk ...
An artificial intelligence-enabled ECG algorithm for the identification of patients with atrial fibrillation during sinus rhythm: a retrospective analysis of outcome prediction.

Summary Background Atrial fibrillation is frequently asymptomatic and thus underdetected but is associated with stroke, heart failure, and death. Existing screening methods require prolonged monitoring and are limited by cost and low yield. We aimed to develop a rapid, inexpensive, point-of-care means of identifying patients with atrial fibrillation using machine learning. Methods We developed an artificial intelligence (AI)-enabled electrocardiograph (ECG) using a convolutional neural network to detect the electrocardiographic signature of atrial fibrillation present during normal sinus rhythm using standard 10-second, 12-lead ECGs. We included all patients aged 18 years or older with at least one digital, normal sinus rhythm, standard 10-second, 12-lead ECG acquired in the supine position at the Mayo Clinic ECG laboratory between Dec 31, 1993, and July 21, 2017, with rhythm labels validated by trained personnel under cardiologist supervision. We classified patients with at least one ECG with a rhythm of atrial fibrillation or atrial flutter as positive for atrial fibrillation. We allocated ECGs to the training, internal validation, and testing datasets in a 7:1:2 ratio. We calculated the area under the curve (AUC) of the receiver operatoring characteristic curve for the internal validation dataset to select a probability threshold, which we applied to the testing dataset. We evaluated model performance on the testing dataset by calculating the AUC and the accuracy, sensitivity, specificity, and F1 score with two-sided 95% CIs. Findings We included 180 922 patients with 649 931 normal sinus rhythm ECGs for analysis: 454 789 ECGs recorded from 126 526 patients in the training dataset, 64 340 ECGs from 18 116 patients in the internal validation dataset, and 130 802 ECGs from 36 280 patients in the testing dataset. 3051 (8·4%) patients in the testing dataset had verified atrial fibrillation before the normal sinus rhythm ECG tested by the model. A single AI-enabled ECG identified atrial fibrillation with an AUC of 0·87 (95% CI 0·86–0·88), sensitivity of 79·0% (77·5–80·4), specificity of 79·5% (79·0–79·9), F1 score of 39·2% (38·1–40·3), and overall accuracy of 79·4% (79·0–79·9). Including all ECGs acquired during the first month of each patient's window of interest (ie, the study start date or 31 days before the first recorded atrial fibrillation ECG) increased the AUC to 0·90 (0·90–0·91), sensitivity to 82·3% (80·9–83·6), specificity to 83·4% (83·0–83·8), F1 score to 45·4% (44·2–46·5), and overall accuracy to 83·3% (83·0–83·7). Interpretation An AI-enabled ECG acquired during normal sinus rhythm permits identification at point of care of individuals with atrial fibrillation. Funding None.
Comments and Conclusions

In this monograph we have attempted, whenever possible, to deal in depth with every clinical and experimental facet and ramification of pheochromocytoma. In conclusion, we emphasize some of the more important aspects of this disease.
Relating human resource management to 'The Goal' by Eli Goldratt

In recent years, the business industry changes had caused a reassessment of human resource management (HRM) positions and structures. In the past, human resources (HR) was centralised. However, with the consistent organisational culture changes, HR is becoming decentralised and its operations integrated other departments. Today, HRM is an integral part of business processes similar other departments (finance, accounting, and so forth). However, with regards to specialised areas, like compensation and recruitment, HR remains centralised. Analysis of 'The Goal' by Goldratt demonstrates its relation to HRM. This paper discusses and assesses the implications of HRM on a company's operations. It explains how HRM is related to the theory of constraints (TOC) and how both concepts help to achieve the company's true goal.
Aortic Valve Surgery With Severe Left Ventricular Dysfunction

In most patients with severe aortic stenosis, management is relatively straightforward. Prognosis is excellent even in patients with severe valve obstruction as long as they are asymptomatic. However, once the classic symptoms of angina, syncope, dyspnea, or other symptoms of congestive heart failure (CHF) develop, prognosis dramatically worsens (1,2). Because 75% of symptomatic patients will die within 3 years of the onset of the symptoms unless the aortic valve is replaced, the onset of symptoms is a compelling reason to perform aortic valve replacement. In many asymptomatic patients, left ventricular (LV) hypertrophy normalizes wall stress, and LV systolic function is normal. However, the increase in wall thickness necessary to compensate the increased pressure term of the Laplace equation (stress equals the pressure times the radius divided by twice the thickness) results in reduced LV compliance and diastolic dysfunction (3). Typically, diastolic dysfunction precedes systolic dysfunction; thus, when congestive symptoms do arise, systolic function is usually normal.
Safety Verification of Model Based Reinforcement Learning Controllers

Model-based reinforcement learning (RL) has emerged as a promising tool for developing controllers for real world systems (e.g., robotics, autonomous driving, etc.). However, real systems often have constraints imposed on their state space which must be satisfied to ensure the safety of the system and its environment. Developing a verification tool for RL algorithms is challenging because the non-linear structure of neural networks impedes analytical verification of such models or controllers. To this end, we present a novel safety verification framework for model-based RL controllers using reachable set analysis. The proposed framework can efficiently handle models and controllers which are represented using neural networks. Additionally, if a controller fails to satisfy the safety constraints in general, the proposed framework can also be used to identify the subset of initial states from which the controller can be safely executed.
Combined rotational and capillary rheomtery to determine slip coefficients and other rheological properties of orange pulp

The characterization of the rheological properties of orange pulp under typical processing temperatures is needed for the design and optimization of orange pulp processing systems. The flow of orange pulp produced slip at shear rates at ∼1 to 5 s-1 . Rotational rheometry revealed that the flow behavior of orange pulp before slip occurrence followed the Power Law model for concentrations of ∼500 to 800 g/L at 4 to 80 °C. The consistency coefficient (K) ranged from 33 to 234 Pa·sn and the flow behavior index n ranged from 0.18 to 0.24. Both, K and n decreased with temperature. While K fitted well an Arrhenius-like model, n best fitted a linear model. As concentration increased K increased linearly, while n was not significantly (P > 0.05) affected. The flow without slip was calculated using the Power Law parameters from rotational rheometry and the wall shear stress (σw ) from capillary rheometry for the experimental flow rates. This allowed calculating the corrected slip coefficient βc and obviated the need for pipes with multiple diameters. βc decreased by one order of magnitude when temperature increased from 4 to 50 °C when σw was 0.1 kPa. The effect was exacerbated with increased flow rate. Similarly, βc increased by about one order of magnitude when pulp concentration increased from ∼550 to 850 g/L at 80 °C. The increase in βc with temperature indicated that the effect of temperature in the consistency of the bulk was different from its effect on the consistency of the liquid phase near the pipe wall. PRACTICAL APPLICATION: Design and optimization of processes equipment and industrial handling systems of orange pulp require detailed knowledge of their rheological (flow) properties. Citrus pulp like fruit pastes and purees produce less friction than one would anticipate when they flow because the liquid fraction acts as a lubricant. This study presents an original method for such characterization and shows that wall slip is greatly affected by temperature and concentration.
The Co-Optimization of Sustainable Aviation Fuel: Cost, Emissions, and Performance

Author(s): Feldhausen, J; Bell, DC; Kosir, S; Heyne, J; Scown, C; Rapp, V; Comesana, A | Abstract: The combustion of petroleum-based fuels contributes to increases in atmospheric CO2, contributing to climate change. As other sectors electrify, current battery technology makes this impractical for the aviation industry. The fastest pathway to reducing the carbon contributions of aviation is to create low or no net carbon-emitting drop-in petroleum alternatives. This research explores 3 potential sorghum derived jet fuel molecules from 4 different production routes, hydro-processed esters and fatty acids (HEFA), and Jet A, to identify how blends including these fuels could offer improved performance (MJ/kg, MJ/L) and improved emissions (gCO2/MJ) while minimizing costs. Different applications will value each target metric differently. This research utilizes the Jet Fuel Blend Optimizer (JudO) to create a 4-dimensional Pareto front across potential solutions. The molecules considered will not offer reduced cost compared to conventional jet fuel (Jet A), but they can be utilized to create blends with higher specific energy, greater energy density, and reduced greenhouse gas emissions. Considerations including carbon credits, the sale of byproducts, and the valuation of improved performance will make the proposed molecules more commercially viable. At the lowest region of GHG solutions, coupled with equivalent LCFS approximations, JudO determined blends that could achieve as high as 69% overall carbon reductions at a premium of $0.34/L.
An Integrated Approach to Information Modeling for the Sustainable Design of Products

The design of more sustainable products can be best accomplished in a tradeoff-based design process that methodically handles conflicting objectives. Such conflicts are often seen between, environmental impact, cost, and product performance. To support such a process, we propose the development of an environment where sustainability considerations are explicitly introduced early into the design process. This explicitness is provided by integrating the requirements information of sustainability standards and regulations directly into the design process. The emergence of the semantic web provides an interoperable environment in which the context and meaning of knowledge about the relationships among various domains can be shared.This work presents an ontological framework designed to represent both the objectives that pertain to sustainable design and the applicable sustainability standards and regulations. This integrated approach not only can ease the adoption of the standards and regulations during a design process but can also influence a design toward sustainability considerations. The usefulness of this model integration is demonstrated by an illustrative brake disk rotor and pads case study. The results show that both the standards and criteria may be considered at early design stages by using this methodology. Furthermore, it can be used to capture, reveal, and propagate the design intent transparently to all design participants.Copyright © 2013 by ASME
Did we solve the old contradiction between microscopic and macroscopic experimental PFNS data

Abstract Prompt Fission Neutron Spectra (PFNS) were analysed in the “dimensionless scale”. The important empirical facts were demonstrated. PFNS have the same shape for any isotopes and incident energy ( 7 MeV. This fact was demonstrated with microscopic and macroscopic data. It was confirmed that old contradiction between microscopic and macroscopic data (mic-mac problem) has not yet been resolved.
Abstract 2568: Use of kinase inhibitors in Fanconi anemia oral cancercell lines

Successful Fanconi anemia (FA) treatment allows greater longevity for these patients. However, there is a greatly increased risk of squamous malignancies of the head and neck which are quite deadly in these young patients. There is an unmet need for non DNA damaging therapies for this malignancy which could augment surgery. Our approach has been to examine potential treatments based on known pathophysiology of the disease which would be acceptable for this population so we examined the effects of metformin and pioglitazone, as well as two cell cycle kinase inhibitors, in FA and leukoplakia cell lines. We examined dose-dependent and combination effects on cell proliferation, as judged by MTT assay. We examined metformin, pioglitazone, the polo-like kinase 1 inhibitor, GSK461364, and Wee1 kinase inhibitor, AZD1775.In single agent studies, we observed dose-dependent decreases in cell proliferation with all 4 single agents. We observed decreased cell proliferation in all cell lines at 72 hours at clinically achievable serum levels of 85% to 55% of control levels (P Citation Format: Walter N. Jungbauer, Mustafa M. Ali, Beverly R. Wuertz, Frank G. Ondrey. Use of kinase inhibitors in Fanconi anemia oral cancercell lines [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the American Association for Cancer Research Annual Meeting 2021; 2021 Apr 10-15 and May 17-21. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2021;81(13_Suppl):Abstract nr 2568.
4 NEWSWORTHY ALGORITHMS: ALL NEWS IS LOCAL

Saturating the ensuing pages (figure 4.1) is a list of words, each one extracted from news coverage of the 2016 US presidential election: a contest in which Donald Trump upset widespread predictions that Hillary Clinton would become the first woman commander in chief. The list begins neutrally enough, with the election characterized as simply different, general, and important. But the discourse soon progresses to pivotal, polarizing, and bizarre. At its midpoint, the election campaign is compromised, looming, and zombie. It ends with proclamations of magic and awful but secure.
Minor oxygenated cannabinoids from high potency Cannabis sativa L

Nine oxygenated cannabinoids were isolated from a high potency Cannabis sativa L. variety. Structure elucidation was achieved using spectroscopic techniques, including 1D and 2D NMR, HRMS and GC-MS. These minor compounds include four hexahydrocannabinols, four tetrahydrocannabinols, and one hydroxylated cannabinol, namely 9α-hydroxyhexahydrocannabinol, 7-oxo-9α-hydroxyhexa-hydrocannabinol, 10α-hydroxyhexahydrocannabinol, 10aR-hydroxyhexahydrocannabinol, Δ(9)-THC aldehyde A, 8-oxo-Δ(9)-THC, 10aα-hydroxy-10-oxo-Δ(8)-THC, 9α-hydroxy-10-oxo-Δ(6a,10a)-THC, and 1'S-hydroxycannabinol, respectively. The latter compound showed moderate anti-MRSa (IC50 10.0 μg/mL), moderate antileishmanial (IC50 14.0 μg/mL) and mild antimalarial activity against Plasmodium falciparum (D6 clone) and P. falciparum (W2 clone) with IC50 values of 3.4 and 2.3 μg/mL, respectively.
Third World Colonialism and Strategies of Liberation: Eritrea and East Timor Compared

Introduction 1. Swaggering empires and defiant 'new provinces' 2. Bittersweet replicas of foreign experiences and reform 3. Toward reorganization and reorientation: Eritrean fragmentation and East Timorese near-defeat 4. Victims of their own success: the revitalized nationalist movements and their challenges 5. Eritrean and East Timorese diplomacy of liberation 6. To Asmara through Addis Ababa and Dili via Jakarta 7. Winning insurgencies and counterinsurgencies in a changing global order 8. The promise and quandary of 'infusing fresh blood' and 'inaugurating new politics' Conclusion.
Older Women and HIV: How Much Do They Know and Where Are They Getting Their Information?

Objectives: To assess older urban women's knowledge about sexual transmission of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)/acquired immune deficiency syndrome (AIDS) and to evaluate the relationship between their HIV/AIDS knowledge level and sources of information. Design: Cross-sectional survey conducted between June 2001 and July 2002. Trained research assistants administered a questionnaire in a face-to-face interview. Setting: General medicine clinic in a large public hospital in a high HIV/AIDS incidence area. Participants: Five hundred fourteen women aged 50 and older. Measurements: Nine questions assessing knowledge of risk of HIV sexual transmission with potential scores ranging from 0 to 9 correct answers. Participants identified all sources of HIV information. Results: The mean knowledge score was 3.7 out of a possible 9 correct responses (range 0 (3%) to 8 (1%)). Younger age, employment, and higher educational level were associated with higher knowledge scores, whereas marital status was unrelated. No respondent correctly answered all of the nine questions. The most commonly identified sources of HIV/AIDS information were television (85%), friends (54%), and newspapers (51%). Only 38% of respondents identified health professionals as a source of information about HIV/AIDS. Health professionals, newspapers, and family members were each independently associated with higher knowledge scores (P<.05). Conclusion: Older women in a general medicine clinic had limited knowledge of sexual transmission of HIV. HIV/AIDS education specifically targeted to this subpopulation is warranted, and health professionals may have an important role in disseminating such messages.
Harmonic Generation at High Intensities

Atomic electrons subject to intense laser fields can absorb many photons, leading either to multiphoton ionization or the emission of a single, energetic photon which can be a high multiple of the laser frequency. The latter process, high-order harmonic generation, has been observed experimentally using a range of laser wavelengths and intensities over the past several years.1»2 Harmonic generation spectra have a generic form: a steep decline for the low order harmonics, followed by a plateau extending to high harmonic order, and finally an abrupt cutoff beyond which no harmonics are discernible. During the plateau the harmonic production is a very weak function of the process order. Harmonic generation is a promising source of coherent, tunable radiation in the XUV to soft X-ray range which could have a variety of scientific and possibly technological applications. Its conversion from an interesting multiphoton phenomenon to a useful laboratory radiation source requires a complete understanding of both its microscopic and macroscopic aspects. By “microscopic” we mean the response a single atom to a pulse of intense laser radiation, while “macroscopic” refers to the spatial and temporal characteristics of the emitted radiation as it propagates through the nonlinear medium in which it is produced. In this article we focus on the response of a single atom to an intense, short pulse laser. The macroscopic aspects of harmonic generation are treated in detail elsewhere in this volume.3
Adenovirus in Solid Organ Transplantation

Abbreviations: CDC, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention; CMV, cytomegalovirus; CTL, cytotoxic T lymphocyte; DNA, deoxyribonucleic acid; EBV, Epstein–Barr virus; FDA, Food and Drug Administration; GALT, gut associated lymphoid tissue; GVHD, graft-versus-host disease; HICPAC, Healthcare Infection Control Practices Advisory Committee; HLA, human leukocyte antigen; HSCT, hematopoietic stem cell transplantation; OKT3, Orthoclone OKT3, muromonab CD3; PCR, polymerase chain reaction.
Reply to Millis et al. on "A Tale of Two Theories: Quantum Griffiths Effects in Metallic Systems"

In a recent paper (cond-mat/0411197) we showed the equivalence of two seemingly contradictory theories on Griffiths-McCoy singularities (GMS) in metallic antiferromagnets close to a quantum critical point (QCP). In a recent comment, Millis {\it et al.} (cond-mat/0411738) argue that in heavy-fermion materials the electronic damping is large leading to the freezing of locally magnetically ordered droplets at high temperatures. In this reply we show that this erroneous conclusion is based on a treatment of the problem of disorder close to a QCP which is not self-consistent. We argue that a self-consistent treatment of the ordered droplets must lead to weak damping and to a large region of GMS behavior, in agreement with the our ealier results.
The International Small Telescope Cooperative (ISTeC)

Although the emphasis in mainstream astronomy has moved increasingly toward larger and space-based telescopes, it is the small to intermediate size telescopes (in the 0.4- to 2.0-m range) that have been the backbone upon which contemporary astronomy has been built Numerous institutions and individuals with such small aperture telescopes exist throughout the world. Such facilities tend to be largely undersubscribed yet they are ideal for supporting areas of research that cannot or will not be scheduled on large telescopes. The International Small Telescope Cooperative (ISTeC) was established to bring to the attention of the general astronomical community the distribution and availability of such small telescope facilities and their research capabilities. The cooperative functions mainly through an Internet website that contains an information listing of the facilities that have volunteered to become a member of the cooperative. The purpose of this listing is to provide research astronomers worldwide with potential sources of data on a larger scale and in a more time efficient manner than is currently available using large national facilities alone. Looking toward the future, advances in telescope automation, detector technology, and worldwide communications will provide the opportunity to make even the smallest of telescopes a productive research instrument. It is the intent of ISTeC to preserve and advance the role of small telescopes in astronomical research by fostering both national and international research collaborations via the Internet.
Dynamic configuration of agent organizations

It is useful to impose organizational structure over multiagent coalitions. Hierarchies, for instance, allow for compartmentalization of tasks: if organized correctly, tasks in disjoint subtrees of the hierarchy may be performed in parallel. Given a notion of the way in which a group of agents need to interact, the Dynamic Distributed Multiagent Hierarchy Generation (DynDisMHG) problem is to determine the best hierarchy that might expedite the process of coordination. This paper introduces a distributed algorithm, called Mobed, for both constructing and maintaining organizational agent hierarchies, enabling exploitation of parallelism in distributed problem solving. The algorithm is proved correct and it is shown that individual additions of agents to the hierarchy will run in an amortized linear number of rounds. The hierarchies resulting after perturbations to the agent coalition have constant-bounded edit distance, making Mobed very well suited to highly dynamic problems.
Degradation of spectrin and ankyrin in the ischemic rat kidney

This study investigates ischemia-induced degradation of the spectrin-based cytoskeleton in rat brain, heart, and kidney. Spectrin, in conjunction with ankyrin, structurally supports the plasma membrane and sequesters integral membrane proteins. After 60 and 120 min of ischemia, brain tissue displayed both spectrin and ankyrin breakdown. The spectrin fragmentation pattern is similar to previously reported ischemia-induced calpain I proteolysis of spectrin in N-methyl-D-aspartate receptor-containing neurons. Ischemic heart tissue displayed no spectrin or ankyrin degradation. Ischemic renal tissue showed minimal breakdown of spectrin but a major loss of ankyrin (25%/30 min of ischemia) that was essentially complete after 120 min of ischemia. Interestingly, this profound loss of ankyrin in the intact ischemic kidney was not mimicked in three renal cell lines (MDCK, LLC-PK1, and JTC cell lines) exposed to chemical anoxia. Immunocytochemistry showed ankyrin was concentrated in thick ascending limb (cTAL) cells and, although delayed by 30 min, was lost at the same rate as measured by immunoblot analysis. Spectrin and Na(+)-K(+)-ATPase, which complex with ankyrin, were essentially unaffected by ischemia. Ankyrin degradation in cTAL cells correlated with the loss of basal infolding organization. In conclusion, the spectrin-based cytoskeleton is differentially targeted by ischemia-induced degradative processes in different in vivo tissues.
Patient-Centric Technologies

The concept of medical technology generally refers to tools and skills that are doctor-centered. Discussion tends to focus on “hard” technologies and hardware (for example, radiation and life-support systems rather than “softer” modalities more directly related to human skills). Doctor-centric technologies are controlled by physicians in several important ways: access to their use is at the discretion of doctors; knowledge of how and when to use them is also controlled by doctors or their authorized extenders; and they tend to be utilized in what Goffman (1961) terms the “workshops of physicians,” that is, hospitals.
Re-Privatizing the Family: How “Opt-Out” and “Parental Involvement” Narratives Support School Privatization

To speak of the “neoliberal privatization of education” is discursively to acknowledge a distinction between “public” and “private,” which “privatization” seeks to override. To critics of school privatization, the erosion of the distinct sphere of the public is a regressive move. It is noteworthy, therefore, that progressive feminists, who are also concerned with the distinction between feminized “private” and masculinized “public” spheres, have historically supported the erosion of this distinction. There are, this paper contends, importantly gendered dimensions to neoliberal privatization that feminist analysis of the “private” brings into focus.
Establishing conservation baselines with dynamic distribution models for bat populations facing imminent decline

Aim Bat mortality rates from white-nose syndrome and wind power development are unprecedented. Cryptic and wide-ranging behaviours of bats make them difficult to survey, and population estimation is often intractable. We advance a model-based framework for making spatially explicit predictions about summertime distributions of bats from capture and acoustic surveys. Motivated by species-energy and life-history theory, our models describe hypotheses about spatio-temporal variation in bat distributions along environmental gradients and life-history attributes, providing a statistical basis for conservation decision-making. Location Oregon and Washington, USA. Methods We developed Bayesian hierarchical models for 14 bat species from an 8-year monitoring dataset across a ~430,000 km2 study area. Models accounted for imperfect detection and were temporally dynamic. We mapped predicted occurrence probabilities and prediction uncertainties as baselines for assessing future declines. Results Forest cover, snag abundance and cliffs were important predictors for most species. Species occurrence patterns varied along elevation and precipitation gradients, suggesting a potential hump-shaped diversity–productivity relationship. Annual turnover in occurrence was generally low, and occurrence probabilities were stable among most species. We found modest evidence that turnover covaried with the relative riskiness of bat roosting and migration. The fringed myotis (Myotis thysanodes), canyon bat (Parastrellus hesperus) and pallid bat (Antrozous pallidus) were rare; fringed myotis occurrence probabilities declined over the study period. We simulated anticipated declines to demonstrate that mapped occurrence probabilities, updated over time, provide an intuitive way to assess bat conservation status for a broad audience. Main conclusions Landscape keystone structures associated with roosting habitat emerged as regionally important predictors of bat distributions. The challenges of bat monitoring have constrained previous species distribution modelling efforts to temporally static presence-only approaches. Our approach extends to broader spatial and temporal scales than has been possible in the past for bats, making a substantial increase in capacity for bat conservation.
Acquisition of leverpressing without experimenter assistance by rats on differential reinforcement of low-rate schedules

Rats can acquire a continuously reinforced leverpressing response without experimenter assistance. In the present study, acquisition of responding on a more complex schedule, differential reinforcement of low rates (DRL), was examined. In a DRL schedule, successive responses are reinforced only if a minimum period of time has elapsed between successive responses. Twelve rats were placed directly on DRL 7.5, 15, and 30 sec. Eleven of 12 rats acquired leverpressing without experimenter assistance. Efficiency of responding was inversely related to DRL value.
Some Effects of Water Immersion on the Mechanical Behavior of a Polyimide Film

Absorbed moisture is generally thought to have a plasticizing effect upon the mechanical behavior of polymers. This paper presents some experimental results illustrating the effects of water immersion upon the room temperature creep and stress-strain behavior of a polyimide film. It is shown that immersion in water results in antiplasticization as demonstrated by a significant increase in stiffness and decrease in time dependence. These effects were found to be reversible following thermal conditioning at 300°C.
Isoprene Production Via the Mevalonic Acid Pathway in Escherichia coli (Bacteria)

There is a need to develop renewable fuels and chemicals that will help meet global demands for energy and synthetic chemistry feedstock, without contributing to climate change or environmental degradation. Isoprene (C5H8) is one such key chemical ingredient, required for the production of synthetic rubber or plastic products, and a potential biofuel. Enabling a sustainable microbial fermentation for the production of isoprene is an attractive alternative to a petroleum origin. This work demonstrates transgenic expression of the Pueraria montana (kudzu vine) isoprene synthase gene (kIspS) and heterologous isoprene production in Escherichia coli. Enhancements in the amount of E. coli isoprene production were achieved upon over-expression of the native 2-C-methyl-d-erythritol-4-phosphate (MEP) biosynthetic pathway and, independently, upon heterologous over-expression of the entire mevalonic acid (MVA) pathway. A direct comparison of the efficiency of cellular organic carbon flux through the MEP and MVA pathways is provided, under conditions when these are expressed in the same host using the same plasmid, and same ribosome-binding sites (RBS). These alternative isoprenoid biosynthetic pathways were assembled in and expressed through a superoperon, suitable for transformation of E. coli. Introduction of specific RBS and nucleotide spacers between individual genes in the superoperon structure enabled maximal expression in E. coli batch cultures and translated to an improved production from 0.4 mg isoprene per liter of culture (control) to 5 mg isoprene per liter of culture (MEP superoperon transformants) and up to 320 mg isoprene per liter of culture (MVA superoperon transformants). This 800-fold increase in isoprene concentration from the MVA transformants and the attendant isoprene-to-biomass 0.78:1 carbon partitioning ratio suggested that the engineered MVA pathway introduces a bypass in the flux of endogenous substrate in E. coli to isopentenyl-diphosphate and dimethylallyl-diphosphate, thus overcoming flux limitations imposed upon the regulation of the native MEP pathway by the cell.
Heart block after intravenous lidocaine in an infant

A 14-day-old infant received intravenous lidocaine (2 mg·kg-1 ) at the conclusion of cataract surgery to prevent coughing from tracheal tube stimulation. Within 30 seconds the infant developed high-grade AV heart block and a ventricular rate of 40. Following brief resuscitation efforts, the patient had a normal cardiac rhythm, blood pressure and respiratory pattern. Intravenous lidocaine may be followed by major disturbances in cardiac rhythm and rate. Cautious titration of small doses should decrease the potential for adverse effects.
Prolonged Suppression by X-Ray of Adaptation for the Secondary Antibody Response

Rabbits adapted by previous exposure for vigorous secondary antibody responses to BGG lost this adaptation after sublethal x radiation and were able to give only primary responses to reinjection of the antigen 24 weeks after irradiation. Data are presented indicating that the loss of secondary adaptation was not a result of general damage to the antibody-forming system. These results have implications both for understanding of the immune response and for practical problems of immunization.
Anti-inflammatory drugs in experimental atherosclerosis Part 1. Relative potencies for inhibiting plaque formation

Abstract The influence of anti-inflammatory drugs on development of atherosclerosis in cholesterol-fed rabbits has been studied. All of the steroids tested reduced plaque formation by 55–95% over the 12 week experimental period. The most potent, 9α-fluorohydrocortisone, was effective in oral doses of only 30 μg daily. Dexamethasone, methylprednisolone, triamcinolone, prednisone and cortisone acetate were also effective at higher dose levels. These protective effects were partially duplicated by a number of non-steroids including flufenamic acid, phenylbutazone, oxyphenylbutazone and mefanamic acid. Aminopyrine and aspirin were inactive. By means of dose-response curves, it was possible to demonstrate dissociation of the hyperlipemic effects of the steroids from their protective effects. It was found that the relative potencies of these drugs in inhibiting atherosclerosis in the rabbit, parallels closely their effectiveness in the treatment of inflammatory disorders in humans.
Hydraulic Drag: A Meander-Initiating Mechanism

Previous work has shown that meandering is an intrinsic property of stream flow that is essentially independent of the effects of sediment. This can be easily demonstrated on a simplified sediment-free stream “table” or plate composed of an inclined hydrophobic plane surface on which a small stream of water is allowed to flow. Development of a meander series from a straight and then sinuous stream is induced by increasing water flow. A study of water motion by injecting ink into the stream reveals a genetic relationship between sinuous water motion (meandering thalweg) of straight reaches and the bends of meandering streams. Dimensional ratios of wave length of meandering thalweg to stream width in the straight stream or stream width to meander length and radius of curvature in the meandering stream closely match those of larger streams in nature. Variations of water depth along straight or meandering experimental streams match, more or less as mirror images, the familiar riffle and pool undulations of the stream bed in straight reaches or the crossings and deeps of meandering streams in nature. Pools apparently are analogous to deeps, and riffles to crossings. Introduced silicon carbide granules form point bars spaced approximately two to three times the stream width in the straight stream and five to seven times the stream width in the meandering stream in accordance with field observations. Reversing helical flow can be demonstrated in the meander bends but this is an exaggeration of sinuous water motion or hydraulic drag already present in the straight stream. A physical model demonstrating the initiation of meandering is also described which apparently is, in essence, similar to the initiating mechanism responsible for production of beach cusps and other evenly spaced longitudinal current-formed structures.
Usefulness of two-dimensional strain echocardiography to predict segmental viability following acute myocardial infarction and optimization using bayesian logistic spatial modeling.

Viability assessment after acute myocardial infarction (MI) is important to guide revascularization. Two-dimensional strain echocardiography was shown to predict viability, but the method assumed that strain in each segment is independent of contiguous segments. The aim of this study was to test the hypotheses that segmental strain after MI is spatially correlated and that using a Bayesian approach improves the prediction of nonviable myocardium. Twenty-one subjects (mean age 58 ± 12 years, 6 women) with MI ≥2 weeks before recruitment underwent 2-dimensional strain echocardiography and late gadolinium enhancement (LGE) cardiac magnetic resonance imaging within 48 hours of each other. The heart was divided into 16 segments, and longitudinal, radial, and circumferential strains were measured using software. Using similar segmentation, LGE was measured, and segments with >50% LGE were considered nonviable. Spearman's analyses were used to assess the spatial correlation of strain, and receiver-operating characteristic curve analysis was used to determine the prediction of nonviable myocardium without and with a Bayesian logistic spatial conditionally autoregressive (CAR) model. There was a significant spatial correlation in strain and LGE among segments, especially in the apex. Longitudinal strain was the best predictor of nonviability and was impaired in nonviable myocardium (−12.1 ± 0.6%, −8.0 ± 0.6%, and −4.6 ± 1% for 0%, 1% to 50%, and >50% LGE, respectively, p
Nonlinear Pseudoscalar Meson Theory

An attempt is made to explain nuclear saturation by means of a nonlinear pseudoscalar meson field. The same nonlinearity as that introduced by Schiff for the scalar case is employed; the treatment follows similar lines, using classical field theory. The total source strength is calculated for an isolated nucleon at rest, and an expression for the two-nucleon interaction in free space is obtained. It is shown that both of these are infinite, so that a cutoff must be introduced. For the two-nucleon problem the variation method is used with a simple trial function, which is the superposition of the single-nucleon meson field amplitudes; this should be a good approximation for large separation of the nucleons. Then the nonlinear terms of the two-particle interaction are shown to be separable from the linear ones, and are repulsive. The nonlinear terms can also be separated in the many-body problem, but they are not necessarily positive definite here, and hence need not lead to saturation. A nuclear model, based on a lattice structure with stationary nucleons is discussed qualitatively.
Effect of Unstable Particle Production on Scattering Amplitudes

The model for pion-nucleon scattering proposed by Ball, Frazer, and Nauenberg is solved numerically. This model yields unitary scattering amplitudes while including the effects of $\ensuremath{\rho}$-meson production and the associated anomalous thresholds. The behavior of the solutions as a function of the width of the $\ensuremath{\rho}$ meson and the pion-nucleon coupling constant is investigated. Cusps as well as broad peaks are generated in the elastic-scattering amplitude by the $\ensuremath{\rho}$-meson production. The effects of the complex singularities are investigated in detail by comparison with another treatment of pion-nucleon scattering in which anomalous cuts are absent. Also, the existence of poles on unphysical sheets is studied by means of a simplified model.
Preparation of New Structural TiO2 Nanotube Arrays and Study of Photoelectric Properties

NH4F with ethylene glycol solution as the electrolyte, the anodic oxidation of titanium mesh surface in preparation of ordered TiO2 nanotube array. The structure, morphology and absorption properties of samples were characterized by XRD, SEM and UV spectrophotometer. The results show that, in a certain time range, nanotube length and diameter will increase with the increase of oxidation time. The best oxidation time is 60min. Ultraviolet visible spectrophotometer results show that, the optical band gap of samples is from 3.26-3.42eV. The photoelectric conversion characteristics of dye sensitized solar cell assembled with prepared nanotube arrays were tested.
Usability Failures and Healthcare Data Hemorrhages

In healthcare, data leaks risk patients' health as well as their identity. The authors conducted interviews and field research to determine how system usability failures can lead to such data hemorrhages.
Early Evolution of Conodonts

The known distribution of conodonts in the Cambrian of Europe, Asia, and North America is not uniform, but no major discrepancies in stratigraphic range of form species has been noted. The oldest reliably dated conodont known is a Hertzina species which is known in upper Middle Cambrian rocks in Nevada and Bornholm (Denmark). Apparently there is a mineralogic evolution from calcium phosphate and considerable organic matter in the oldest specimens to calcium phosphate, with little or no organic material in Upper Cambrian specimens. The Cambrian conodont faunal distribution may be related to the Cambro-Ordovician trilobite biomeres, at least in North America. The first real diversification of faunas in North America occurs in the Aphelaspis-Elvinia interval which corresponds to the Pterocephaliid trilobite invasion. Even more striking is the fact that the Saukia Trempealeauan = Lower Tremadocian trilobite fauna diversity has its counterpart in the diversity of conodonts which evolved at approximately the same time. Form-species evolution noted in this interval includes the Cordylodus-Oistodus group and a separate but related Oneotodus-Acodus-Acontiodus sequence.
1,3,2‐dioxaphosphorinane 2‐oxides II. Preparation and antitumor activity of some 2‐alkylamino and 2‐arylamino‐5‐alkyl‐5‐nitro‐1,3,2‐dioxaphosphorinane 2‐oxides

A series of 2-substituted-5-alkyl-5-nitro-1,3,2-dioxaphosphorinane 2-oxides consisting of 2-alkylamino and 2-arylamino types have been prepared and submitted for antitumor screening.
Ion Implantation-Induced Amortization of Ceramic Oxides

A mechanism of amorphization by ion implantation in ceramic oxides is studied using a rate theory approach. It is proposed that the production of highly localized lattice distortions causes lattice destabilization and the ensuing transition to the amorphous state. These distortions can be caused by a large point defect buildup. It is argued that point defect retention occurs because of the impossibility of producing antisite defects. It is proposed that point defects on each sublattice can shield or trap point defects on the other sublattice. Similarly, metallic impurities may shield oxygen vacancies or trap oxygen interstitial ions, preventing anion Frenkel pairs from recombining. These effects are modeled in a-alumina for low temperature implantations (e.g., around 78 K), where point defects are immobile. It is shown that, at these temperatures, recombination is strongly hindered by the radiation-induced point defects themselves, rather than by the implanted impurities. The high point defect concentration attained by this mechanism is sufficient to raise the free energy of the crystal above the free energy of the amorphous solid.
Switching phenomena and dielectric breakdown in amorphous Nb2O5 films

Abstract Repititive switching from the high-to the low-resistance states in thin amorphous Nb 2 O 5 films are investigated. The switching processes are found to be associated with four conduction states. The transitions among the first three states are reversible, exhibiting a cyclic switching behavior. The resistive transitions are abrupt, taking place within a range of less than a millivolt. The switching time from the first conduction state to others is I – V characteristics of the four conduction states are given and show that the final or irreversible dielectric breakdown process occurs throuh the formation of highly conductive filaments. The current-voltage characteristics for the four conduction states are briefly discussed.
Establishing national goals for quality improvement.

BACKGROUND. For a number of reasons, it has been difficult to garner public interest in the need to improve the quality of care delivered nationally. One possible reason for this is that the concept of quality has different meanings for different stakeholders. To make the problems of suboptimal quality more concrete and potential solutions more compelling, the Strategic Framework Board (SFB) recommended developing a set of national goals for quality improvement. OBJECTIVES. To describe the criteria by which national goals should be selected, illustrate the analytic methods that should be used to support the development of such goals, and describe and illustrate a process by which national goals could be formulated. RESEARCH DESIGN. Targeted review of literature and discussions among members of the SFB. FINDINGS. National goals have played a key role in making progress under the Healthy People 2000 and Healthy People 2010 initiatives. The recommended process will involve assembling key evidence as well as engaging in a consensus process. CONCLUSIONS. Developing a set of national goals for quality improvement is a key activity for a national quality measurement and reporting system to undertake. The steps outlined here represent a feasible and productive method for accomplishing this objective.