cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
A system for the neutron activation analysis of trace elements in samples of biological and environmental interest

A neutron activation, ion exchange group separation and iterative least squares γ-ray spectroscopy method has been evaluated. This technique is suitable for multiple trace element analysis in a wide range of biological and environmental materials, since the major contaminants,24Na,32P, and42K, are removed by an anion exchange resin and do not interfere with the analysis of the majority of the trace elements present. The iterative least squares method was tested with a mixture of standards. The reproducibility and accuracy varied from 3 to 26%. The larger uncertainties resulted from (1) the limited statistical accuracy associated with a low counting rate, and (2) bias introduced by the contaminants in the library of standard spectra even though radiochemical purity exceeded 99.8%. The rigorous least squares method can accurately compensate for instrumental drifts so that the sensitivity approaches the limit imposed by the statistical accuracy of the data and of the standard spectra. Minor components of the complex γ-spectrum were resolved and proved to be present at levels as low as 0.8% of the integral counting rate.
Impact of cigarette smoking on P2Y12 receptor binding activity before and after clopidogrel therapy in patients with coronary artery disease.

Smoking enhances the P2Y12 receptor inhibitory effects of clopidogrel. Nicotine increases P2Y12 receptor expression in platelet lysates from healthy volunteers. However, the impact of cigarette smoking on platelet P2Y12 receptor binding in clopidogrel-treated patients with coronary artery disease (CAD) is unknown. Clopidogrel-naive patients with stable CAD (n = 20) were enrolled and stratified according to smoking status. P2Y12 receptor binding activity was determined by radioligand receptor binding prior and 24 h after a 600-mg loading dose of clopidogrel. Baseline P2Y12 receptor binding was 1.8-fold higher in smokers compared with nonsmokers. After a 600-mg loading dose of clopidogrel, smokers showed a 6.4-fold reduction in P2Y12 receptor binding indicative of marked clopidogrel-mediated blockade, while there were minimal changes among nonsmokers. Among patients with stable CAD, smokers have more P2Y12 receptor binding than nonsmokers and have a higher degree of clopidogrel-mediated platelet inhibition.
Recent In Vivo Evidences of Particle-Based Delivery of Small-Interfering RNA (siRNA) into Solid Tumors

Small-interfering RNA (siRNA) is both a powerful tool in research and a promising therapeutic platform to modulate expression of disease-related genes. Malignant tumors are attractive disease targets for nucleic acid-based therapies. siRNA directed against oncogenes, and genes driving metastases or angiogenesis have been evaluated in animal models and in some cases, in humans. The outcomes of these studies indicate that drug delivery is a significant limiting factor. This review provides perspectives on in vivo validated nanoparticle-based siRNA delivery systems. Results of recent advances in liposomes and polymeric and inorganic formulations illustrate the need for mutually optimized attributes for performance in systemic circulation, tumor interstitial space, plasma membrane, and endosomes. Physiochemical properties conducive to efficient siRNA delivery are summarized and directions for future research are discussed.
Well-posedness for the heat flow of harmonic maps and the liquid crystal flow with rough initial data

We investigate the well-posedness of (1) the heat flow of harmonic maps from $${\mathbb R^n}$$ to a compact Riemannian manifold N without boundary for initial data in BMO; and (2) the hydrodynamic flow (u, d) of nematic liquid crystals on $${\mathbb R^n}$$ for initial data in BMO−1 × BMO.
A simple derivation of a bound on the perceptron margin using singular value decomposition

The perceptron is a simple supervised algorithm to train a linear classifier that has been analyzed and used extensively. The classifier separates the data into two groups using a decision hyperplane, with the margin between the data and the hyperplane determining the classifier's ability to generalize and its robustness to input noise. Exact results for the maximal size of the separating margin are known for specific input distributions, and bounds exist for arbitrary distributions, but both rely on lengthy statistical mechanics calculations carried out in the limit of infinite input size. Here we present a short analysis of perceptron classification using singular value decomposition. We provide a simple derivation of a lower bound on the margin and an explicit formula for the perceptron weights that converges to the optimal result for large separating margins.
Rod-to-coil transition of a conjugated polymer in solution

A rod-to-coil conformational transition is demonstrated for polydiacetylene, 4-butoxycarbonylmethylurethane, in solution. With use of quasielastic light scattering, a coillike structure with relatively small hydrodynamic radius is indicated for the polymer in a good solvent, CH${\mathrm{Cl}}_{3}$. As the proportion of nonsolvent (hexane) is increased, the hydrodynamic radius increases abruptly to a value consistent with the molecule being a rigid rod.
Correcting for ascertainment bias of relative-risk estimates obtained using affected-sib-pair linkage data.

Locus-specific sibling relative risk is often estimated using affected-sib-pair lod score analysis of affected sibships and may be used to decide whether to continue or discontinue the search for additional susceptibility genes. We showed that relative-risk estimates obtained using affected-sib-pair data are asymptotically unbiased when each pair is given a weight inversely proportional to the sibship ascertainment probability. Here we show by simulation that the extent of the bias of relative risks estimated using the incorrect ascertainment weights is small for dominant models, but large for single-locus recessive models and some two-locus heterogeneity models. Since in practice the ascertainment scheme is often unknown, we investigate methods for jointly estimating ascertainment and relative risks from affected-sibship data. Given a sufficient sample size, a reasonable estimate of relative risk may always be obtained using only affected pairs from sibships with two affected and no unaffected siblings. This estimate, which has a large variance, may then be used in a three-stage procedure (which we call the a method) to estimate consistently both the ascertainment probabilities and the relative risks with greater precision. We additionally propose correction factors to eliminate small-sample bias of relative risks and investigate the bias due to error in the estimate of disease locus location. Genet. Epidemiol.
Contrast-Induced Acute Kidney Injury (CIAKI)

Injury to the kidney continues to occur following the administration of intravascular iodinated contrast media. In this article, the author reviews the pathophysiology of contrast-induced acute kidney injury (CIAKI), the relationship of CIAKI to long-term adverse outcomes, what type of patients are at risk of CIAKI, and how the diagnosis is made. After discussion of the reported incidence of CIAKI, an approach to prevention is briefly reviewed.
MEASUREMENTS OF DELAYED WARP IN EASTERN SPRUCE STUDS

ABSTRACT Nearly eighty percent of the lumber manufactured in the United States is softwood dimension lumber used for the manufacture of housing. The principal quality related problem with softwood dimension lumber is that it is subject to warp related degradation. Much of the degradation occurs during the initial drying process, however, residual stresses and moisture content changes that occur after kiln drying can either reduce or increase the amount of warp. The magnitude of post kilning warp change, here termed delayed warp, has not been well quantified. Measurements of twist, bow, crook and moisture content were taken from eastern spruce (Picea spp) studs immediately after drying and planing. The wood was allowed to sit without restraint for a period of two weeks after which the measurements were repeated. Of the 1224 studs measured, over 76 percent experienced changes in twist, over 84 percent experienced changes in bow and over 73 percent experienced changes in crook. Increases in warp generally ex...
Genetic diversity, mating systems, and interpopulation gene flow in neotropical Hemionitis palmata L. (Adiantaceae)

Molecular data from isozyme analyses were used to characterize levels and patterns of genetic diversity in populations of the neotropical cheilanthoid fern Hemionitis palmata. All populations exhibited lower levels of genetic diversity than most other fern species previously studied. Variability in fixation indices and estimated intragametophytic selfing rates suggest that the predominant mating system varies from outcrossing to moderate levels of selfing among populations. Populations were significantly genetically differentiated from each other and estimated levels of interpopulation gene flow were generally low (i.e. Nm < 1.0). The wide geographical distribution of H. palmata may be accounted for by the ability of founding individuals to inbreed. Such an ability, along with founder effects, may explain the observed high levels of genetic differentiation among populations.
Predictive significance of surgical margin status after prostatectomy for prostate cancer during PSA era.

Objectives The presence of positive surgical margins (PSMs) after prostatectomy for prostate cancer has long been an indicator of poor survival outcomes. However, with the downstaging of cancer occurring in the prostate-specific antigen testing era, we sought to determine whether the risk associated with PSMs retains the same effect on prognosis as before the prostate-specific antigen testing era. Methods Of the 3460 patients in the Columbia University Urologic Oncology database, 2215 (64%) were identified who had undergone radical prostatectomy from 1991 to 2005 and had sufficient pathologic data to be analyzed and ≥1 year of follow-up. Three epochs were chosen: 1991-1995, 1996-2000, and 2001-2005. Results The median age, preoperative prostate-specific antigen, and Gleason score was 61.6 years, 6 ng/mL, and 7, respectively, and >50% of patients had pathologic Stage T2 disease. On multivariate analysis, PSMs were a risk factor for biochemical failure for each epoch ( P P = .8). The contribution of PSMs to the accuracy of predicting biochemical failure in a multivariate model was found only for the earliest epoch, because it improved the model by 0.15 (95% confidence interval 0.03-0.27). In the second epoch, it was 0.13 (95% confidence interval −0.01 to 0.27), and it was 0.13 for the third (95% confidence interval −0.06 to 0.32). Conclusions The results of this study suggest that the predictive contribution of PSMs to the accuracy of a multivariate model or nomogram used to predict the outcomes after prostatectomy has decreased during the past 15 years.
Theory, perception, and leadership agency: A multiple processing model of nationalist mobilization

Multiple processes are at work as nationalist groups mobilize, but few researchers consider how the processes impinge on leaders despite the amount of attention paid to leadership by policy‐makers. This article demonstrates the utility of a model that focuses on leaders’ framing and manipulation of structural and situational factors often treated individually in extant work. Emphasis is on the conditions under which different explanations inform leaders’ own ‘definitions of the situation’ as they compete to persuade their audiences toward more inclusive or exclusive ends. Relating success and failure of different strategies contributes to understanding how external actors may alter those situational or structural factors to improve the chances that more inclusive nationalist ideas are promoted.
Evidence-Based Ethical Problem Solving: An Idea Whose Time Has Come

This is an account of the evolution of ideas and the confluence of support and vision that has eventuated in the founding of the Journal of Empirical Research on Human Research Ethics (JERHRE). Many factors have contributed to the creation of this rather atypical academic journal, including a scientific and administrative culture that finally saw the need for it, modern electronic technology, individuals across the world who were committed to somehow finding common ground between researchers and those charged with ethical oversight of research, a network of helpful colleagues, and a university whose administration gave moral support to the endeavor in a time of fiscal austerity. Perhaps equally important were the decisions to make JERHRE a nonprofit undertaking, to emphasize the implications of empirical research for specific best practices, to serve the educational needs of those concerned with human research, and to seek to stimulate the interest of students in gaining an evidence-based understanding of the research contexts in which they decide to work. This article explores the ‘chemistry’ that has made it possible to develop a somewhat unorthodox journal and set of related activities.
Antibody characterization and immunoassays for palytoxin using an SPR biosensor.

Palytoxin (PLTX), a polyether marine toxin originally isolated from the zoanthid Palythoa toxica, is one of the most toxic non-protein substances known. Fatal poisonings have been linked to ingestion of PLTX-contaminated seafood, and effects in humans have been associated with dermal and inhalational exposure to PLTX containing organisms and waters. Additionally, PLTX co-occurrence with other well-characterized seafood toxins (e.g., ciguatoxins, saxitoxins, tetrodotoxin) has hindered direct associations of PLTX to seafood-borne illnesses. There are currently no validated methods for the quantitative detection of PLTX(s). As such, a well-characterized, robust, specific analytical technique is needed for the detection of PLTX(s) in source organisms, surrounding waters, and clinical samples. Surface plasmon resonance (SPR) biosensors are ideally suited for antibody characterization and quantitative immunoassay detection. Herein, we describe a newly developed SPR assay for PLTX. An anti-mouse substrate was used to characterize the kinetic values for a previously developed monoclonal anti-PLTX. The characterized antibody was then incorporated into a sensitive, rapid, and selective PLTX assay. Buffer type, flow rate, analyte-binding time, and regeneration conditions were optimized for the antibody–PLTX system. Cross-reactivity to potentially co-occurring seafood toxins was also evaluated. We show that this optimized assay is capable of measuring low- to sub-ng/mL PLTX levels in buffer and two seafood matrices (grouper and clam). Preliminary results indicate that this SPR biosensor assay allows for (1) rapid characterization of antibodies and (2) rapid, sensitive PLTX concentration determination in seafood matrices. Method development information contained herein may be broadly applied to future PLTX detection and/or antibody characterization efforts.
The structures of five cyclic diketones isolated from coffee.

Abstract Five cyclic diketones isolated from coffee oil (four of them isomeric) have been proved to be: (a) 3-methylcyclopentane-1,2-dione; (b) 3,4-dimethylcyclopentane-1,2-dione; (c) 3,5-dimethylcyclopentane-1,2-dione; (d) 3-ethylcyclopentane-1,2-dione; (e) 3-methylcyclohexane-1,2-dione. The structures of these compounds, postulated exclusively on the basis of spectroscopic data (U.V. I.R. and mass spectrometry), were confirmed by synthesis.
Emphysematous Pyelonephritis in a Nonfunctioning Renal Allograft of a Patient Undergoing Hemodialysis

ABSsTRACT A hemodialysis patient with insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus and a nonfunctioning renal allograft in whom fever, low blood pressure, and confusion developed is reported. She underwent extensive evaluation and allograft nephrectomy for emphysematous pyelonephritis that was diagnosed by the presence of air in the collecting system of the transplanted kidney during computerized tomography of the abdomen. In nine patients with emphysematous pyelonephritis in renal allografts reported previously, this is the first instance of emphysematous pyelonephritis in a renal allograft with coagulase-negative staphylococcus. KEY INDEXING TERMS: Emphysematous pyelonephritis; Renal allograft; Diabetes. [Am J Med Sci 1997;314(5):354-356.]
An experimental investigation of accounts and attributions following sexual infidelity

This study experimentally investigated accounts and attributions following sexual infidelity. Hypotheses predicted that differences in the infidelity (i.e., intent and revenge) would influence attributions about, and accounts generated to explain, the infidelity. Specific predictions also linked account production to attribution patterns. Students read a scenario that described a sexual infidelity performed by either a male or female, either intentionally or unintentionally, and being either revenge‐driven or not driven by revenge. Results indicate that revenge had a strong impact on attributions and accounts, whereas intent only inversely influenced the production of guilt. Relationships between accounts and attributions were consistent with predictions; however, the account category of silence reflected strong levels of responsibility, blame, and guilt yet was interpreted as quite aggravating. Consistent with traditional and modern sexual double standards, findings indicated sex differences in both acco...
Innate immune evasion by hepatitis C virus and West Nile virus

Antiviral immunity in mammals involves several levels of surveillance and effector actions by host factors to detect viral pathogens, trigger α/β interferon production, and to mediate innate defenses within infected cells. Our studies have focused on understanding how these processes are regulated during infection by hepatitis C virus (HCV) and West Nile virus (WNV). Both viruses are members of the Flaviviridae and are human pathogens, but they each mediate a very different disease and course of infection. Our results demonstrate common and unique innate immune interactions of each virus that govern antiviral immunity and demonstrate the central role of α/β interferon immune defenses in controlling the outcome of infection.
1,3-Dipolar Addition of Phenylazide to the Carbon−Carbon Double Bond: An ab Initio Study

With use of density functional methods and large basis sets, as implemented in the Jaguar v. 3.0 ab initio electronic structure package, we calculated the activation energy of the 1,3-dipolar addition of phenylazide to 19 different reactants containing a carbon−carbon double bond. The results provide an excellent prediction of the relative reaction rates observed experimentally as the substituents of the reactant are varied. Regioselectivity of the products of the reaction also are predicted reliably by the calculations. The use of a large experimental data set and full representation of the reactant species (as opposed to smaller model systems) provided a high degree of confidence in the ability of the electronic structure methods to reproduce experimental data reliably. The effects of method of geometry optimization and inclusion of solvation effects were investigated and found to be relatively small.
Reclinomonas americana N. G., N. Sp., a new freshwater heterotrophic flagellate

A new heterotrophic flagellate has been discovered from sites in Maryland, Michigan and Wyoming. The flagellate resides within a lorica constructed of a meshwork of intertwined fibrils with the outer surface invested with nail-shaped spines. The organism "reclines" within the lorica with its ventral aspect directed upward, and has two heterodynamic flagella, neither of which bears mastigonemes. One flagellum is directed upward and the other is arched over the ventral aspect of the body. Ingestion of bacteria takes place at the left posterior half of the cell. The organism is anchored to the lorica on the right posterior side by a series of regularly spaced cytoplasmic bridges and at the left anterior of the cell by a cytoplasmic appendage similar to the "languette cytoplasmique" found in some bicosoecids. The right side of the cell is raised into a flattened lip with the outer margin reinforced by a ribbon of microtubules. The new flagellate has mitochondria with tubular cristae and lacks a Golgi. A new genus is created to accommodate both the new flagellate described herein and Histiona campanula Penard. A new family is proposed to include the new genus and Histiona.
Conformational stability and differential structural analysis of LcrV, PcrV, BipD, and SipD from type III secretion systems

Diverse Gram-negative bacteria use type III secretion systems (T3SS) to translocate effector proteins into the cytoplasm of eukaryotic cells. The type III secretion apparatus (T3SA) consists of a basal body spanning both bacterial membranes and an external needle. A sensor protein lies at the needle tip to detect environmental signals that trigger type III secretion. The Shigella flexneri T3SA needle tip protein, invasion plasmid antigen D (IpaD), possesses two independently folding domains in vitro. In this study, the solution behavior and thermal unfolding properties of IpaD's functional homologs SipD (Salmonella spp.), BipD (Burkholderia pseudomallei), LcrV (Yersinia spp.), and PcrV (Pseudomonas aeruginosa) were examined to identify common features within this protein family. CD and FTIR data indicate that all members within this group are α-helical with properties consistent with an intramolecular coiled-coil. SipD showed the most complex unfolding profile consisting of two thermal transitions, suggesting the presence of two independently folding domains. No evidence of multiple folding domains was seen, however, for BipD, LcrV, or PcrV. Thermal studies, including DSC, revealed significant destabilization of LcrV, PcrV, and BipD after N-terminal deletions. This contrasted with SipD and IpaD, which behaved like two-domain proteins. The results suggest that needle tip proteins share significant core structural similarity and thermal stability that may be the basis for their common function. Moreover, IpaD and SipD possess properties that distinguish them from the other tip proteins.
A Graphical Representation of Interval Logic

Temporal Logic has the potential to improve current methods for specifying and reasoning about asynchronous systems. However, standard temporal logics have been difficult to use, because they are rather low level for the design of realistic systems and are based on modal logics that are not intuitive to users. To be more appropriate for describing complex systems, Interval Logic has been designed as a higher-level temporal logic with a graphical representation. A not quite trivial proof is presented to demonstrate the ability to represent proofs graphically.
Contrast-enhanced ultrasound characterization of the vascularity of the repaired rotator cuff tendon: Short-term and intermediate-term follow-up

Background The objectives of this study were to characterize and compare the vascularity of arthroscopically repaired rotator cuff tendons at short-term and intermediate-term follow-up. Materials and methods Nineteen patients who underwent arthroscopic rotator cuff repair were prospectively monitored for an average of 21.2 months. Initial baseline, grayscale ultrasound images of the operated-on shoulder were obtained on all patients at 3 months and at a minimum of 10 months postoperatively. Perflutren-lipid microsphere contrast (DEFINITY, Lantheus Medical Imaging, North Billerica, MA, USA) was injected after baseline grayscale images and after exercise to obtain contrast-enhanced images of the repair. Three regions of interest—supraspinatus tendon, peribursal tissue, and bone anchor site—were evaluated before and after rotator cuff-specific exercises. Results The peribursal tissue demonstrated the greatest blood flow, followed by the bone anchor site and tendon, in pre-exercise and postexercise states. Significantly less blood flow was observed in all regions of interest before exercise (P Conclusion Preliminary findings suggest that the peribursal tissue and bone anchor site are the main conduits of blood flow for the rotator cuff tendon after arthroscopic repair, with the supraspinatus tendon being relatively avascular. Blood flow of the repaired rotator cuff tendon decreases with time. Furthermore, exercise significantly enhances blood flow to the repaired rotator cuff.
Experimental Evidence for Hydrophobic Matching and Membrane- Mediated Interactions in Lipid Bilayers Containing Gramicidin

Hydrophobic matching, in which transmembrane proteins cause the surrounding lipid bilayer to adjust its hydrocarbon thickness to match the length of the hydrophobic surface of the protein, is a commonly accepted idea in membrane biophysics. To test this idea, gramicidin (gD) was embedded in 1, 2-dilauroyl-sn-glycero-3-phosphocholine (DLPC) and 1, 2-myristoyl-sn-glycero-3-phosphocholine (DMPC) bilayers at the peptide/lipid molar ratio of 1:10. Circular dichroism (CD) was measured to ensure that the gramicidin was in the beta6.3 helix form. The bilayer thickness (the phosphate-to-phosphate distance, or PtP) was measured by x-ray lamellar diffraction. In the Lalpha phase near full hydration, PtP is 30.8 A for pure DLPC, 32.1 A for the DLPC/gD mixture, 35.3 A for pure DMPC, and 32.7 A for the DMPC/gD mixture. Gramicidin apparently stretches DLPC and thins DMPC toward a common thickness as expected by hydrophobic matching. Concurrently, gramicidin-gramicidin correlations were measured by x-ray in-plane scattering. In the fluid phase, the gramicidin-gramicidin nearest-neighbor separation is 26.8 A in DLPC, but shortens to 23.3 A in DMPC. These experiments confirm the conjecture that when proteins are embedded in a membrane, hydrophobic matching creates a strain field in the lipid bilayer that in turn gives rise to a membrane-mediated attractive potential between proteins.
Acquisition of Rater Agreement for the Stressful Life Events Schedule.

Stress has been linked to a broad range of psychopathology including alcohol and drug dependence. Recent advances in our understanding of how stress interacts with biological systems involved in addiction has generated even greater interest in stress assessment among addiction researchers. The Stressful Life Events Schedule (SLES) capitalizes on the strengths and avoids the pitfalls of self-report checklist and interview-based stress assessments. Because the SLES depends on consensus ratings of a research team, this study examined rater agreement of stressful event ratings across the first year using the SLES. Individual ratings of stressful events were compared between two experienced and three new raters. Ratings were analyzed for life events generated from interviews of 70 adolescent psychiatric inpatients and 62 healthy adolescents. Inexperienced raters, with backgrounds in addiction research, reliably rated stressful events and rater agreement improved over a year’s time. Recommendations for successfully adopting the SLES for consensus rating are discussed.
A front gate charge pumping technique for measuring both interfaces in fully depleted SOI/MOSFETs

A simple front-gate charge pumping technique has been developed, which enables the measurement of interface traps at both the front and the back interfaces of a fully depleted SOI/MOSFET. It is based on the strong coupling between the two interfaces, and its validity has been verified both experimentally and by computer simulation.
DNA vaccines for the treatment of prostate cancer

Prostate cancer is a significant public health problem, and the most commonly diagnosed cancer in the USA. The long natural history of prostate cancer, the presence of a serum biomarker that can be used to detect very early recurrences, and the previous identification of multiple potential tissue-specific target antigens are all features that make this disease suitable for the development of anti-tumor vaccines. To date, many anti-tumor vaccines have entered clinical testing for patients with prostate cancer, and some have demonstrated clinical benefit. DNA vaccines represent one vaccine approach that has been evaluated in multiple preclinical models and clinical trials. The safety, specificity for the target antigen, ease of manufacturing and ease of incorporating other immune-modulating approaches make DNA vaccines particularly relevant for future development. This article focuses on DNA vaccines specifically in the context of prostate cancer treatment, focusing on antigens targeted in preclinical models, recent clinical trials and efforts to improve the potency of these vaccines.
iSBVR: isosurface-AIDED hardware acceleration techniques for slice-based volume rendering

In this paper, we examine the performance of the early z-culling feature on current high-end commodity graphics cards and present an isosurface-aided hardware acceleration algorithm for slice-based volume rendering (iSBVR) to maximize its utilization. We analyze the computational models for early z-culling of the texture based volume rendering. We demonstrate that the performance improves with two to four times speedup against an original straightforward SBVR on an ATI 9800 pro display board. As volumetric shaders become increasingly complex, the advantages of fast z-culling will become even more pronounced.
Ecological management of intensively cropped agro-ecosystems improves soil quality with sustained productivity

Intensively cropped agricultural production systems should be managed to improve soil quality and ecological processes and ultimately strengthen system capacity for sustained biological productivity. We examined the long-term changes (>20 years) in soil quality and productivity with incorporation of ecological management principles in a set of intensively managed row crop systems of the upper Midwest, USA. Replicated experimental treatments include corn (maize)–soybean–wheat cropping systems under four different management regimes: (a) conventional tillage and fertilizer/chemical inputs (Conventional), (b) no tillage with conventional fertilizer/chemical inputs (No-till), (c) conventional tillage with ∼30% of conventional fertilizer/chemical inputs and a leguminous cover crop (Reduced Input), and (d) conventional tillage with no fertilizer/chemical input and a leguminous cover crop (Organic). Effects of these treatments on soils were compared by developing a soil quality index (SQI) from 19 selected soil health indicators. An old field community maintained in early succession provided a benchmark for comparison. Reduction in tillage or fertilizer (No-till, Reduced Input and Organic) resulted in increased SQI and improved crop production. The No-till (SQI = 1.02) and Reduced Input (SQI = 1.01) systems outperformed Conventional management (SQI = 0.92) in nitrogen availability and use efficiency, soil stability and structure improvement, and microbial nitrogen processing. Improvements in soil quality corresponded with increased primary production and crop yield in these systems, illustrating the value of an ecologically defined SQI for assessing the long-term effects of fertility and tillage management regimes in agricultural production systems.
In Situ ESEM Study of Liquid Interactions With Carbon Nanopipes

The wetting and fluidic properties of various types of carbon nanotubes (CNT) are currently being studied for various applications, including their use as nanopipes for the controlled transport of fluids to well-defined locations, such as a cell. While numerous studies on the modeling of the behavior of liquids in nanotubes and nanopores have already been reported, very few experimental observations have been published. In this research, the field emission Environmental Scanning Electron Microscope (ESEM) has proved to be a powerful tool in the in situ analysis of the wetting of CNT with diverse liquids at high magnification. Additionally, the ability of the ESEM to condense and evaporate liquids within the chamber has enabled the dynamic study of CNT/liquid interactions. As a result, hydrophilic and hydrophobic behavior of diverse types of commercial carbon nanofibers (CNF) and CNT has been observed. The fluidic behavior of CNF depends largely on surface chemistry and structure. The presence of defects and end groups may cause partial wetting, while graphitized CNF are extremely hydrophobic. Nevertheless, water still becomes drawn into hydrophobic CNF due to surface tension and capillary forces. CNT fabricated by chemical vapor deposition (CVD) with straight, thin walls appear transparent under the electron beam of the ESEM. When studying the interaction of these CNT with water, it was possible to see liquid menisci inside the CNT. From the measured contact angles, it is clear that these CNT are hydrophilic. Furthermore, the wetting behavior observed is very similar to that of closed hydrothermal CNT under high pressures in TEM. Finally, rupture of these thin-walled CNT was observed inside the ESEM chamber as a result of rapid changes in pressure at constant temperatures.Copyright © 2004 by ASME
Mechanisms of heart failure.

The question of why the myocardium fails to contact normally and ultimately leads to congestive failure, has occupied the attention of both clinicians and basic scientists for decades. Nevertheless, it is only within recent years that improvements in clinical diagnostic techniques and development of more sophisticated physiological and biochemical methods have permitted a broader understanding of and direct approach to the problem. Our present purpose is to review certain concepts dealing with myocardial failure on both a physiological and biochemical basis with emphasis on some of our most recent experimental work. In the process we would hope to redefine certain ground rules by which the problem may be approached, and review a number of experiments which have been conducted in our laboratories recently as well as over the past several years to explore the underlying bases of the failing heart.
Robust learning of tensegrity robot control for locomotion through form-finding

Robots based on tensegrity structures have the potential to be robust, efficient and adaptable. While traditionally being difficult to control, recent control strategies for ball-shaped tensegrity robots have successfully enabled punctuated rolling, hill-climbing and obstacle climbing. These gains have been made possible through the use of machine learning and physics simulations that allow controls to be “learned” instead of being engineered in a top-down fashion. While effective in simulation, these emergent methods unfortunately give little insight into how to generalize the learned control strategies and evaluate their robustness. These robustness issues are especially important when applied to physical robots as there exists errors with respect to the simulation, which may prevent the physical robot from actually rolling. This paper describes how the robustness can be addressed in three ways: 1) We present a dynamic relaxation technique that describes the shape of a tensegrity structure given the forces on its cables; 2) We then show how control of a tensegrity robot “ball” for locomotion can be decomposed into finding its shape and then determining the position of the center of mass relative to the supporting polygon for this new shape; 3) Using a multi-step Monte Carlo based learning algorithm, we determine the structural geometry that pushes the center of mass out of the supporting polygon to provide the most robust basic mobility step that can lead to rolling. Combined, these elements will give greater insight into the control process, provide an alternative to the existing physics simulations and offer a greater degree of robustness to bridge the gap between simulation and hardware.
The Kerala Paradox

Kerala, a small south Indian state, is described as a model for state led growth and as a state that challenges the link between high income and high social indicators. Kerala reportedly has high social development indicators and low incomes. This is suggested as a paradox and also as proof that greater state involvement can lead to higher social indicators. A closer look, however, reveals that Kerala income is understated and the growth rates in human indicators are not as high as is claimed. This paper argues that the Kerala paradox is neither a paradox nor a model for state led growth.
Pharmacological evidence is consistent with a prominent role of spatial memory in complex navigation

The ability to learn about the spatial environment plays an important role in navigation, migration, dispersal, and foraging. However, our understanding of both the role of cognition in the development of navigation strategies and the mechanisms underlying these strategies is limited. We tested the hypothesis that complex navigation is facilitated by spatial memory in a population of Chrysemys picta that navigate with extreme precision (±3.5 m) using specific routes that must be learned prior to age three. We used scopolamine, a muscarinic acetylcholine receptor antagonist, to manipulate the cognitive spatial abilities of free-living turtles during naturally occurring overland movements. Experienced adults treated with scopolamine diverted markedly from their precise navigation routes. Naive juveniles lacking experience (and memory) were not affected by scopolamine, and thereby served as controls for perceptual or non-spatial cognitive processes associated with navigation. Further, neither adult nor juvenile movement was affected by methylscopolamine, a form of scopolamine that does not cross the blood-brain barrier, a control for the peripheral effects of scopolamine. Together, these results are consistent with a role of spatial cognition in complex navigation and highlight a cellular mechanism that might underlie spatial cognition. Overall, our findings expand our understanding of the development of complex cognitive abilities of vertebrates and the neurological mechanisms of navigation.
Synchrotron Small Angle X-ray Scattering Study of Melt Crystallized Polymers

In this paper we report a synchrotron small angle x-ray scattering (SAXS) study of development of structure in semicrystalline Poly(Ether Ether Ketone), (PEEK) and an 80/20 blend with amorphous Poly(Ether Imide) (PEEK/PEI). Samples were treated to dual stage melt crystallization scheme involving initial isothermal crystallization at T1 followed by a second isothermal period at T2 (T1 < T2). Intensity of small angle scattering was measured in real-time. Structural parameters characterizing the lamellar thickness, 1c, long period, L, and SAXS invariant were deduced from the one-dimensional electron density correlation function assuming an ideal, two-phase structural model.
Interpretation of pentacyclic aromatic hydrocarbon transitions in terms of composite system approximations

The observed electronic transitions and transition assignments of three pentacyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, benz(a)naphthacene, dibenz(a,c) anthracene, and 3,4-benzopyrene, are presented. The transitions of the pentacyclic aromatics are correlated with the transitions of tetracyclic aromatic hydrocarbons contained within the structure of the pentacyclic. The results of the experimental correlation are then compared with the results of a theoretical “molecules in molecule” interpretation of the pentacyclic transitions. The results of this comparison indicate that applying a theoretical composite system concept to the interpretation of pentacyclic spectra is justified for the lower energy transitions.
Heraclitus' and Wittgenstein's River Images: Stepping Twice into the Same River

Connexions entre les metaphores du fleuve et du flux chez Heraclite, Platon et Wittgenstein
Interdicting attack graphs to protect organizations from cyber attacks

Today's organizations are inherently open and connected, sharing knowledge and ideas in order to remain innovative. As a result, these organizations are also more vulnerable to information theft through different forms of security breaches caused by hackers and competitors. One way of understanding the vulnerability of an information system is to build and analyze the attack graph of that system. The attack graph of an information system contains all the paths that can be used to penetrate the system in order to breach critical assets. Although existing literature provides an abundance of attack graph generation algorithms, more methods are required to help analyze the attack graphs. In this paper, we study how best to deploy security countermeasures to protect an organization by analyzing the vulnerability of the organization through the use of its attack graph. In particular, we present an approach to find an optimal affordable subset of arcs, called an interdiction plan, on an attack graph that should be protected from attack to minimize the loss due to security breaches. We formulate this problem as a bi-level mixed-integer linear program and develop an exact algorithm to solve it. Experiments show that the algorithm is able to solve relatively large problems. Two heuristic methods, one with and the other without a heuristic to solve the master problem and both limiting the master problem branch-and-bound tree to only one node solve the large problems remarkably well. Experiments also reveal that the quality of an interdiction plan is relatively insensitive with respect to the error in the estimate of the attacker's budget, and that the breach loss drops sharply at the beginning, then levels off before finally dropping sharply again with increases in the security budget. HighlightsWe develop an attacker-defender bi-level network interdiction model to interdict attack graphs.We formulate the model using mixed-integer linear programming and provide two alternative formulations for the inner problem.We develop a customized algorithm to solve the formulation with binary variables in both levels.We show through computational results that our algorithm is capable of solving relatively large problems for different parameter combinations.We provide valuable insights about the computational performance of our algorithm and also about the behavior of the attacker and the defender.
An Atopic Socrates: Engaging Socrates' Strangeness

In this essay, I argue that the fullest account of Socrates’ inexplicable coherence lies in Socrates’ strangeness, his atopia, which unites these different figures of Socrates even while this strangeness does not “amount” to a definitive product or sum. I further suggest that this strangeness exists on multiple registers: in terms of Socrates’ physical presence and dislocations of the status quo of Athenian political culture as well as his disturbing quality of asking unexpected and seemingly absurd questions. In other words, Socrates’ strangeness can help us consider what Socrates means and what “coherence” can come from such a fragmented and multifaceted figure. In my final section, I advance examples of movements today that exemplify what bringing Socrates to bear on our political lives might resemble when one also respects and takes inspiration from Socrates’ strangeness. This manifests concrete implications of “engaging Socrates” today.
Laminoplasty as Surgical Treatment for Cervical Spondylotic Myelopathy

Cervical spondylotic myelopathy (CSM) is the most common cause of spinal cord dysfunction in the world. The prevalence of CSM has never been measured, but is estimated to be 1.6 per 100,000 inhabitants. It is frequently associated with degenerative changes (usually superimposed on a congenitally stenotic canal), which result in compression of the cervical spinal cord. There is universal agreement that compression of the spinal cord as the primary pathophysiologic mechanism is responsible for myelopathy; however, the neurologic dysfunction is almost certainly magnified by motion. In most patients, the combination of static compression of a congenitally stenotic canal with dynamic factors leads to the development of myelopathy. It is generally accepted that in the pathophysiology of CSM.
Dynamic N-occupancy models: estimating demographic rates and local abundance from detection-nondetection data

Occupancy modeling is a widely used analytical technique for assessing species distributions and range dynamics. However, occupancy analyses ignore variation in abundances of occupied sites, even though site abundances affect many of the parameters being estimated (e.g., extinction, colonization, detection probability). We introduce a new model (“dynamic N-occupancy”) capable of providing accurate estimates of local abundance, population gains (reproduction/immigration), and apparent survival probabilities while accounting for imperfect detection using only detection/nondetection data. Our model utilizes heterogeneity in detection based on variations in site abundances to estimate latent demographic rates via a dynamic N-mixture modeling framework. We validate our model using simulations across a wide range of values and examine the data requirements, including the number of years and survey sites needed, for unbiased and precise estimation of parameters. We apply our model to estimate spatio-temporal heterogeneity in abundances of barred owls (Strix varia) within a recently invaded region in Oregon (USA). Estimates of apparent survival and population gains are consistent with those from a nearby radio-tracking study and elucidate how barred owl abundances have increased dramatically over time. The dynamic N-occupancy model greatly improves inferences on individual-level population processes from occupancy data by explicitly modeling the latent population structure. This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved.
Global Sensitivity Analysis for a Comprehensive Char Conversion Model in Oxy-fuel Conditions

Oxy-fired coal combustion is a promising potential carbon capture technology. Predictive CFD simulations are valuable tools in evaluating and deploying oxy-fuel and other carbon capture technologies either as retrofit technologies or for new construction. However, accurate predictive simulations require physically realistic submodels with low computational requirements. In particular, comprehensive char oxidation and gasification models have been developed that describe multiple reaction and diffusion processes. This work focuses on the sensitivity of a recent comprehensive char conversion code named CCK, which treats surface oxidation and gasification reactions as well as the processes such as film diffusion, pore diffusion, ash encapsulation, and annealing. In this work the CCK code was adapted for the conditions of an oxy-coal system and subjected to global sensitivity analysis techniques in an effort to rank fundamental input parameters in order of importance. Comprehensive char conversion codes have ...
Crafting a One-Minute Counselor Professional Identity Statement

ABSTRACTA seven-step format is discussed to help counselors create a One-Minute Counselor Professional Identity Statement. The statement can be adjusted for various audiences to maximize the counselor’s ability to work with their client population of interest, receive reimbursement for services, offer the full range of services they have been trained to provide in accordance with their scope of practice, as well as be taken seriously when advocating for clients.