cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
The Heaviest Atomic Nuclei and Their Metastable States

Where does the Periodic Table end? What is the mass of the heaviest atomic nucleus? Among the first to address these questions were Niels Bohr and John Wheeler who, in 1939, developed a macroscopic model of fission that treated the nucleus as a charged liquid drop [1]. Story has it that Bohr was confined to his stateroom during a transatlantic voyage with seasickness and worked on the model to take his mind off his nausea; this was the same trip on which Bohr brought the news to America of the discovery of fission. Their model suggested that there is a limiting value of Z2/A, and nuclei like 238U (with 92 protons and 146 neutrons) lie just below this limit. Having only a few more protons would mean the nucleus is no longer stable with respect to deformation and it would split into pieces (there is no barrier to fission, as illustrated in Figure 1). Clearly, if that was the whole story, readers of this article would be grateful for its brevity.
Some Further Perspectives on the Development of Applied Linguistics: AResponse to Bialystok

Metaphors have a way of elucidating phenomena that defy empirical description. I was pleased to see that Ellen Bialystok had borrowed one of my favorite metaphors in her description of the growth of applied linguistics over the fifty years of Language Learning's existence. Some years ago (Brown, 1978) I chose the human development metaphor to describe processes of change in the language teaching profession. With this implicit permission, let me add some of my own perspectives to what Bialystok has already offered on the development of applied linguistics in the first section of the paper.
The production of cultural and natural wealth: An examination of World Heritage sites

Abstract Using the World Heritage List as a case study, this article shows how cultural and natural wealth is constructed through internal claims and external validation. I analyze the relationship among certain internal state dynamics and global relational structures to estimate their relationship with the number of nominations to, and inclusions in, the World Heritage List. I find that, while the number of nominations is a significant predictor of inclusion in the list, cultural regions are a driving force behind nominations. I also find that bureaucratic state capacity matters, but for the inscription of cultural nominations, not natural ones. By differentiating between cultural and natural nominations and inscriptions, I show how the roles that both cultural and natural wealth play in recreating hierarchies is contingent upon both their content and the relationship among relevant actors.
Selective protein storage by the fat-body of the angoumois grain moth, Sitotroga cerealella

Abstract Electrophoretic analyses showed that four major proteins were lost from the haemolymph of Sitotroga during the pharate pupal stage. These proteins were selectively taken up by the fat-body and probably serve as an amino-acid reserve for adult differentiation.
Specification and verification of an HDLC protocol with arm connection management and full-duplex data transfer

We use an event-driven process model to specify a version of the High-level Data Link Control (HDLC) protocol between two communicating protocol entities. The HDLC protocol is based upon the Asynchronous Response Mode (ARM) of operation, and uses the basic repertoire of HDLC commands and responses (with the exception of the CMDR response). It includes the features of poll/final cycles for connection management and checkpointing, sliding windows for data transfer, and ready/not ready messages for flow control. HDLC has three distinguishable functions: connection management, and one-way data transfers in opposite directions between the protocol entities. Various logical safety properties of the HDLC protocol concerning these functions have been verified using the method of projections.
Parallel genomic sequence-search on a massively parallel system

In the life sciences, genomic databases for sequence search have been growing exponentially in size. As a result, faster sequence-search algorithms to search these databases continue to evolve to cope with algorithmic time complexity. The ubiquitous tool for such search is the Basic Local Alignment Search Tool (BLAST) [1] from the National Center for Biotechnology Information (NCBI). Despite continued algorithmic improvements in BLAST, it cannot keep up with the rate at which the database is exponentially increasing in size. Therefore, parallel implement-ations such as mpiBLAST have emerged to address this problem. The performance of such implementations depends on a myriad of factors including algorithmic, architectural, and mapping of the algorithm to the architecture. This paper describes modifications and extensions to a parallel and distributed-memory version of BLAST called mpiBLAST-PIO and how it maps to a massively parallel system, specifically IBM Blue Gene/L (BG/L). The extensions include a virtual file manager, a "multiple master" run-time model, efficient fragment distribution, and intelligent load balancing. In this study, we have shown that our optimized mpiBLAST-PIO on BG/L using a query with 28014 sequences and the NR and NT databases scales to 8192 nodes (two cores per node). The cases tested here are well suited for a massively parallel system.
Superconductivity and soft modes in CdS

We show that adequate superparacurrent is induced by a magnetic field in an insulator provided soft modes can be identified at the edge of a zone, and there is strong unsymmetric electron-phonon coupling. It is thought that this analysis is relevant to the situation in CdS, where correlation between the occurrence of soft modes and unusual magnetic properties is being discovered.
A self-powered and portable device to monitor and assess targeted muscle rehabilitation.

Injury to a muscle or neuromuscular connections, resulting from events such as a minor stroke or car accident, can be detrimental to the quality of life of the victim or his or her families due to an increased load of expenses and time. The key to recovery and rehabilitation for such injuries is physical therapy, which can be expensive and time consuming, especially for low income families who may not have insurance. In order to significantly reduce the number of visits to a physical therapist, we developed a method of monitoring muscle use with the help of a portable, comfortable, and self-powered elastic sleeve. This paper presents preliminary data showing that the progress of muscle fatigue can be identified by analyzing the frequency spectrum and amplitude of a live electromyogram (EMG). This technique can be used to guide a subject with rehabilitation exercises, remotely, from a physical therapist. The worn device is self-powered by the strains caused by exercise on embedded piezoelectric material and communicates with a smart phone via Bluetooth technology to guide the user and concatenate data for a clinician.
Fluorescence Resonance Energy Transfer between Unnatural Amino Acids in a Structurally Modified Dihydrofolate Reductase

The cleavage of a substrate protein by HIV-1 protease has been monitored in real time by the use of a dihydrofolate reductase fusion protein in which a fluorescence donor and a fluorescence acceptor were introduced into sites flanking the HIV-1 protease cleavage site. The amino acids 7-azatryptophan and dabcyl-1,2-diaminopropionic acid were introduced into specific sites of the DHFR fusion protein in an in vitro protein biosynthesizing system using two misacylated suppressor tRNAs, each of which recognized a specific, unique codon introduced into the mRNA. Excitation of the fluorescence acceptor in the initially expressed protein afforded no light production, consistent with quenching by fluorescence resonance energy transfer. Treatment of the elaborated protein with HIV-1 protease cleaved the protein between the fluorescence donor and acceptor, affording a time-dependent increase in fluorescence that was equal in magnitude to that produced by admixture of a stoichiometric amount of free 7-azatryptophan t...
Uptake and Transport of Radiochloride and Tritiated Water by Various Zones of Onion Roots of Different Chloride Status.

The uptake and transport of radiochloride and tritiated water by different root zones of individual exuding onion (Allium cepa) roots of different chloride status was determined. The terminal 3 cm of the root was most active in Cl/sup 36 accumulation and transport to the exudate. The net rate of Cl/sup 36/ accumulation by the root tissue initially decreased with time, whereas the rate of Cl/sup 36/ transport to the exudate remained constant over a 12 hour period. It was suggested that the transport of ions into vacuoles also occurs at a constant rate which is accompanied by progressively increasing rates of ion efflux from vacuoles. The reoccupation of active transport sites by ions moving from vacuoles to cytoplasm would account for the decreasing rate of net accumulation with time and also the reduced uptake and transpont of Cl/sup 36/ in high chloride roots. Exudate concentrations of Cl/sup 36/ exceeded tissue concentrations of Cl/sup 36/ when tracer absorption occurred at the 3 to 6 cm zone of high chloride roots. This result was obtained even though water absorption from the 1 to 3 cm and 6 to 9 cm zones would have caused dilution of the xylem steam. Movement of Cl/supmore » 36/ from the treated zones to untreated zones was negligible as was movement from the xylem into the untreated zones. The uptake and movement of tritiated water (THO) to root exadates was unaffected by the chloride status of the tissue. The 6 to 9 cm zone appeared to absorb THO most rapidly. Adjacent root zones had only a trace of THO. (auth)« less
AMPK in cardiovascular health and disease.

Adenosine Monophosphate-activated Protein Kinase (AMPK), a serine/threonine kinase and a member of the Snf1/AMPK protein kinase family, consists of three protein subunits that together make a functional enzyme. AMPK, which is expressed in a number of tissues, including the liver, brain, and skeletal muscle, is allosterically activated by a rise in the AMP: ATP ratio (ie in a low ATP or energy depleted state). The net effect of AMPK activation is to halt energy consuming (anabolic) pathways but to promote energy conserving (catabolic) cellular pathways. AMPK has therefore often been dubbed the “metabolic master switch”. AMPK also plays a critical physiological role in the cardiovascular system. Increasing evidence suggest that AMPK might also function as a sensor by responding to oxidative stress. Mostly importantly, AMPK modulates endogenous antioxidant gene expression and/or suppress the production of oxidants. AMPK promotes cardiovascular homeostasis by ensuring an optimum redox balance on the heart and vascular tissues. Dysfunctional AMPK is thought to underlie several cardiovascular pathologies. Here we review this kinase from its structure and discovery to current knowledge of its adaptive and maladaptive role in the cardiovascular system.
Central exclusive dijet production at the Tevatron

We present a review of central exclusive dijet production in collisions, where the proton and antiproton emerge intact, and only two jets of transverse energy above a certain threshold are present in the final state. The results are published in two papers by the Collider Detector at Fermilab (CDF) Collaboration, a PRL (2000) and a PRD (2008), based on data collected at and 1.96 TeV, respectively, and a D0 Collaboration paper from studies at 1.96 TeV. In all three cases predictions for the cross-section of Higgs boson production are discussed, a process that proceeds via a similar mechanism as dijet production. Roman Pot Spectrometers equipped with tracking detectors are used to measure the outgoing antiproton (CDF and D0) and proton (D0), and special forward detectors are employed to help reduce backgrounds and enrich the data in diffractive and exclusive dijet events.
Modelling biphasic killing of fluoroquinolones: guiding optimal dosing regimen design

Objectives Fluoroquinolones are commonly believed to exhibit concentration-dependent killing, but time-kill studies have revealed that fluoroquinolone activity could be a complex combination of concentration-dependent and -independent killing. We had previously developed a mathematical modelling framework to describe the dynamics of bacterial populations under the effect of antimicrobials, which could facilitate the design of optimal dosing regimens. Our objective was to extend the framework to describe the effect of fluoroquinolones on heterogeneous populations of Escherichia coli and Staphylococcus aureus. Methods A mathematical model was fitted to time-kill data of moxifloxacin (0-128× MIC; MIC = 0.0625 mg/L) against E. coli MG1655 and levofloxacin (0-64× MIC; MIC = 0.25 mg/L) against S. aureus ATCC 29213 over 24 h. Based on the best-fit model parameters, the likelihood of resistance development associated with various dosing regimens was predicted. Subsequently, in vitro studies with a hollow-fibre infection model were selectively performed to validate the mathematical model predictions, using simulated human half-lives (moxifloxacin = 12 h; levofloxacin = 5-7 h). Results Bacterial regrowth and resistance development were observed with suboptimal dosing regimens. Parallel time-growth studies substantiated the modelling assumption that there was no significant biofitness cost in resistant mutants. The mechanism of fluoroquinolone resistance was confirmed by PCR. Conclusions Our model was found to be reasonable in characterizing biphasic killing of fluoroquinolones and predicting dosing regimens to suppress resistance development. Our work demonstrated improvements resulting from using the proposed mathematical modelling as a decision support tool for guiding the design of dosing regimens.
Marketing to subsistence consumers: Lessons from practice

Abstract Over 4 billion people live in what is commonly referred to as the “bottom of the pyramid” or as subsistence marketplaces. These individuals and families live in substandard housing, with limited or no access to sanitation, potable water, and health care, have low levels of literacy, and earn very low incomes. Scholars and practitioners alike suggest that the problems existing in subsistence marketplaces demand the attention and involvement of responsible businesses and that doing business with consumers in such marketplaces can be both socially responsible and profitable. This research explores the strategies and tactics currently being used across commercial and social enterprises engaged in subsistence marketplaces. The analysis leads to recommendations about marketing practices currently used by companies and organizations that are successfully operating in subsistence marketplaces.
Receiverless clocking of a CMOS digital circuit using short optical pulses

We use short optical pulses to clock a digital logic block without using clock receivers. We measure 12 ps rms jitter at the output of a digital PRBS with optical clocking and 30 ps with electrical clocking.
Simulation of large-scale sensor networks using GTSNetS

We present a sensor network simulation environment that allows users to evaluate the effects of different architectural choices and strategies on the lifetime and performance of a sensor network. Our tool can also be used to evaluate new approaches (routing protocols, cooperation algorithms), and compare them with the ones already in place. This simulator is an extension of the Georgia Tech Network Simulator (GTNetS) and leverages its design choices for maximum performance. It incorporates models for the different functional units composing a sensor node and characterizes the energy consumption of each. It also has a model for a network base station and its interactions with the rest of the network. We report our results from a set of tests that demonstrate some of the capabilities of our simulator. In particular, we were able to simulate sensor networks of several hundred thousand nodes while using less than 2 GB of memory, which exceeds the capabilities of existing simulators by an order of magnitude. The simulator is also used to study the performance of an algorithm that assigns globally unique IDs to nodes in a sensor network.
Job commitment and turnover among women working in facilities serving older persons

This study presents a model linking personal and job-related factors to job satisfaction, job commitment, and turnover. Responses from the staff of six nursing homes and 12 community facilities serving older adults were included. Using a modified version of the causal model of turnover developed by Price and Mueller, three sets of predictors were tested to explain the causes for turnover: personal characteristics, job characteristics, and attitudes. The best predictor of turnover was the employee's intention to leave, followed by the length of employment (shorter), and age (younger). Intention to leave was, in turn, predicted by age (younger), length of employment (shorter), job dissatisfaction, and the type of agency for which the employee worked (community).Dissatisfaction seems to be a major factor that results in a desire to leave the job and may lead to either turnover or continued dissatisfaction with the job. Implications for enhancing employee morale and reducing job turnover are discussed.
Regulate Globally, Act Locally: Adrenergic Nerves Promote Leukocyte Recruitment

In this issue of Immunity, Scheiermann et al. (2012) demonstrate that circadian regulation of the expression of endothelial cell adhesion molecules via adrenergic innervation of local vasculature promotes clinically significant changes in leukocyte homing and bone marrow engraftment.
The protective effect of rapid cold-hardening develops more quickly in frozen versus supercooled larvae of the Antarctic midge, Belgica antarctica

SUMMARY During the austral summer, larvae of the terrestrial midge Belgica antarctica (Diptera: Chironomidae) experience highly variable and often unpredictable thermal conditions. In addition to remaining freeze tolerant year-round, larvae are capable of swiftly increasing their cold tolerance through the rapid cold-hardening (RCH) response. The present study compared the induction of RCH in frozen versus supercooled larvae. At the same induction temperature, RCH occurred more rapidly and conferred a greater level of cryoprotection in frozen versus supercooled larvae. Furthermore, RCH in frozen larvae could be induced at temperatures as low as −12°C, which is the lowest temperature reported to induce RCH. Remarkably, as little as 15 min at −5°C significantly enhanced larval cold tolerance. Not only is protection from RCH acquired swiftly, but it is also quickly lost after thawing for 2 h at 2°C. Because the primary difference between frozen and supercooled larvae is cellular dehydration caused by freeze concentration of body fluids, we also compared the effects of acclimation in dehydrated versus frozen larvae. Because slow dehydration without chilling significantly increased larval survival to a subsequent cold exposure, we hypothesize that cellular dehydration caused by freeze concentration promotes the rapid acquisition of cold tolerance in frozen larvae.
Chromium(III) Complexes with Quadridentate Amines. Crystal Structure of [cis-β-Cr(trien)(C2O4)] Cl·2H2O (I) and [Cr2(μ-OH)2(μ-tren)2] Br4·2H2O (II)

[cis-g-Cr(trien) C2O4)] Cl·2H2O (I) (CrC8H22N4O6Cl) crystallizes at 22°C, from deionized water solution as a racemate in space group Pn (No. 7). Lattice constants are: a = 7.193(2), b = 9.1545(12), c = 11.469(2) A; g = 100.994(13)°; V = 741.3(3) A3 and Dcalc = 1.603 gcm-3 (MW = 357.75, Z = 2). A total of 2251 data were collected, using MoK f radiation ( u = 0.71703 A), over the range 4 h 2  h 60°; of these, 1441 (independent and with I S 2  (I)) were used in the structural analysis. Data were corrected for absorption ( w = 9.81 cm-1) and the transmission coefficients ranged from 0.8676 to 0.9942. The final R (F) and Rw(F) residuals were 0.0338 and 0.0764, respectively. The cations of (II) exist in the lattice as enantiomeric pairs. [Cr2( w -OH)2( w -tren)2]Br4 ·2H2O (II) (Cr2C12H42N8O4Br4) crystallizes in the monoclinic space group P21/n (No. 14) with a = 10.835(2) A, b= 7.859(3) A, c = 16.397(2) A, g = 105.45(2)°, V = 1345.7(5) A33 and Dcalc = 1.940 g cm-1 (MW = 786.18, Z = 4). A total of 2467 data wer...
Pseudo 2D random sampling for compressed sensing MRI

The paper presents a novel approach of pseudo 2D random sampling scheme for application of compressed sensing in Cartesian magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). The proposed scheme is realized by a pulse sequence program which switches the directions of phase encoding and frequency encoding during data acquisition such that both k x and k y directions can be undersampled randomly. The resulting random sampling pattern approximates the ideal but impractical 2D patterns. Both the simulation and experiment results show the proposed method is superior to the existing 1D random sampling and similar to the ideal 2D random sampling in terms of the reconstruction quality. This method can potentially improve the MR imaging speed through the application of compressed sensing in conventional MRI.
Ethylene adsorption on Pd(111) studied using infrared reflection-absorption spectroscopy

The adsorption of ethylene has been studied on clean and hydrogen-covered Pd(1 1 1) using reflection–absorption infrared spectroscopy and molecular beam methods. Using a correlation diagram, in which vibrational frequencies are plotted versus a rp parameter proposed by Stuve and Madix, shows that ethylene is substantially rehybridized on Pd(1 1 1) having a rp parameter intermediate between those of ethylene on Ni(1 1 1) and Ru(0 0 1). In contrast, when ethylene adsorbs on hydrogen-covered Pd(1 1 1), only p-bonded species are detected. An additional species appears
Spaceborne measurements of atmospheric CO2 by high‐resolution NIR spectrometry of reflected sunlight: An introductory study

We introduce a strategy for measuring the column-averaged CO_2 dry air volume mixing ratio X_(CO_2) from space. It employs high resolution spectra of reflected sunlight taken simultaneously in near-infrared (NIR) CO_2 (1.58-mm and 2.06-mm) and O_2 (0.76-mm) bands. Simulation experiments, show that precisions of ~0.3–2.5 ppmv for X_(CO_2) can be achieved from individual clear sky soundings for a range of atmospheric/surface conditions when the scattering optical depth t_s is less than ~0.3. When averaged over many clear sky soundings, random errors become negligible. This high precision facilitates the identification and correction of systematic errors, which are recognized as the most serious impediment for the satellite X_(CO_2) measurements. We briefly discuss potential sources of systematic errors, and show that some of them may result in geographically varying biases in the measured X_(CO_2). This highlights the importance of careful calibration and validation measurements, designed to identify and eliminate sources of these biases. We conclude that the 3-band, spectrometric approach using NIR reflected sunlight has the potential for highly accurate X_(CO_2) measurements.
Petrology of Some Holocene Peat Sediments from the Okefenokee Swamp-Marsh Complex of Southern Georgia

Ten or more samples of surface peat were obtained from each of six peat-forming environments in the Okefenokee swamp-marsh complex of southern Georgia. These peat-forming environments were chosen for study because they were found from core studies to have been the most important peat producers throughout much of the history of peat formation in the swamp. The peat samples were dehydrated in alcohol, embedded in paraffin (using the methods of Cohen and Spackman, 1972), and sectioned (to 15 µ) with a sliding microtome. The microscopic features found to be most useful in characterizing the peats and relating them to their original depositional and vegetational environments were (1) their color (at 30×); (2) the ratio of framework to matrix; (3) the ratio of nonsedimentary to sedimentary constituents; (4) the proportions of remnants of plants assignable to particular plant species; and (5) the percentages of various accessory ingredients, such as fungal remains, fecal pellets, diatoms, insect parts, sponge spicules, quartz, and charcoal. The peat-forming environments investigated were (1) the Nymphaea environment (open-water marshes dominated by floating aquatic plants); (2) the Carex , Panicum , and Woodwardia environments (glades or island fringes dominated by emergent aquatic plants); and (3) Cyrilla and Taxodium environments (tree islands and swamps). The peat sediments deposited in each of these regions were found to have distinctively different micropetrographic characteristics. Aside from the qualitative and quantitative data collected for the purpose of defining the peat types, data were also collected in a form which could be used to determine the most likely eventual coal compositions of the peats. The herbaceous peats were found to have low percentages of pre-resinites (cell fillings and secretions), pre-sclerotinites (fungal remains), and fusinite (charcoal), and high percentages of pre-micrinites (fine granular debris). On the other hand, peats derived from tree vegetation had higher percentages of pre-resinites, pre-sclerotinites, and fusinites, and had relatively smaller amounts of pre-micrinitic materials. The former would probably result in a massive (unlaminated) dull coal, and the latter would probably become a somewhat brighter laminated type.
Caspase-8 in cancer biology and therapy

Caspase-8 belongs to the caspase family of proteases and plays a key role in the regulation of programmed cell death (apoptosis) during normal development as well as in adult life. Since signaling via the death receptor (extrinsic) pathway critically depends on caspase-8, the disturbance of caspase-8 expression or function may contribute to human diseases. For example, caspase-8 is inactivated in a variety of human cancers, which may promote tumor progression as well as resistance to current treatment approaches. Therefore, caspase-8 presents a promising target to restore defective apoptosis programs in cancers in order to overcome resistance.
THE ROLES OF STIMULUS CONTROL AND REINFORCEMENT FREQUENCY IN MODULATING THE BEHAVIORAL EFFECTS OF d‐AMPHETAMINE IN THE RAT

The behavioral effects of d-amphetamine have been shown to be modulated by stimulus control, with less impairment of performance occurring when control is great. When the fixed-consecutive-number schedule is used (on which at least a specified consecutive number of responses must be made on one operandum before a single response on another will produce a reinforcer), response rate tends to be invariant but reinforcement frequency is not. This study asks whether the differences in reinforcement frequency that usually accompany changes in stimulus control could themselves be responsible for the performance differences. Two versions of the fixed-consecutive-number schedule of reinforcement were combined into a multiple schedule within which stimulus control was varied but differences in reinforcement frequency were minimized by omitting some reinforcer deliveries during the component that usually had the higher reinforcement frequency. In one component, a compound discriminative stimulus was added with the eighth consecutive response on the first lever; a single response on the second lever was then reinforced. In the other component, no such stimulus was presented. With no added stimulus, large decreases occurred in the number of runs satisfying the minimum requirement for reinforcement at doses of drug that produced only minimal changes when an added stimulus controlled behavior. Thus, increased stimulus control diminishes the behavioral changes produced by d-amphetamine even when the possible contribution by baseline reinforcement rate is minimized.
Antigen-presenting cells pulsed with unfractionated tumor-derived peptides are potent tumor vaccines

Vaccination with peptides isolated from tumor cells circumvents the need for identifying specific tumor rejection antigens and extends the use of active immunotherapy to the majority of cancers where specific tumor antigens have not yet been identified. In this study, we examined the efficacy of tumor vaccines composed of unfractionated tumor peptides presented by antigen-presenting cells (APC) to induce cytotoxic T lymphocyte (CTL) responses and tumor immunity. RMA-S cells pulsed with peptides isolated from ovalbumin (OVA)-expressing tumor cells were highly effective at inducing primary, OVA-specific CTL responses in vitro and priming CTL responses in vivo. In addition, tumor peptide-pulsed RMA-S cells induced protective immunity in mice when challenged with OVA-expressing tumor cells. To enhance the clinical relevance of these studies, cells pulsed with tumor peptides were evaluated in the poorly immunogenic, B16/F10.9 melanoma post-surgical metastasis model. Treatment of tumor-bearing mice with peptide-pulsed RMA-S cells or with adherent splenocytes (enriched for professional APC) caused a significant reduction in lung metastases. The antimetastatic effect of peptide-pulsed splenocytes could be further enhanced by pretreating the cells with antisense oligonucleotides directed against the TAP-2 gene which was previously shown to increase the density of specific peptide/MHC class I complexes and thereby improve the APC function of the treated cells (Nair et el., J. Immunol. 1996. 156: 1772). This study suggests that APC loaded with unfractionated peptides derived from poorly immunogenic, highly metastatic tumor cells may represent a potent form of tumor vaccine.
Long-Term Impacts of Bridge and Culvert Construction or Replacement on Fish Communities and Sediment Characteristics of Streams

ABSTRACT Effects of bridge and culvert construction or replacement were studied on 41 streams in Tennessee. One 100-m stream reach above and two 100-m reaches below were sampled at each bridge or culvert with a 50-m buffer zone separating each reach. Fish communities were sampled bi-annually for two years following single pass depletion techniques using a backpack electrofishing unit. Sediment depth and silt-clay percentages were measured during the spring at the upper end of each 100-m sampling reach. Sediment depth and percent silt-clay were greater at streams with culverts than at streams with bridges. Sediment depth and silt-clay percentages did not differ between structure and downstream transects for either bridges or culverts; but they were greater at structure transects than at upstream transects only on streams with culverts. Fish diversity, abundance, and richness did not differ between streams with bridges and streams with culverts, nor among sample reaches. Sediment characteristics and fish me...
The Use of Spline Interpolation in Semi-Lagrangian Transport Models

The accuracy of interpolating semi-Lagrangian (SL) discretization methods depends on the choice of the interpolating function. Results from barotropic transport simulations on the sphere are presented, using either bicubic Lagrangian or bicubic spline SL discretization. The spline-based scheme is shown to generate excessively noisy fields in these simulations. The two methods are then tested in a one-dimensional advection problem. The damping and dispersion relations for the schemes are examined. The analysis and numerical experiments suggest that the excessive noise found in the spline-based simulations is a consequence of insufficient damping of the small scales for small and near-integer values of the Courant number. Inspection of the local Courant number for the two-dimensional spline-based simulation confirms this hypothesis. This noise can be controlled by adding a scale-selective diffusion term to the spline-based scheme, while retaining its excellent dispersion characteristics.
Sketches for Design and Design of Sketches

It is said, though not without controversy, that what distinguishes design from art is function. Design is for a purpose, usually a human one. As such, design entails both generating ideas and adapting those ideas to intended uses. This occurs iteratively. Form and function. Studying how people go about both these tasks gives insights that can facilitate the design process. Two relevant projects will be described. The first investigates how designers and novices get ideas from sketches and applies those insights to suggestions for promoting generation of ideas. The second seeks to develop computer algorithms for designing individualized visualizations, algorithms that are informed by cognitive design principles.
Fully coupled driving safety analysis of moving traffic on long-span bridges subjected to crosswind

Abstract High-sided vehicles often experience considerable single-vehicle accident risks under crosswinds. Long-span cable-supported bridges are usually flexible, wind-sensitive and support considerable amount of vehicles on a daily basis. When vehicles are driven through a long-span bridge, the complex dynamic interactions among wind, vehicles and the bridge significantly affect not only the safety of the bridge members, but also passing vehicles. Therefore, realistic modeling of the bridge–traffic system by characterizing these critical coupling effects becomes essential for rationally assessing traffic safety of passing traffic through a long-span bridge. In most existing studies about traffic safety study on bridges, vehicle safety was assessed for only one single vehicle or uniformly distributed vehicles at a constant driving speed. It is known that the traffic flow on a long-span bridge is typically stochastic and vehicle speeds vary following some traffic rules. Based on the stochastic traffic flow simulation, two new analytical frameworks, one using mode superposition and the other using the finite element (FE) formulation, were proposed recently for the bridge–stochastic traffic system. By considering the full-coupling effects among all the vehicles of the traffic flow, bridge and wind, the dynamic response of each individual vehicle of the stochastic traffic can be accurately obtained for the first time. Built based on the recent advances made by the authors, an integrated dynamic interaction and safety assessment model of the fully-coupled bridge–traffic system is further developed without considering vehicle aerodynamic interference and shielding effects. Traffic safety of vehicles in the stochastic traffic through the prototype long-span cable-stayed bridge is investigated as a demonstration.
Surface Applications of Silicones

Some key surface-related applications of silicone polymeric materials are reviewed with an emphasis on polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS), the predominant commercial polymer. The applications considered are elastomers/sealants, personal care products, antifoams, silicone surfactants, pressure-sensitive adhesive release coatings, high voltage insulation, and water-repellent coatings, which together account for well over half of all silicone usage. Our aim is relate the practical usage of these products to the fundamental characteristics of the parent polymer thus extending the silicone structure/property relationship which underlies much of this book into the applications area. The key fundamental characteristic is, expectedly, the low intermolecular forces acting between methyl groups that are manifested by the low surface energy exhibited by PDMS. Compact size of the methyl group and high siloxane backbone flexibility are also of great importance as is high siloxane bond energy. No application is solely dependent on any one of these fundamental characteristics; it is their combination that dictates success in any particular application.
THE USE OF PARALLEL PATTERNS TO TEST NEUTRALITY: A REPLY TO VARVIO-AHO AND PAMILO.

Had Varvio-Aho and Pamilo (1982) confirmed my earlier conclusion (Borowsky, 1977) with their revised analysis, I would have been surprised. The test of the neutrality hypothesis I proposed is essentially geometric (Fig. 1) and any "distance" measure used in the test must properly measure distance. The metric employed by Varvio-Aho and Pamilo (Nei, 1973) does not obey the law of triangle inequality and is inappropriate. The metric I used (Powell et al., 1972) is a true distance measure and permitted a meaningful analysis of some of the data. Whatever distance measure is ultimately chosen to make the method more widely applicable little concerns me. My original purpose was to describe
Probing ion/molecule interactions in aqueous solutions with vibrational energy transfer.

Interactions between model molecules representing building blocks of proteins and the thiocyanate anion, a strong protein denaturant agent, were investigated in aqueous solutions with intermolecular vibrational energy exchange methods. It was found that thiocyanate anions are able to bind to the charged ammonium groups of amino acids in aqueous solutions. The interactions between thiocyanate anions and the amide groups were also observed. The binding affinity between the thiocyanate anion and the charged amino acid residues is about 20 times larger than that between water molecules and the amino acids and about 5–10 times larger than that between the thiocyanate anion and the neutral backbone amide groups. The series of experiments also demonstrates that the chemical nature, rather than the macroscopic dielectric constant, of the ions and molecules plays a critical role in ion/molecule interactions in aqueous solutions.
Arterial thrombosis in a previously healthy woman.

PreviewUnexpected formation of thrombi may be due to antiphospholipid antibody syndrome, a disorder in which clinical and laboratory findings seem to contradict each other. Dr Sorrentino describes a case in which appropriate testing led to the correct diagnosis.
Behavior of Miniature Pet Pigs

Behavior problems are the leading cause of abandonment of miniature pet pigs. Veterinarians who have some knowledge of normal swine behavior are better able to counsel pig owners about raising and training the pet pig. Properly trained and socialized pet pigs make more pleasant patients for the veterinarian and better pets for their owner. This article covers the basics of normal swine behavior, common behavior problems of pet pigs, and prevention and treatment.
Romance and Responsibility in Woody Allen’s “Manhattan”

Reflection on the wrongs done by characters in Woody Allen’s romantic comedy “Manhattan” helps us get clear about the evidence required to judge them responsible and so liable to blame them for those wrongs. On the positive side, what is required is evidence that trust remains a possibility, despite the fact that they wrong, and this in turn requires evidence that the wrongdoer had, but failed to exercise, the capacity to do the right thing when they did that wrong. On the negative side, what is not required is evidence of some explanation of that failure. This counts against a well-known suggestion of Gary Watson’s in “Skepticism about Weakness of Will.”
Connecting and Reflecting: Transformative Learning in Academic Libraries

This literature review is intended to examine transformative learning within the context of academic libraries and its applications for librarians. Although the main audience is academic librarians...
SOC Debug Challenges and Tools

This paper provides an overview of the problems that Intel encountered over the last five years during the evolution of our System on a Chip (SOC) products and debug methodology. The topics covered include debug tools, types of bugs, and general data that support the infrastructure needed to validate an SOC. The paper discusses the diverse post-silicon issues encountered while debugging silicon.
Cardiovascular disease: Commonality with cancer

Ageing is associated with an increased risk of cardiovascular disease caused by the rupture of inflamed cholesterol plaques in arteries. It emerges that this might be partly due to genetic mutations that cause cancerous changes in white blood cells.
2017 One‐Year Seismic‐Hazard Forecast for the Central and Eastern United States from Induced and Natural Earthquakes

ABSTRACT We produce a one‐year 2017 seismic‐hazard forecast for the central and eastern United States from induced and natural earthquakes that updates the 2016 one‐year forecast; this map is intended to provide information to the public and to facilitate the development of induced seismicity forecasting models, methods, and data. The 2017 hazard model applies the same methodology and input logic tree as the 2016 forecast, but with an updated earthquake catalog. We also evaluate the 2016 seismic‐hazard forecast to improve future assessments. The 2016 forecast indicated high seismic hazard (greater than 1% probability of potentially damaging ground shaking in one year) in five focus areas: Oklahoma–Kansas, the Raton basin (Colorado/New Mexico border), north Texas, north Arkansas, and the New Madrid Seismic Zone. During 2016, several damaging induced earthquakes occurred in Oklahoma within the highest hazard region of the 2016 forecast; all of the 21 moment magnitude ( M ) ≥4 and 3 M ≥5 earthquakes occurred within the highest hazard area in the 2016 forecast. Outside the Oklahoma–Kansas focus area, two earthquakes with M ≥4 occurred near Trinidad, Colorado (in the Raton basin focus area), but no earthquakes with M ≥2.7 were observed in the north Texas or north Arkansas focus areas. Several observations of damaging ground‐shaking levels were also recorded in the highest hazard region of Oklahoma. The 2017 forecasted seismic rates are lower in regions of induced activity due to lower rates of earthquakes in 2016 compared with 2015, which may be related to decreased wastewater injection caused by regulatory actions or by a decrease in unconventional oil and gas production. Nevertheless, the 2017 forecasted hazard is still significantly elevated in Oklahoma compared to the hazard calculated from seismicity before 2009.
Functional modular architecture underlying attentional control in aging

Previous research suggests that age-related differences in attention reflect the interaction of top-down and bottom-up processes, but the cognitive and neural mechanisms underlying this interaction remain an active area of research. Here, within a sample of community-dwelling adults 19-78 years of age, we used diffusion reaction time (RT) modeling and multivariate functional connectivity to investigate the behavioral components and whole-brain functional networks, respectively, underlying bottom-up and top-down attentional processes during conjunction visual search. During functional MRI scanning, participants completed a conjunction visual search task in which each display contained one item that was larger than the other items (i.e., a size singleton) but was not informative regarding target identity. This design allowed us to examine in the RT components and functional network measures the influence of (a) additional bottom-up guidance when the target served as the size singleton, relative to when the distractor served as the size singleton (i.e., size singleton effect) and (b) top-down processes during target detection (i.e., target detection effect; target present vs. absent trials). We found that the size singleton effect (i.e., increased bottom-up guidance) was associated with RT components related to decision and nondecision processes, but these effects did not vary with age. Also, a modularity analysis revealed that frontoparietal module connectivity was important for both the size singleton and target detection effects, but this module became central to the networks through different mechanisms for each effect. Lastly, participants 42 years of age and older, in service of the target detection effect, relied more on between-frontoparietal module connections. Our results further elucidate mechanisms through which frontoparietal regions support attentional control and how these mechanisms vary in relation to adult age.
Androgen Receptor Levels and 5α-Reductase Activities in Preputial Skin and Chordee Tissue of Boys with Isolated Hypospadias

AbstractThe cause of hypospadias in the majority of patients is unknown. We examined the hypothesis that hypospadias might be explained by androgen receptor abnormalities in the atretic spongiosal tissue commonly known as chordee. We studied 10 patients with relatively severe hypospadias but with a predominantly male phenotype and no readily ascertained explanation for the defect, including no evidence of an abnormality in testosterone biosynthesis. Eight subjects had midshaft hypospadias and 2 had a penoscrotal meatus. All 10 patients had severe chordee. Serum concentrations of testosterone, and luteinizing and follicle-stimulating hormones were measured before human chorionic gonadotropin stimulation and a serum testosterone level was determined 24 hours after the last dose of a 5-day human chorionic gonadotropin stimulation (3,000 units per M.2 per day).Androgen receptor content and binding affinity were assayed in fibroblasts cultured from preputial skin and chordee tissue of patients and foreskin fro...
Chemokines and Neonatal Excitotoxic Brain Injury

Publisher Summary In the context of studies on chemokines and neonatal brain injury, particular interest has been in microglia as cellular targets of chemokines and as important cellular effectors of the inflammatory response. Microglia could contribute to the progression of brain injury through the release of inflammatory mediators and other soluble neurotoxins. Yet, microglia are also potential sources of neurotrophins and may contribute to neuronal recovery after injury. Microglia may concurrently exert both beneficial and detrimental effects upon distinct cell populations in the acutely injured brain and these differential effects may greatly complicate delineation of chemokine signaling mechanisms and functional activity in vivo . It has been hypothesized that monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 (MCP-1 / CCL2) could be a key regulator of the microglial–monocyte response in the injured neonatal brain. Related chemokines may also contribute to the pathogenesis of neonatal brain injury. Results of several groups of experiments that together provide compelling evidence that MCP-1 is a pathophysiologically important modulation of neonatal brain injury has been highlighted.
Cluster analysis of acute ascending aortic dissection provides novel insight into mechanisms of distal progression

Background Whether primary tear size impacts extent of type A dissection is unclear. Using statistical groupings based on dissection morphology, we examined its relationship to primary tear area. Methods We retrospectively reviewed 108 patients who underwent acute ascending dissection repair from 2000-2016. Dissection morphology was characterized using 3-dimensional (3D) reconstructions of computed tomography (CT) scan images. Two-step cluster analysis was performed to group the dissections by examining the true lumen area as a fraction of the total aortic area at various levels. Results Cluster analysis defined two distinct categories. This first grouping corresponds to DeBakey type I (n=71, 65.7%) with a dissection extending from the ascending aorta to the aortic bifurcation. The second grouping conforms more closely to DeBakey type II dissection (n=37, 34.3%). It differs however from the classic type II definition as the dissection may extend up to the distal arch from the ascending aorta. Compared to type I, this "extended" DeBakey type II had no malperfusion (P<0.05), a larger primary tear area (6.6 vs. 3.7 cm2, P=0.009), and a greater burden of atherosclerotic coronary artery disease (P<0.05). A smaller aortic valve annulus (P=0.025) and a smaller root false lumen area (P=0.017) may explain less aortic valve insufficiency (P<0.05) in extended type II dissections. No differences in complications or survival were seen. Conclusions In this series, limited distal extension of DeBakey type II dissections appears to be related to a larger primary tear area and greater atherosclerotic disease burden. It is also associated with less malperfusion and aortic valve insufficiency.