cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Low temperature milling of the LiNH2 + LiH hydrogen storage system

Ball milling of the LiNH2 + LiH storage system was performed at 20°C, -40°C, and -196°C, and the resulting powders were analyzed using X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR), specific surface area (SSA) analysis, and kinetics cycling measurements. Ball milling at -40°C showed no appreciable deviations from the 20°C sample, but the -196°C powder exhibited a significant increase in the hydrogen desorption kinetics. NMR analysis indicates that a possible explanation for the kinetics increase is the retention of internal defects generated during the milling process that are annealed at the collision site at higher milling temperatures.
Density waves in Cassini UVIS stellar occultations: 1. The Cassini Division

Abstract We analyze density waves in the Cassini Division of Saturn's rings revealed by multiple stellar occultations by Saturn's rings observed with the Cassini Ultraviolet Imaging Spectrograph. The dispersion and damping of density waves provide information on the local ring surface mass density and viscosity. Several waves in the Cassini Division are on gradients in the background optical depth, and we find that the dispersion of the wave reflects a change in the underlying surface mass density. We find that over most of the Cassini Division the ring opacity (the ratio of optical depth to surface mass density) is nearly constant and is ∼5 times higher than the opacity in the A ring where most density waves are found. However, the Cassini Division ramp, a 1100-km-wide, nearly featureless region of low optical depth that connects the Cassini Division to the inner edge of the A ring, has an opacity like that of the A ring and significantly less than that in the rest of the Cassini Division. This is consistent with particles in the ramp originating in the A ring and being transported into the Cassini Division through ballistic transport processes. Damping of the waves in the Cassini Division suggests a vertical thickness of 3–6 m. Using a mean opacity of 0.1 cm2/g we find the mass of the Cassini Division, excluding the ramp, is 3.1 × 10 16 kg while the mass of the Cassini Division ramp, with an opacity of 0.015 cm2/g, is 1.1 × 10 17 kg . Assuming a power-law size distribution for the ring particles, the larger opacity of the main Cassini Division is consistent with the largest ring particles there being ∼5 times smaller than the largest particles in the ramp and A ring.
Avoiding failure of leachate collection systems

Examples of failures of leachate collection systems have been surveyed by telephone throughout the U.S.A. and evaluated in terms of literature and other personal contacts. Failures in hazardous waste landfills are seldom reported but are expected to be similar to failures in other landfills and agricultural drainage systems. Major failures related to inadequate design, construction and operation are discussed together with suggestions for reducing the incidence of failures.
Slepian functions on the sphere, generalized Gaussian quadrature rule

Denote by K the operator of 'time–band–time' limiting on the surface of the sphere and consider the problem of computing singular vectors of K. This problem can be reduced to a simpler task of computing eigenfunctions of a differential operator, if a differential operator, which commutes with K and has a simple spectrum, can be exhibited. In Grunbaum et al (1982 SIAM J. Appl. Math. 42 941–55) such a second-order differential operator commuting with K on the appropriate subspaces was constructed. In this paper, this algebraic property of commutativity is used to produce an efficient numerical scheme for computing a convenient basis for the space of singular vectors of K. The basis forms an extended Chebyshev system, and a generalized Gaussian quadrature rule for such a basis is presented.
Why the current diagnostic criteria of Takotsubo syndrome are outmoded: a proposal for new criteria.

Abstract Diagnosis of Takotsubo syndrome (TTS), the reversible, acute heart failure pathological entity, precipitated by stress, is based on the fulfillment of sets of criteria, developed by careful characterization of the precipitants, symptoms, results of imaging testing, clinical course, and follow-up of many patients presented with this affliction. As understanding of TTS, increase in its awareness, and the diversion in its presentation have evolved, the various proposed diagnostic criteria, naturally have started to appear outmoded. The author argues that the initially proposed Mayo Clinic criteria, the subsequently revised Mayo Clinic criteria, the Japanese Circulation Society guidelines, the Johns Hopkins criteria, and the Gothenburg criteria for the diagnosis of TTS have been outpaced by the rapidly accumulating clinical experience, and thus need to be replaced by more realistic sets of diagnostic rules. To this effect the author proposes a set of diagnostic criteria for TTS, which include 2 plausible, albeit speculative, notions, that of the milder forms or formes frustes of TTS, and the existence of "TTS comorbidity" in patients with various other illnesses, which either precipitate TTS, or are being brought about by TTS.
Billiard quorums on the grid

Abstract Maekawa considered a simple but suboptimal grid based quorum generation scheme in which N sites in a network are logically organized in the form of a √ N × √ N grid, and the quorum sets are row-column pairs. Even though the quorum size 2√ N of the grid scheme is twice as large as finite projective plane based optimal size quorums, it has the advantage of being simple and geometrically evident. In this paper we construct grid based quorums which use a modified grid, and paths that resemble billiard ball paths instead of horizontal and vertical line segments of rows and columns in the grid scheme. The size of these quorums is √2√ N . The construction and its properties are geometrically evident as in the case of Maekawa's grid, and the quorum sets can be generated efficiently.
The impact of English-language proficiency on international graduate students' perceived academic difficulty

This study presents an empirical test of the impact of English proficiency as indicated by student self-ratings and TOEFL scores, and selected nonlinguistic variables on the level of academic difficulties perceived by international graduate students. A simple random sample of 450 international graduate students from three large universities in upstate New York were contacted by mail in the fall of 1988. With two mailings, 245 completed the Survey of International Students' Academic Language Needs. It was found that Self-rated English Proficiency was the most significant predictor of the perceived level of academic difficulty. In addition, Length of Prior English Training and Age were also significant predictors. TOEFL score was found to be a nonsignificant predictor of students' academic difficulty. Implications of the research for English-language educators, ESL program and curriculum design, and U.S. university recruitment policy on international students were discussed.
Solvent-controlled electron transfer in crystal violet lactone.

Steady-state and picosecond time-resolved emission experiments are used to examine the excited-state charge transfer reaction of crystal violet lactone (CVL) in aprotic solvents. Solvatochromic ana...
Gestational diabetes: insulin requirements in pregnancy.

A prospective study of 57 women with gestational diabetes mellitus was undertaken to determine actual insulin requirements throughout pregnancy. Women were placed on a multiple injection, mixed insulin regimen and monitored their blood glucose level 6.5 ± 1 times per day using a memory-based reflectance meter to obtain verified data. A significant (p
The prognostic significance of ulceration of cutaneous melanoma

Ulceration of a cutaneous melanoma on microscopic sections is an adverse prognostic finding. The five-year survival rate is reduced from 80% for non-ulcerated melanomas to 55% in the presence of ulceration for Stage I melanoma patients and from 53 to 12% for Stage II melanoma patients (P less than 0.001). As a group, ulcerated lesions are thicker and more likely to have a nodular growth pattern. However, survival rates were still worse for ulcerated melanomas when matched with nonulcerated lesions for thickness and stage of disease. The width but not the depth of surface ulceration significantly correlated with survival. The median ulcer depth was 0.08 mm (range 0.01-1.2 mm). In those few lesions with ulcer craters more than 0.2 mm in depth, the melanomas were so thick they had the same poor prognosis regardless of whether thickness was measured to the base of the ulcer or to the top of the lesion. The Breslow microstaging method of measuring thickness is therefore a valid prognostic indicator, even for ulcerated lesions. The incidence of ulceration for the entire patient group ranged from 12.5% for melanomas less than 0.76 mm thickness to 72.5% for melanomas greater than 4.0 mm thick (P of correlation = 0.0001); from 12% for Level II invasion to 63% for Level V lesions (P = 0.005); from 23% for superficial spreading growth patterns to 49% for nodular and 74% for polypoid lesions (P = 0.0001); and from 27% for lesions with a heavy lymphocyte infiltration to 60% for minimal or absent host response (P = 0.005). There was no significant correlation with anatomic location, pigmentation of the melanomas, or with the patient's age and sex. Since ulceration appears to have such an important influence on survival rates, this parameter should be considered as a stratification criterion in clinical trials and accounted for when analyzing results of melanoma treatment.
Reflections on the Use of Computers in Second Language Acquisition-II.

Abstract The success of computerized instruction in second-language acquisition requires that some FL teachers learn enough about the operation of computers to become able to direct the preparation of computerized materials. The kind of relationship that needs to exist between FL teachers and computer programmers is examined. The present limitations of computerized instruction are analyzed; much remains to be done in error analysis and adequate computer software must be developed. New technologies in the audio-visual domain (synthetic speech, digital compressed speech, videodiscs, etc.) may provide us with random, immediate access equipment which is either lacking or too expensive today.
Feasibility Study of Two Candidate Reaction Wheel/Thruster Hybrid Control Architecture Designs for the Cassini Spacecraft

As the first spacecraft to achieve orbit at Saturn in 2004, Cassini has collected science data throughout its four-year prime mission (2004-08), and has since been approved for a first and second extended mission through 2017. Cassini carries a set of three "fixed" reaction wheels and a backup reaction wheel (reaction wheel #4) is mounted on top of an articulable platform. If necessary, this platform could be articulated to orient the backup reaction wheel with the degraded wheel. The reaction wheels are used primarily for attitude control when precise and stable pointing of a science instrument such as the narrow angle camera is required. In 2001-02, reaction wheel #3 exhibited signs of bearing cage instability. As a result, reaction wheel #4 was articulated to align with reaction wheel #3. Beginning in July 2003, Cassini was controlled using wheel #1, #2, and #4. From their first use in the spring of 2000 until today, reaction wheels #1 and #2 have accumulated more than3.5 billions revolutions each. As such, in spite of very carefully management of the wheel spin rates by the mission operation team, there are some observed increases in the drag torque of the wheels' bearings. Hence, the mission operations team must prepare for the contingency scenario in which the reaction wheel #1 (in addition to wheel #3) had degraded. In this hypothetical fault scenario, the two remaining reaction wheels (#2 and #4) will not be able to provide precise and stable three-axis control of the spacecraft. In this study, we evaluate the feasibility of controlling Cassini using the two remaining reaction wheels and four thrusters to meet the science pointing requirements for two key science operational modes: the Optical Remote Sensing and Downlink, Fields, Particles, & Waves operation modes. The performance (e.g., pointing control error, pointing stability, hydrazine consumption rate, etc.) of the hybrid controllers in both operations scenarios will be compared with those achieved using an all-thruster controller design. Strength and weaknesses of the hybrid control architecture are assessed quantitatively.
A neuropterous larva uses an allomone to attack termites

Larvae of Lomamyia spp. (Neuroptera: Berothidae) have been tentatively associated with several types of prey since they were first identified1. In all cases, the assumed prey lived in a confined habitat–an ant nest or termite gallery2. Lomamyia latipennis Carpenter has been the most thoroughly studied of these unusual Neuroptera. The immature states were described3,4 and the association with termites strengthened using Zootermopsis angusticollis Hagen (Isoptera: Kalotermitidae) as prey for a group of larvae4. A low survival rate of the larvae suggested that another termite might be the normal host. We now report field and laboratory findings which demonstrate the predator–prey relationship between L. latipennis and the subterranean termite Reticulitermes hesperus Banks (Isoptera: Rhinotermitidae) and describe their unique method of attacking prey with an aggressive allomone.
Methodology for Combining Coastal Design-Flood Levels and Sea-Level Rise Projections

AbstractDesign-flood levels with associated exceedance probabilities are usually determined for coastal flood protection projects. Rising sea level introduces another design feature that needs to be combined with the design-flood level. However, most sea-level projections do not have exceedance probabilities that can be used in conjunction with the design flood to obtain total flood levels. This paper shows how to combine design-flood levels with sea-level rise projections that have exceedance probabilities, such as those of the Intergovernmental Panel for Climate Change, to obtain total elevations at desired exceedance probabilities over particular intervals.
Excitons in semiconducting single-walled carbon nanotubes

We report correlated-electron calculations of optically excited states in 10 semiconducting single-walled carbon nanotubes with a wide range of diameters. Optical excitation occurs to excitons whose binding energies decrease with the increasing nanotube diameter, and are smaller than the binding energy of an isolated strand of poly-(paraphenylene vinylene). The ratio of the energy of the second optical exciton polarized along the nanotube axis to that of the lowest exciton is smaller than the value predicted within single-particle theory. The experimentally observed weak photoluminescence is an intrinsic feature of semiconducting nanotubes, and is consequence of dipole-forbidden excitons occurring below the optical exciton. Excited states absorption calculations show photoinduced absorption energies are lower than or comparable to the binding energy of the lowest exciton.
An experimental study of costly coordination

This paper reports data for coordination game experiments with random matching. The experimental design is based on changes in an effort-cost parameter, which do not alter the set of Nash equilibria nor do they alter the predictions of adjustment theories based on imitation or best response dynamics. As expected, however, increasing the effort cost lowers effort levels. Maximization of a stochastic potential function, a concept that generalizes risk dominance to continuous games, predicts this reduction in efforts. An error parameter estimated from initial two-person, minimum-effort games is used to predict behavior in other three-person coordination games.
Angular spectrum measurements of atmospheric turbulence

The unique property of the theoretical formula for the angular spectrum of a point source seen through a turbulent medium is that it is related in simple closed form to the integrated structure function of the turbulence. It therefore provides a reliable measure of the state of turbulence. Rudimentary measurements over a 5 km path show a remarkable confirmation, over a range 1000:1 in intensity, of the Kolmogoroff two-thirds law, and of the underlying theory of wave propagation through a turbulent medium.
Gut Reaction: Microbiome Provides a Clue to Gender Bias in Autoimmunity

Men are from Mars, women are from Venus—or so the old adage goes. But who knew that our bacteria were taking sides ? What exactly differentiates men and women when it comes to disease susceptibility remains murky. One thing we all have in common is that we’re communal organisms: An ecosystem of microorganisms—some beneficial and some detrimental—inhabits our bodies. The complexity of each microbial ecosystem, or microbiota, is reflected in its collective genetic content, or microbiome. Studies of the microbiome have underscored how fundamentally intestinal microorganisms influence and are influenced by their host. Now, Markle et al. uncover an unexpected connection between microbiota, gender, and autoimmune disease. The gender bias for many autoimmune diseases, which are generally more common in females, is well established but poorly understood. The authors make use of nonobese diabetic (NOD) mice, a model for type 1 diabetes, to investigate this link. In the NOD strain, female mice are about twice as likely to develop diabetes. This gender disparity disappears when the mice are raised under germ-free conditions that don’t allow for the development of microbiota—a tantalizing lead for the authors. Moreover, distinct features of male and female microbiomes emerge during puberty and are evident in adult mice. To test these connections between the microbiome, gender, and diabetes, Markle et al. transplanted microbiota from male mice into the intestines of young, diabetes-susceptible female mice. When female mice were transplanted this way, they acquired a “male-typic” microbiome and their incidence of diabetes dropped to resemble that of male mice. The “masculine” microbiota appeared to increase levels of testosterone, altering the host immune system and lowering the incidence of diabetes. Overall, this work suggests a bidirectional feedback loop between the host and the microbiota in developing and reinforcing gender differences that alter susceptibility to autoimmunity. Human type 1 diabetes, which often develops before puberty, is not gender-biased, but many human autoimmune diseases are. Could microbiome-directed therapy alter the course of disease in people with a genetic susceptibility for autoimmunity? Further studies of the human microbiome will be an important next step in testing this relationship. J. G. M. Markle et al. , Sex differences in the gut microbiome drive hormone-dependent regulation of autoimmunity. Science 339 , 1084–1088 (2013). [[Abstract]][1] [1]: http://www.sciencemag.org/content/339/6123/1084
Muscle: from hypertension to erection

Smooth Muscle: An Assessment of Current Knowledge. Edited by E. Bulbring et al. Pp.576. ISBN 0-7131-4348-7/0-292-77569-5. (Edward Arnold/Texas University Press: 1981.) £45, $95.
A Low Ripple Pulsed Phased Back Power Supply

One of the difficult engineering problems of high power pulsed power supplies is to produce a large output voltage range with a low ripple voltage. Phased back rectifier power supplies have sufficient voltage range but suffer from a large ripple content. This paper deals with two methods for reducing the output ripple without the use of a filter. It also includes a nonsynchronous firing system for controlling the resulting rectifier.
Influence of congenital heart disease on survival in children with congenital diaphragmatic hernia

Abstract Objective: We sought to assess outcome in patients with CDH and HD to determine if LHR is also predictive of outcome in this subset of patients. Study design: We carried out a retrospective review (April 1996-October 2000) of patients with isolated CDH (n = 143, 82.2%) and patients with HD (n = 31, 17.8%) to determine the incidence of additional anomalies, survival to term, CDH repair, cardiac repair, and survival to discharge. Survival based on LHR was analyzed in a subset of fetuses. Results: The risk of death from birth to last follow-up was 2.9 times higher for patients with CDH plus HD than for patients with CDH alone ( P 1.2 survived (Fisher exact test, P =.04). Conclusion: Heart disease remains a significant risk factor for death in infants with CDH. The LHR helps predict survival in this high-risk group of patients. (J Pediatr 2002;141:25-30)
Time-Resolved Microscale Temperature Measurements of High-Power Semiconductor Lasers

Nonradiative recombination and other heat generation processes affect both the performance and lifetime characteristics of semiconductor diode lasers. This is especially true for high-power devices, where facet heating due to nonradiative recombination can lead to catastrophic optical damage (COD). Here we present for the first time temperature measurements of a semiconductor laser in which the surface temperature profile (and hence the current density profile) of the laser is measured as it evolves in time. The laser studied is a λ=1.55μm 1-cm-long InGaAsP/InP watt-class slab-coupled optical waveguide laser (SCOWL). The ridge width of the SCOWLs examined here is approximately 5 μm. Temperature measurements are taken using multiple microthermocouples with sizes less than 20μm. Surface temperature fluctuations in time are seen to be quite large, as high as 20% of the total temperature increase of the device. Time-resolved measurements allow us to see both positive correlation (in which the temperature rises at the same time across an area of the device) as well as negative correlation (in which part of the device gets hot at the same time as another part of the device gets cold). Negative correlations are likely due to facet heating processes which cause bandgap shrinkage and hence increased current flow to a facet, pulling current away from the center of the device. Time-resolved measurements of the surface temperature profile therefore show promise as a nondestructive method for characterizing the failure mechanisms of a laser, as facet damage over time is otherwise very difficult to measure before the COD runaway process destroys the device.Copyright © 2005 by ASME
Health-related quality of life after elective surgery: measurement of longitudinal changes.

Objective: To examine the responsiveness of the 36-Item Short Form Health Survey (SF-36) to clinical changes in three surgical groups and to study how health-related quality of life (HRQL) changes with time among patients who undergo total hip arthroplasty, thoracic surgery for treatment of non-small-cell lung cancer, or abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) repair.
Meta-Analysis and Systematic Review Assessing the Efficacy of Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT):

Objective:The objective was to quantitatively and qualitatively examine the efficacy of DBT (e.g., decreasing life-threatening suicidal and parasuicidal acts, attrition, and depression) explicitly ...
Tire-road friction coefficient estimation with vehicle steering

Lateral tire deflection enables the estimation of the tire-road friction coefficient. Vehicle steering, such as driving on a curved highway, can influence the friction coefficient estimation. This paper demonstrates an algorithm to estimate the tire-road friction coefficient when a vehicle is steering. The relationship between the friction coefficient and the vehicle steering is derived through a tire brush model. The change of lateral velocity inside the tire-road contact patch is used in the algorithm along with the lateral deflection. The models for the lateral deflection and the change of lateral velocity are derived with the tire brush model, a simple tire model, and a parabolic lateral deflection model. Approximated tire slip angles are fed to the estimation algorithm to capture the change of the steering angle. This algorithm is evaluated in experiments with the steering of a test vehicle.
CpG oligodeoxynucleotides enhance monoclonal antibody therapy of a murine lymphoma.

Abstract Bacterial DNA and synthetic oligodeoxynucleotides containing unmethylated cytosine-guanine dinucleotides known as cytosine phosphorothioate guanine oligodeoxynucleotides (CpG ODN) can activate various immune-cell subsets, including cells that participate in antibody- dependent cell-mediated cytotoxicity (ADCC). Studies have shown that CpG ODN enhance the efficacy of antitumor monoclonal antibody (MoAb) therapy in the 38C13 murine B-cell lymphoma. We performed a series of in vivo experiments using this tumor model to better characterize combination therapy with MoAb and CpG ODN. CpG ODN enhanced the efficacy of MoAb therapy of lymphoma in a dose-dependent manner. This effect was seen whether the CpG ODN was given before or after the MoAb therapy, but was decreased when CpG ODN was given more than 2 days after MoAb therapy. Three doses of CpG ODN and MoAb were more effective than single doses. There was no obvious toxicity with multiple dosing. These studies confirm that immunostimulatory CpG ODN enhance the efficacy of MoAb therapy, and that multiple courses of combination therapy with CpG ODN can serve as an effective therapy for lymphoma. Further exploration of this potentially potent combination of treatments, including clinical evaluation, is indicated.
Avian macrophage and immune response: an overview

Macrophages belong to the mononuclear phagocytic system lineage. This cell type is unique in that it is a crucial player in both the innate and adaptive immune responses. The material described in this overview is a brief description of what I presented as a World's Poultry Science Association-sponsored lecture at the annual meetings of the Poultry Science Association in 2002. Therefore, I have not attempted to present an up-to-date review of literature on this topic. Rather, I have summarized some salient research accomplishments made by our research group over the years in the area of avian macrophage biology and function.
Pulmonary Hypertension Related to Left-Sided Cardiac Pathology

Pulmonary hypertension (PH) is the end result of a variety of diverse pathologic processes. The chronic elevation in pulmonary artery pressure often leads to right ventricular pressure overload and subsequent right ventricular failure. In patients with left-sided cardiac disease, PH is quite common and associated with increased morbidity and mortality. This article will review the literature as it pertains to the epidemiology, pathogenesis, and diagnosis of PH related to aortic valve disease, mitral valve disease, left ventricular systolic and diastolic dysfunction, and pulmonary veno-occlusive disease. Moreover, therapeutic strategies, which focus on treating the underlying cardiac pathology will be discussed.
Sensitivity of acute rest myocardial perfusion imaging for identifying patients with myocardial infarction based on a troponin definition.

Background Myocardial perfusion imaging (MPI) is often used to identify low-risk chest pain patients who have myocardial infarction (MI). A recent recommendation is that patients with increased troponin levels be diagnosed as having MI. The sensitivity and characteristics of patients who have elevated troponin levels who also underwent early MPI are unknown.
Effect of synchronous-machine transient rotor saliency

IN most studies of power system disturbances made on the a-c network analyzer, the transient rotor saliency of the synchronous machines is neglected. The validity of this assumption is well established. However, in some cases it has been desirable to measure the variations in several of the bus voltages during the disturbance. When the bus is electrically near to a synchronous machine (in the limit, when the voltage in question is at the terminals of one of the synchronous machines), the validity of neglecting saliency may be questioned.
Spontaneous Nasalization in the Development of Afro-Hispanic Language

Afro-Hispanic or bozal Spanish, from the sixteenth century to the early twentieth century, exhibited numerous cases of "epenthetic" nasal consonants, exemplified by Punto Rico < Puerto Rico; limbre < libre 'free'; pincueso < pescuezo 'neck'; and monosyllabic clitics such as lon < lo(s), lan < la(s), and so on. The present study, based on a comparison of Afro-Hispanic (AH) language data from a wide range of regions and time periods, provides alternative models for spontaneous nasalization. The first involves vowel nasalization, analyzed as the linking of a free (nasal) autosegment to the first available vowel of relevant words; Spanish speakers in turn reinterpreted the nasal vowels as a nasal consonant homorganic to the preceding consonant. Cases of apparent word-final nasal epenthesis, invariably involving phrase-internal clitics, resulted from prenasalization of following word-initial obstruents, a well-documented process in Afro-Iberian linguistic contacts. The preference for voiced obstruents to pre-nasalize is attributed to the lack of the normal fricative pronunciation of /b/, /d/, and /g/ in AH speech. In general, Spanish voiced obstruents are pronounced as stops only following nasals. The stop pronunciation of Pol, /d/, and /g/ by AH speakers was reinterpreted as an additional Root node, to which a floating (nasal) autosegment could be linked. AH nasalization generally seems to stem from Africans' underspecification of Spanish vowels and consonants, resulting from the precarious conditions under which Spanish was learned by speakers of various African languages.
Azlocillin: a new broad spectrum penicillin

Azlocillin is a new semisynthetic penicillin with a broad spectrum of antibacterial activity. Azlocillin is highly active against Pseudomonas aeruginosa including many strains that are resistant to carbenicillin and ticarcillin. Unlike many other penicillins with activity against Enterobacteriaceae and Pseudomonas, azlocillin retains a high degree of potency against Gram-positive organisms, fastidious Gram-negative organisms, and many obligate anaerobes. Because azlocillin is susceptible to certain beta-lactamases it is not highly active against bacteria that are resistant to other penicillins and/or cephalosporins due to the production of such enzymes. Like other penicillins, azlocillin is bactericidal for susceptible strains. It also interacts synergistically with aminoglycosides against enterococci, certain Enterobacteriaceae, and Ps. aeruginosa.
Direct seismic energy modeling and application to the 1979 Imperial Valley earthquake

[1] The seismic energy associated with an earthquake has two representations: the work of the seismic waves done against a distant surface or a fault representation. For a fault subject to slip-weakening friction, the energy density is the difference between an elastostatic work and a work density spent in fracture and relaxation. We apply this to a dynamic simulation of the 1979 Imperial Valley earthquake, whose initial conditions are inspired by previous kinematic studies. A large area of the fault has a negative energy density, and the emission of energy is roughly confined to small parts of the fault with large positive energy density. We compute the work of the seismic waves against the surface of a sphere enclosing the source, and we find the same amount of energy. We produce a map of energy directivity that shows that 40% of the energy passes through only 6.5% of the sphere.
Applicability of the Classical Analysis of Experiments with Split Hopkins Pressure Bar

It is shown that a classical approach to the treatment of data for the split Hopkinson pressure bar (SHPB) is applicable only to magnetically soft materials, the acoustic impedance of which is small as compared to that of the measuring bars. Unjustified application of the classical method to materials with high acoustic impedance (such as ceramics) or with a high viscosity may lead to unacceptably large errors. A physically consistent theory for the treatment of SHPB data is proposed.
Effect of high-frequency ventilation on the development of alveolar edema in premature monkeys at risk for hyaline membrane disease

High-frequency oscillatory ventilation (HFOV) permits adequate gas exchange but avoids the large phasic pressure-volume excursions of conventional mechanical ventilation (CMV); such avoidance may reduce the lung injury associated with hyaline membrane disease (HMD). We hypothesized that premature monkeys ventilated from birth with HFOV would have reduced lung injury compared to those assigned to CMV. Macaca nemestrina were delivered at 134 days (80% of term gestation) and ventilated from the first breath with either HFOV (n = 10) or CMV (n = 10). The mean airway pressure (Paw) was kept at 15 cm H2O pressure in HFOV animals; in CMV animals Paw was increased from 8 cm H2O at 2 h to 13 cm H2O at 6 h to prevent hypoxemia. At the conclusion of the 6-h experiment the HFOV animals had better oxygenation (p less than 0.05) and less evidence of HMD by chest radiograph (p less than 0.05). At 6 h of age a piece of the right middle lung lobe was removed, divided, and placed in fixatives for light and transmission electron microscopy. The lungs were subsequently inflated to 30 cm H2O pressure, and the right lower lobe was rapidly frozen in situ for morphometric studies. The proportion of peripheral lung tissue occupied by clear alveoli was greater in HFOV animals (66.3 +/- 14.8%) than in those assigned to CMV (44.2 +/- 16.9%, p less than 0.01); less alveolar debris and fluid was present in the HFOV animals (12.7 +/- 9.9%) compared with CMV animals (27.1 +/- 12.5%, p less than 0.02).(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)
Parental problem drinking and children's adjustment: attachment and family functioning as moderators and mediators of risk.

Children's perceived attachments with parents, and family cohesion and adaptability were examined as predictors, mediators, and moderators in the parental problem drinking-child outcomes link. A total of 216 6- to 12-year-olds (110 boys, 106 girls) participated. Data were obtained from children and their mothers, fathers, and teachers. A higher level of family cohesion and adaptability functioned as (a) a robust protective factor against adjustment and cognitive difficulties otherwise associated with problem drinking and (b) a mediator of adjustment problems. Children's perceptions of attachments to mothers and fathers were consistent predictors of behavioral, social, and cognitive problems and further moderated relations between problem drinking and child functioning. The results support that child-parent and family functioning variables act as either pathways and/or vulnerability and protective factors for children exposed to a high-risk environment.
Late Ottawan extension in the eastern Adirondack Highlands: Evidence from structural studies and zircon and monazite geochronology

Syn- to postorogenic collapse is increasingly being recognized as a fundamental process in most orogens, although the mechanism of collapse at mid- to lower-crustal levels is not well understood. The Adirondack Highlands of the Grenville Province in northern New York are an exhumed granulite terrane and represent an ideal setting in which to investigate mid- to lower-crustal orogenic processes. Although the highlands experienced high-grade metamorphism and crustal thickening during the Ottawan orogeny, few extensional shear zones have been recognized in this region. We document a new shear zone in the eastern Adirondack Highlands that accommodated postorogenic extensional collapse during the late Ottawan. The shear zone accommodated extension via noncoaxial top-to-the-southeast shear, although we cannot rule out a significant coaxial vertical thinning component. Some earlier thrust motion may also have occurred in the zone. U-Pb sensitive high-resolution ion microprobe zircon and in situ electron probe U-Th-Pb monazite ages demonstrate that extension occurred from ca. 1050 to 1025 Ma, following peak metamorphism during the Ottawan orogeny. Our results suggest that late Ottawan extension in the Adirondack Highlands was more widespread than previously recognized and was likely driven by gravitational collapse. Extension along this eastern Adirondack Highlands shear zone may connect with the Tawachiche shear zone to the north in Quebec, indicating that tectonic exhumation during the Ottawan occurred on a system of interconnected shear zones. Top-to-the-northeast extension in the eastern Adirondack Highlands was synchronous with top-to-the-northwest extension on the Carthage Colton shear zone in the western Adirondack Highlands, suggesting that the highlands granulite terrane may have been partially exhumed as a large-scale symmetrical gneiss dome.
Imperial Istanbul: A Traveller's Guide: Jane Taylor

Book reviewed in this article: The Revolt of Afrian Slaves in Iraq in the 3rd/9th Century: Alexandre Popovic
Analysis of the K+ current profile of mature rat oligodendrocytes in situ.

Previous studies have reported that mature oligodendrocytes (OLGs) in vitro display various voltage-dependent K+ currents while in situ OLGs show only voltage-independent K+ currents. Given this discrepancy and the lack of information on myelinating OLG ion channel expression in situ, we characterized mature OLG currents in myelinating corpus callosum slices from 17 to 36-day old rats. OLGs were recorded in cell-attached and whole-cell patch-clamp configurations, displayed morphology typical of mature OLGs, and stained positive for myelin basic protein. OLGs displayed large voltage-independent currents that decayed during the voltage pulse and small voltage-activated outward currents. The latter were blocked by TEA, activated between ?40 and ?50 mV, and decayed slowly. The former were composed of large voltage-independent, time-dependent Ba2+ (1 mM)-sensitive currents, and voltage-dependent Cs+ (5 mM) and Ba2+ (100 mM)-sensitive currents that reversed near the K+ equilibrium potential and inactivated at hyperpolarized potentials, identifying them as inwardly rectifying K+ currents. Inwardly rectifying single-channel K+currents could be recorded in the cell-attached configuration. The estimated single-channel slope conductance was 30 pS. The steady-state open probability was voltage-dependent and declined from 0.9 to 0.5 between ?80 and ?150 mV. Overall, mature OLGs in situ possess time- and also voltage-dependent K+ currents, which may facilitate clearance of K+ released during axonal firing.
Perspectives on Our National Experience: Race, Class, and Gender

On April 18, 1989, Indiana University of Pennsylvania (IUP) held its First Annual Provost's Mini-Symposium, titled "Perspectives on Our National Experience: Race, Class, and Gender." Examining the role of color, class, and sexual difference in American society over more than a century, the one-day conference not only sought to highlight the distinct impact of these forces, but more importantly their interaction. Appropriately, the conference presenters represented an interdiscipli nary roster of scholars from history, political science, economics, and black and women's studies. While the conference was indeed a success, a close examination of the various papers and the "mini" format reveals certain limitations. Focusing on the black experience, historians John Bracey (University of Massachusetts at Amherst) and William Chaffe (Duke University) set the histori cal backdrop and much of the tone for the remaining papers. Bracey analyzed the black experience from the 1880s through 1915. Describing the period as the "nadir" in African-American history, he discussed the fall of Reconstruction, the massive reversal of black enfranchisement, the intensification of legal and extra legal forms of racial intimidation such as lynchings, increasing entrapment of blacks within the sharecropping, convict-lease, and debt-peonage systems, and growing constraints on the creation of a black artisan class. While the experiences of black men and women, elites and workers, were constrained by the foregoing dynamics of class and race, Bracey argued that there were important differences along gender and to some extent class lines. When black women formed the National Association of Colored Women's Clubs in the
Effectiveness of pertussis vaccines for adolescents and adults: case-control study

Objective To assess the effectiveness of reduced acellular pertussis (Tdap) vaccines in adolescents and adults. Setting Kaiser Permanente Northern California. Design Case-control study. Participants All polymerase chain reaction (PCR) confirmed cases of pertussis in members aged 11 years and older from January 2006 to December 2011. We compared the Tdap vaccination status of PCR positive cases with two control groups: people testing negative for pertussis by PCR and closely matched people from the general Kaiser Permanente Northern California population. Main outcome measure PCR confirmed pertussis. The association of Tdap vaccination with the odds of pertussis infection was estimated by conditional logistic regression, with adjustment for calendar time, pertussis vaccine type received in early childhood, age, sex, race or ethnic group, and medical clinic. We calculated Tdap vaccine effectiveness as 1 minus the adjusted odds ratio. Results The study population included 668 PCR positive cases, 10 098 PCR negative controls, and 21 599 Kaiser Permanente Northern California matched controls. Tdap vaccination rates were 24.0% in PCR positive cases and 31.9% in PCR negative controls (P Conclusion Tdap vaccination was moderately effective at preventing PCR confirmed pertussis among adolescents and adults.
SNS LEBT Chopper improvements

The Low Energy Beam Transport (LEBT) Chopper for the Spallation Neutron Source (SNS) at Oak Ridge National Laboratory has experienced failures of the power semiconductors within the tri-state pulsed power supplies. These power supplies deliver a +/- 3 kV pulse or ground potential to an electrostatic einzel lens split into four quadrants to deflect the beam for 200 ns to 1 us. The four power supplies are ac coupled to a -50 kV dc supply for steering offset of the lens. This paper discusses the failure modes and improvements to mitigate future failures.
Sensitive quantification of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) using porosity induced hydrogel microspheres

Vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) plays a crucial role in vasculogenesis (blood vessel formation) and angiogenesis (capillary formation from a pre-existing blood vessel). Dysregulation of VEGF has been associated with several diseases including cancer, rheumatoid arthritis, and psoriasis. As a result, serum level of VEGF has important implications as biomarker for different clinical disorders as well as for subsequent therapy monitoring. A simple detection method capable of rapid and sensitive analysis of VEGF in serum of patients with different clinical disorders is of paramount importance. Here, we report the fabrication and utilization of capture-antibody immobilized macro-porous poly(ethylene) glycol diacrylate (PEGDA) hydrogel microspheres for quantitative and reproducible measurement of VEGF. We demonstrate that induction of porosity using PEG porogen improves the sensitivity of this simple hydrogel microsphere based system with a detection limit of 2.5 pg/ml; indicating that the sensitivity of the assay exceeds that of the conventional technologies.
Social networking technology and the virtues

This paper argues in favor of more widespread and systematic applications of a virtue-based normative framework to questions about the ethical impact of information technologies, and social networking technologies in particular. The first stage of the argument identifies several distinctive features of virtue ethics that make it uniquely suited to the domain of IT ethics, while remaining complementary to other normative approaches. I also note its potential to reconcile a number of significant methodological conflicts and debates in the existing literature, including tensions between phenomenological and constructivist perspectives. Finally, I claim that a virtue-based perspective is needed to correct for a strong utilitarian bias in the research methodologies of existing empirical studies on the social and ethical impact of IT. The second part of the paper offers an abbreviated demonstration of the merits of virtue ethics by showing how it might usefully illuminate the moral dimension of emerging social networking technologies. I focus here on the potential impact of such technologies on three virtues typically honed in communicative practices: patience, honesty and empathy.
Fourier transform spectroscopy with synchrotron radiation in the mid- and far-infrared with extensions to the VUV and soft x-ray region

Synchrotron radiation emitted from electron storage rings is around 1000 times brighter than conventional broadband infrared sources. It is also pulsed on the nanosecond timescale, very stable and reproducible. We have adapted and coupled a conventional vacuum Michelson FTIR system to a synchrotron source. This system is now used for a variety of scientific programs. These include surface reflectivity measurements of the vibrational modes of adsorbed molecules on metals, and transmission measurements of small samples including proteins, small high Tc superconductor crystals and samples in high pressure diamond anvil cells. The time structure of the beam is used in a series of pump-probe measurements using synchronized Nd-YAG and diode lasers. We have also developed a wavefront dividing FTIR instrument which utilizes the spatial coherence of the synchrotron source.
Development of the Intervention Materials for the HomeStyles Obesity Prevention Program for Parents of Preschoolers.

Home environment is key to the development of obesity-preventing behaviors during childhood, yet few resources help preschool parents address factors at home associated with obesity risk. This paper describes creation of materials for an in-home intervention (HomeStyles) with this population. An advisory group of stakeholders and target audience members determined salient factors affecting childhood obesity to address in-home and developed program materials. The Social Cognitive Theory, Faith’s Core Behavior Change Strategies to Treat Childhood Obesity, Adult Learning Theory and motivational interviewing techniques guided development of 12 guides targeting strategies parents can use to shape the home environment. Interviews were conducted to determine effectiveness of the guides. Cognitive testing of guide design (n = 251) and content (n = 261) occurred in English and Spanish in New Jersey and Arizona with parents and home visitation staff who would present the guides. Interviews investigated perceptions of content usefulness and parent comprehension. Findings were also examined in light of theoretical underpinnings. Both home visitation staff and parents felt the guides were very readable and useful. Parents appreciated use of motivational interviewing techniques and Adult Learning Theory. Current research is testing these guides through an in-home, randomized control trial.
Stress relaxation and exchange in pellets used for the infra-red technique

Abstract In the pelleting of lead nitrates for infra-red study, exchange between lead nitrate and potassium chloride proceeds at a logarithmic rate. Water adsorption and stress relaxation also proceed at logarithmic rates. Increasing the rate of water adsorption enhances the rate of exchange and stress relaxation.