cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
DUNE and MINERvA Flux Studies and a Measurement of the Charged-Current Quasielastic Antineutrino Scattering Cross Section with $ \sim 6 $ GeV on a CH Target

One of the biggest open questions in physics is the prevalence of matter over anti-matter in the present universe. One of possible answers lies in the violation of charge and parity symmetry in the lepton sector that would favor matter over anti-matter so that the universe becomes dominated by matter over time. Recent results from neutrino experiments like T2K and NOvA have indicated that there is CP violation in the leptonic sector \citep{Abe:2019vii}. However, the precise measurement of CP violation will require an unprecedented level of accuracy in these oscillation experiments. One of the challenges lies with the systematic uncertainties that come with the measurements, which include uncertainties related to the neutrino flux modeling, interaction modeling and detector related systematic uncertainties.\\ The first part of this thesis will go through the challenges related to flux uncertainties. It will discuss the flux uncertainties related to hadron production in the LBN F beamli ne for the DUNE experiment. Hadron production models used in flux simulations vary widely depending on the simulation and choice of physics models used to simulate the hadron production. This thesis will explain the method of using existing hadron production data to constrain these uncertainties, a method which has been used in MINERvA experiment.\\ The second part of the thesis goes through the effect of possible flux mismodeling and MINERvA's approach to address this effect. In doing so, we discovered that the suspected mismodeling could also result from incorrect estimation of the energy scale of the muons. This project not only demonstrated the challenges of flux modeling but also led to a novel approach of using neutrino energy spectra to understand the correlation between detector and neutrino beamline parameters. \\ A high statistics measurement of the anti-neutrino scattering cross section in the charged current quasielastic (CCQE) channel is the final part of the th esis. Th e 2-body interactions in this channel have the advantage of allowing reconstruction of the interaction kinematics from the outgoing muon trajectory which can be measured very well. Double differential cross sections as a function of muon kinematics, one of the deliverables of this analysis, will help future oscillation experiments understand their data. The cross-section as a function of the four-momentum transferred from the leptonic system to the hadronic system ($Q^{2}_{QE}$) can be used to test models used in simulating antineutrino interactions and the nuclear effects that can modify the predicted cross sections. Nuclear effects arise from the complex nuclear environment and both modify the initial scattering and change the fate of the particles produced from in neutrino-nucleus interactions. Study of nuclear effects will help to understand the structure of the atomic nucleus and its impact on neutrino interactions.
Optimizing well-depth sequences for Schroeder diffusers using machine learning

Around mid-1970, Schroeder introduced a mathematical theory to generate sequences, which can compute the “depth of the Schroeder diffuser”. A Schroeder diffuser is a design consisting of a number of wells of different “depths,” which propagates sound energy in different directions. The Schroeder diffuser provides the ability to create an optimal scattering of the same sound energy in different diffraction lobes. This paper aims to exploit this property and optimize well-depth sequences from Schroeder diffuser using machine learning techniques. With the advent of machine learning and parallel computing, the optimization of sequences and the iterative process to select the optimal pattern of sequence can be done more efficiently. Hence, the primary focus of this paper is to come up with a machine learning model that predicts the scattered reflections from a random well-depth sequence surface and evaluates the quality of the scattered reflections using a diffusion coefficient. The model tries to achieve optimum diffuser properties by adjusting the sequence. The boundary element method can be used for computing the diffusion coefficient. The diffusion coefficient parameter determines the quality of the diffuser and can be calculated at ⅓ Octave frequency bands.
Diffusion of Carbon Dioxide in Blood Protein Solutions

Transport of carbon dioxide in biological systems is of longstanding interest in the fields of physiology and biomedical engineering. Physiologists have considerable interest in the processes by which metabolically produced CO2 is removed from the tissue and transported to the lungs. Biomedical engineers have been concerned with the removal of CO2 from the oxygenator (better known as the artifical gas exchange device). For both problems, a better understanding of CO2 transport in blood protein solutions and blood is required.
Head and neck free flap surgical site infections in the era of the Surgical Care Improvement Project

Background Compliance with Surgical Care Improvement Project (SCIP) parameters regarding antibiotic prophylaxis may affect surgical site infection rates. The purpose of this study was for us to report SCIP compliance, surgical site infection rates, and risk factors in a large series of head and neck free flap surgeries. Methods A retrospective review of 480 free flap cases was performed. Surgical site infections occurring within 30 days postoperatively were noted. Results Surgical site infection occurred in 13.3% of cases. Prophylaxis was given in 99.8% of cases; ampicillin-sulbactam (83%) and clindamycin (9%) were most common. Prophylaxis was “on-time” in 92.3% of cases. There were no significant associations between surgical site infection and tumor stage, American Society of Anesthesiologists (ASA) classification, tumor subsite, or flap type. Prior radiation was a risk factor for surgical site infection in patients treated for malignancy. Conclusion A surgical site infection rate of 13.3% was noted. In this cohort, with a compliance rate with prophylactic antibiotic measures, prior radiation was found to be a risk factor only in patients with cancer. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Head Neck, 2015
Reflections on the ICJ Advisory Opinion on Kosovo: Interpreting Security Council Resolution 1244 (1999)

In its 2010 advisory opinion on Accordance with International Law of the Unilateral Declaration of Independence in Respect of Kosovo, the International Court of Justice was called upon to interpret the meaning and legal effects of Security Council Resolution 1244, which had authorized the deployment of international military forces and civilian administration into Kosovo in the aftermath of NATO’s 1999 bombing campaign against Serbia. The Court’s treatment of Resolution 1244 entailed a rich mosaic of issues, some of which were specific to the situation of Kosovo, but others that have ramifications for the interpretation and application of Security Council resolutions more generally. While doubts and disagreements with the Court’s decision can be fairly expressed, the Court rather systematically addressed the principal legal arguments placed before it, and there is nothing about the opinion that operates outside the realm of plausible judicial reasoning. Though the Court was faced with the difficult situation of an ambiguous resolution and a divided Council, as well as blocs of states with diametrically opposed views, the Court assumed its responsibility of interpreting whether the resolution barred Kosovo’s declaration of independence and answered clearly the question placed before it by the General Assembly, without unleashing any apparent adverse consequences for the United Nations, for the Balkans, or for the international rule of law more generally.
Extrapolation, Risk‐Analytic

Quantitative extrapolation refers to a process where inferences about data-poor scenarios are developed from studies of data-rich scenarios. For dose–response relationships in environmental risk assessment, several different kinds of extrapolation are used in order to accommodate the variety of available information and risk assessment goals. Examples of such extrapolation include estimating human health risk at low doses from rodent toxicology data at high doses, or estimating ecosystem response at a given ambient pollution concentration from laboratory studies of individual animal or plant species at similar concentrations. The examples discussed in this article are for human health risk assessment but most of the principles apply to ecological risk assessment as well. These examples include low-dose extrapolation of cancer response (extending a fitted function below the range of the data), simple scaling methods (e.g. allometric interspecies extrapolation), biomathematical models (e.g. physiologically-based pharmacokinetic models), and quantitative formulas for estimating mixture response (e.g. modifying dose addition to account for synergism).
MMIXware: A RISC Computer for the Third Millennium

MMIX.- MMIX-Arith.- MMIX-CONFIG.- MMIX-IO.- MMIX-MEM.- MMIX-PIPE.- MMIX-SIM.- MMIXAL.- MMMIX.- MMOTYPE.
Ion-exchange procedures : VIII. Separation of silver from a number of elements by partition chromatography

Abstract A procedure is described for separating silver from a number of elements by partition chromatography in nitric acid solutions. A small column of a finely divided polyfluorocarbon impregnated with a highly selective extractant for Ag(I) (triisooctyl thiophosphate in carbon tetrachloride) is used to effect separation.
Blast-Induced tinnitus and spontaneous firing changes in the rat dorsal cochlear nucleus

Exposure to high-pressure blast shock waves is known to cause tinnitus. Although the underlying mechanisms may involve damage to structures in the ear and/or direct brain impact, which triggers a cascade of neuroplastic changes in both auditory and nonauditory centers, it remains unclear how the induced neuroplasticity manifests neurophysiologically. This study investigates the influence of blast exposure on spontaneous firing rates (SFRs) in the dorsal cochlear nucleus (DCN) and its time course in rats with blast-induced tinnitus. Each rat was exposed to a single blast at 22 psi. Behavioral evidence of tinnitus was measured by using a gap-detection acoustic startle-reflex paradigm. SFRs were measured 1 day, 1 month, and 3 months after blast exposure. The results showed that nine rats with blast-induced tinnitus and hearing loss developed hyperactivity immediately and that the induced hyperactivity persisted in six rats with tinnitus at 1 month after blast exposure. At 3 months after blast exposure, however, the induced hyperactivity of four rats with tinnitus transitioned to hypoactivity. In addition, the 20-30-kHz, and >30-kHz regions in the DCN of rats with and without blast-induced tinnitus were more affected than other frequency regions at different recovery time points after blast exposure. These results demonstrate that the neural mechanisms underlying blast-induced tinnitus are substantially different from those underlying noise-induced tinnitus. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Language: en
Chemotherapy induced cardiomyopathy: an overview, imaging features, and future prospective

Content organisation Cardio toxic effect of chemotherapy is a well-recognised problem in cancer patients. Cardio toxicity depends on multiple predisposing factors, specific components of the chemotherapy regimen, length of treatment, and dosage. We will present the spectrum of most common cardiotoxic chemotherapy agents and their combinations, specific effects on the myocardium, and imaging features of cardiomyopathies induced by chemotherapy. We will review pathophysiology of chemotherapy induced cardiomyopathy including:
Strenuous Work, Nutrition and Adverse Pregnancy Outcomes: A Brief Review

This brief review explores the available epidemiologic data to investigate the question of whether strenuous work by women during pregnancy in developing countries influences micronutrient status and thereby increase risks of adverse pregnancy outcomes. Some data exist on the potential relationship between strenuous work or physical activity and nutrient compromise, strenuous work or physical activity and adverse reproductive outcomes and micronutrient intakes or status and adverse reproductive outcomes. No substantial body of data exists that has directly investigated the potential causal path of whether strenuous work during pregnancy alters micronutrient status leading to adverse reproductive outcome. Search of the literature identified only a few papers from developing countries that provided even remotely related data on the topic. Thus, the available data are insufficient for drawing firm inferences that strenuous work, in a developing country, alters a pregnant woman's nutritional status and therefore affects her risk of an adverse pregnancy outcome. Effects on nutritional status, micronutrients in particular, of pregnant women from strenuous physical activities at work or in other lifestyle events require further study in developing countries.
Co-adaptation and loss of variation in Tribolium

An increase in development time following the termination of 11 generations of backcrossing of the b allele on to a wild type strain of Tribolium castaneum is ascribed to selection. Co-adaptation of the wild background to the novel locus has altered the fitness relationships among alleles controlling development time and resulted in selection for an increase in this character. The mechanism of increase, conversion of a polymorphism in larval instar number to populations almost entirely monomorphic for the greater number of instars, has apparently reduced the amount of genetic variation present in those loci influencing development time.
Phase transitions and elasticity in zirconia

Abstract The potential induced breathing (PIB) model is used to calculate equations of state, relative phase stabilities, and elasticity of several different structures of ZrO2. PIB is a non-empirical model for calculation of static and dynamic properties of ionic crystals. The cubic fluorite structure is found to be the stable zero-pressure phase. The monoclinic phase is more stable at low densities and the PbCl2 phase is more stable at high pressures. The rutile structure is found to be relatively unstable, a result in agreement with experiment. Elastic constants are calculated for the monoclinic, tetragonal, and fluorite phases of ZrO2. For the pure monoclinic phase, good agreement with experiment is found for the aggregate shear and Young's moduli. The elastic constants and pressure derivatives for cubic zirconia are discrepant with experimental data, and it is suggested that disorder greatly affects its elastic behavior. Furthermore, disorder and defects may be important in stabilizing the monoclinic and tetragonal structures.
Circular-Hinge Line Element for Finite Element Analysis of Compliant Mechanisms

A three-node six degree-of-freedom per-node line element that is sensitive to axial, bending, and torsional loading is introduced to model single-axis right circular hinges of constant width that are utilized in compliant mechanisms. The Timoshenko model is applied for bending because this particular configuration is virtually short, and provisions are taken that the element is shear-locking free. The Saint Venant theory, which includes warping, is utilized to model torsion of the variable rectangular cross-section circular hinge. The principle of minimum total potential energy is employed to formulate the elemental stiffness and mass matrices, as well as the elemental nodal vector. Static force deflection and modal simulation that are performed based on this finite element model produce results that are in agreement with simulation by commercially available finite element software. The three-node line element is also compared to an analytical model in terms of stiffness and the results are again concurring.
Racial Diversity, Gender Equality, and SES Diversity in Christian Congregations: Exploring the Connections of Racism, Sexism, and Classism in Multiracial and Nonmultiracial Churches

We explore the possibility that racially inclusive churches are also more inclusive in SES and supportive of gender equality, We used the Lilly Survey of Congregations to compare SES diversity and attitudes toward female leadership between multiracial and nonmultiracial churches. Findings indicate that multiracial churches promote SES diversity, but not necessarily gender equality. The relationship is straightforward as it concerns SES diversity. as multiracial churches are more likely to exhibit SES diversity than nonmultiracial churches. However, we found that a good deal of the propensity of multiracial churches to support gender equality is tied to the size of cities in which they are located. Further, theology acts as a suppressor variable in that conservative multiracial churches are less supportive of gender equality than other conservative churches, while progressive multiracial churches are more supportive of gender equality than other progressive churches.
Diaphorina citri (Hemiptera: Liviidae) Responses to Microcontroller-Buzzer Communication Signals of Potential Use in Vibration Traps

Monitoring of Diaphorina citri Kuwayama (Hemiptera: Liviidae) populations is an important component of efforts to reduce damage caused by huanglongbing, a devastating disease it vectors in citrus groves. Currently, D. citri is monitored primarily by unbaited sticky traps or visual inspection of trees. A potentially more effective method might result from attracting males to vibrational communications produced by females. Males call with wing-buzzing substrate-borne vibrations while searching for females on tree branches and stems. When nearby receptive females detect the calls, they reply immediately in synchronized duets that help direct the males towards them. The spectral and temporal patterns of the duets have been analyzed in previous studies and have been mimicked successfully with computer-operated vibration exciters. Males and females both respond to signals produced by either sex but display different behaviors during duets. To devise practical methods to attract and trap males with vibrational signals in field environments, a microcontroller platform was tested for capability to control inexpensive vibration sensing and output devices. The microcontroller was programmed to send mimics of different D. citri signals to a piezo buzzer for substrateborne broadcast. A mimic that elicited strong female responses was tested in bioassays that jointly compared it with other previously bioassayed signals, and the response to the mimic was found to be statistically comparable to that elicited by a recorded male call. The successful result suggests there is opportunity to develop microcontroller systems further as a means of trapping psyllids.
Petit mal seizure spikes in olfactory bulb and cortex caused by runaway inhibition after exhaustion of excitation

Abstract The olfactory bulb (OB), anterior olfactory nucleus (AON) and prepyriform cortex (PC) maintain 3 kinds of feedback among their populations of excitatory and inhibitory neurons: negative feedback, mutual excitation, and mutual inhibition. At normal levels of synaptic input these are balanced and give rise to chaotic and near-sinusoidal oscillatory EEG activity. Under intense repetitive electrical stimulation of the lateral olfactory tract (LOT), there is failure of the afferent excitatory terminals, perhaps due to transmitter depletion. In this circumstance there is deficient excitatory input under the condition of a high level of sustained activity among mutually inhibitory neurons. An instability develops in which some inhibitory neurons become more disinhibited (excited) and others more inhibited (less active) to the point of a paroxysmal discharge that is manifested in a massive compound IPSP of the excitatory neurons. The paroxysm terminates abruptly, but by mechanisms still unclear repeats at a rate of about 3/s for 10–70 s. It is accompanied by simultaneous ipsilateral twitching of the eyelids and muzzle, salivation, tearing, arrest, and lack of responding to sensory stimuli but without loss of posture, resembling absence in humans. It does not result from runaway mutual excitation, and it rarely culminates in full-blown convulsions. Similar spikes usually also occur in the OB and AON; the sequences of spikes appear to entrain. These normal and seizure EEGs are simulated with a network of non-linear differential equations, that is designed in conformance with the anatomy and physiology of the olfactory system. The seizure appears as an emergent property of the OB, AON and PC interactive system, that is due to an induced asymmetry in the feedback network that controls normal background activity.
Overexpression of Follistatin in the Mouse Epididymis Disrupts Fluid Resorption and Sperm Transit in Testicular Excurrent Ducts

Activin is a well-established modulator of male and female reproduction that stimulates the synthesis and secretion of follicle-stimulating hormone. Nonpituitary effects of activin have also been reported, although the paracrine actions of this growth factor in several reproductive tissues are not well understood. To identify the paracrine functions of activin during mammary gland morphogenesis and tumor progression, we produced transgenic mice that overexpress follistatin (FST), an intrinsic inhibitor of activin, under control of the mouse mammary tumor virus (MMTV) promoter. Although the MMTV-Fst mice were constructed to assess the role of activin in females, expression of the transgene was also observed in the testes and epididymides of males. While all 17 transgenic founder males exhibited copulatory behavior and produced vaginal plugs in females, only one produced live offspring. In contrast, transgenic females were fertile, permitting expansion of transgenic mouse lines. Light and transmission electron microscopic examination of the transgenic testes and epididymides revealed impairment of fluid resorption and sperm transit in the efferent ducts and initial segment of the epididymis, as indicated by accumulation of fluid and sperm stasis. Consequently, a variety of degenerative lesions were observed in the seminiferous epithelium, such as vacuolation and early stages of mineralization and fibrosis. Sperm collected from the caudae epididymidis of MMTV-Fst males had detached heads and were immotile. Together, these data reveal that activin signaling is essential for normal testicular excurrent duct function and that its blockade impairs fertility. These results also suggest that selective inhibitors of activin signaling may provide a useful approach for the development of male contraceptives without compromising androgen synthesis and actions.
A note on the existence of traffic equilibria

This note presents an alternative proof of the existence of a solution to the network equilibrium problem which is based on the recent work in complementarity theory by T. Smith [11].
Speciation and Crystal Chemistry of Iron(III) Chloride Hydrolyzed in the Presence of SiO4 Ligands. 1. An Fe K-Edge EXAFS Study

The hydrolysis of Fe−Si systems with Si/Fe ratios between 0 and 4 leads to the formation of poorly crystalline or, more frequently, of long-range disorganized precipitates. The increase of Si/Fe molar ratios results in an dramatic change of Fe polymerization. The formation of double and single corner-sharing Fe linkages is reduced compared to pure Fe hydrolysis products. The growth regime depends on the Si concentration in the system. Three-dimensional and two-dimensional growth of Fe colloids occurs at low and high Si/Fe ratios, respectively, systems with Si/Fe ratios around 1 representing a crossover between these two regimes. Though Si neighbors cannot be detected unequivocally by Fe K-edge EXAFS, their presence in the close environment of Fe atoms is evident from the change in Fe speciation.
Empirical studies of test‐suite reduction

Test-suite reduction techniques attempt to reduce the costs of saving and reusing test cases during software maintenance by eliminating redundant test cases from test suites. A potential drawback of these techniques is that reducing the size of a test suite might reduce its ability to reveal faults in the software. Previous studies have suggested that test-suite reduction techniques can reduce test-suite size without significantly reducing the fault-detection capabilities of test suites. These studies, however, involved particular programs and types of test suites, and to begin to generalize their results, further work is needed. This paper reports on the design and execution of additional studies, examining the costs and benefits of test-suite reduction, and the factors that influence these costs and benefits. In contrast to previous studies, results of these studies reveal that the fault-detection capabilities of test suites can be severely compromised by test-suite reduction. Copyright © 2002 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Laser-activated shape memory polymer microactuators for treating stroke

In this paper the photothermal engineering issues of novel shape memory polymer (SMP) microactuators for treating stroke are presented. The engineering issues for using lasers to heat and subsequently actuate these SMP devices are presented in order to provide design criteria and guidelines for intravascular, laser activated SMP devices. The optical properties of SMP, methods for coupling laser light into SMP, heating distributions in the SMP devices and the impact of operating the thermally activated material in a blood vessel are presented. A total of three devices will be presented: two interventional ischemic stroke devices and one device for releasing embolic coils. The optical properties of SMP, methods for coupling laser light into SMP, heating distributions in the SMP devices and the impact of operating the thermally activated material in a blood vessel are presented. Actuating the devices requires device temperatures in the range of 65 degrees C - 85 degrees C. Attaining these temperatures under flow conditions requires critical engineering of the SMP optical properties, optical coupling into the SMP, and device geometries. Laser- activated SMP devices are a unique combination of laser- tissue and biomaterial technologies. Successful deployment of the microactuator requires well-engineered coupling of the light form the diffusing fiber through the blood into the SMP.© (2002) COPYRIGHT SPIE--The International Society for Optical Engineering. Downloading of the abstract is permitted for personal use only.
Short Term Review of the De La Caffiniere Trapeziometacarpal Arthroplasty

We present a short term review of twenty-one De La Caffiniere trapezio-metacarpal prostheses inserted into twenty patients with an average review time of fifteen months. Only one case was of rheumatoid arthritis and the main indication for operation was pain.From a functional and symptomatic point of view the results are similar to other series with surgery for trapezio-metacarpal arthritis but due to cup loosening 24% have needed revision, 24% have loose cups and a further 19% have lucent cement lines around the cup. This review draws attention to the worrying frequency of loosening with this prosthesis.
Participation of Vaccinia Virus L2 Protein in the Formation of Crescent Membranes and Immature Virions

Morphogenesis of vaccinia virus begins with the appearance of crescent-shaped membrane precursors of immature virions in cytoplasmic factories. During the initial characterization of the product of the L2R reading frame, we discovered that it plays an important role in crescent formation. The L2 protein was expressed early in infection and was associated with the detergent-soluble membrane fraction of mature virions, consistent with two potential membrane-spanning domains. All chordopoxviruses have L2 homologs, suggesting an important function. Indeed, we were unable to isolate an infectious L2R deletion mutant. Consequently, we constructed an inducible mutant with a conditional lethal phenotype. When L2 expression was repressed, proteolytic processing of the major core proteins and the A17 protein, which is an essential component of the immature virion membrane, failed to occur, suggesting an early block in viral morphogenesis. At 8 h after infection in the presence of inducer, immature and mature virions were abundantly seen by electron microscopy. In contrast, those structures were rare in the absence of inducer and were replaced by large, dense aggregates of viroplasm. A minority of these aggregates had short spicule-coated membranes, which resembled the beginnings of crescent formation, at their periphery. These short membrane segments at the edge of the dense viroplasm increased in number at later times, and some immature virions were seen. Although the L2 protein was not detected under nonpermissive conditions, minute amounts could account for stunted and delayed viral membrane formation. These findings suggested that L2 is required for the formation or elongation of crescent membranes.
COL-3 inhibition of collagen fragmentation in ruptured cranial cruciate ligament explants from dogs with stifle arthritis.

Abstract Inhibition of collagen fragment generation in canine cranial cruciate ligament (CCL) explant cultures by the matrix metalloprotease inhibitor (6-demethyl)-6-deoxy-4-dedimethylamino tetracycline (COL-3) was studied. Cranial cruciate ligament specimens were collected from dogs with inflammatory stifle arthritis/CCL rupture and dogs with normal stifles. Explant cultures from each CCL specimen included one COL-3 treated explant and a baseline control; explants from 12 ruptured CCLs were prepared in triplicate and a protease inhibitor cocktail positive control was used. Explant supernatants were analyzed for generation of collagen fragments after two days. Treatment of ruptured CCL explants with 10−4 M COL-3 decreased generation of collagen fragments. The extent of this inhibition was increased in explants treated with a protease inhibitor cocktail. Generation of collagen fragments was increased in ruptured CCLs, when compared with intact CCLs. It is concluded that generation of collagen fragments was increased in pathological ruptured CCL explants. This degradation could be significantly inhibited in vitro by 10−4 M COL-3.
Discriminant and principal component analyses to classify commercial orange juices based on relative amounts of volatile juice constituents

Pasteurised orange juices and two types of commercial orange juice from frozen concentrate were differentiated based on the combined levels of 15-25 volatile constituents monitored in each of 44 juice samples. Multivariate analysis programs were used to calculate discriminant and principal component analyses and to display the results graphically. Since this group of samples was part of a nutritional database study, other parameters were included in an effort to improve discrimination of the types of juice samples monitored. Addition of °Brix and acid values improved the separation by principal component analysis of the three types of juice studied. Discriminant analysis provided better separation of juice types than did principal component analysis.
Numerical simulation of the large‐scale North American monsoon water sources

A general circulation model (GCM) that includes water vapor tracer (WVT) diagnostics is used to delineate the dominant sources of water vapor for precipitation during the North American monsoon. A 15-year model simulation carried out with one-degree horizontal resolution and time varying sea surface temperature is able to produce reasonable large-scale features of the monsoon precipitation. Within the core of the Mexican monsoon, continental sources provide much of the water for precipitation. Away from the Mexican monsoon (eastern Mexico and Texas), continental sources generally decrease with monsoon onset. Tropical Atlantic Ocean sources of water gain influence in the southern Great Plains states where the total precipitation decreases during the monsoon onset. Pacific ocean sources do contribute to the monsoon, but tend to be weaker after onset. Evaluating the development of the monsoons, soil water and surface evaporation prior to monsoon onset do not correlate with the eventual monsoon intensity. However, the most intense monsoons do use more local sources of water than the least intense monsoons, but only after the onset. This suggests that precipitation recycling is an important factor in monsoon intensity.
Spectroelectrochemical studies of p-benzoquinone reduction in aqueous media

Abstract p-Benzoquinone reduction has been studied in aqueous solutions employing spectroelectrochemical techniques, and an intermediate species thus far believed to be unstable in aqueous media has been shown to be reasonably stable in unbuffered solutions. The detection of this intermediate species, which is produced as a one-electron transfer product, i.e. anion radical, suggests that the e−H+e−H+ mechanism, in which e− and H+ represent electron transfer and protonation steps respectively, is a major reaction pathway during the electrochemical reduction of benzoquinone to the final product, hydroquinone, in unbufferred solutions. In buffered solutions, however, p-benzoquinone reduction is a two-electron process, as has been well known. A few anomalies discovered during the reduction of p-benzoquinone in aqueous media are discussed.
Solar activity and total atmospheric ozone

Analyses are presented of the association between two parameters of solar activity (Lyman-alpha and 10.7 cm flux) and global total ozone as determined from Nimbus observations for the period April-December 1970 (IRIS observations), and April 1970-April 1972 (BUV observations); and between Lyman-alpha and global total ozone as observed at ground stations and the ozone concentration in the lower and middle stratosphere in the subtropics for the period 1969-1972. It is shown that the high correlations discussed in other published studies between these solar paramters and nine months of IRIS data resulted from the use of a very limited, seasonally unfiltered data set.
Tarski's conception of logic

Abstract Tarski's general conception of logic placed it at the center of all rational thought, and he took its aim to be the creation of a unified conceptual apparatus. In pursuit of this conviction, from his base at the University of California in Berkeley in the post-war years he campaigned vigorously on behalf of logic, locally, nationally and internationally. Though Tarski was ecumenical in his efforts to establish the importance of logic in these various ways, in his own work—even that part of it which is considered to be philosophically significant—he was first and foremost a mathematician, and, even more so, a set-theoretical one. The paper traces this particular conception of logic back to the influence of his teachers in set theory and topology in Warsaw, and then details how it affected his explication of the notions of satisfaction, truth, logical consequence and logical term.
The continuous-time random walk description of the non-equilibrium mechanical response of crosslinked elastomers

The application of the continuous-time random walk model to the description of the non-equilibrium stress response of a crosslinked network is discussed. Different versions of the continuous-time random walk model lead to the prediction of a stress relaxation function having either a fractional-power law form or a fractional-exponential law form. Both forms are tested against experimental data on the stress relaxation and loss modulus behaviours of crosslinked natural rubber.
Topographic Heterogeneity in Transdermal Transport Revealed by High-Speed Two-Photon Microscopy: Determination of Representative Skin Sample Sizes

A novel application of high-speed two-photon microscopy was utilized to determine the optimum number of skin sites required to accurately determine the changes in transdermal transport properties incurred globally, over a clinically relevant area of skin. In contrast to the four to six skin sites (100 µm by 100 µm area per site) examined previously, this study accounted for the fluorescent probe distributions at 400 consecutive skin sites, covering a total skin area of 2 mm by 2 mm. The oleic-acid-induced changes in the transdermal transport properties of the model hydrophobic probe, rhodamine B hexyl ester, and of the model hydrophilic probe, sulforhodamine B, for this 400-skin-site study exhibited different dependencies on sample size for each probe. Whereas the examination of six skin sites captures the relative changes in the global transdermal transport properties of the hydrophobic probe, the valid assessment of these changes for the hydrophilic probe requires a significantly larger sample size of at least 24 skin sites.
Biochemical and immunological heterogeneity of Bacteroides melaninogenicus.

Abstract A collection of fifty-one strains of Bacteroides melaninogenicus, representing isolates from the oral cavity, faeces, and pathologic lesions of humans, and strains from hamsters and a sheep, were compared in regard to carbohydrate fermentations and whole cell agglutination. The organisms were found to represent a heterogeneous group, both biochemically and serologically and no meaningful eco or serotypes could be delineated. Sheep erythrocytes sensitized with either lipopolysaccharides or soluble antigen extracts of the organism were used in haemagglu tination tests to detect the presence of circulating antibodies to B. melaninogenicus in normal human sera.
The Social Thoughts and Beliefs Scale: Psychometric Properties and its Relation with Interpersonal Functioning in a Non-Clinical Sample

Cognitive theorists maintain that maladaptive cognitions play an important role in the formation and maintenance of social anxiety disorder. The Social Thoughts and Beliefs Scale (STABS; Turner et al. Psychol Assessment 15:384–391, 2003) was developed to assess the broad domain of cognitions associated with social anxiety in a clinical sample. The present study with 469 college students examined the applicability of the STABS with a non-clinical sample and its relation with social anxiety symptoms and indices of interpersonal functioning. The STABS scales showed good reliability (internal consistency), adequate convergent and discriminant validity, and acceptable concurrent and incremental concurrent validity in predicting social interaction anxiety or outcomes of interpersonal functioning. The STABS appears to have good psychometric properties measuring two dimensions, assessing thoughts of social comparisons and thoughts of social ineptness, and appears to be appropriate for use with non-clinical samples.
Theory of Two Coupled Lasers

A transmitting window is used to weakly couple two resonant optical cavities. When active medium is placed in one cavity, the system describes a laser coupled to a resonant cavity, while active medium in both cavities describes two coupled lasers. Equations of motion for the fields in the two cavities are found. These equations are solved in the steady state when the cavities are sufficiently closely tuned that the lasers in the two cavities oscillate with the same frequency. In the locked situation, the second cavity tends to stabilize the frequency of operation against changes in length of the first cavity. When there is no active medium in the second cavity, and that cavity becomes very long, the laser acts as if it were looking into free space.
Synaptic amplification by active membrane in dendritic spines

The suspected functional role of dendritic spines as loci of neuronal plasticity (possibly memory and learning) is greatly enriched when active membrane properties are assumed at the spine head. Computations with reasonable electrical and structural parameter values (corresponding to an optimal range for spine stem resistance) show that an active spine head membrane can provide very significant synaptic amplification and also strongly non-linear properties that could modulate the integration of input from many afferent sources.
Temperature Effects on Cotton Canopy Growth, Photosynthesis, and Respiration

The ecological range of temperature conditions where cotton (Gossypium hirsutum L.) is commercially grown frequently exceeds the temperature range of available data. To predict growth, development, and responses of the primary physiological processes to those conditions, data at both lower and higher temperatures are needed. Cotton plants were grown in naturally lit, temperature- and CO 2 -controlled chambers. Plants grown at near-optimum temperatures (30 and 35 o C day temperature) fixed twice as much CO 2 at high photosynthetically active radiation during the fruiting period as did plants growing at 20 o C (...)
Optimal taxation of foreign capital when its movements are sluggish

Abstract This paper examines optimal taxation of foreign capital by a host country when its movements are sluggish. It is shown that as long as the host country discounts future welfare it is optimal to tax foreign capital even when it is small enough to be unable to influence the reward to capital in the source country. This is because the initial gains from taxing foreign capital constitute rent transfer from foreign capital owners to the host country, which outweighs the future losses in terms of reduced output.
An experimental study on Kevlar strengthening of beam-column connections

Abstract This paper presents the results of an experimental investigation pertaining to the use of fiber-reinforced plastic (FRP) fabrics for strengthening of beam–column connections. Experimental studies were performed specifically for evaluating the moment capacity of the beam–column connections wrapped with Kevlar fiber composite fabric. Scaled down exterior beam–column connections were tested to examine the effect of various thickness and configurations of FRP fabrics applied to these connections. Experimental results demonstrate significant improvement of flexural capacity of beam column connections and provide certain guidelines for the proper FRP fabric thickness.
Quality Assurance in the Department of Pediatrics An Application of Quality Management

A continuous quality improvement program can provide the means through which medical organiza tions can guide their activities. This article illustrates how a pediatrics department in an urban medical center incorporated continuous quality improvement into the management of health services. Key elements of the Quality Assurance program included the orga nization and facilities in the department of pediatrics, important processes related to patient care, and out come measures. If a structure is established that al lows participation in decision-making and mutual ad justment, trained professionals can perform up to their standards and those standards of their peers. Involvement of physicians in the design of quality management programs and other administrative strategies offer an opportunity to develop a working formula for ongoing success.
Periodontally Diseased Vs. Normal Roots as Evaluated by Scanning Electron Microscopy and Electron Probe Analysis

A scanning electron microscope and electron probe study was carried out to compare root structure from deep within periodontal pockets with roots exhibiting no periodontal disease. To eliminate the possibility of extraneous ion introduction or deletion, no attempt was made to subject the roots to fixation, embedding, or dehydration prior to sectioning and viewing in the electron microscope. Mineral content and concentration were determined with an electron probe on two specimens per tooth. On one specimen, only the external cementai surface was analyzed. On an adjacent cross section, readings were taken from the surface and at incremental depths into the root. A nonparametric statistical analysis compared diseased with nondiseased roots. The following conclusions can be drawn from the study: ( 1 ) Consistent and repeatable qualitative electron probe analyses can be performed on human teeth with minimal specimen preparation. This gives a more accurate assessment, since the integrity of the crystalline stru...
QuiltView: a crowd-sourced video response system

Effortless one-touch capture of video is a unique capability of wearable devices such as Google Glass. We use this capability to create a new type of crowd-sourced system in which users receive queries relevant to their current location and opt-in preferences. In response, they can send back live video snippets of their surroundings. A system of result caching, geolocation and query similarity detection shields users from being overwhelmed by a flood of queries.
Transforming Growth Factor-β1 Down-Regulates Surfactant Protein B (SP-B) in Lung Epithelial Cells Via Thyroid Transcription Factor-1 (TTF-1) and Hepatocyte Nuclear Factor3 (HNF3) • 279

TGF-β1 is a multi-functional cytokine that regulates a variety of cellular activities including organogenesis and cell differentiation. In cultured human fetal lung, TGF-β1 delays type II cell differentiation and suppresses expression of surfactant proteins and lipid, acting at the level of transcription, however the post-receptor signaling mechanisms are unknown. In this study we examined the mechanism of TGF-β1 effects on SP-B gene expression in pulmonary H441 adenocarcinoma cells. Treatment of cells with TGF-β1 at 10 ng/ml decreased SP-B mRNA content to <10% of control after 48 h, and this effect was blocked in the presence of the protein kinase inhibitors calphostin C and genestein. In transfection studies using plasmids with SP-B gene fragments linked to thymidine kinase (tk) promoter and chloramphenicol acetyltransferase, responsiveness to TGF-β1 localized to the region (-112/-72 bp) of the proximal promoter which contains binding sites for TTF-1 and HNF3, transcription factors which are critical for expression of all surfactant proteins. By contrast there was no effect of TGFβ on tk or RSV promoters alone. Electromobility shift assays using nuclear extracts of H441 cells and labeled oligonucleotide probes demonstrated ≈75% decrease in TTF-1 and HNF3 binding activity after 24 h TGF-β1 treatment of cells; parallel experiments using cytoplasmic extracts showed a time-dependent accumulation of TTF-1 and HNF3 binding activity. Both of these effects were blocked by protein kinase inhibitors. In immunofluorescence studies of both H441 cells and cultured human fetal lung, TGF-β1 treatment markedly reduced staining for SP-B and caused a shift in staining of TTF-1 and HNF3 from nucleus to cytoplasm. We conclude that TGF-β1, acting via protein kinase(s), down regulates SP-B gene expression in lung epithelial cells by cytoplasmic trapping of TTF-1 and HNF3.
Syntheses of 7-Carboxyindolylglycines Utilising Glycine Cation Equivalents

Abstract Abstract: The synthesis of two 7-carboxyindolylglycines is described as putative metabotropic glutamate receptor (mGluR) antagonists, employing glycine cation equivalents in the key steps.