cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Structure and properties of rubbertoughened polyethylene-based blends

Abstract The preparation, thermal behaviour, mechanical properties and morphology of a family of binary blends composed of components each containing ionic functionalities are examined. One component is a semicrystalline copolymer, metal-neutralized ethylene-methacrylate (M-EMA), and the other an elastomeric component, metal-neutralized sulphonated ethylene-propylene diene copolymer (M-SEPDM). These polymeric materials contain low levels of ionic groups (≤ 10 mol%) which are capable of coulombically associating together into microphase-separated regions. These regions contain nonstoichiometric levels of ionic groups. A general characteristic of these blend systems is that the mechanical properties and morphology are directly influenced by the specific composition ratio of rubber to semicrystalline component. Without the associating units on one (or both) of the components, the resulting blends have grossly phase-separated components. The interfacial adhesion is weak, as indicated by poor tensile properties. The inter-relationship between structure and mechanical properties is discussed in terms of changes in the initial spherulitic morphology of the M-EMA component with the addition of increasing levels of the coulombically associating elastomeric component, M-SEPDM.
Morphometric analysis of developing neuronal geometry in the dorsal cochlear nucleus of the hamster

Abstract Since the shape of a cell's dendritic field and the distribution of its input determine the information that a cell receives and transmits, it is important to ascertain how the spatial relations between axonal arbors and dendritic fields develop. This study investigates the development of the dendritic fields of fusiform cells in the dorsal cochlear nucleus. Golgi-impregnated cells from postnatal day 10, 15, 25, 45 and 60+ hamsters were reconstructed. The computerized morphometric system used analyzed cells in the plane of section and also allowed rotation to and analysis in other specified planes, such as that parallel to the terminal arbors of the cochlear nerve fibers. The results suggest that the apical dendritic fields are oriented parallel to the axis of cochleotopic organization and that this orientation develops gradually after birth. Dendritic growth is the result of addition of new dendritic branches. The angles between branches also change and were analyzed by viewing the dendritic fields in different planes. This revealed that some preferential expansion of the apical dendritic field in the plane parallel to the cochlear projection planes is the result of increased angles between branches in that plane. Thus, dendritic growth via the addition of branches and the ‘fanning-out’ of existing branches underlie the development of oriented dendritic fields.
Reversible redox chemistry, hydrodesulfurization, and anodic oxidation of thiophenols chemisorbed at smooth polycrystalline iridium electrodes

Abstract The reversible redox chemistry, electrocatalytic hydrodesulfurization, and anodic oxidation of thiophenols chemisorbed at smooth polycrystalline iridium electrodes have been investigated. The experimental measurements were based upon thin-layer electrochemical methods. 2,5-Dihydroxy-thiophenol (DHT), 2,5-dihydroxy-4-methylbenzylmercaptan (DHMBM), and pentafluorothiophenol (PFT) were used as the model compounds. The principal findings of this study are as follows: (i) The surface coverages of DHT, DHMBM, and PFT are consistently lower on Ir than on Pt or Au. (ii) Whereas surface-chelated chemisorption occurs for DHT on Ir which explains its lower coverage and electrochemical inactivity, no such mode of binding is evident for DHMBM and PFT: Pentafluorobenzene itself is inert towards Ir and a sharp quinone/diphenol redox is displayed by DHMBM which indicates that its diphenolic moiety is pendant. The decreased surface packing densities suggest that the strength of the metal-thiolate interaction is weaker on Ir than on Pt, especially at higher coverages, (iii) All three thiophenols undergo hydrodesulfurization (HDS), the extent of which increases in the order: DHMBM (15%)
Mechanism and biological role of nitric oxide binding to cytochrome c

The binding of nitric oxide to ferric and ferrous Chromatium vinosum cytochrome c' was studied. The extinction coefficients for the ferric and ferrous nitric oxide complexes were measured. A binding model that included both a conformational change and dissociation of the dimer into subunits provided the best fit for the ferric cytochrome c' data. The NO (nitric oxide) binding affinity of the WT ferric form was found to be comparable to the affinities displayed by the ferric myoglobins and hemoglobins. Using an improved fitting model, positive cooperativity was found for the binding of NO to the WT ferric and ferrous forms, while anticooperativity was the case for the Y16F mutant. Structural explanations accounting for the binding are proposed. The NO affinity of ferrous cytochrome c' was found to be much lower than the affinities of myoglobins, hemoglobins, and pentacoordinate heme models. Structural factors accounting for the difference in affinities were analyzed. The NO affinity of ferrous cytochrome c' was found to be in the range typical of receptors and carriers. In addition, cytochrome c' was found to react with cytosolic light-irradiated membranes in the presence of succinate and carbon monoxide. With these results, a biochemical model of cytochrome c' functioning as a nitric oxide carrier was proposed.
The ultrastructure ofPseudomonas avenae II. Intracellular refractile (R-body) structure

Abstract Electron micrographs from thin sections of intact bacterial cells ofPseudomonas avenae have revealed the presence of a lamellated cylindrical organelle which possesses the same basic morphology to the refractile bodies (R-body) in killer strains ofParamecia, also in the free-living hydrogen bacteriumPseudomonas taeniospiralis. Fractions obtained from disrupted cells ofPs. avenae containing R-bodies were negatively stained and studied in the electron microscope which showed the structure to have a complex arrangement of lamellae assembled to form a type of elongated cylinder. The micrographs also recorded the presence of R-bodies in various stages of unwinding to appear as flat tapering sheets. In addition to the R-body structure, a roughly spherical component was seen in the intact cell cytoplasm which may be associated with the R-body material. A three-dimensional model of the R-body fromPs. avenae has been constructed from the morphological features and dimensions recorded in the electron microscope images.
Improving Internal Supply Chain Collaboration by Increasing Information-Processing Capacity: The Role of Enterprise Information Systems

This study examines the role of enterprise information systems in fostering collaboration between the Purchasing, Production, and Outbound Logistics functions of manufacturing facilities. These forms of integrative information technology are considered key facilitators of supply chain management. The research model embeds these systems within a broader model of facilitators of interfunctional integration. The model is tested by path analysis, using a survey sample of 120 manufacturing facilities located in the United States. The results suggest that integrative information technology has a significant effect on collaboration, and that the level of demand uncertainty moderates the effect on collaboration.
Vacuous Singular Terms

Les AA. defendent une theorie de la reference directe affirmant que la signification d'un terme singulier, s'il en a une, n'est pas linguistique: c'est la signification de l'individu lui-meme. Les AA. menent leur argumentation en soulevant le cas des termes singuliers vides d'expression et en s'opposant aux theories de Donnellan et Braun
Activation of cannabinoid CB2 receptors reduces hyperalgesia in an experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis mouse model of multiple sclerosis

Clinical trials investigating the analgesic efficacy of cannabinoids in multiple sclerosis have yielded mixed results, possibly due to psychotropic side effects mediated by cannabinoid CB1 receptors. We hypothesized that, a CB2-specific agonist (JWH-133) would decrease hyperalgesia in an experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis mouse model of multiple sclerosis. Four weeks after induction of experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis, we found that intrathecal administration of JWH-133 (10-100μg) dose-dependently reduced both mechanical and cold hypersensitivity without producing signs of sedation or ataxia. The anti-hyperalgesic effects of JWH-133 could be dose-dependently prevented by intrathecal co-administration of the CB2 antagonist, AM-630 (1-3μg). Our results suggest that JWH-133 acts at CB2 receptors, most likely within the dorsal horn of the spinal cord, to suppress the hypersensitivity associated with experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis. These are the first pre-clinical studies to directly promote CB2 as a promising target for the treatment of central pain in an animal model of multiple sclerosis.
Cleaved-coupled nanowire lasers

The miniaturization of optoelectronic devices is essential for the continued success of photonic technologies. Nanowires have been identified as potential building blocks that mimic conventional photonic components such as interconnects, waveguides, and optical cavities at the nanoscale. Semiconductor nanowires with high optical gain offer promising solutions for lasers with small footprints and low power consumption. Although much effort has been directed toward controlling their size, shape, and composition, most nanowire lasers currently suffer from emitting at multiple frequencies simultaneously, arising from the longitudinal modes native to simple Fabry–Perot cavities. Cleaved-coupled cavities, two Fabry–Perot cavities that are axially coupled through an air gap, are a promising architecture to produce single-frequency emission. The miniaturization of this concept, however, imposes a restriction on the dimensions of the intercavity gaps because severe optical losses are incurred when the cross-sectional dimensions of cavities become comparable to the lasing wavelength. Here we theoretically investigate and experimentally demonstrate spectral manipulation of lasing modes by creating cleaved-coupled cavities in gallium nitride (GaN) nanowires. Lasing operation at a single UV wavelength at room temperature was achieved using nanoscale gaps to create the smallest cleaved-coupled cavities to date. Besides the reduced number of lasing modes, the cleaved-coupled nanowires also operate with a lower threshold gain than that of the individual component nanowires. Good agreement was found between the measured lasing spectra and the predicted spectral modes obtained by simulating optical coupling properties. This agreement between theory and experiment presents design principles to rationally control the lasing modes in cleaved-coupled nanowire lasers.
Student-Generated Paragraph Summaries and the Information-Processing Theory of Prose Learning

AbstractStudent-generated paragraph summaries require students to pause after reading each paragraph of text in order to write a sentence or less summary in their own words. Paragraph summaries appear to meet the demands of the information-processing theory of learning. This study investigated the effectiveness of reading only, regular note taking, and paragraph summaries for questions at the six levels of Bloom’s taxonomy. Paragraph summaries were most effective at the application and analysis levels and least effective at the synthesis and evaluation levels. These results suggest that paragraph summaries may be most useful in encouraging the essential encoding process.
Applying Expert Systems Technology to Carrying Capacity Assessment: a Demonstration Prototype

Abstract When referencing human populations, carrying capacity can be defined as the number of people and the level of their activities that a region can sustain in perpetuity without engendering significant environmental change. While the concept of carrying capacity has long been a focus of interest for environmental managers, how carrying capacity estimates are derived and interpreted has remained a bottleneck in the application of this concept as a basis for planning and land evaluation. Where carrying capacity has been used to assess environmental limitations, decisions regarding population and resource pressures are tempered by uncertainty and inexactness. To provide better estimates of carrying capacity, this uncertainly and inexactness needs to be incorporated into the assessment procedure. The present study introduces an alternative methodology for conducting environmental carrying capacity under conditions of uncertainty using an expert system. After reviewing the general problem of carrying capacity analysis, this paper discusses the issues of knowledge acquisition, uncertainty handling and programming leading to the presentation of a research prototype developed to address carrying capacity issues in Kenya's eastern ecological gradient.
CometCloud: Enabling Software-Defined Federations for End-to-End Application Workflows

Emerging applications, from big science to the Internet of Things, increasingly involve dynamic and data-driven end-to-end workflows with large and often heterogeneous requirements. These applications require platforms that dynamically and flexibly combine resources across systems and data centers--for example, to aggregate capacity or capabilities, or integrate data stores when moving data is no longer an option. The CometCloud project at the Rutgers Discovery Informatics Institute (RDI2) aims to provide infrastructure and programming support for enabling such end-to-end application workflows. CometCloud enables flexible software-defined synthesis of custom cyberinfrastructure through the autonomic, on-demand federation of geographically distributed compute and data resources. CometCloud exposes the federated cyberinfrastructure using elastic cloud abstractions and science-as-a-service platforms. The authors introduce CometCloud, use sample application use cases to illustrate its operation, and present current and future research directions toward supporting pervasive application workflows enabled by the Internet of Things.
Micromechanical Architecture of the Endothelial Cell Cortex

Mechanical properties of living cells are important for cell shape, motility, and cellular responses to biochemical and biophysical signals. Although these properties are predominantly determined by the cytoskeleton, relatively little is known about the mechanical organization of cells at a subcellular level. We have studied the cell cortex of bovine pulmonary artery endothelial cells (BPAECs) using atomic force microscopy (AFM) and confocal fluorescence microscopy (CFM). We show that the contrast in AFM imaging of these cells derives in large part from differences in local mechanical properties, and AFM images of BPAEC reveal the local micromechanical architecture of their apical cortex at ;125 nm resolution. Mechanically the cortex in these cells is organized as a polygonal mesh at two length scales: a coarse mesh with mesh element areas ;0.5-10 mm 2 , and a finer mesh with areas ,0.5 mm 2 . These meshes appear to be intertwined, which may have interesting implications for the mechanical properties of the cell. Correlated AFM-CFM experiments and pharmacological treatments reveal that actin and vimentin are components of the coarse mesh, but microtubules are not mechanical components of the BPAEC apical cortex.
Automated heteroatomic plotting as an aid to the presentation and interpretation of high resolution mass spectral data

Automatic heteroatomic plotting of high resolution mass spectral data, presenting relative intensity vs elemental composition in bar form
Using next generation transcriptome sequencing to predict an ectomycorrhizal metabolome.

Background Mycorrhizae, symbiotic interactions between soil fungi and tree roots, are ubiquitous in terrestrial ecosystems. The fungi contribute phosphorous, nitrogen and mobilized nutrients from organic matter in the soil and in return the fungus receives photosynthetically-derived carbohydrates. This union of plant and fungal metabolisms is the mycorrhizal metabolome. Understanding this symbiotic relationship at a molecular level provides important contributions to the understanding of forest ecosystems and global carbon cycling.
Common fragile sites are preferential targets for HPV16 integrations in cervical tumors

The development of cervical cancer is highly associated with human papillomavirus (HPV) infection. HPV integration into the genome of infected cervical cells is temporally associated with the acquisition of the malignant phenotype. A relationship between the sites of HPV integration in cervical cancer and the position of the common fragile sites (CFSs) has been observed at both the cytogenetic and molecular levels. To further explore this relationship at the molecular level, we used RS-PCR to rapidly isolate cellular sequences flanking the sites of HPV16 integration in 26 primary cervical tumors. Human bacterial artificial chromosome clones were isolated based on these flanking sequences and used as probes for fluorescence in situ hybridization on aphidicolin-stimulated metaphases. Our data demonstrate that 11/23 HPV16 integrations in cervical tumors occurred within CFSs (P&<0.001). In addition, we show that deletions and complex rearrangements frequently occur in the cellular sequences targeted by the integrations and that integrations cluster in FRA13C (13q22), FRA3B (3p14.2), and FRA17B (17q23). Finally, our data suggest that cellular genes, such as Notch 1, are disrupted by the HPV16 integrations, which may contribute to the malignant phenotype.
Free radical derivatives formed from cyclooxygenase-catalyzed dihomo-γ-linolenic acid peroxidation can attenuate colon cancer cell growth and enhance 5-fluorouracil's cytotoxicity

Dihomo-γ-linolenic acid (DGLA) and its downstream fatty acid arachidonic acid (AA) are both nutritionally important ω–6 polyunsaturated fatty acids (ω–6s). Evidence shows that, via COX-mediated peroxidation, DGLA and its metabolites (1-series prostaglandins) are associated with anti-tumor activity, while AA and its metabolites (2-series prostaglandins) could be tightly implicated in various cancer diseases. However, it still remains a mystery why DGLA and AA possess contrasting bioactivities. Our previous studies showed that DGLA could go through an exclusive C-8 oxygenation pathway during COX-catalyzed lipid peroxidation in addition to a C-15 oxygenation pathway shared by both DGLA and AA, and that the exclusive C-8 oxygenation could lead to the production of distinct DGLA׳s free radical derivatives that may be correlated with DGLA׳s anti-proliferation activity. In the present work, we further investigate the anti-cancer effect of DGLA׳s free radical derivatives and their associated molecular mechanisms. Our study shows that the exclusive DGLA׳s free radical derivatives from C-8 oxygenation lead to cell growth inhibition, cell cycle arrest and apoptosis in the human colon cancer cell line HCA-7 colony 29, probably by up-regulating the cancer suppressor p53 and the cell cycle inhibitor p27. In addition, these exclusive radical derivatives were also able to enhance the efficacy of 5-Fluorouracil (5-FU), a widely used chemo-drug for colon cancer. For the first time, we show how DGLA׳s radical pathway and metabolites are associated with DGLA׳s anti-cancer activities and able to sensitize colon cancer cells to chemo-drugs such as 5-FU. Our findings could be used to guide future development of a combined chemotherapy and dietary care strategy for colon cancer treatment.
The Origins of Charisma as Process: A Case Study of Hildegard of Bingen

A case study of the twelfth-century visionary Hildegard of Bingen is presented to examine the process through which a charismatic relationship is constructed in interaction between an individual and significant others and more distant followers. Hildegard's identity as a charismatic prophet developed over a number of years through a process of interaction with various ecclesiastical authorities; alterations occurred in both the prophet's self-identity and the way others viewed her, leading finally to her authorization as a prophet and visionary. The cultural context provided plausibility structures, relevant symbols, and limitations that influenced the form of Hildegard's charismatic status. This status led to unprecedented achievements for a woman of her time, but her efforts mainly supported and strengthened the institutional tradition in which she served.
Mental Health of Children of Low-Income Depressed Mothers: Influences of Parenting, Family Environment, and Raters

Objective: This study examined the association of maternal depression with the emotional and behavioral problems and adaptive skills of fourto ten-year-old children as rated by their mothers, fathers, and teachers. Methods: Eighty-four mothers had major depressive disorder, and 49 did not. They were predominantly African American or Latino and lived in low-income, urban communities. Mothers, fathers, and teachers reported on children’s emotional and behavioral problems and adaptive functioning. Parenting behavior and family stress were examined as potential mediators, and generalized estimating equations were used to test mediation and to account for discrepancies in reports by different raters. Results: According to the combined reports, children of mothers with depression had significantly poorer adaptive skills than children of sociodemographically similar mothers without depression; according to the reports of mothers and fathers, these children also had more emotional and behavioral problems. The quality of mothers’ parenting mediated these associations, but measured family stressors did not. Conclusions: This study contributes to the scientific literature by demonstrating the effects of raters and testing mediators of maternal depression in low-income African-American and Latino families. It demonstrated that mothers, fathers, and teachers observed worse functioning among children of mothers with depression than without depression, although reporters’ perspectives varied somewhat. The impact of maternal depression over and above that of poverty suggests the importance of developing and funding services to address the needs of affected families. (Psychiatric Services 60:329–336, 2009)
Glucocorticoids in the treatment of bullous diseases

This article reviews recent advances in the treatment and management of bullous diseases with glucocorticoids. Since the 1950s, when oral cortisone acetate was introduced for the treatment of dermatologic disease, glucocorticoids have remained an important treatment modality. In particular, glucocorticoids are very effective for patients with autoimmune diseases because of their anti-inflammatory and immunosuppressive properties. However, patients with these diseases are often treated with prolonged courses of glucocorticoids, and consequently are at risk for steroid-induced side effects. In this article we present an in-depth discussion of the indications for glucocorticoid treatment in autoimmune blistering diseases. In addition, we discuss how to recognize, treat, and prevent side effects that result from the use of glucocorticoids.
Comparison of the characteristics of potential drop and current-driven double layers

The characteristics of double layers driven by an applied potential drop and by an injected current into a plasma are compared. In the latter case the potential drop across the double layer appears because of the formation of a virtual cathode. The double layers formed by the two mechanisms show striking similarities with regard to their structure, temporal evolution, and dynamics. However, in the case of current-driven double layers a large energization of ions trapped in the virtual cathode region is observed. Such a large energization of trapped ions is not seen in the case of the potential-drop driven double layers. The interrelation between the field-aligned currents and potential drops for the auroral plasma is discussed. For current-driven double layers, it is found that the current density is proportional to the 1/2 power of the potential drop.
Evaluation of object level change detection techniques

A variety of change detection (CD) methods have been developed and employed to support imagery analysis for applications including environmental monitoring, mapping, and support to military operations. Evaluation of these methods is necessary to assess technology maturity, identify areas for improvement, and support transition to operations. This paper presents a methodology for conducting this type of evaluation, discusses the challenges, and illustrates the techniques. The evaluation of object-level change detection methods is more complicated than for automated techniques for processing a single image. We explore algorithm performance assessments, emphasizing the definition of the operating conditions (sensor, target, and environmental factors) and the development of measures of performance. Specific challenges include image registration; occlusion due to foliage, cultural clutter and terrain masking; diurnal differences; and differences in viewing geometry. Careful planning, sound experimental design, and access to suitable imagery with image truth and metadata are critical.
The Geography of Spectacle in Corneille’s L’Illusion comique

In L’Illusion comique (1635) Corneille draws upon concepts of location and placing to dramatize the emergence of a new and, to modern readers, recognizable poetic style. Early in the play, the famous cave in which the magician Alcandre stages his ‘spectres’ serves to distinguish narrative from spectacle, word from image, with the ostensible purpose of giving preference to the latter. What ensues during the play, however, is a gradual blurring of the verbal and the visual. From within the apparent gap separating word and image comes a new kind of specifically verbal image, situated on stage and housed in the confining ‘place’ of the dramatic poem. The play therefore constitutes an important historical development in the early modern discussion of Aristotelian principles of vivid speech whereby the world is made both present and near.
Wind Measurement Capabilities of a Doppler Radiosonde System (The Safesonde)

Abstract The Safesonde is a minimum weight, cost, and hazard sounding system for measurement from surface to 15 km. It consists of a simple transmitter carried by a shaped superpressure balloon and tracked by 5 receivers. The accuracy of wind determination as a function of receiver location is described.
Exploring political tolerance with adolescents

Most research on political socialization has suggested that the traditional formal civics curriculum has limited impact on students' civic attitudes (Ehman, 1980). Political tolerance—the willingness to acknowledge the civil liberties of those with whom one disagrees—is no exception. Although civics courses do emphasize abstract democratic norms, such as freedom of speech, they tend not to link them directly with everyday political situations in which these norms can be applied. We have developed and tested a curriculum that encourages students to explore the linkages among democratic values and legal principles, and their application to unpopular groups in our society. Our data suggest that increases in political tolerance are due to a greater awareness of individual rights; decreases in tolerance may be attributed to heightened concern for public safety.
Fluoride Distribution in Enamel after in vitro Caries-like Lesion Formation

Using a microdissection technique to obtain samples from carious and adjacent sound enamel, we compared the fluoride concentrations in surface and subsurface enamel. Undialyzed and dialyzed gels were used to create lesions with and without negatively birefringent surface zones, respectively. The fluoride concentration in the surface enamel of the lesions was always greater than that in the corresponding sound enamel, as was the subsurface fluoride concentrations of caries lesions compared with adjacent sound enamel at the same depth.
Is El Nino changing

Recent advances in observational and theoretical studies of El Nino have shed light on controversies concerning the possible effect of global warming on this phenomenon over the past few decades and in the future. El Nino is now understood to be one phase of a natural mode of oscillation-La Nina is the complementary phase-that results from unstable interactions between the tropical Pacific Ocean and the atmosphere. Random disturbances maintain this neutrally stable mode, whose properties depend on the background (time-averaged) climate state. Apparent changes in the properties of El Nino could reflect the importance of random disturbances, but they could also be a consequence of decadal variations of the background state. The possibility that global warming is affecting those variations cannot be excluded.
The clinical psychology of lightner witmer: A case study of institutional innovation and intellectual change

The name Lightner Witmer is rarely invoked in the historian's litany of psychological saints. Neither a grand systematizer nor an ardent experimentalist, the "world's first clinical psychologist" is even dismissed by contemporary clinicians because of his purported failure to achieve for psychologists professional hegemony over the "problem child." Yet disciplinary ventures which in Joseph Ben-David's phrase fail to "take off" represent extremely illuminating indicators of a discipline's shifting ideas, roles, and aspirations. Explicitly urging that historians pay more attention to subgroups of larger disciplines, this paper constitutes an attempt to assess the impact of changing social roles upon psychologists' intellectual stances through an examination of Witmer's novel activities at the University of Pennsylvania.
Influence of polycaprolactone/polyglycolide blended electrospun fibers on the morphology and mechanical properties of polycaprolactone

Polycaprolactone (PCL) and polyglycolide (PGA) are two biopolymers that have been used as in situ biomedical devices for various applications. The obstacle of creating a composite that captures the benefit of PCL's long degradation time, while acquiring the strength from PGA is overcoming the lack of surface adhesion between the two biopolymers for stress transfer to occur. This study investigates the use of miscible PCL-PGA blended fibers, created by electrospinning, to increase the interfacial bonding of fibers to the PCL matrix of the polymer–polymer composite. The use of the blended fibers will thereby create the ability of load transfer from the long-term PCL matrix to the stronger PCL-PGA fiber reinforcement. The incorporation of the PCL-PGA fibers was able to increase the tensile yield strength and Young's modulus over that of the bulk PCL, while decreasing the percent elongation at break. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2014, 131, 40224.
Potential predictability of crop yield using an ensemble climate forecast by a regional circulation model

Global/Regional Circulation Models (GCM/RCM) predict the interannual climate variability better than the absolute values of meteorological variables. Statistical bias-correction methods increase the quality of daily model predictions of incoming solar radiation, maximum and minimum temperatures and rainfall frequency and amount. However, when bias-corrected forecasts/hindcasts are used by dynamic crop models, timing of dry-spell occurrences generate the largest uncertainty during the linking process. In this study, we used 20 ensemble members of an 18-year period provided by the Florida State University/Center for Ocean-Atmospheric Prediction Studies (FSU/COAPS) regional spectral model coupled to the National Center for Atmospheric Research Community Land Model (CLM2). The daily seasonal-climate hindcast was bias-corrected and used as input to the CERES-Maize model, thus producing 20 crop yield ensemble members. Using observed weather data for the same period, a time series of simulated crop yields was produced. Finally, principal component (PC) regression analysis was used to predict this time series using the crop yield ensemble members as predictors. Between 13.7 and 28.8% of the simulated corn yield interannual variability was explained using only one principal component (p < 0.05), and estimated yields were in the correct tercile by margins of 16.7 to 38.2% beyond chance. Predictability of simulated corn yields using principal components was improved relative to the use of bias-corrected daily hindcasts. Bias-correcting all meteorological variables used by the crop model increased predictability skills compared with use of raw hindcasts, individual bias-correction of rainfall, and climatological values.
Autofocus correction of SAR images exhibiting excessive residual migration

Relatively small motion measurement errors manifest themselves principally as a phase error in Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR) complex data samples, and if large enough become observable as a smearing, blurring, or other degradation in the image. The phase error function can be measured and then deconvolved from the original data to compensate for the presumed motion error, ultimately resulting in a well-focused image. Techniques that do this are termed “autofocus” algorithms. A very popular autofocus algorithm is the Phase Gradient Autofocus (PGA) algorithm. The nearly universal, and typically reasonable, assumption is that the motion errors are less than the range resolution of the radar, allowing solely a phase correction to suffice. Very large relative motion measurement errors manifest themselves as an unexpected additional shifting or migration of target locations beyond any deterministic migration during the course of the synthetic aperture. Degradation in images from data exhibiting errors of this magnitude are substantial, often rendering the image completely useless. When residual range migration due to either real or apparent motion errors exceeds the range resolution, conventional autofocus algorithms fail. Excessive residual migration is increasingly encountered as resolutions become finer, less expensive inertial sensors are used, and operating ranges become longer (due to atmospheric phenomena). A new migration-correction autofocus algorithm has been developed that estimates the excessive residual migration and applies phase and frequency corrections to properly focus the image. This overcomes the conventional constraint that motion errors not exceed the SAR range resolution.
The Desulfurization of Diphenyl Disulfide with Triphenylphosphine

Abstract When diphenyl disulfide and triphenylphosphine are fused (neat) at 250–300°C in an inert atmosphere, diphenyl sulfide and triphenylphosphine sulfide are produced. This reaction has also been carried out under reflux in tetralin, M-Pyrol, tetradecane, and hexadecane. Probable mechanisms for the desulfurization involve nucleophilic attack of triphenylphosphine at sulfur to form a phosphonium mercaptide, followed by either nucleophilic attack of the mercaptide ion at the aromatic carbon atom bearing sulfur or formation of a phosphorane with subsequent intramolecular collapse to form products.
Biomechanical comparison of traditional and minimally invasive intradural tumor exposures using finite element analysis

Abstract Background Minimally invasive approaches to intradural pathology have evolved in part in an effort to reduce approach related destabilization of the spine. No biomechanical data exist however evaluating the effects of traditional and minimally invasive exposures. Methods A finite element model of the lumbar spine was generated, and a simulated open laminectomy and a modified hemilaminectomy at L4 were performed. Forces were applied to assess changes in flexion, extension, axial rotation, and lateral bending. Findings Open laminectomy produced much greater changes in extension, flexion, and axial rotation than the modified hemilaminectomy from the intact. Lateral bending was similarly unaffected for both exposures. Interpretation The results suggest that a minimally invasive hemilaminar exposure preserves the structural integrity of the lumbar spine and minimizes alterations to segmental motion postoperatively.
CONFLICTING CONSTRUCTIONS OF DIVINE PRESENCE IN THE PRIESTLY TABERNACLE

The tabernacle described in the Pentateuch's P source yields two distinct and opposing interpretations. When compared with the tent found in the E collection of documents, P's tabernacle represents a classic example of what the historian of religions Jonathan Z. Smith terms a "locative" worldview. As an ideology of the center, this understanding of the priestly tabernacle asserts divine immanence and celebrates the sacrality of a particular space. When compared with the theology of the Jerusalem temple, however, P's tent seems to exemplify what Smith terms a "utopian" worldview, or what we might call a "locomotive" ideology. This construction of the tent eschews the notion of sacred center and emphasizes the periphery. Tension between texts exemplifying each of these two theoretical models is found throughout the Hebrew Bible (and throughout the history of religions), but in P, a single symbol encompasses both. The significance of this symbol depends on which of two different overlapping contexts (Torah and Tanakh) a reader privileges and which elements of its presentation in P one accentuates. Thus the priestly tabernacle works against itself, at once presenting and critiquing a theology of immanence. This ambivalent symbol suggests that God is present even as it intimates that God's presence in the world is inappropriate. Thus P is forerunner of postbiblical texts that describe God's exile in the created world.
Analysis of Pressure Loss and Heat Transfer of Non-Newtonian Fluid Flow through Trans-Alaska Pipeline System

Abstract In this study, theoretical analyses have been performed to determine the feasibility of transporting gas-to-liquid (GTL) products through the Trans-Alaska Pipeline System (TAPS) using a non-Newtonian fluid flow approach. Due to heat loss, the fluid temperature decreases in the direction of flow, and this affects the fluid properties, which in turn influence the convection coefficient and pumping power requirements. This article presents fluid temperature and heat loss along the pipeline at different locations. Furthermore, this study includes calculations on the power required to pump GTL and crude oil/GTL mix. Parametric studies had been performed varying two parameters: wind velocity, to vary convection over the pipeline, and snow depth. Ambient air velocities of 0.45 m/s (1 mph), 4.47 m/s (10 mph), and 8.94 m/s (20 mph) have been considered. Snow depths of 0 m (0 ft), 0.305 m (1 ft), and 0.61 m (2 ft) have also been taken into account. These results show that the pumping power and heat loss fo...
Analytical characterization using surface-enhanced Raman scattering (SERS) and microfluidic sampling

With the rapid development of analytical techniques, it has become much easier to detect chemical and biological analytes, even at very low detection limits. In recent years, techniques based on vibrational spectroscopy, such as surface enhanced Raman spectroscopy (SERS), have been developed for non-destructive detection of pathogenic microorganisms. SERS is a highly sensitive analytical tool that can be used to characterize chemical and biological analytes interacting with SERS-active substrates. However, it has always been a challenge to obtain consistent and reproducible SERS spectroscopic results at complicated experimental conditions. Microfluidics, a tool for highly precise manipulation of small volume liquid samples, can be used to overcome the major drawbacks of SERS-based techniques. High reproducibility of SERS measurement could be obtained in continuous flow generated inside microfluidic devices. This article provides a thorough review of the principles, concepts and methods of SERS-microfluidic platforms, and the applications of such platforms in trace analysis of chemical and biological analytes.
Excessive anticoagulation in patients with mild renal insufficiency receiving long-term therapeutic enoxaparin.

Low-molecular-weight heparins, such as enoxaparin, are increasingly being used for treatment of venous thromboembolism. We describe two patients who received therapeutic enoxaparin for several months. Although their serum creatinine values were normal, both had mild renal insufficiency (creatinine clearance 60-70 ml/min), and both accumulated the drug abnormally and experienced clinical bleeding. These results suggest that patients receiving enoxaparin (or other low-molecular-weight heparins) in therapeutic doses for periods of more than 4 weeks should be considered for laboratory monitoring to avoid bleeding.
On the variety question for wRRA

In this paper we consider a question of Jonsson [6] whether the class of weakly representable relation algebras is a variety. We prove that the class is closed under taking homomorphic images provided that a certain embedding condition obtains.
Off-Vehicle Tire Traction and Endurance Testing System: System Upgrade Design

A system was created for sand traction performance testing of tire prototypes for extraterrestrial use by NASA. The system consists of a suspended sand-filled trough that rotates when driven by the prototype. Sensors are used to determine traction slippage of prototypes, providing a quantitative measure of relative prototype performance. This paper describes system improvements to better simulate extraterrestrial environments and more accurately measure prototype performance. A tire prototype hard stop was designed and built to prevent damage associated with the tire assembly resting in the trough. A rock obstacle was created to simulate rough terrain. A sensor system was designed to more accurately determine tire velocity. Various concepts were developed and prototyped to groom the sand during testing. Computational hardware and software upgrades were made to better facilitate the data acquisition processes. An instructional video was created to explain operational procedures. The sensor system will be integrated with the software and a sand grooming concept will be implemented.© 2014 ASME
Target Specific Phosphorylation of Cardiac Troponin I and Sex Dimorphic Myofilament Function in R403Q Mice

Male mice expressing an autosomal dominant mutation in alpha-myosin heavy chain (R403Q) develop hypertrophic cardiomyopathy characterized by progressive left-ventricular dilation and cardiac dysfunction, whereas females do not. We hypothesize that this sexual dimorphism exists on multiple levels, including cellular metabolism regulation, post-translational modulation of contractile proteins and mechanical functions of contractile fibers. Hearts from wild-type (WT) and R403Q male and female animals with established disease were analyzed for myosin heavy chain (MyHC) isoform expression, total troponin I (TnI) phosphorylation, site-specific TnI phosphorylation, AMPKα expression, and AMPK activity. Ca2+-sensitive tension development was measured in demembranated cardiac trabeculae. R403Q male and female mice demonstrated progressive cardiac hypertrophy beginning at 4 months of age. β-MyHC expression increased in male and female R403Q mice. Total phosphorylation of TnI expression was independent of sex and R403Q mutation. No difference was found in phospho-TnI-Ser22/23 in R403Q animals relative to WT controls, however R403Q females had increased expression of phospho-TnI-Ser150 relative to WT counterparts. R403Q males showed increased expression of AMPKα, however had decreased AMPK activity relative to WT counterparts. R403Q females had reduced AMPKα expression but unchanged AMPK activity. The R403Q mutation does not affect Ca2+-sensitive tension development in demembranated cardiac trabeculae from males; female R403Q cardiac trabeculae were more sensitive to Ca2+ than WT controls. In conclusion, R403Q mice display hypertrophy with increased expression of hypertrophy marker β-MyHC. There exists a sexually dimorphic pattern of TnI phosphorylation at Ser150, although global TnI phosphorylation was unchanged. There exists a sexually dimorphic pattern of AMPK expression and activity, suggesting sexual dimorphic regulation of cellular metabolism and energetics. Increased calcium sensitivity may provide sufficient contractile support in R403Q females maintaining a compensated state of cardiac function, a characteristic not exhibited in males.
Acute dacryocystitis as a presenting sign of pediatric leukemia

Abstract PURPOSE: To report acute dacryocystitis with preseptal cellulitis as the presenting sign of leukemia in a child. METHODS: Case report and literature review. RESULTS: During the initial evaluation of a 17-month-old child with epiphora, left lower eyelid swelling, and a tender left medial canthal mass, a complete blood cell count demonstrated pancytopenia. Bone marrow biopsy disclosed replacement of normal cellular architecture with a dense infiltrate of leukocyte blast forms. DNA analysis disclosed a translocation between chromosome 10 and 11, consistent with the diagnosis of nonlymphocytic leukemia. Although the adjacent lower eyelid cellulitis responded to intravenous antibiotics, lacrimal sac distention decreased only after chemotherapy was initiated. CONCLUSIONS: Dacryocystitis with preseptal cellulitis can be a presenting sign of leukemia. This blood malignancy should be considered in patients whose leukocyte counts do not correlate with their clinical presentation.
Physical Activity and Alcohol Use Disorders

Background: Prior research has documented a counterintuitive positive association between physical activity and indices of alcohol consumption frequency and heaviness. Objectives: To investigate whether this relation extends to alcohol use disorder and clarify whether this association is non-linear. Methods: This is a cross-sectional, correlational population-based study of US adults (N = 34,653). The Alcohol Use Disorder and Associated Disabilities Interview Schedule was used to classify past-year DSM-IV alcohol use disorder and self-reported federal government-recommended weekly physical activity cutoffs. Results: After statistically controlling for confounds, alcohol abuse but not dependence was associated with greater prevalence of physical activity. Number of alcohol use disorder symptoms exhibited a curvilinear relationship with meeting physical activity requirements, such that the positive association degraded with high symptom counts. Conclusion: There is a positive association between physical ac...
Materials for Devices Applications in Life Sciences

The unprecedented technology advancements in miniaturizing integrated circuits, and the resulting plethora of sophisticated, low cost electronic devices demonstrate the impact that micro/nano scale engineering can have when applied only to the area of electrical and computer engineering. Current research efforts in micro/nano fabrication technology for implementing integrated devices hope to yield similar revolutions in life science fields. The integrated life chip technology requires the integration of multiple materials, phenomena, technologies, and functions at micro/nano scales. By cross linking the individual engineering fields through micro/nano technology, various miniaturized life chips have been developed at UCI that will have future impacts in the application markets such as medicine and healthcare.
Sources of Exchange Rate Movements in Japan: Is the Exchange Rate a Shock-Absorber or a Source of Shock?

This paper investigates the sources of movements of the yen–dollar exchange rate using a structural vector autoregression (VAR) with a combination of short-run and long-run zero restrictions. We find that real shocks dominate nominal shocks in explaining the exchange rate movements, with relative real demand shocks as the major contributor. The exchange rate market does not seem to be a major source of disturbances to the Japanese economy. The overall results support the view that the bilateral dollar exchange rate in Japan is a shock-absorber rather than a source of shocks.