cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Boiling induced macroscopic erosion of plasma facing components in fusion devices

Abstract During plasma instabilities in tokamak devices, metallic plasma facing components (PFC) can undergo surface melting and vaporization. Macroscopic losses of melt layers developed during these instabilities are of a serious concern to the lifetime of PFC, the damage of nearby components, and potential core plasma contamination. Due to the presence of impurities and dissolved gas, boiling occurs in the superheated melt layer. The growing bubbles burst at the melt layer surface and induce the ejection of jet-droplets, therefore, contributing significantly to the erosion of PFC. In the present work, the boiling mechanism is investigated using a one-dimensional moving boundary model accounting for heating, melting, vaporization, and re-solidification. The collapse of a single bubble cavity and the jet formation, investigated numerically using computational fluid dynamics simulations, shows the amount of ejected jet-droplet is about ∼1% of the initial bubble volume for liquid tungsten and aluminum. The intensity of boiling decreases with the pressure in the melt layer and increases with the incident heat flux. Simulations and experiments show similar results on the boiling characteristics of tungsten and aluminum. The simple and realistic model of the boiling induced erosion, presented here, allows better understanding of the mechanisms threatening the lifetime of the metallic PFC.
Genetic and epigenetic regulation of AHR gene expression in MCF-7 breast cancer cells: Role of the proximal promoter GC-rich region

The aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AhR), a ligand-activated transcription factor, contributes to carcinogenesis through its role in the regulation of cytochrome P450 1 (CYP1)-catalyzed metabolism of carcinogens. Here, we investigated genetic and epigenetic mechanisms that affect AhR expression. Analyses of the human AHR proximal promoter in MCF-7 human breast cancer cells using luciferase assays and electrophoretic mobility shift assays revealed multiple specificity protein (Sp) 1 binding sequences that are transcriptional activators in vitro. The regulation of AhR expression was evaluated in long-term estrogen exposed (LTEE) MCF-7 cells, which showed increased AhR expression, enhanced CYP1 inducibility, and increased capacity to form DNA adducts when exposed to the dietary carcinogen, 2-amino-1-methyl-6-phenylimidazo[4,5-b]pyridine. The increased AhR expression in LTEE cells was found not to result from increased mRNA stability, differential RNA processing, or decreased DNA methylation. Analysis of the AHR proximal promoter region using chromatin immunoprecipitation confirmed that enhanced expression of AhR in LTEE cells involves changes in histone modifications, notably decreased trimethylation of histone 3, lysine 27. Upon further examination of the GC-rich Sp1-binding region, we confirmed that it contains a polymorphic (GGGGC)(n) repeat. In a population of newborns from New York State, the allele frequency of (GGGGC)(n) was n = 4 > 5 ≫ 6, 2. Circular dichroism spectroscopy revealed the ability of sequences of this GC-rich region to form guanine-quadruplex structures in vitro. These studies revealed multiple levels at which AhR expression may be controlled, and offer additional insights into mechanisms regulating AhR expression that can ultimately impact carcinogenesis.
Characterization of lead on mineral surfaces in soils contaminated by mining and smelting

Mine tailings and soils impacted by mining, milling and smelting of Cu-Pb-Zn-Ag-Au ores in a small mining town in central Colorado were analyzed by X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), and surface analysis by laser ionization (SALI) utilizing stimulated desorption (pulsed Ar+) coupled with nonresonant photoionization (using 266 nm light) and time-of-flight mass spectrometry. These surface-sensitive techniques revealed that Pb is present on mineral grain surfaces in some soild and mine tailings. The presence of surface-bound Pb correlates with soil pH; carbonate-sulfide tailing with pH≈7 have Pb-bearing iron hydroxide (and to a lesser extent iron sulfate) coatings that are several μm thick, whereas sulfide tailings with pH≈2 have little or no detectable surface-bound Pb. Grains from residential soils (pH≈7) have thin (a few nm thick) Pb-bearing surface layers. Soils impacted by smelter aerosols and fly ash (pH = 4.5) also have thin (a few nm thick) Pb-bearing surfaces layers. Measured Pb4f7/2 binding energies (corrected for charge shifting by referencing the Si2s peak to 153.0 eV) ranged from 137.4 to 138.2 eV and suggest that the surface-bound Pb is present as Pb-O or Pb-OH species.
A Strategic Planning Process for Implementing and Improving Assessment

In this paper, the author discusses twelve assessment methods that were successfully utilized by the department of engineering technology at Miami University. Documentation of these assessment techniques helped the department obtain a six-year accreditation by the TAC-ABET commission. The twelve assessment methods described in this paper form a part of strategic planning process that is normally followed in the School of Engineering and Applied Science. The principle is to document how the department keeps tabs on its education commitment. The assessment practices adopted by the department effectively incorporate the feedback received, in a constructive manner. Furthermore, the department has concentrated its efforts on developing a mechanism that primarily focuses on closing the loop, in each of the twelve methods outlined.Copyright © 2004 by ASME
Marketing the Nation Carnival and tourism in Trinidad and Tobago

Public festivals provide not only the occasion to make statements about national identity but also offer opportunities to culture brokers seeking foreign exchange through tourism. Within the matrix of the international culture industries and the hegemonic international order of nation-states, culture is both a commodity and a source of national pride. In this article I examine efforts at `cultural entrepreneurship' regarding the Carnival in Trinidad and Tobago. Attempts to market the Carnival and, in a larger sense, Trinidad and Tobago, reveal profound ambiguities about cultural authenticity, ambivalence regarding international recognition, and contested ideas about national identity in a complex multi-ethnic, multicultural, postcolonial state. I criticize what I call `academic nostalgia', the propensity of academics, including anthropologists, to lament the supposed inauthenticity and commercialism that is said to accompany changes in Carnival. I show how this concern mirrors local critiques of Carnival,...
Clinical Evaluation of the Effectiveness of Three Dentifrices in Relieving Dentin Sensitivity

It has been reported that sensitive dentin is present in no less than one out of seven normal patients with a higher incidence among postperiodontal therapy patients. Numerous agents have been developed to relieve this sensitivity without any being universally acceptable. Two new dentifrices, Protect and Protect with fluoride were compared clinically with Sensodyne to determine the relative ability of these three products to relieve both thermal and tactile sensitivity in sensitive dentin. Double blind analyses were completed and results compared using appropriate statistical tests for each hypothesis tested. The three dentifrices relieved both tactile and thermal sensitivity, but there was no statistical difference at 8 weeks between the three agents. There was a difference in the time it took the dentifrices to achieve a statistically significant reduction in dentin sensitivity.
Protein kinase in immunoprecipitate of DMBA-transformed epithelial cells with serum from tumour-bearing rabbits.

Recent work using virally transformed cells has shown that the viral gene product responsible for transformation is associated with protein kinase activity1,2. Use of antisera specific for the src gene product of Rous sarcoma virus showed that the heavy chain of the antibody in the immunoprecipitate can be phosphorylated by the bound antigen src gene product. Only a very low level of such protein kinase activity was observed using uninfected cells or cells infected with transformation-defective virus. Such a low level of activity has been attributed to the endogenous src gene product3,4. Similar protein kinase activity, capable of phosphorylating IgG, was also detected in the immunoprecipitate of the T antigen of adenovirus type 5 (ref. 5). Moreover, large T antigen of SV40 is also associated with protein kinase and/or ATPase activity6,7. Thus, many of the virally coded proteins involved in transformation are apparently associated with protein kinase activity. In addition, secretion of specific phosphoproteins and increased protein kinase activity have been detected in conditioned medium from cells transformed by oncogenic viruses8. Secretion of these proteins, accompanied by an additional protein kinase, correlates well with the transformation as demonstrated by the use of temperature-sensitive mutants in the src gene of avian sarcoma virus. These data suggest that the alteration in protein phosphorylation may contribute to the transformed state. In the virion of murine sarcoma virus but not murine leukaemia virus, a novel protein kinase with molecular weight of 15, 000 (15 K) has recently been discovered9. In view of these findings, it is of interest to investigate whether in chemical carcinogen transformed epithelial cell an analogous event also occurs. We studied transformd bladder epithelial cells induced after in vitro exposure to the chemical carcinogen, 7,12-dimethylbenz[a]anthracene (DMBA). Anti-serum against DMBA-transformed mouse bladder epithelial cells were raised in rabbits and used to immunoprecipitate antigens from chemically transformed cell lysates. By incubating the immune complex with [γ-32P]ATP we found that a transformation-specific 18K protein becomes phosphorylated. Such a phosphorylatable 18K protein is also detected in the conditioned medium of DMBA-transformed cells.
Relationships between combinatorial measurements and Orlicz norms

Abstract Following the work in a previous paper, we establish in a setting of harmonic analysis further precise relationships between combinatorial measurements and Orlicz norms.
Free convection of an absorbing-emitting gas from a heated vertical plate

Die Grenzschichtsgleichungen werden numerisch untersucht um eine bessere Einsicht in die nicht lineare Wechselwirkung zwischen der Warmestrahlung und der freien Konvektion eines absorbierenden und strahlenden Gases zu gewinnen. Die Berechnung behandelt die Stromung um eine geheizte, senkrechte Platte, welche als vollkommen schwarz betrachtet wird. Die Eigenschaften des Stromungsmediums werden als frequenzunabhangig angenommen. Fur verschiedene Verhaltnisse der Wand-zur Raumtemperatur erhaltenen Ergebnisse werden mit linearisierten und asymptotischen Losungen verglichen.
Activation of leukocytes with complement C5a is associated with prostanoid-dependent constriction of large arteries in atherosclerotic monkeys in vivo.

Activated leukocytes release a variety of substances which have been shown in vitro to modulate vascular tone. The chemotactic peptide complement C5a is a physiological activator of leukocytes. We injected human recombinant complement C5a (10 and 100 micrograms) into the blood-perfused hind limb of normal and atherosclerotic cynomolgus monkeys and examined vascular responses. In both normal and atherosclerotic monkeys, the high dose of C5a produced about 65% decrease in leukocyte cell count in venous blood drainage from the hind limb. Injection of C5a produced a pronounced increase in resistance of large arteries (segment from iliac artery to dorsal pedal artery) in atherosclerotic, but not in normal monkeys. The constrictor effect of C5a in atherosclerotic monkeys was abolished by the thromboxane A2 receptor antagonist SQ 29,548 (2 mg/kg i.v.). The platelet-activating factor antagonist WEB 2086 (5 mg/kg, i.v.) did not alter vascular responses to C5a. We conclude that activation of leukocytes produces constriction of large arteries in atherosclerotic, but not normal, monkeys in vivo. This response may be mediated in part by release of thromboxane A2.
Vacuum Dewatering During Paper Manufacturing

Water removal during paper making is one of the most energy-intensive and capital-intensive processes. Vacuum dewatering is one of the intermediate stages of water removal on the paper machine wher...
Some Novel Actions of Nicotine in Nucleus Basalis Lesioned Rats and in Hippocampal Slices

Most pharmacological approaches for treating Alzheimer’s disease either acutely ameliorate the cognitive and memory-related deficits observed in the disease, or block the neuropathologies underlying it. Nonetheless, an increasing number of drugs appear to have dual functions: short-term behavior actions mediated by classical transmitter receptors along with longer term cytoprotective effects. Such chemicals include those acting on cholinergic (Koike, 1988 and Janson, 1989), glutamatergic (Gallo, 1989), and TRH (Horita, 1989) receptors.
A low cost, simple torque ripple reduction technique for three phase inductor motors

A simple 'end pulse modulation' PWM technique for three-phase induction motor adjustable speed drives is proposed and analyzed for torque ripple. Fourier analysis is performed on the motor winding voltage to obtain the harmonic amplitudes. Each of the voltage harmonics are applied to the torque equation. A sum of the torque is shown with both those adding and subtracting from the main torque. A comparison is made between the PWM harmonic torque and harmonic torque developed using a six-step at several drive frequencies. The DC link voltage is varied by a single phase input converter so that only the pulse width is varied. This approach is implemented using a very simple general purpose, low cost eight bit microprocessor.
Value-Based Bit Ordering for Energy Optimization of On-Chip Global Signal Buses

In this paper, we present a technique that exploits the statistical behavior of data values transmitted on global signal buses to determine an energy-efficient ordering of bits that minimizes the inter-wire coupling energy and also reduces total bus energy. Statistics are collected for instruction and data bus traffic from eight SPEC CPU2K benchmarks and an optimization problem is formulated and solved optimally using a publicly-available tool. Results obtained using the optimal bit order on large non-overlapping test samples from the same set of benchmarks show that, on average, adjacent inter-wire coupling energies reduce by about 35.4% for instruction buses and by about 21.6% for data buses using the proposed technique.
Vaccination of white-tailed deer (Odocoileus virginianus) with Mycobacterium bovis bacillus Calmette Guerín

Wildlife reservoirs of Mycobacterium bovis represent serious obstacles to the eradication of tuberculosis in domestic livestock. In Michigan, USA tuberculous white-tailed deer transmit M. bovis to cattle. One approach in dealing with this wildlife reservoir is to vaccinate deer in order to interrupt the cycle of deer to deer and deer to cattle transmission. Thirty-one white-tailed deer were assigned to one of three groups; 2 SC doses of 10 7 CFU of M. bovis BCG (n = 11); 1 SC dose of 10 7 CFU of M. bovis BCG (n = 10); or unvaccinated deer (n = 10). After vaccination, deer were inoculated intratonsilarly with 300 CFU of virulent M. bovis. Gross lesion severity scores of the medial retropharyngeal lymph node were significantly reduced in deer receiving 2 doses of BCG compared to unvaccinated deer. Vaccinated deer had fewer lymph node granulomas than unvaccinated deer, and most notably, fewer late stage granulomas characterized by coalescent caseonecrotic granulomas containing numerous acid-fast bacilli. BCG was isolated from 7/21 vaccinated deer as long as 249 days after vaccination. In one case BCG was transmitted from a vaccinated deer to an unvaccinated deer. In white-tailed deer BCG provides measurable protection against challenge with virulent M. bovis. However, persistence of vaccine within tissues as well as shedding of BCG from vaccinates remain areas for further investigation.
Effects of Endothelium on Metabolic and Mechanical Parameters in Porcine Coronary Artery

This study examined the influence of the endothelium on metabolic and mechanical properties of porcine coronary arteries. Oxygen consumption rates (JO2) and lactate release (Jlac) under basal conditions were similar for intact (+E) and denuded (-E) rings. While passive tension was not different in2+E and -E arteries, the -E rings did develop a significant level of basal tone. With 50 mM KC1 stimulation, JO2 and Jlac in both +E and -E arteries increased to similar levels, and developed force also was not different. While calculated total rates of ATP utilization (JATP) showed an increase in both +E and -E rings with 50 mM KCI stimulation, there were no differences attributable to the presence of the endothelium. In summary, the endothelium does not significantly alter the metabolic or mechanical properties of porcine coronary arteries, although it does appear to play a role in the suppression of basal tone.
Anonymous networking amidst active adversaries

The problem of anonymous wireless networking is considered when adversaries who monitor the transmissions in the network are also capable of compromising a fraction of nodes to extract network information. For a given level of network performance, as measured by network throughput, the problem of maximizing anonymity is studied from a game-theoretic perspective. The metric of anonymity considered is the conditional entropy of network routes given the monitored packet transmission times. In order to provide anonymity, a random subset of nodes (referred to as covert relays) are chosen to generate independent transmission schedules. These covert relays, unless compromised, can effectively hide the flow of traffic through them. Depending on the routes and the throughput requirement, the network designer needs to optimize the choice of covert relays such that anonymity is maximized. Whereas, the eavesdropper needs to optimize the choice of nodes to compromise subject to a constraint on maximum number of monitored nodes, such that the anonymity of the network routes is minimized. This problem is posed as a two player zero-sum game, and it is shown that a unique Nash equilibrium exists for a general category of finite networks. Using numerical examples, the tradeoff between the achievable anonymity and the power of the adversary is demonstrated as a function of the throughput for passive and active adversaries.
pBR322-derived multicopy plasmids harboring large inserts are often dimers in Escherichia coli K-12

pBR322-related plasmids that are 2.3 to 5.1 kb were found predominantly as monomers, while plasmids that are 7.7 to 15.2 kb were found predominantly as dimers in rec+ cells of Escherichia coli K-12.
Conserved SR protein kinase functions in nuclear import and its action is counteracted by arginine methylation in Saccharomyces cerevisiae

Mammalian serine and arginine–rich (SR) proteins play important roles in both constitutive and regulated splicing, and SR protein–specific kinases (SRPKs) are conserved from humans to yeast. Here, we demonstrate a novel function of the single conserved SR protein kinase Sky1p in nuclear import in budding yeast. The yeast SR-like protein Npl3p is known to enter the nucleus through a composite nuclear localization signal (NLS) consisting of a repetitive arginine- glycine-glycine (RGG) motif and a nonrepetitive sequence. We found that the latter is the site for phosphorylation by Sky1p and that this phosphorylation regulates nuclear import of Npl3p by modulating the interaction of the RGG motif with its nuclear import receptor Mtr10p. The RGG motif is also methylated on arginine residues, but methylation does not affect the Npl3p–Mtr10p interaction in vitro. Remarkably, arginine methylation interferes with Sky1p-mediated phosphorylation, thereby indirectly influencing the Npl3p–Mtr10p interaction in vivo and negatively regulating nuclear import of Npl3p. These results suggest that nuclear import of Npl3p is coordinately influenced by methylation and phosphorylation in budding yeast, which may represent conserved components in the dynamic regulation of RNA processing in higher eukaryotic cells.
Avian Simuliotoxicosis: Outbreak in Louisiana

From April 20 to May 10, 2010, multiple species of birds were seen at the Louisiana State University (LSU) Zoological Medicine Department for a disease syndrome characterized by acute lethargy, generalized subcutaneous petechiae, vasculitis, and death caused by a black fly identified as Simulium meridionale. Twenty psittacine birds presented with severe depression and multifocal subcutaneous hemorrhages over the body and especially noted in the featherless areas of the head and neck. Ten out of 20 clinical cases seen survived on a treatment regimen consisting of intravenous fluid therapy, anti-inflammatories, antihistaminic medications, and supportive care. The 10 other birds likely died of cardiopulmonary collapse and anaphylactoid reactions. In all post mortem examinations multifocal to coalescing dermal hemorrhage, eosinophilic dermatitis, severe edema, and vasculitis were observed. The LSU School of Animal Science conducted a brief survey that included 34 of the 64 Louisiana parishes and showed that 17 parishes, at least, were affected by this outbreak. A total of at least 225 poultry bird deaths could be attributed to black fly strikes. Simuliotoxicosis outbreaks have previously been reported in North America, and this report documents the clinical and post mortem findings, treatment response, and extent of such an outbreak in pet and farm birds in Louisiana.
Comparative Evaluation of Single Fixed Dosing and Weight-Based Dosing of Rasburicase for Tumor Lysis Syndrome

tudy Objective To evaluate single fixed dosing versus weight-based dosing strategies for rasburicase to determine the minimum dose required to mitigate hyperuricemia in the treatment or prevention of tumor lysis syndrome. Design Retrospective medical record review Setting Academic medical center Patients A total of 373 patients with a diagnosis of a hematologic malignancy or solid tumor and who received at least one dose of rasburicase over a 6-year period between January 1, 2005, and February 18, 2011; 180 patients received single doses of 3 mg (38 patients), 6 mg (99 patients), or 7.5 mg (43 patients), and 193 patients received weight-based dosing. Measurements and Main Results Tumor lysis syndrome laboratory data were recorded at baseline and monitored up to 72 hours after initial rasburicase administration. Median baseline plasma uric acid levels were 6.85 mg/dl, 8.80 mg/dl, 8.00 mg/dl, and 9.20 mg/dl, respectively, in the 3-mg, 6-mg, 7.5-mg, and weight-based dosing groups. Treatment success was defined as a normalized plasma uric acid level (< 7.5 mg/dl) within 24 hours after receiving rasburicase. The mean weight-based dose was 0.16 mg/kg. Six rasburicase treatment failures occurred; two were in the 3-mg group, one was in the 6-mg group, and three were in the weight-based dosing group. At 24 hours after rasburicase administration, no statistically significant differences in treatment success were noted among groups (92.9% vs 97.6% vs 100.0% vs 98.0% in the 3-mg, 6-mg, 7.5-mg, and weight-based dosing groups, respectively, p=0.1238). Conclusion The efficacy of all single fixed doses and weight-based dosing strategies evaluated in this study appear to be comparable in normalizing plasma uric acid levels within 24 hours of rasburicase administration. Although use of a 3-mg rasburicase dose may be the most cost-effective treatment strategy in managing hyperuricemia secondary to tumor lysis syndrome, the 6-mg dose resulted in lower sustained uric acid levels after rasburicase administration. Further analysis of patient specific factors contributing to the need for repeat rasburicase administration should be conducted in larger, prospective clinical trials.
Nanowire Crossbar Logic and Standard Cell-Based Integration

Nanowire crossbar is one of the most promising circuit solutions for nanoelectronics. However, it is still unclear whether or how they can be competitive in implementing logic circuits, as compared to their MOSFET counterparts. We analyze nanowire crossbars in area, speed, and power, in comparison with their MOSFET counterparts. We show nanowire crossbars do not scale well in terms of logic density and speed. To achieve performance close to their MOSFET counterparts, crossbar circuits need faster field-effect transistors (FETs) to compensate the high resistance of nanowires. Motivated by the analysis and comparative study, we propose a crossbar cells design based on judicious use of silicon nanowires. The crossbar cell is compatible with the conventional MOSFET fabrication and design methodologies, in particular, standard cell-based integrated circuit design. We evaluate logic circuits synthesized with crossbar cells and MOSFET cells based on the MCNC91 benchmark. The results show that crossbar cells can provide a density advantage of more than four times over the traditional MOSFET circuits with the same process technology, while achieving close performance and consuming less than one third power.
Calmodulin overexpression does not alter Cav1.2 function or oligomerization state

Interactions between calmodulin (CaM) and voltage-gated calcium channels (Ca(v)s) are crucial for Ca(v) activity-dependent feedback modulation. We recently reported an X-ray structure that shows two Ca(2+)/CaM molecules bound to the Ca(v)1.2 C terminal tail, one at the PreIQ region and one at the IQ domain. Surprisingly, the asymmetric unit of the crystal showed a dimer in which Ca(2+)/CaM bridged two PreIQ helixes to form a 4:2 Ca(2+)/CaM:Ca(v) C-terminal tail assembly. Contrary to previous proposals based on a similar crystallographic dimer, extensive biochemical analysis together with subunit counting experiments of full-length channels in live cell membranes failed to find evidence for multimers that would be compatible with the 4:2 crossbridged complex. Here, we examine this possibility further. We find that CaM over-expression has no functional effect on Ca(v)1.2 inactivation or on the stoichiometry of full-length Ca(v)1.2. These data provide further support for the monomeric Ca(v)1.2 stoichiometry. Analysis of the electrostatic surfaces of the 2:1 Ca(2+)/CaM:Ca(V) C-terminal tail assembly reveals notable patches of electronegativity. These could influence various forms of channel modulation by interacting with positively charged elements from other intracellular channel domains.
Recognition Memory and the Evolution of Cooperation: How Simple Strategies Succeed in an Agent-Based World

Recent approaches to understanding the cognitive mechanisms underlying decision processes sug gest that simple strategies can result in successful and adaptive behaviors. Here, the evolutionary suc cess of simple recognition memory is investigated. Agents have a limited memory capacity for either agents who have previously cooperated (C-Mem) or those that have previously defected (D-Mem). Various aspects of the ecological and social environment influence the success of each of these strat egies. These findings suggest that recognition memory can play a role in promoting the evolution of cooperation, but that the effectiveness of such a simple recognition memory strategy depends on the fit between that strategy and the (ecological and social) environment in which that strategy is employed. The D-Mem strategy is able to invade only when the memory size of these agents is close to the total number of defectors in the population. However, the C-Mem strategy can invade a popula tion of defectors when memory size is one, as long as the population size is relatively small and the ecological environment promotes longer intervals between each reproductive opportunity.
On a nonlinear feedback filtering system

A nonlinear filtering scheme with noiseless feedback is presented, based on a consideration of the minimum-mean-squared error filtering of independent signal samples corrupted by additive noise. The explicit solution for the general case is very complex. However, if the signal-to-noise ratio is assumed to be large and the nonlinear estimating filter has zero memory, the problem may be simplified by reducing it to the zero-memory prefiltering problem combined with predictive feedback. The improvement over the linear case without feedback is shown to be the product of the improvements due to the zero-memory non-linearities and the feedback. An example is considered to illustrate the improvements in the error,
Response of omnivorous leafroller (Lepidoptera: Tortricidae) and onion thrips (Thysanoptera: Thripidae) to low-temperature storage.

Eggs and first–fifth instars of omnivorous leafroller, Platynota stultana Walshingham, had a mean percentage survival to the adult stage of 60.7–95.2% for nonexposed immatures and 14.5–54.3% for immatures exposed to 1 wk at 0–1°C. Exposures of 2–5 wk resulted in 0–6.7% survival, and a 6-wk exposure resulted in <1% survival of all stages tested. A significant reduction in survival of all larval stages occurred between exposures of 0 and 1 wk and between 1 wk and 2–6 wk. Survival of eggs after exposures of 0 and 1 wk was significantly different than survival after exposures of 2–6 wk. The second instar was the stage least susceptible to low-temperature storage. Adults that were exposed to low temperature for 1 wk in the third through fifth instars laid a mean of 120–289 eggs per female, and the mean percentage viability of the eggs ranged from 56.2 to 71.4%. Mean percentage survival of adults and nymphs of onion thrips, Thrips tabaci Lindeman, was inversely related to the duration of exposure from 1 through 3–6 wk at 0–1 and 5°C and was lower at 0–1 (0.2–52.5%) than at 5°C (17.6–66.6%). Exposure to 0–1°C for 4 wk attained 91.2% control, which increased to 99.8% after 6 wk. Low-temperature storage has potential to control omnivorous leafroller in table grapes, Vitis vinifera L., and onion thrips in onions, Allium cepa L.
Prioritizing care for older adults with multiple comorbidities: working in the ‘zone of complexity’

Prioritizing care for older adults with multiple comorbid conditions is a challenging act of clinical judgment owing to the multidimensional and dynamic nature of each patient’s health status. This clinical process is analogous to working within a complex adaptive system, where an intervention or change in one condition can produce unexpected outcomes. Except for decisions characterized by a high degree of professional agreement (e.g., influenza vaccination), most medical decisions affecting older adults occur within a ‘zone of complexity’ characterized by imperfect agreement regarding best practices and outcomes. An example is setting individual glycemic targets. Decisions within this zone are at best bounded by a few principles: first, ascertain the patient’s preferences and goals; second, determine health status by identifying relevant comorbid conditions, function and frailty; third, consider the risks and benefits, and estimate the likelihood that any intervention will achieve the patient’s healthcar...
A Line Heat Input Model for Additive Manufacturing

A line input model has been developed which makes the accurate modeling of powder bed processes more computationally efficient. Goldak’s ellipsoidal model has been used extensively to model heat sources in additive manufacturing, including lasers and electron beams. To accurately model the motion of the heat source, the simulation time increments must be small enough such that the source moves a distance smaller than its radius over the course of each increment. When the source radius is small and its velocity is large, a strict condition is imposed on the size of time increments regardless of any stability criteria. In powder bed systems, where radii of 0.1 mm and velocities of 500 mm/s are typical, a significant computational burden can result. The line heat input model relieves this burden by averaging the heat source over its path. This model allows the simulation of an entire heat source scan in just one time increment. However, such large time increments can lead to inaccurate results. Instead, the scan is broken up into several linear segments, each of which is applied in one increment. In this work, time increments are found that yield accurate results (less than 10 % displacement error) and require less than 1/10 of the CPU time required by Goldak’s moving source model. A dimensionless correlation is given that can be used to determine the necessary time increment size that will greatly decrease the computational time required for any powder bed simulation while maintaining accuracy.Copyright © 2015 by ASME
An active feedback system to control synchrotron oscillations in the SLC damping rings

Initially, the SLC (Stanford Linear Collider) damping rings accomplished Robinson instability damping by operating the RF accelerating cavities slightly detuned. In order to run the cavities tuned and achieve damping for Robinson instability and synchrotron oscillations at injection, an active feedback system has been developed. The theoretical basis for the feedback system and the development of the hardware are described. Extensive measurements of the loop response including stored beam were performed. Overall performance of the system is also reported. The measured data did not match what the authors' model had predicted. The measurements did show the expected zero at DC, the first-order cavity pole at 45 KHz, and the second-order beam resonance at the synchrotron frequency. Another pole, and an exponentially increasing phase lag appeared near the synchrotron frequency. >
Solar activity monitoring and forecasting capabilities at Big Bear Solar Observatory

Abstract. The availability of full-disk, high-resolution H a images from Big Bear Solar Observatory (USA), Kanzelhohe Solar Observatory (Austria), and Yunnan Astronomical Observatory (China) allows for the continual monitoring of solar activity with unprecedented spatial and temporal resolution. Typically, this Global H a Network (GHN) provides almost uninterrupted H a images with a cadence of 1 min and an image scale of 1'' per pixel. Every hour, GHN images are transferred to the web-based BBSO Active Region Monitor (ARM; www.bbso.njit.edu/arm), which includes the most recent EUV, continuum, and magnetogram data from the Solar and Heliospheric Observatory, together with magnetograms from the Global Oscillation Network Group. ARM also includes a variety of active region properties from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s Space Environment Center, such as up-to-date active region positions, GOES 5-min X-ray data, and flare identification. Stokes I, V, Q, and U images are available from the recently operational BBSO Digital Vector Magnetograph and the Vector Magnetograph at the Huairou Solar Observing Station of Beijing Observatory. Vector magnetograms provide complete information on the photospheric magnetic field, and allow for magnetic flux gradients, electric currents, and shear forces to be calculated: these measurements are extremely sensitive to conditions resulting in flaring activity. Furthermore, we have developed a Flare Prediction System which estimates the probability for each region to produce C-, M-, or X-class flares based on nearly eight years of NOAA data from cycle 22. This, in addition to BBSO’s daily solar activity reports, has proven a useful resource for activity forecasting. Key words. Solar physics, astronomy and astrophysics (flares and mass ejections; instruments and techniques; photosphere and chromosphere)
On the possibility of harmonic operation of cyclotron wave parametric amplifiers

Cyclotron wave amplifiers at the harmonics of the electron cyclotron frequency are investigated. Since the waves on the beam are electrostatic, harmonics are strongly excited in nonrelativistic beams if they are rotating rather than filamentary. These modes at the harmonics can couple to input Cuccia couplers, and pump fields which drive parametric amplification, in very much the same way as they do on filamentary beams at the cyclotron frequency. Harmonic cyclotron wave amplifiers have the possibility of giving rise to a new class of devices at millimeter wave frequencies.
Characteristics of sensitometric curves of radiographic films

A new type of radiographic film, EDR (extended dose range) film, has been recently become available for film dosimetry. It is particularly attractive for composite isodose verification of intensity modulated radiation therapy because of its low sensitivity relative to the more common Kodak XV film. For XV film, the relationship between optical density and dose, commonly known as the sensitometric curve, depends linearly on the dose at low densities. Unlike XV film, the sensitometric curve of EDR film irradiated by megavoltage x rays is not linearly dependent on the dose at low densities. In this work, to understand the mechanisms governing the shape of the sensitometric curves, EDR film was studied with kilovoltage x rays, 60Co gamma rays, megavoltage x rays, and electron beams. As a comparison, XV film was also studied with the same beams mentioned above. The model originally developed by Silberstein [J. Opt. Soc. Am. 35, 93-107, 1945)] is used to fit experimental data. It is found that the single hit model can be used to predict the sensitometric curve for XV films irradiated by all beams used in this work and for EDR films exposed to kilovoltage x rays. For EDR film irradiated by 60Co gamma rays, megavoltage x rays, and electron beams, the double hit model is used to fit the sensitometric curves. For doses less than 100 cGy, a systematic difference between measured densities and that predicted by the double hit model is observed. Possible causes of the observed differences are discussed. The results of this work provide a theoretical explanation of the sensitometric behavior of EDR film.
URBAN POLICY AS MERITOCRACY: A CRITIQUE

Much of American urban policy focuses—appropriately—on the tragic conundrum of why the disadvantaged in cities remain so. Scholars and researchers writing from a politically liberal perspective hea...
The study on genetic variance components model of age at the onset of primary hepatocellular carcinoma

Objective Hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection has important influence on familial aggregation of primary hepatocellular carcinoma(HCC). The aim of this study was to estimate genetic variance components of age at the onset of HCC when HBsAg was taken into consideration. Methods We conducted a population-based case-control family study of liver cancer in Taixing, China, from 2001 to 2002. Genetic variance components method based on random-effects Cox proportional hazards model was used for 178 nuclear families and 184 extended families data, and MCMC was used to estimate parameters.Results Simplified model excluding shared common environmental variance was finally fitted. There was a resemblance on the results for estimated parameters between nuclear families and extended families data. The results from extended families data showed the hazards ratio for HBV associated with age at the onset of HCC was 12.13 (95% confidence interval: 6.94-23.03), and additive genetic variance and dominance genetic variance were 0.076 (95% CI: 0.002-0.291) and 0.301 (95% CI: 0.010-1.067) respectively. Conclusions The additive genetic and dominance genetic factors (or shared sibling environmental factors) play an important role in the age at the onset of HCC but that common environmental factors are negligible besides HBV infection.
Reduced dynamical equations for barycentric spherical robots

Barycentric spherical robots (BSRs) rely on a noncollocated center of mass and center of rotation for propulsion. Unique challenges inherent to BSRs include a nontrivial correlation between internal actuation, momentum, and net vehicle motion. A new method is presented for deriving reduced dynamical equations of motion (EOM) for a general class of BSRs which extends and synthesizes prior efforts in geometric mechanics. Our method is an extension of the BKMM approach [1], allowing Lagrangian reduction and reconstruction to be applied to dynamical systems with symmetry-breaking potential energies, such as those encountered by BSRs rolling on a surface. The resulting dynamical equations are of minimal dimension and vehicle motion due to actuation and momenta appear linearly in a simple first-order differential equation. The EOM of a BSR named Moball [2] [3] are derived to illustrate the approach's utility. A simple table summarizes our algorithm's application to popular BSRs in the literature, and the approach is extended to sloped terrains.
Crystal structures of 4-chloro-pyridine-2-carbo-nitrile and 6-chloro-pyridine-2-carbo-nitrile exhibit different inter-molecular π-stacking, C-H⋯Nnitrile and C-H⋯Npyridine inter-actions.

The two title compounds are isomers of C6H3ClN2 containing a pyridine ring, a nitrile group, and a chloro substituent. The mol­ecules of each compound pack together in the solid state with offset face-to-face π-stacking, and inter­molecular C—H⋯Nnitrile and C—H⋯Npyridine inter­actions. 4-Chloro­pyridine-2-carbo­nitrile, (I), exhibits pairwise centrosymmetric head-to-head C—H⋯Nnitrile and C—H⋯Npyridine inter­actions, forming one-dimensional chains, which are π-stacked in an offset face-to-face fashion. The inter­molecular packing of the isomeric 6-chloro­pyridine-2-carbo­nitrile, (II), which differs only in the position of the chloro substituent on the pyridine ring, exhibits head-to-tail C—H⋯Nnitrile and C—H⋯Npyridine inter­actions, forming two-dimensional sheets which are π-stacked in an offset face-to-face fashion. In contrast to (I), the offset face-to-face π-stacking in (II) is formed between mol­ecules with alternating orientations of the chloro and nitrile substituents.
Does unreported catch lead to overfishing

Catches are commonly misreported in many fisheries worldwide, resulting in inaccurate data that hinder our ability to assess population status and manage fisheries sustainably. Under-reported catch is generally perceived to lead to overfishing, and hence, catch reconstructions are increasingly used to account for sectors that may be unreliably reported, including illegal harvest, recreational and subsistence fisheries, and discards. However, improved monitoring and/or catch reconstructions only aid in the first step of a fisheries management plan: collecting data to make inferences on stock status. Misreported catch impacts estimates of population parameters, which in turn influences management decisions, but the pattern and degree of these impacts are not necessarily intuitive. We conducted a simulation study to test the effect of different patterns of catch misreporting on estimated fishery status and recommended catches. If, for example, 50% of all fishery catches are consistently unreported, estimates of population size and sustainable yield will be 50% lower, but estimates of current exploitation rate and fishery status will be unbiased. As a result, constant under- or over-reporting of catches results in recommended catches that are sustainable. However, when there are trends in catch reporting over time, the estimates of important parameters are inaccurate, generally leading to underutilization when reporting rates improve, and overfishing when reporting rates degrade. Thus, while quantifying total catch is necessary for understanding the impact of fisheries on businesses, communities and ecosystems, detecting trends in reporting rates is more important for estimating fishery status and setting sustainable catches into the future.
Working to change perceptions

Students are avoiding high school and college courses that would prepare them for careers in technology, science, and engineering. Some of this behavior comes from the advice of authority figures. The authors describe some of their efforts to address misconceptions held by high school students, teachers, and counselors and how those efforts were received. We share some of what we have learned from teachers and counselors and offer suggestions on further actions that are being taken or could be taken by computer science educators to ensure that the needs of industry and an economy reliant on reliable information and advancing technology are met.
G-CSF Increases Hematological Response among Patients with Myelodysplasia Treated with Azacitidine.

Rationale: Myelodysplastic syndrome (MDS) is characterized by peripheral blood cytopenia, a major cause of morbidity and mortality. Two current treatments that may ameliorate cytopenia in MDS are azacitidine (aza) and hematopoietic growth factors. When used alone in MDS, erythropoietin (epo) and G-CSF are reported to increase the hemoglobin level and the neutrophil count, respectively. Additionally, epo and G-CSF may work synergistically to improve anemia and neutropenia. This study examined whether the combination of growth factors and aza would be more effective than aza alone for the treatment of MDS. Methods: We identified 86 MDS patients treated at our institution who received an average of 10.8 cycles of aza. Forty-nine (49) of these patients also received either epo, G-CSF or both during the course of their aza treatment, while 37 did not receive hematopoietic growth factors. These 2 groups did not differ significantly either in number of cycles of aza received (p=0.34) or FAB MDS subtype (p=0.50). Hematological responses were tabulated by International Working Group criteria and compared using chi-square statistics. Results: Patients treated with aza alone had a 51% (19/37) overall hematological response rate (OHR). Patients who received aza + epo (A + E) had a 50% (6/12) OHR and when compared to aza alone (A), was not statistically different (p=0.9). Patients who received aza + G-CSF +/− epo (A + G +/− E) had an 84% (31/37) OHR versus 51% (25/49) in patients who did not receive G-CSF (A +/− E) (p=0.003). When the group A + G +/− E was compared to A +/− E there was a statistically significant difference in favor of A + G +/− E in erythroid (77% vs. 37%; p=0.001) and platelet (72% vs. 47%; p=0.04) response, but no difference in neutrophil response (71% vs. 67%; p=0.9). Conclusion: In patients with MDS treated with aza the addition of G-CSF improved OHR, erythroid and platelet response. Surprisingly, neutrophil response was not improved. The biological basis for these observations suggests an effect upon erythroid and megakaryocytic lineages. We postulate that G-CSF may have an anti-apoptotic effect as has been previously demonstrated when used in combination with epo.
Tobacco Use Prevention and Cessation

Cigarette smoking is one of the country’s most important public health problems (US DHHS, 1990). Approximately 400, 000 US citizens die yearly from tobacco-related diseases, including cardiovascular disease, cancer, and obstructive lung disease (CDC, 1993). Tobacco is also responsible for increased disability from a variety of causes including chronic obstructive lung disease (Renwick & Connelly, 1996; Higgens {tiet al.}, 1993), cerebrovascular accidents (Shinton & Beevers, 1989), myocardial infarction (Seeman, Mendes de Leon, Berkman, & Ostfeld, 1993; Chun, Dobson, & Heller, 1993), amputations secondary to peripheral vascular disease (Eneroth & Persson, 1993), and blindness due to macular degeneration (Seddon, Willett, Speizer, & Hankinson, 1996). Collectively, Americans spend approximately $50 billion annually in medical costs related to the negative health consequences of tobacco addiction (CDC, 1994c). Moreover, the cost of lost productivity and earnings due to disability is estimated at $47 billion per year (Herdman, Hewitt & Laschober, 1993).