cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Effect of self-bias on cylindrical capacitive discharge for processing of inner walls of tubular structures—Case of SRF cavities

Cylindrical capacitive discharge is a convenient medium for generating reactive ions to process inner walls superconductive radio-frequency (SRF) cavities. These cavities, used in particle accelerators, presents a three-dimensional structure made of bulk Niobium, with axial cylindrical symmetry. Manufactured cavity walls are covered with Niobium oxides and scattered particulates, which must be removed for desired SRF performance. Cylindrical capacitive discharge in a mixture of Ar and Cl2 is a sole and natural non-wet acid choice to purify the inner surfaces of SRF cavities by reactive ion etching. Coaxial cylindrical discharge is generated between a powered inner electrode and the grounded outer electrode, which is the cavity wall to be etched. Plasma sheath voltages were tailored to process the outer wall by providing an additional dc current to the inner electrode with the help of an external compensating dc power supply and corrugated design of the inner electrode. The dc bias potential difference is established between two electrodes to make the set-up favorable for SRF wall processing. To establish guidelines for reversing the asymmetry and establishing the optimal sheath voltage at the cavity wall, the dc self-bias potential and dc current dependence on process parameters, such as gas pressure, rf power and chlorine content in the Ar/Cl2 gas mixture was measured. The process is potentially applicable to all concave metallic surfaces.Cylindrical capacitive discharge is a convenient medium for generating reactive ions to process inner walls superconductive radio-frequency (SRF) cavities. These cavities, used in particle accelerators, presents a three-dimensional structure made of bulk Niobium, with axial cylindrical symmetry. Manufactured cavity walls are covered with Niobium oxides and scattered particulates, which must be removed for desired SRF performance. Cylindrical capacitive discharge in a mixture of Ar and Cl2 is a sole and natural non-wet acid choice to purify the inner surfaces of SRF cavities by reactive ion etching. Coaxial cylindrical discharge is generated between a powered inner electrode and the grounded outer electrode, which is the cavity wall to be etched. Plasma sheath voltages were tailored to process the outer wall by providing an additional dc current to the inner electrode with the help of an external compensating dc power supply and corrugated design of the inner electrode. The dc bias potential difference is ...
Insecure Attachment Predicts History of Divorce, Marriage, and Current Relationship Status

The goal of this research was to test the predictive ability of attachment styles and dysfunctional relational communication patterns to predict adults’ relationship status (i.e., single/partnered ...
Nanoparticle encapsulation increases the brain penetrance and duration of action of intranasal oxytocin.

The blood-brain barrier (BBB) limits the therapeutic use of large molecules as it prevents them from passively entering the brain following administration by conventional routes. It also limits the capacity of researchers to study the role of large molecules in behavior, as it often necessitates intracerebroventricular administration. Oxytocin is a large-molecule neuropeptide with pro-social behavioral effects and therapeutic promise for social-deficit disorders. Although preclinical and clinical studies are using intranasal delivery of oxytocin to improve brain bioavailability, it remains of interest to further improve the brain penetrance and duration of action of oxytocin, even with intranasal administration. In this study, we evaluated a nanoparticle drug-delivery system for oxytocin, designed to increase its brain bioavailability through active transport and increase its duration of action through encapsulation and sustained release. We first evaluated transport of oxytocin-like large molecules in a cell-culture model of the BBB. We then determined in vivo brain transport using bioimaging and cerebrospinal fluid analysis in mice. Finally, we determined the pro-social effects of oxytocin (50 μg, intranasal) in two different brain targeting and sustained-release formulations. We found that nanoparticle formulation increased BBB transport both in vitro and in vivo. Moreover, nanoparticle-encapsulated oxytocin administered intranasally exhibited greater pro-social effects both acutely and 3 days after administration, in comparison to oxytocin alone, in mouse social-interaction experiments. These multimodal data validate this brain targeting and sustained-release formulation of oxytocin, which can now be used in animal models of social-deficit disorders as well as to enhance the brain delivery of other neuropeptides.
Wireframe Mapping for Resource-Constrained Robots*This research was supported in part by NSF grant CMMI-1562335 and ONR grant N00014-12-1-1000. We are grateful for this support

This paper presents a novel wireframe map structure for resource-constrained robots operating in a rectilinear 2D environment. The wireframe representation compactly represents geometry, in addition to transient situations such as occlusions and boundaries of unexplored regions. We formulate a particle filter to suit this sparse wireframe map structure. Functions for calculating the likelihood of scans, merging wireframes, and resampling are developed to accommodate this map representation. The wireframe structure with the particle filter allows for severe discrete map errors to be corrected, leading to accurate maps with small storage requirements. We show in a simulation study that the algorithm attains a map of an environment with 1 % error, compared to an occupancy grid map obtained with GMapping which attained 23% error with the same storage requirements. A simulation mapping a large environment demonstrates the algorithms scalability.
Some t-tests for N-of-1 trials with serial correlation

N-of-1 trials allow inference between two treatments given to a single individual. Most often, clinical investigators analyze an individual's N-of-1 trial data with usual t-tests or simple nonparametric methods. These simple methods do not account for serial correlation in repeated observations coming from the individual. Existing methods accounting for serial correlation require simulation, multiple N-of-1 trials, or both. Here, we develop t-tests that account for serial correlation in a single individual. The development includes effect size and precision calculations, both of which are useful for study planning. We then use Monte Carlo simulation to evaluate statistical properties of these serial t-tests, namely, Type I and II errors, and confidence interval widths, and compare these statistical properties to those of analogous usual t-test. The serial t-tests clearly outperform the usual t-tests commonly used in reporting N-of-1 results. Examples from N-of-1 clinical trials in fibromyalgia patients and from a behavioral health setting exhibit how accounting for serial correlation can change inferences. These t-tests are easily implemented and more appropriate than simple methods commonly used; however, caution is needed when analyzing only a few observations.
Selbstwirksamkeit in Gesundheitsinterventionen

Selbstwirksamkeit wird grundsatzlich als ein Merkmal beschrieben, das relativ gut durch Interventionen beeinflusst werden kann (Bandura, 2004; Hastall, 2010). Wie genau Gesundheitsprogramme und - informationen jedoch Selbstwirksamkeit erhohen konnen, wird von der Mehrheit der motivationalen Modelle nicht erfasst (Bandura, 2004; Hagger & Chatzisarantis, 2007; Norman & Conner, 2015).
Percutaneous Salvage of an Impella Pretzel.

Abstract This report describes a case in which bedside manipulation of an Impella CP led to device entanglement in the aorta. Using a snare and counter-traction, we were able to untangle and re-deliver it into the left ventricle to restore normal device support. (Level of Difficulty: Advanced.)
Insights into the Secretome of Mesenchymal Stem Cells and Its Potential Applications

Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) have regenerative, immunoregulatory properties and can be easily isolated and expanded in vitro. Despite being a powerful tool for clinical applications, they present limitations in terms of delivery, safety, and variability of therapeutic response. Interestingly, the MSC secretome composed by cytokines, chemokines, growth factors, proteins, and extracellular vesicles, could represent a valid alternative to their use. It is noteworthy that MSC-derived extracellular vesicles (MSC-EVs) have the same effect and could be advantageous compared to the parental cells because of their specific miRNAs load. MiRNAs could be useful both in diagnostic procedures such as “liquid biopsy” to identify early pathologies and in the therapeutic field. Not only are MSC-EVs’ preservation, transfer, and production easier, but their administration is also safer, hence some clinical trials are ongoing. However, much effort is required to improve the characterization of EVs to avoid artifacts and guarantee reproducibility of the studies.
Nuclear transfer in mammalian embryos

Publisher Summary This chapter discusses the nuclear transfer in mammalian embryos. Transfer of nuclei from one cell to another provides a powerful method to study the interactions of the cytoplasm of one cell with the nuclei of another. Nuclei from various differentiated states can be transferred to nondifferentiated cytoplasm and the effect on the nucleus can be monitored. Early mammalian development is characterized by an initial period of zygotic inactivity followed by a transition period during which development is directed by both maternally stored message RNA and newly synthesized RNA. One method for determining the onset of zygotically produced transcripts is to block their appearance and subsequent protein production with α-amanitin. α-amanitin blocks mRNA synthesis by binding to a subunit of polymerase II, thus, blocking chain elongation. The chapter illustrates the importance of species comparisons and the danger of extrapolating results from one species to another. Nuclear transfer for cloning has been successful in a variety of mammals, excluding the mouse. This suggests that careful between-species comparisons should be made before any overall hypothesis regarding nuclear transfer is made. The comparisons need to include an evaluation of the advanced stage of donor nuclei capable of promoting development and the length of the cell cycle of these nuclei, the components aid in promoting development, and evaluation of nonnuclear inheritance.
Edge-cuts Optimized for Average Weight: a new alternative to Ford and Fulkerson

Let $G$ be a directed graph associated with a weight $w: E(G) \rightarrow R^+$. For an edge-cut $Q$ of $G$, the average weight of $Q$ is denoted and defined as $w_{ave}(Q)=\frac{\sum_{e\in Q}w(e)}{|Q|}$. An edge-cut of optimal average weight is an edge-cut $Q$ such that $w_{ave}(Q)$ is maximum among all edge-cuts (or minimum, symmetrically). In this paper, a polynomial algorithm for this problem is proved for finding such an optimal edge-cut in a rooted tree, separating the root and the set of all leafs. This algorithm enables us to develop an automatic clustering method with more accurate detection of communities embedded in a hierarchy tree structure.
Analysis of etiology and prognosis of 120 children with pediatric acute liver failure

Objective To investigate the etiology, prognosis and prognostic factors of pediatric acute liver failure(PALF), in order to provide the basis for clinical treatment of PALF. Methods The clinical data of children with PALF hospitalized at Hunan Children′s Hospital from May 2008 to May 2018 were collected, and the causes and prognosis were analyzed.According to the prognosis, the patients were divided into the death group and the survival group, whose biochemical indexes were then compared.After that, the statistical analysis of different data were carried out by using t-test, Wilcoxon test and χ2 test separately. Results In 120 PALF cases, there were 68 males and 52 females, and there were 36 infants, 34 toddlers, 22 preschoolers and 28 school-age children.Twenty cases (16.7%) were caused by sepsis, 19 cases (15.8%) by genetic metabolic diseases, 18 cases (15.0%) by poisoning, 12 cases (10.0%) by viral infection, 6 cases (5.0%) by drugs, 1 case (0.8%) by bile polyp, and 1 case (0.8%) by tumor disease.Besides, the etiology of 43 cases (35.9%) was unknown.Among the cases with known etiologies, genetic metabolic and infectious diseases were the main cause of disease in infants, toddler patients were mostly caused by infectious diseases and drug/toxicants, and drug/toxicants and hereditary metabolic diseases were the dominant cause of disease in school-age children and preschoolers.Mortality rate of children with PALF was 50.0%.Among them, the mortality of Epstein-Barr virus-associated hemophagocytic syndrome, sepsis, Citrin deficiency and Tyrosinemia was higher than that of other diseases.Compared with the survival group, the total bilirubin (TB)[159.00(73.05, 274.00) μmol/L vs.62.75(2.65, 221.75)μmol/L], direct bilirubin(DB)[83.00(41.43, 160.00) μmol/L vs.38.74(10.98, 128.75) μmol/L], prothrombin time (PT)[39.60(24.93, 62.60) s vs.24.65(21.43, 29.83) s], international standardized ratio (INR)[3.40(2.30, 6.74) vs.2.09(1.85, 2.84)], and blood ammonia (NH3) levels [109.50(85.25, 149.75) μmol/L vs.80.00(60.25, 102.75) μmol/L] in the death group were significantly increased, and the diffe-rences were statistically significant(all P<0.05); while the levels of albumin[(28.72±5.88) g/L vs.(33.69±4.96) g/L], alanine aminotransferase (ALT) [586.50(223.25, 1 082.00) U/L vs.1 434.00(615.00, 3 334.50) U/L]and aspartate aminotransferase (AST) [827.50(545.00, 2 024.00) U/L vs.1 663.50(821.00, 4 886.75) U/L]in the death group were significantly decreased, and the differences were statistically significant(all P<0.05). However, the blood glucose and cholesterol levels in both groups had no statistically significant difference. Conclusion The mortality of children with PALF is high, and different age groups have different etiologies.The increase of TB, DB, PT, INR, NH3 and the ratio of hepatic encephalopathy, and the decrease of albumin, AST and ALT suggest poor prognosis. Key words: Child; Acute liver failure; Etiology; Prognosis
Amplification of Nuclear Overhauser Effect Signals by Hyperpolarization for Screening of Ligand Binding to Immobilized Target Proteins.

Immobilization of a target protein enhances the cross-relaxation rates for transfer of nuclear spin polarization but reduces the accessible target concentration. Hyperpolarization of ligand spins b...
Hybrid Silicon Quantum Dot Comb Laser with Record Wide Comb Width

We present our work on a hybrid silicon quantum dot-based comb laser using wafer bonding. The device has a 3, 6, and 10 dB comb width of 12 nm, 18 nm, and 25 nm respectively.
Prática para entrevistas orais: O uso da tecnologia para reduzir a ansiedade de estudantes de Português como Língua Adicional (PLA)

ABSTRACT This preliminary study looks at the use of voice recording technology and its benefits in preparation for oral interviews in Portuguese as an additional language. It focuses particularly in how the use of voice recordings can diminish the level of anxiety in a group of students of Portuguese in a university setting in the United States. We analyze a teaching practice used in oral interviews with 13 university students enrolled in a summer Portuguese class in a large university in Pacific Northwest of the United States. This study points to positive results in providing students with opportunities to practice for oral interviews using technology. It shows a possible correlation between preparation and the reduction of anxiety during the face-to-face interviews. The preparation provided to this group of students also emphasizes the importance of having a systematic approach for oral interviews and the need to address the level of anxiety experienced by language students during such interviews. RESUMO Este estudo preliminar analisa o uso da tecnologia de gravacao de voz e seus beneficios na preparacao para entrevistas orais em portugues como lingua adicional. Verifica-se particularmente como o uso de gravacoes de voz pode diminuir o nivel de ansiedade em um grupo de estudantes de portugues em uma universidade nos Estados Unidos. Analisa-se uma pratica de ensino utilizada em entrevistas orais com 13 estudantes universitarios matriculados em um curso de portugues de verao em uma universidade de grande porte no Noroeste dos Estados Unidos. Este estudo aponta resultados positivos aos se proporcionar aos alunos oportunidades de pratica para entrevistas orais atraves da utilizacao de tecnologia. Demonstra-se uma possivel correlacao entre a preparacao e a reducao da ansiedade durante as entrevistas presenciais. A preparacao oferecida a este grupo de alunos tambem enfatiza a importância de se oferecer uma abordagem sistematica para entrevistas orais e a necessidade de se tratar do nivel de ansiedade experienciado por estudantes de linguas durante tais entrevistas.
The Role of Investor Attention in Bitcoin Mania

In this study, we employ the Phillips, Shi and Yu (2015)’s GSADF methodology on the weekly Bitcoin price index from July 2010 to February 2018 to date-stamp twelve statistically significant episodes of speculative bubbles. The shortest episodes are in January 2012 and October 2016, lasting for a week while the longest episode starts in April 2017 and continues for 9 months until January 2018. More importantly, we examine the impact of investor attention on the volatility of Bitcoin returns. The results show that higher investor attention captured by Google’s Bitcoin-related Search Volume Index significantly increases the conditional volatility of Bitcoin returns.
Characterization of early Alzheimer's-like pathological alterations in non-human primates with aging: a pilot study

Abstract Sporadic or late onset Alzheimer’s disease (LOAD) is a multifactorial neurodegenerative disease with aging the most known risk factor. Non-human primates (NHPs) may serve as an excellent model to study LOAD because of their close similarity to humans in many aspects including neuroanatomy and neurodevelopment. Recent studies reveal AD-like pathology in old NHPs. In this pilot study, we took advantage of brain samples from 6 Cynomolgus macaques that were divided into two groups: middle aged (average age 14.81 years) and older (average age 19.33 years). We found multiple AD-like pathological alteration in the prefrontal cortex (but not in the hippocampus) of the older NHPs including tau hyperphosphorylation, increased activity of AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK), decreased expression of protein phosphatase 2A (PP2A), impairments in mitochondrial morphology and postsynaptic densities (PSDs) formation. These findings may provide insights into the factors contributing to the development of LOAD, particularly during the early stage transitioning from middle to old age. Future endeavors are warranted to elucidate mechanisms underlying the regional (and perhaps cellular) vulnerability with aging and the functional correlation of such pathological changes in NHPs.
Lost in the middle of the sea, found in the back of the shelf: A new giant species of Trachylepis (Squamata: Scincidae) from Tinhosa Grande islet, Gulf of Guinea.

A new species of Trachylepis is described from Tinhosa Grande islet, Sao Tome e Principe, Gulf of Guinea. Tinhosa Grande islet is a small (20.5 ha), isolated desert islet used by several bird communities as a nesting place. The new species is distinguished from its congeners by its color pattern, size and lepidosis. Due to its limited geographical distribution the new species appears to be one of the most vulnerable vertebrate species on the planet. In this study we provide a brief discussion on the natural history of the new species, as well as conservation concerns and suggestions.
Pigmented Paravenous Retinochoroidal Atrophy

Pigmented paravenous retinochoroidal atrophy appears much like retinitis pigmentosa to the uninitiated. Indeed there are many patients who have this disorder and spend a great deal of their life expecting to become blind. Funduscopically, these patients demonstrate retinal pigment spicules clustered around the retinal veins. Clinically, some have a mild nyctalopia and mild decrease in acuity; however, the optic atrophy, arteriolar narrowing, and progression of retinitis pigmentosa are not present. Electrophysiologically, we have seen normal photopic and scotopic electroretinograms. The fluorescein angiogram demonstrates a hypofluorescence around the veins that corresponds to the perivascular location of the spicules. There is also a decrease in the retinal pigment epithelium around the fovea. Macular fields show decreased perifoveal values, consistent with the hypopigmented perifoveal region. It seems that this disorder remains stable, without progression, over several years. It is unclear whether the entity is congenital or acquired from another illness. Genetic studies suggest that inheritance is sporadic.
Assessing environmentally determined mobility disability: self-report versus observed community mobility.

OBJECTIVES: To examine the test-retest reliability and concurrent validity of a new self-report measure of mobility function by comparing it with observed mobility, self-reported activity of daily living (ADL) function, and performance-based measures of gait and balance. DESIGN: Cross-sectional study involving two groups of older adults. SETTING: Community sites in Seattle, Washington, and Waterloo, Ontario, Canada. PARTICIPANTS: Fifty-four adults aged 70 and older, recruited. MEASUREMENTS: Subjects completed the Environmental Analysis of Mobility Questionnaire (EAMQ), reporting frequency of encounter and avoidance of 24 features of the physical environment, grouped into eight dimensions, on two occasions 1 week apart. Subjects were observed and videotaped during six trips into the community; frequency of encounters with environmental features within the eight dimensions was recorded. EAMQ encounter and avoidance scores were compared with observed environmental encounters, with disability in ADLs and instrumental ADLs (IADLs), and lower extremity functional measures including the Short Physical Performance Battery (SPPB) and the Berg Balance Test. RESULTS: EAMQ test-retest reliability was high for all eight dimensions (intraclass correlation coefficient range = 0.81-1.0) and for summary encounter (0.98) and avoidance (0.96) scores. Observed mobility was significantly correlated (Spearman correlation=r) with EAMQ encounter (r = 0.66) and avoidance (r = -0.58) scores. Moderate correlations were present between the EAMQ (encounter or avoidance) and observed mobility in the distance, temporal, terrain, posture, load, and density dimensions but not in the attention and ambient dimensions. EAMQ encounter/avoidance was significantly associated with ADL and IADL ability and performance on the SPPB and Berg Balance Test. CONCLUSION: Self-reported frequency of encounter and avoidance of specific environmental features appears to be a valid method for determining environmentally specific mobility disability but needs to be confirmed in a larger sample.
Light-induced membrane protein phosphorylation in the bovine rod outer segment. A magic angle spinning 31P-NMR study.

Abstract Magic angle spinning 31P-NMR (MAS31P-NMR) spectra of bovine rod outer segments, unphosphorylated and phosphorylated, were obtained. In the phosphorylated samples the spectra showed new resonances not assignable to phospholipids. These signals were present only, when stimulation of receptor phosphorylation occurred. These resonances were not due to exogenous, soluble phosphorus-containing compounds. Limited proteolysis to remove the carboxyl-terminal region of the photoreceptor that contains the phosphorylation sites removed these resonances. The chemical shifts were in the usual range for serine phosphate and threonine phosphate. The pKa obtained from a pH titration of the 31P chemical shift was typical of serine phosphate. Therefore, these 31P-NMR resonances were assigned to the phosphorylation sites on membrane proteins in the rod outer segment disk membranes. Static 31P-NMR measurements revealed that at least some of these sites gave rise to relatively narrow resonances, indicative of considerable motional freedom of the carboxyl-terminal segment of the photoreceptor when phosphorylated. These data indicate that it is possible to study phosphorylation sites on membrane proteins using MAS31P-NMR, and that using in vivo 31P “spin labelling” one can study directly and selectively regions of receptors crucial to receptor function.
ATDD: An Algorithmic Tool for Domain Discovery in Protein Sequences

The problem of identifying sequence domains is essential for understanding protein function. Most current methods for protein domain identification rely on prior knowledge of homologous domains and construction of high quality multiple sequence alignments. With rapid accumulation of enormous data from genome sequencing, it is important to be able to automatically determine domain regions from a set of proteins solely based on sequence information.
Spontaneous rupture of thoracic esophagus: Its surgical cure

Abstract A case is presented in which a patient was sent to the hospital with a ruptured peptic ulcer. X-rays were taken to determine if free air was present beneath the diaphragm. An alert x-ray resident noted a pathologic disorder above the diaphragm on the left side. Further x-rays were taken and in the time interval between films a fluid level developed in the left pleural space. Methylene blue dye was given by mouth and immediately recovered by thoracentesis. An operation was performed within six hours of the onset and the patient made an uneventful convalescence.
Is the High Basal Level of Salicylic Acid Important for Disease Resistance in Potato

Potato (Solanum tuberosum) plants contain a high basal level of salicylic acid (SA), the role of which in disease resistance is currently unclear. Here we report that, in spite of a drastic reduction in total SA levels in transgenic potato plants expressing the bacterial salicylate hydroxylase gene (nahG), there was no significant increase in disease severity when infected by Phytophthora infestans. Therefore, the high basal level of SA does not lead to constitutive resistance in healthy potato plants. However, in contrast to control plants, arachidonic acid failed to induce systematic acquired resistance (SAR) in nahG plants against P. infestans, indicating an essential role of SA in potato SAR. These results suggest that in potato the development of SAR against P. infestans may involve increased sensitivity of the plant to SA.
Mobile Integrated Health Care and Community Paramedicine: An Emerging Emergency Medical Services Concept.

Mobile integrated health care and community paramedicine are models of health care delivery that use emergency medical services (EMS) personnel to fill gaps in local health care infrastructure. Community paramedics may perform in an expanded role and require additional training in the management of chronic disease, communication skills, and cultural sensitivity, whereas other models use all levels of EMS personnel without additional training. Currently, there are few studies of the efficacy, safety, and cost-effectiveness of mobile integrated health care and community paramedicine programs. Observations from existing program data suggest that these systems may prevent congestive heart failure readmissions, reduce EMS frequent-user transports, and reduce emergency department visits. Additional studies are needed to support the clinical and economic benefit of mobile integrated health care and community paramedicine.
Recycling slaughterhouse waste into fertilizer: how do pyrolysis temperature and biomass additions affect phosphorus availability and chemistry?

BACKGROUND Pyrolysis of slaughterhouse waste could promote more sustainable phosphorus (P) usage through the development of alternative P fertilizers. This study investigated how pyrolysis temperature (220, 350, 550 and 750 °C), rendering before pyrolysis, and wood or corn biomass additions affect P chemistry in bone char, plant availability, and its potential as P fertilizer. RESULTS Linear combination fitting of synchrotron-based X-ray absorption near edge structure spectra demonstrated that higher pyrolysis temperatures decreased the fit with organic P references, but increased the fit with a hydroxyapatite (HA) reference, used as an indicator of high calcium phosphate (CaP) crystallinity. The fit to the HA reference increased from 0% to 69% in bone with meat residue and from 20% to 95% in rendered bone. Biomass additions to the bone with meat residue reduced the fit to the HA reference by 83% for wood and 95% for corn, and additions to rendered bone by 37% for wood. No detectable aromatic P forms were generated by pyrolysis. High CaP crystallinity was correlated with low water-extractable P, but high formic acid-extractable P indicative of high plant availability. Bone char supplied available P which was only 24% lower than Triple Superphosphate fertilizer and two- to five-fold higher than rock phosphate. CONCLUSION Pyrolysis temperature and biomass additions can be used to design P fertilizer characteristics of bone char through changing CaP crystallinity that optimize P availability to plants. © 2014 Society of Chemical Industry
A land mobile satellite communications propagation simulator

The performance of a mobile satellite communications link depends critically on the propagation path between the satellite and mobile users. Near L-band frequencies the most important factors are multipath propagation and vegetative shadowing. System designers should have reliable information about the statistics of fades and fade duration in order to determine fade margin or to compensate for the fades using coding. This paper describes a simulator, called PROSIM (PROpagation SIMulator), developed at Virginia Tech. for simulating propagation conditions on land mobile links to geostationary earth orbit (GEO) satellites. However, PROSIM can also be used to low earth orbit (LEO) satellites. The simulator uses data from a random number generator to compute statistics of the propagation channel. Performance of the simulator was evaluated by comparing statistics from an analytical model and UHF-band experimental data provided by W. Vogel of University of Texas at Austin and J. Goldhirsh of Johns Hopkins University. New expressions for phasor plot and its mathematical expression for lognormal channel were derived and simulated. Finally, the advantages of the simulator using random number generation in simulating the propagation model are described.
Radio Continuum and Recombination Line Studies of the Galactic Center

This review discusses unsuccessful searches for electromagnetic bursts accompanying gravitational events observed to come from the galactic center, radio observations of continuum emission and recombination lines from the region of the galactic center.
Diagnostic accuracy and clinical relevance of an inflammatory biomarker panel for sepsis in adult critically ill patients

The objective of this study was to assess the diagnostic accuracy of C-reactive protein (CRP), procalcitonin (PCT), and cellular immune markers levels in sepsis. This was a prospective observational study in adult intensive care unit (ICU) patients, between 2012 and 2014. The 8-color flow cytometric biomarker panel included CD64, CD163, and HLA-DR. Index test results were compared with sepsis, using receiver operating characteristic curve analyses. Multivariate logistic regression assessed the relationship of sets of markers with the probability of sepsis. Of 219 enrolled patients, 120 had sepsis. C-statistic was the highest for CRP (0.86) followed by neutrophil CD64 expression (0.83), procalcitonin (0.82), and Acute Physiology and Chronic Health Evaluation (APACHE) IV (0.72). After adjustment for APACHE IV, the combination of CRP, PCT, and neutrophil CD64 measure remained a significant predictor of sepsis with an excellent AUC (0.90). In a targeted ICU population at increased risk of sepsis, CRP, PCT, and neutrophil CD64 combined improve the diagnostic accuracy of sepsis.
Retinoids Assist the Cellular Folding of the Autosomal Dominant Retinitis Pigmentosa Opsin Mutant P23H

The clinically common mutant opsin P23H, associated with autosomal dominant retinitis pigmentosa, yields low levels of rhodopsin when retinal is added following induction of the protein in stably transfected HEK-293 cells. We previously showed that P23H rhodopsin levels could be increased by providing a 7-membered ring, locked analog of 11-cis-retinal during expression of P23H opsin in vivo. Here we demonstrate that the mutant opsin is effectively rescued by 9- or 11-cis-retinal, the native chromophore. When retinal was added during expression, P23H rhodopsin levels were 5-fold (9-cis) and 6-fold (11-cis) higher than when retinal was added after opsin was expressed and cells were harvested. Levels of P23H opsin were increased ∼3.5-fold with both compounds, but wild-type protein levels were only slightly increased. Addition of retinal during induction promoted the Golgi-specific glycosylation of P23H opsin and transport of the protein to the cell surface. P23H rhodopsins containing 9- or 11-cis-retinal had blue-shifted absorption maxima and altered photo-bleaching properties compared with the corresponding wild-type proteins. Significantly, P23H rhodopsins were more thermally unstable than the wild-type proteins and more rapidly bleached by hydroxylamine in the dark. We suggest that P23H opsin is similarly unstable and that retinal binds and stabilizes the protein early in its biogenesis to promote its cellular folding and trafficking. The implications of this study for treating retinitis pigmentosa and other protein conformational disorders are discussed.
Aminoacyl-RNA synthesis catalyzed by an RNA

An RNA has been selected that rapidly aminoacylates its 2'(3') terminus when provided with phenylalanyl-adenosine monophosphate. That is, the RNA accelerates the same aminoacyl group transfer catalyzed by protein aminoacyl-transfer RNA synthetases. The best characterized RNA reaction requires both Mg2+ and Ca2+. These results confirm a necessary prediction of the RNA world hypothesis and represent efficient RNA reaction (> or = 10(5) times accelerated) at a carbonyl carbon, exemplifying a little explored type of RNA catalysis.
Problems of Classifying Deaths in Nineteenth-Century Japan

L'enregistrement des causes de la mortalite au Japon au XIX e siecle est devenue une politique nationale dans le but de reformer la pratique de la medecine et ameliorer la sante publique
Effect of temperature and solvent on the structure and transport of a tethered membrane: Monte Carlo simulation

An extended bond-fluctuation model, introduced previously to study the conformation and dynamics of a self-avoiding sheet (SAS), is further used to understand the temperature dependence on the conformation and dynamics of a tethered membrane (i.e., nodes tethered by fluctuating bonds with excluded volume constraints) in an effective solvent media on a cubic lattice by Monte Carlo simulations. The node–node (nn) and node–solvent (ns) interactions and temperature orchestrate the stochastic motion of each membrane node, and therefore describe the morphology of the membrane. With increasing temperature, the radius of gyration (Rg) of the membrane decreases with repulsive node–node interactions in an attractive solvent medium (ns < 0). The inverse effect is seen in a repulsive medium. Changes in the membrane's Rg show that the membrane contracts (stretches) with the range of attractive (repulsive) node–node interaction with more pronounced effects on lowering the temperature. The variations of Rg with T, which are affected by wrinkles and crumpling, are complex (with the possibility of stretched exponential functions) depending on the type of membrane, quality of the solvent, and the temperature. Likewise, the segmental dynamics exhibits a range of power-laws, different from that of a SAS, while the global membrane reaches its asymptotic diffusive behavior. © 2005 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part B: Polym Phys 43: 3478–3486, 2005
Connecting molecular dynamics to micromorphic theory. (II). Balance laws

Abstract In this paper, the time evolution laws for the averaged conserved dynamical variables are derived based on a molecular dynamic model. It is found that they follow exactly the balance laws in micromorphic continuum, derived by Eringen in a top-down approach. Since all the mechanical variables in micromorphic theory can be obtained from an atomic model through statistical ensemble averaging, and those averaged quantities satisfy the balance laws that govern the behavior of the continuum, it is thus concluded that the atomic model is consistent with the continuum model, and correspondence between these two models is analytically achieved.
Millennial Politics in Modern Egypt: Islamism and Secular Nationalism in Context and Contest

Abstract As a type often linked to societies in transition, millennialism provides a useful framework of analysis to understand the contestation between the two movements that shaped Egypt’s modern identity: Islamism and secular nationalism. Both movements blended political and religious form and content as they strove to unite people in a collectivist effort to create an ideal society that addressed the nation’s material and cultural needs. Indeed, millennial discourse provided a medium through which Egyptians worked out their nationalist aspirations in a religious key and envisioned their religious values and identity in nationalist form. The volatile, irrational character of millennial movements made Egypt’s postcolonial transition to modern politics fraught and uncertain. And the authoritarian trend among Egypt’s ruling secular nationalists exacerbated the situation. In the end, Egypt’s seminal Islamist movement, the Muslim Brotherhood, proved capable of reorienting itself, downplaying its millennial claims, and espousing a rational politics. Its evolution speaks to the capacity of millennial movements to transform themselves and the societies of which they are a part.
Representations for eigenfunctions of expected value operators in the Wishart distribution

Abstract Recent articles by Kushner and Meisner (1980) and Kushner, Lebow and Meisner (1981) have posed the problem of characterising the ‘EP’ functions f ( S ) for which E f( S ) for which E (f( S )) = λ n f(Σ) for some λ n ϵ R , whenever the m × m matrix S has the Wishart distribution W ( m , n , Σ ). In this article we obtain integral representations for all nonnegative EP functions. It is also shown that any bounded EP function is harmonic, and that EP polynomials may be used to approximate the functions in certain L p spaces.
Evidence for a preroughening transition and a disordered flat phase in solid argon and krypton.

We have made high resolution heat capacity and vapor pressure measurements in argon and krypton multilayer films adsorbed on graphite that confirm the existence of new layering transitions at temperatures between the critical points of the low temperature layering transition and the bulk melting triple-point temperature. Comparison to a mean field study of a restricted solid-on-solid model shows that the observed behavior is expected when the bulk crystal has a preroughening transition leading to a disordered flat phase at its surface.
A Review of Photoperiodic Flowering Research in Strawberry (Fragaria spp.)

Throughout the last century many researchers have examined the physiology and molecular events surrounding an important milestone in plant development—the transition to flowering. Breakthroughs over the last decade have brought great molecular resolution to the process, allowing researchers to peer into the former black box that once obfuscated the mechanisms governing this evolutionarily and agriculturally important transition. Foundational studies in the physiology of flowering regulation have been performed in many species, but the greatest mechanistic clarity has come from studies in Arabidopsis thaliana. At the same time parallel efforts by researchers, nurserymen and farmers queried the wide variation in strawberry (Fragaria spp) flowering habits. The complex ranging flowering behaviors driven by the cumbersome genetics of the cultivated octoploid strawberry have slowed the understanding in this crop, yet a remarkable literature exists that documents examination of flowering in the genus. Strawberry is a high-value crop and a comprehensive understanding of flowering behaviors is required to optimize production and streamline breeding efforts. Studies in strawberry may offer new insights into quantitative mechanisms that shape the floral transition, and new mechanisms may be identified. Moreover, strawberry is a member of the Rosaceae, a family containing valuable fruit, nut and ornamental crops. Findings in strawberry will likely translate well to other crops in the family. This review compiles a century of observations and experimental results, and looks forward to the unique opportunities that may arise from contemporary studies of flowering time in this genus.
Superconductivity, lattice transformations, and electronic instabilities in CuxMo3S4☆

The variations of the superconducting transition temperature (Tc) and of the lattice transformation temperature (TL) with composition are reported for the Chevrel-phase system CuxMo3S4 (1 ≤ × ≤ 2). A complex low temperature phase diagram was found, containing at least three distinct low temperature phases, each exhibiting its own characteristic Tc (11 K, 6.5 K, 4.5 K), TL (280 K - 125 K), and electronic transport behavior. Pressure-induced transformations between these three phases were observed at pressures below 25 kbar. Temperature-induced lattice distortion for compositions near Cu2Mo3S4 was found to increase the Tc above that (< 1.1 K) of the high temperature, higher symmetry rhombohedral phase. This is apparently the first time the latter behavior has been observed: in all previous studies of other materials, the opposite behavior was reported.
An Isotope Dilution ICP‐MS Method for the Determination of Mg/Ca and Sr/Ca Ratios in Calcium Carbonate

Mg/Ca and Sr/Ca ratios in calcium carbonate are important components of many palaeoclimate studies. We present an isotope dilution method relying on a single mixed spike containing ^(25)Mg, ^(43)Ca and ^(87)Sr. Dozens of samples per day, as small as 10 μg of carbonate, could be dissolved, spiked and run in an ICP-MS with a precision of 0.8% (2 RSD). Two instruments types, a sector field and a quadrupole ICP-MS, were compared. The best long term precision found was 0.4% (2 RSD), although this increased by up to a factor of two when samples of very different Mg or Sr content were run together in the same sequence. Long term averages for the two instruments concurred. No matrix effects were detected for a range of Ca concentrations between 0.2 and 2 mmol l^(-1). Accuracy, tested by measuring synthetic standard solutions, was 0.8% with some systematic trends. We demonstrate the strength of this isotope dilution method for (a) obtaining accurate results for sample sets that present a broad Mg and Sr range and (b) testing solid carbonates as candidate reference materials for interlaboratory consistency. Mg/Ca and Sr/Ca results for reference materials were in good agreement with values from the literature.
Ancient mechanisms of visual sense organ development based on comparison of the gene networks controlling larval eye, ocellus, and compound eye specification in Drosophila.

Key mechanisms of development are strongly constrained, and hence often shared in the formation of highly diversified homologous organs. This diagnostic is applied to uncovering ancient gene activities in the control of visual sense organ development by comparing the gene networks, which regulate larval eye, ocellus and compound eye specification in Drosophila. The comparison reveals a suite of shared aspects that are likely to predate the diversification of arthropod visual sense organs and, consistent with this, have notable similarities in the developing vertebrate visual system: (I) Pax-6 genes participate in the patterning of primordia of complex visual organs. (II) Primordium determination and differentiation depends on formation of a transcription factor complex that contains the products of the selector genes Eyes absent and Sine oculis. (III) The TGF-β signaling factor Decapentaplegic exerts transcriptional activation of eyes absent and sine oculis. (IV) Canonical Wnt signaling contributes to primordium patterning by repression of eyes absent and sine oculis. (V) Initiation of determination and differentiation is controlled by hedgehog signaling. (VI) Egfr signaling drives retinal cell fate specification. (VII) The proneural transcription factor atonal regulates photoreceptor specification. (VII) The zinc finger gene glass regulates photoreceptor specification and differentiation.
Extra-corporeal membrane oxygenation for post-cardiotomy respiratory failure

Respiratory failure subsequent to cardiac surgery is associated with significantly high morbidity and mortality. We present post-cardiotomy adult respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) that was successfully managed with extra-corporeal membrane oxygenation. This treatment modality should be considered for similar cases of ARDS refractory to conventional measures. Keywords: extracorporeal circulation; mechanical circulatory assistance; respiratory failure (Published: 16 September 2010) Citation: Mechanical Circulatory Support 2010, 1: 5489 - DOI: 10.3402/mcs.v1i0.5489
Understanding, Designing, and Teaching LGBT Issues

This article will provide a context as well as content for teaching LGBT issues within HRD. In order to frame both context and content, the article begins with a discussion of queer theory. It then surveys employment laws that protect LGBT people around the world. Because LGBT issues intersect HRM and HRD, and because of the scarcity of LGBT issues courses within the field of HRD, the article highlights a freestanding college course in HRM as an example for purposes of design as well as content.
An Algorithm for Global Minimization of Linearly Constrained Concave Quadratic Functions

We present an algorithm for the global minimization of a quadratic function ψx, y = -½xTQx + hTx + dTy, over a polytope Ω = {x, y ∈ Rn+k: Ax + By ≤ b, x ≥ 0, y ≥ 0}, where x, h ∈ Rn, y, d ∈ Rk, b ∈ Rm, and where A and B are m × n and m × k matrices, respectively, and Q is an n × n symmetric positive definite matrix. We first consider the case where k = 0 and construct a “tight” parallelpiped R, containing Ω by using an arbitrary set of Q-conjugate directions and by solving 2n linear programs. We show that the convex envelope of ψ with respect to R is linear and obtain an explicit formula for it. We then describe a branch and bound algorithm in which the linearity of the convex envelope allows efficient lower bounding for the subproblems. For each subproblem we obtain the linear convex envelope of ψ over a smaller parallelepiped, R', with facets parallel to those of R. Then, we obtain a lower bound by minimizing this convex envelope over R' ∩ Ω. If ψ* is the optimal objective value, for each e ≥ 0, the algorithm generates a sequence of feasible points zj with nonincreasing function values ψj and a nondecreasing sequence Γj, of lower bounds to ψ*. Moreover if e > 0, there exist j0 such that ψj-Γj ≤ e for all j ≥ j0, and if e = 0, ψj-Γj converges to 0. The results are then generalized to the case where k is nonzero and possibly much larger than n. Preliminary computational results are also presented.