cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
The dynamic stability and nonlinear resonance of a flexible connecting rod: Continuous parameter model

The transverse vibrations of a flexible connecting rod in an otherwise rigid slider-crank mechanism are considered. An analytical approach using the method of multiple scales is adopted and particular emphasis is placed on nonlinear effects which arise from finite deformations. Several nonlinear resonances and instabilities are investigated, and the influences of important system parameters on these resonances are examined in detail.
Systematic desensitization of snake-avoidance with individualized and non-individualized hierarchies

Abstract Eighteen S s received systematic desensitization focusing on snake imagery. Nine of the 18 were assigned to an ‘individualized hierarchy’ condition. These S s developed their own hierarchies for desensitization. Nine S s were assigned to a ‘non-individualized hierarchy’ treatment, each of them being randomly paired with an S in the individualized condition and desensitized along the hierarchy of the latter. Both groups displayed significant behavioral improvement by contrast with nine untreated controls. The two experimental groups did not differ.
Inhibition of VCAM-1 expression in human bronchial epithelial cells by glucocorticoids.

We have demonstrated previously that cytokines induce surface expression of vascular cell adhesion molecule-1 (VCAM-1) and intercellular adhesion molecule-1 (ICAM-1) on BEAS-2B bronchial epithelial cells in vitro. The present studies demonstrate glucocorticoid inhibition of cytokine-induced VCAM-1 expression as detected using flow cytometry and Northern blot analysis. Several commonly used inhaled glucocorticoids were tested for their ability to inhibit VCAM-1 and ICAM-1 expression. All glucocorticoids tested inhibited VCAM-1 expression in a dose-dependent manner. No inhibition of ICAM-1 expression was observed. The most potent of the glucocorticoids tested for inhibition of VCAM-1 expression were mometasone furoate and fluticasone propionate (FP), which had IC50 values (i.e., concentrations at which each glucocorticoid produced 50% inhibition) of under 10 pM. Budesonide, triamcinolone acetonide, and beclomethasone dipropionate (BDP) had intermediate potency, and hydrocortisone and the BDP metabolite beclomethasone-17-monopropionate were the least potent of the steroids tested. Kinetic analysis of the ability of FP to inhibit VCAM-1 expression revealed that preincubation with FP for 3 h completely inhibited VCAM-1 expression induced by tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha). FP inhibited VCAM-1 expression by 50% even when added as late as 6 h after stimulation with TNF-alpha. Using Northern blot analysis, we confirmed inhibition of VCAM-1 and ICAM-1 messenger RNA (mRNA) expression by FP. Pretreatment with FP (10(-11) M to about 10(-7) M, 24 h) inhibited TNF-alpha-induced VCAM-1 mRNA expression in BEAS-2B in a dose-dependent manner, but did not inhibit expression of ICAM-1 mRNA. Studies with actinomycin D indicate that FP treatment accelerated the degradation of TNF-alpha-induced VCAM-1 mRNA. FP (10(-7) M) also inhibited VCAM-1 mRNA expression induced by TNF-alpha in primary human bronchial epithelial cells as assessed by reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction. These results suggest that suppression of epithelial VCAM-1 expression by glucocorticoids may contribute to their anti-inflammatory effects.
Carbohydrate concentrations and interactions in afterripening-responsive dormant Avena fatua caryopses induced to germinate by gibberellic acid

It has been proposed that gibberellic acid (GA3) promotes germination by overcoming restrictions in sugar production and utilization in afterripening-responsive dormant caryopses. While their germination rates were similar, germination commenced sooner in afterripened wild oat (Avena fatua L.) caryopses than in dormant caryopses treated with GA3 and dormant excised embryos treated with GA3 plus fructose (Fru). Limited germination occurred in dormant excised embryos cultured with GA3 alone. Carbohydrate concentrations were measured over time in dormant caryopses and excised embryos whose germination was induced with GA3 and GA3 plus Fru. The concentration of sucrose (Suc) in the endosperm declined prior to germination of dormant GA3-treated caryopses. Raffinose (Raf) family oligosaccharides in the embryos of dormant GA-treated caryopses remained relatively constant prior to and shortly after the onset of germination. In contrast, Raf family oligosaccharides in the embryos of afterripened caryopses declined prior to germination. Together this suggests Raf family oligosaccharide utilization is not associated with germination per se. Increased starch levels, which occurred in dormant excised embryos treated with Fru and GA3 plus Fru, were associated with dormancy because similar effects were not apparent in afterripened embryos cultured with Fru. An initial decline in the concentration of Raf family oligosaccharides in dormant embryos cultured with GA3 or GA3 plus Fru seems to be a result of the excision process. GA3 appears to stimulate the germination of dormant embryos by enhancing the uptake or utilization of Fru. It appears that GA3 and afterripening-induced changes in carbohydrate utilization in dormant caryopses are different.
Evaluating the Potential for Damaging Hydraulic Pressure in the Concrete Tie Rail Seat

Rail seat deterioration (RSD) is the most critical problem with concrete tie performance on North American freight railroads. Currently, the problem is not sufficiently understood to allow for effective solutions. RSD is considered to have up to five potential mechanisms, and this paper investigates one of them: hydraulic pressure cracking. A model of the effective stress in a concrete tie rail seat — considering the contributions of a uniform vertical load, a uniform lateral load, a prestressed beam on an elastic foundation, and pore pressure to the state of stress — was created to determine what surface water pressures at the rail seat could lead to damaging pore water pressures in the concrete. A laboratory test setup and procedure were devised to measure the surface water pressure in a laboratory rail seat using tie pads of differing material composition and geometry. Results show that the magnitude of the pressure generated and the rate of pressure dissipation with many load cycles depends on the pad material and surface geometry. Comparing the effective stress model and the measured surface pressures, hydraulic pressure cracking appears to be a feasible mechanism for RSD given the correct combination of dynamic rail seat loads, sufficient moisture, and a tie pad surface that develops high pressure.Copyright © 2010 by ASME
Novel multi-channel optical carrier suppression technique for wavelength division multiplexed systems

A polarization modulator generates an optical spectrum in which the carrier and fundamental sidebands are orthogonally polarized. A polarizer is used to selectively suppress the carrier. A carrier suppression of /spl sim/36 dB is demonstrated.
Synaptic targets of thalamic reticular nucleus terminals in the visual thalamus of the cat.

A major inhibitory input to the dorsal thalamus arises from neurons in the thalamic reticular nucleus (TRN), which use gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) as a neurotransmitter. We examined the synaptic targets of TRN terminals in the visual thalamus, including the A lamina of the dorsal lateral geniculate nucleus (LGN), the medial interlaminar nucleus (MIN), the lateral posterior nucleus (LP), and the pulvinar nucleus (PUL). To identify TRN terminals, we injected biocytin into the visual sector of the TRN to label terminals by anterograde transport. We then used postembedding immunocytochemical staining for GABA to distinguish TRN terminals as biocytin-labeled GABA-positive terminals and to distinguish the postsynaptic targets of TRN terminals as GABA-negative thalamocortical cells or GABA-positive interneurons. We found that, in all nuclei, the TRN provides GABAergic input primarily to thalamocortical relay cells (93‐100%). Most of this input seems targeted to peripheral dendrites outside of glomeruli. The TRN does not appear to be a significant source of GABAergic input to interneurons in the visual thalamus. We also examined the synaptic targets of the overall population of GABAergic axon terminals (F1 profiles) within these same regions of the visual thalamus and found that the TRN contacts cannot account for all F1 profiles. In addition to F1 contacts on the dendrites of thalamocortical cells, which presumably include TRN terminals, another population of F1 profiles, most likely interneuron axons, provides input to GABAergic interneuron dendrites. Our results suggest that the TRN terminals are ideally situated to modulate thalamocortical transmission by controlling the response mode of thalamocortical cells. J. Comp. Neurol. 440:321‐341, 2001. © 2001 Wiley-Liss, Inc.
Lead, cadmium, selenium and mercury in seabird feathers from the tropical mid-pacific

We compared the levels of lead, cadmium, selenium, and mercury in adults of several species of seabirds nesting on Manana Island off Oahu, Hawaii, and on Sand and East islands, Johnston Atoll, in 1990 Examined species included sooty tern (Sterna fuscata), brown noddy (Anous stolidus), wedge-tailed shearwater (Puffinus pacificus), brown booby (Sula leucogaster), and redfooted booby (S sula) For both locations and all metals we found significant interspecific differences There were some consistent patterns within sites selenium levels were two to three times higher in brown noddies compared to the other species, mercury levels in wedge tailed shearwaters were two to five times higher than those in sooty terns or brown noddies, but were similar to levels in boobies Cadmium levels were generally low The significant interspecific differences in metal levels indicate that the levels for some species may not be background levels Hawaiian sooty terns had higher lead levels than those from Johnston, but the noddies had higher selenium and mercury levels and shearwaters had higher lead and mercury levels on Johnston Sooty terns and brown nod dies had higher lead levels in Hawaii and Johnston Atoll than in Australia or the Caribbean
Teaching Students about Graphs

Preparing graphs is an essential part of data analysis and representation. Although psychologists use graphs extensively, most introductory statistics and research methods textbooks provide a limited review of good techniques for designing graphs. In this article, I briefly review the research on graphical techmquesand references on graphing.
Use of Type Curves Developed from Electric Analog Studies of Unconfined Flow to Determine the Vertical Permeability of an Aquifer at Piketon, Ohioa

A type-curve method for determining anisotropy of unconfined aquifers, developed from electric analog simulation, is applied to drawdowns observed near, a well pumping from a glacial outwash aquifer at Piketon, Ohio. The coefficient of vertical permeability, P z'averaged 365 gpd per square foot. Computed drawdown for the pumped well, based on this value, differed by only a small amount from the observed drawdown. The coefficient of storage, determined from type curves for an image well system, averaged 0.20, typical of unconfined aquifers. Application of the method required a thorough knowledge of geohydrologic controls operating at the test site.
An object-oriented programming paradigm for synchronous manufacturing

Abstract This paper describes the development of a distributed decision support system using an object-oriented programming style. The purpose of the DSS is to optimize the productivity of a two stage, multiple facility manufacturing process. Such a process is typical of many companies that have a single facility for initial manufacture of components and several independently operated facilities for final assembly. A description of the system design and an object-based representation of the DSS is given. The benefits from using object-oriented programming in development are emphasized.
Spectral Gaussian Schell-model beams

A generalization of the classic Gaussian Schell-model source is considered for which the rms width of the beam σ and the rms width of the spectral degree of coherence δ are assumed to depend on wavelength. It is shown that the functional form σ(λ) and δ(λ) of such a source can affect the behavior of the spectral density, the degree of coherence, and the degree of polarization of the propagating beam.
Effects of Mental and Manual Rotation Training on Mental and Manual Rotation Performance

Abstract:Previous research has shown that training can improve mental rotation performance and has found connections between mental and manual rotation. Here we examine how practice in mental or manual (virtual) rotation, affects performance on mental and manual rotation tasks, compared to a control condition. Experiment 1 examined improvement on a mental rotation task following practice in mental or manual rotation. Both mental and manual rotation practice led to more efficient posttest performance. Experiment 2 examined improvement on a manual rotation task. Practice in manual but not mental rotation led to improved performance. Analyses of the manual rotation trajectories revealed no evidence of strategy differences. These results suggest that manual rotation may require additional processes outside of those needed for mental rotation. In terms of training effects, manual rotation training improved both manual and mental rotation performance, whereas mental rotation only significant improved mental rot...
Modulation of the Bacillus anthracis Secretome by the Immune Inhibitor A1 Protease

The Bacillus anthracis secretome includes protective antigen, lethal factor, and edema factor, which are the components of anthrax toxin, and other proteins with known or potential roles in anthrax disease. Immune inhibitor A1 (InhA1) is a secreted metalloprotease that is unique to pathogenic members of the Bacillus genus and has been associated with cleavage of host proteins during infection. Here, we report the effect of InhA1 on the B. anthracis secretome. Differential in-gel electrophoresis of proteins present in culture supernatants from a parent strain and an isogenic inhA1-null mutant revealed multiple differences. Of the 1,340 protein spots observed, approximately one-third were less abundant and one-third were more abundant in the inhA1 secretome than in the parent strain secretome. Proteases were strongly represented among those proteins exhibiting a 9-fold or greater change. InhA1 purified from a B. anthracis culture supernatant directly cleaved each of the anthrax toxin proteins as well as an additional secreted protease, Npr599. The conserved zinc binding motif HEXXH of InhA1 (HEYGH) was critical for its proteolytic activity. Our data reveal that InhA1 directly and indirectly modulates the form and/or abundance of over half of all the secreted proteins of B. anthracis. The proteolytic activity of InhA1 on established secreted virulence factors, additional proteases, and other secreted proteins suggests that this major protease plays an important role in virulence not only by cleaving mammalian substrates but also by modulating the B. anthracis secretome itself.
The societal opportunities and challenges of genome editing

The genome editing platforms currently in use have revolutionized the field of genetics. At an accelerating rate, these tools are entering areas with direct impact on human well being. Here, we discuss applications in agriculture and in medicine, and examine some associated societal issues.
Calpain inhibitors reduce depolarization induced loss of tau protein in primary septo-hippocampal cultures.

Abstract We studied the effects of a 6-min potassium depolarization injury produced by 60 mM KCl and 1.8 mM or 5.8 mM extracellular CaCl 2 on tau protein levels in primary rat septo-hippocampal cultures. One day after injury, Western blot analyses revealed a calcium dependent loss of tau protein of approximately 50% of control values. Loss of tau protein was associated with calpain 1 mediated breakdown products to α-spectrin. Calpain inhibitors 1 and 2, applied immediately after depolarization injury and available to cultures for 24 h reduced depolarization induced degradation of tau protein to approximately 35% or 25% of control values, respectively. We propose that brief potassium depolarization causes degradation of tau protein, possibly due to calpain activation. Thus, calpain inhibitors could represent a viable strategy for preserving the cytoskeletal structure of injured neurons.
A natural occurrence of the federally endangered Short's goldenrod (Solidago shortii T. & G.) [Asteraceae] in Indiana: its discovery, habitat, and associated flora.

Abstract A new occurrence of the federally endangered species Solidago shortii (Short's goldenrod), consisting of approximately 190 genets, was discovered in 2001 during an inventory of riparian habitats bordering the Blue River in Harrison County, Indiana. The natural community type of the site in which Solidago shortii occurs is classified as brush prairie gravel wash. In addition to S. shortii, the site includes other Indiana rare species, namely Baptisia australis, Ceanothus herbaceus, Phlox bifida ssp. stellaria, and Vitis rupestris. A total of 125 vascular plant species were found at the site, with the dominant species being Andropogon gerardii.
Clinical Forms of Vascular Dementia

The presence of vascular dementia (VaD) is largely unrecognized and untreated in the elderly (1,2). The typical history is that of an elderly parent or grandparent who fails to regain the previous level of function and independence after a stroke. More often, in the absence of the heralding stroke symptoms, the family notices that the patient has become depressed and apathetic, exhibits personality changes, experiences social inhibition, and has slowing mental capacity and sluggish motor activities with the inability to solve simple daily problems. Walking becomes deliberate, insecure, with a shuffling character and short steps; patients become unsteady on their feet and may take frequent falls. Often, the patient also suffers from urinary urgency, stress incontinence, and nocturia. Patients are no longer able to perform simple activities of daily living (ADLs), such as using the bathroom, showering, getting dressed, cooking, shopping, participating in rehabilitation activities and exercise routines, or performing more complex tasks, such as using the telephone or balancing a checkbook. Frequently, these changes occur after a surgical procedure, such as abdominal surgery, knee or hip replacement, or coronary artery bypass graft (CABG).
On Design Theory

Science progresses because of advancement in theories. Dictionary definitions show that the word theory can take on many meanings, including “a mental view” or “contemplation,” “a concept or mental scheme of something to be done, or the method of doing it; a systematic statement of rules or principles to be followed,” a “system of ideas or statements held as an explanation or account of a group of facts or phenomena; a hypothesis that has been confirmed or established by observation or experiment and is propounded or accepted as accounting for the known facts; statements of what are held to be the general laws, principles, or causes of something known or observed,” a “mere hypothesis, speculation, conjecture” (Gregor 2006).
Mixed mode fracture analysis using extended maximum tangential strain criterion

Abstract The maximum tangential strain (MTSN) criterion is modified in this paper to predict fracture initiation in cracked specimens under mixed mode loading conditions. Theoretical investigations were performed to study the role of both first nonsingular strain term (T-strain) and Poisson's ratio on prediction of the crack propagation direction and fracture toughness. An extended version of the MTSN (EMTSN) criterion is proposed by taking into account the T-strain as well as the singular strain field. The EMTSN criterion is then examined using the experimental data reported for angled cracked plates made from polymethylmethacrylate (PMMA). It is shown that the EMTSN criterion provides more accurate estimation of the experimental results than conventional MTSN criterion.
On a Problem Transmitted by Doug McIlroy

During the recent meeting of IFIP Working Group 2.3 on “Programming Methodology”, Doug Mcllroy (AT&T) told me the following
A composite discretization scheme for symbolic identification of complex systems

Phase-space discretization is a necessary step for study of continuous dynamical systems using a symbolic dynamics and language-theoretic approach. It is also critical for many machine learning techniques, e.g., probabilistic graphical models (Bayesian Networks, Markov models). This paper proposes a novel composite discretization method - a univariate discretization, namely Statistical Similarity-based Discretization (SSD) followed by a multi-variate discretization called Maximally Bijective Discretization (MBD). While SSD first quantizes input variables for a complex system identifying different operating conditions, MBD finds a discretization on the output variables given the discretization on the input variables such that the correspondence between input and output variables in the continuous domain is preserved in discrete domain for the underlying dynamical system. The proposed method is applied on both simulated and experimental data and results are compared with classical uniform width, maximum entropy, clustering and self-organizing map based discretization techniques. HighlightsA composite discretization technique for input-output data of dynamical systems.Establish a relationship with admissible discretization for a dynamical system.Demonstration of efficacy on simulated and real systems.Comparison with state-of-the-art unsupervised discretization schemes.
Apostates and the Legitimation of Repression: Some Historical and Empirical Perspectives on the Cult Controversy

Atrocity tales recounted by deprogrammed former members of controversial religions constitute one of the epistemological cornerstones of anti-cult ideology. Although scholars of new religious movements have often criticized these testimonies, empirical research in this area has been minimal. The present study systematically contrasts the attitudes of former members of such groups and finds, as certain social scientists have predicted, a high correlation between negative, cult-stereotypical attitudes and exposure to anti-cult socialization. The paper also sets these findings in the context of a historical analysis that examines the continuities between anti-cult, anti-Catholic, and anti-Mormon atrocity tales.
Comparative photophysics of C61H2 isomers

Photophysical properties have been measured and compared for the two known isomers ([6,6]-closed and [5,6]-open) of C61H2, the parent C60 methano adduct. Optical absorption spectra from the ground and triplet states are consistent with C60 π-electron systems that are significantly less perturbed by [5,6] than [6,6] derivatization. However, intrinsic nonradiative decay of triplet state [5,6]-C61H2 is the most rapid yet found in any C60 adduct, occurring with a characteristic time of 2 μs, a factor of 70 faster than in pristine C60. By contrast, the triplet decay time of [6,6]-C61H2 is 65 μs under the same conditions. The S1 and T1 energies of both isomers have been deduced by various methods. It is found that the S1−T1 energy gap of [5,6]-C61H2 is larger than that of C60, whereas the opposite relation holds for [6,6]-C61H2. Quantum yields of triplet state formation and fluorescence were found to be 0.06 and <2 × 10-5 for the [5,6] isomer and 0.93 and 7.8 × 10-4 for the [6,6] isomer, respectively. The anoma...
A Study of the Production of Staphylococcal Enterotoxin in Chemically Defined Mediums

Received for publication August 27, 1946. This paper is a revision for publication of a paper submitted in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy at the University of Chicago. This study was aided by a grant from the National Canners Association. 1. Barber, B. M. 1914, Philippine J. of Sci. 9: 515-519. 2. Dack, G. M., Cart', W. E., Woolpert, Oram, A STUDY OF THE PRODUCTION OF STAPHYLOCOCCAL ENTEROTOXIN IN CHEMICALLY DEFINED MEDIUMS
Increasing body mass index and the incidence of intraoperative hypoxemia

Abstract Study objective Obese patients regularly present for surgery and have greater hypoxemia risk. This study aimed to identify the risk and incidence of intraoperative hypoxemia with increasing body mass index (BMI). Design This was a retrospective cohort study. Setting Operating room. Patients A total of 15,238 adult patients who underwent general anesthesia for elective noncardiac surgery at a single large urban academic institution between January 2013 and December 2014. Interventions Unadjusted and risk-adjusted logistic regression analyses explored the relationship between increasing categories of BMI and intraoperative hypoxemia, severe hypoxemia, and prolonged hypoxemia. Measurements Intraoperative pulse oximeter readings and preoperative patient characteristics. Main results With normal BMI, 731 (16%) patients experienced hypoxemia compared with 1150 (28%) obese patients. Adjusted odds ratio (AOR) of intraoperative hypoxemia increased with each category of BMI from 1.27 (95% confidence interval [CI], 1.12-1.44) in overweight patients to 2.63 (95% CI, 2.15-3.23) in patients with class III obesity. AOR of severe hypoxemia was significant with class I obesity (AOR, 1.32; 95% CI, 1.08-1.60), class II obesity (AOR, 2.01; 95% CI, 1.59-2.81), and class III obesity (AOR, 2.27; 95% CI, 1.75-2.93). AOR of prolonged hypoxemia increased with BMI from 3.29 (95% CI, 1.79-6.23) with class I obesity to 9.20 (95% CI, 4.74-18) with class III obesity. Conclusions Despite existing practices to limit hypoxemia in obese patients, the odds of experiencing intraoperative hypoxemia increase significantly with increasing categories of BMI. Further practices may need to be developed to minimize the risk of intraoperative hypoxemia in obese patients.
A clinicopathological study of post-thoracotomy purulent pericarditis. A continuing problem of diagnosis and therapy.

Cardiac infections after operation are infrequent but, when present, are often fatal. The 14 autopsied patients in whom purulent pericarditis developed after thoracic operations over an 88 year period at The Johns Hopkins Hospital were studied. Purulent pericarditis developed after cardiac operations in 10 and after pulmonary resections in 4. In 12 of the 14 cases the pericardial sac had been opened. Associated postoperative infection, present in 13 patients, included mediastinitis in 7 and empyema in 3. Staphylococcus was the infecting organism in half of the patients. Associated cardiac infection, including endocarditis, myocardial abscess, and graft infection, was present in 5 (36 per cent) patients. Death occurred within 2 months of operation in 11 (79 per cent) patients; it was due to infection in 9, cardiac tamponade in 4, and arrhythmias and heart failure in one. The diagnosis of purulent pericarditis was made before death in only 5 (36 per cent) cases, in part owing to masking of the usual signs of pericarditis in the postoperative patient. Since the introduction of antibiotics, the over-all incidence of purulent pericarditis has decreased. However, pericardial infection after thoracotomy has increased tenfold, and patients undergoing cardiac operations in particular provide a new and increasing population at risk for this disease.
Dislocation reduction in HgCdTe grown on CdTe/Si

Bulk-grown CdZnTe (Zn = 3%) substrates are the natural choice for HgCdTe epitaxy since it is lattice matched to long wave LW-HgCdTe alloy. However, lack of large area CdZnTe substrates, high production costs, and more importantly, the difference in thermal expansion coefficients between CdZnTe and silicon Read out Integrated Circuits (ROIC) are some of the inherent drawbacks of CdZnTe substrates. Consequently, Hg 1-x Cd x Te detectors fabricated on silicon substrates are an attractive alternative. Recent developments in the molecular beam epitaxy (MBE) buffer layer growth technology on Si substrates has revolutionized the HgCdTe research and offered a new dimension to HgCdTe-based IR technology. Si substrates provide advantages in terms of relatively large area (3 to 6-inch diameter is easily obtained) compared to CZT substrate materials, durability during processing, and reliability to thermal cycling. Innovations in Si-based composite substrates made it possible to fabricate very large-format IR arrays that offer higher resolution, low-cost arrays and more dies per wafer. Between Si substrates and HgCdTe has large lattice mismatch of 19%. This leads to dislocation densities of low-10 7 cm -2 for optimal growth of HgCdTe on silicon-based substrates as compared to the mid-10 4 cm -2 dislocation density of HgCdTe grown on CdZnTe. This paper present dislocation reduction by two orders of magnitude using thermal cycle anneal under Hg environment on HgCdTe grown on Si substrates and as well as defect reduction in Cd(Se)Te buffer layers grown on Si Substrates.
Galilee's early encounter with Hellenism

By the time of Jesus, it is often observed, Galilee's encounter with Hellenism was centuries old. Greek culture had made its way to Palestine even in the Persian period, and it had been spread further by Alexander the Great and his successors, the Ptolemies and Seleucids. In some respects, the Maccabees and Hasmoneans embraced it. The fact that all of the foregoing statements are true does not change another fact: our actual evidence for Hellenistic culture in Galilee in the last few centuries before the Common Era is strikingly limited. The poor preservation of Hellenistic-era strata is partly to blame for that circumstance, but not solely. The evidence that has survived suggests that while Hellenistic culture was present in Galilee, it was not as widespread as might be thought. Overall, in fact, its inroads were quite modest. In this chapter, I will provide a chronological overview of Galilee's early encounter with Hellenism, as well as that of the rest of Palestine. BEFORE ALEXANDER Palestine's contacts with Greek culture did indeed predate the arrival of Alexander. Some cities had imported Greek goods as early as the eleventh century BCE, and by the sixth century, Aegean pottery and Athenian black- and red-glazed wares had made their way there. Persian rule of Palestine did not prevent the growth of Greek cultural influence. The importing of Greek pottery continued and coins minted by distant Greek cities circulated.
Ultrafast Monte Carlo for kernel estimators and generalized statistical summations

Machine learning contains many computational bottlenecks in the form of nested summations over datasets. Kernel estimators and other methods are burdened by these expensive computations. Exact evaluation is typically O(n2) or higher, which severely limits application to large datasets. We present a multi-stage stratified Monte Carlo method for approximating such summations with probabilistic relative error control. The essential idea is fast approximation by sampling in trees. This method differs from many previous scalability techniques (such as standard multi-tree methods) in that its error is stochastic, but we derive conditions for error control and demonstrate that they work. Further, we give a theoretical sample complexity for the method that is independent of dataset size, and show that this appears to hold in experiments, where speedups reach as high as 1014, many orders of magnitude beyond the previous state of the art.
Evaluation of genes associated with undescended testes as predictors of TGCT susceptibility.

1539 Background: Testicular germ cell tumors (TGCTs) are highly heritable. Cryptorchidism (undescended testes; UDT) is a strong risk factor for TGCT, with increased risk to both the ipsilateral and...
Whole lung lavage—technical details, challenges and management of complications

Pulmonary alveolar proteinosis (PAP) is a rare disease characterized by alveolar accumulation of surfactant material with resulting hypoxemia and reduced lung function. Whole lung lavage (WLL) to physically remove the proteinaceous material from the affected lung is the standard treatment. Since its original description in 1964, there have been increasing numbers of WLL procedures done worldwide and the technique has been variously refined and modified. When done in experienced centers, WLL provides long lasting benefit in the majority of patients. It is considered safe and effective. There are no guidelines standardizing the procedure. Our preferred method is to lavage one lung at a time, with the patient supine, filling to functional residual capacity (FRC) and repeating cycles of drainage and instillation with chest percussion until the effluent is clear. The aim of this article is to provide a detailed description of the technique, equipment needed and logistic considerations as well as providing a physiologic rationale for each step of WLL. We will also review the available data concerning variations of the technique described in the literature.
Aqueous release of heavy metals from two sewage sludges

Two anaerobically digested sewage sludges, one of relatively low and the other of relatively high heavy metal content, were extracted several times with water to determine the levels of Cu, Zn, and Cd that would be readily available for transport in the soil water if these sludges were applied to land. Generally, the quantity of metal released in the aqueous extracts was between 1 to 7% of the total content with Cu and Zn being released to a greater extent than Cd. The porportion of relatively mobile, non-cationic heavy metals in the aqueous extract differed in the two sludges and ranged from < 1% for Zn and Cd in one sludge to 56.2% for Cd in the other sludge.[/P ]
Differential effects of land value taxation

Abstract This paper makes the first attempt to empirically examine the effect of site value taxation on the value of land and explore the differential effects across various types of land use. Using municipality-level panel data, the study shows that raising the tax rate on land while lowering the tax rate on buildings leads to an increase in land value per acre. Further, this impact differs between residential land and commercial and industrial land. Residential land appears to be more responsive to changes in the tax differential than commercial and industrial land. The paper contributes to the literature on land value taxation by testing important theories that have never been tested before and offering the first empirical evidence on the impact of site value taxation on land value.
Unravelling the development of a spheroidally weathered diorite-gabbro, Santa Margarita Ecological Reserve, Peninsular Ranges, southern California, USA

Abstract Within Santa Margarita Ecological Reserve (SMER), southern California, an ~ 108 Ma diorite-gabbro pluton has weathered spheroidally resulting in the formation of concentric rindlets, i.e., a rindlet zone, around an unaltered ellipsoidal core of the parent rock. To our knowledge little is known about how spheroidal weathering is produced in Mediterranean climates like that characteristic of portions of the Peninsular Ranges. Hence, we undertook a detailed study aimed at determining the textural and chemical changes associated with the spheroidal weathering of the diorite-gabbro pluton. The parental spheroidally weathered corestone is characterized by a hypidomorphic-granular texture, and consists primarily of plagioclase, amphibole, and biotite, along with minor amounts of pyroxene and quartz. Within the corestone, sericite, and uncommonly, calcite and chlorite, replace plagioclase. The latter mineral also infrequently replaces portions of amphibole and biotite. Such alteration products are derived from sub-solidus deuteric alteration of the pluton. XRD clay mineral analysis of the 13 rindlets indicates the presence of mostly kaolinite and vermiculite, and a far lesser volume of green smectite. Thin section study of rindlet samples suggests that vermiculite is derived from the weathering of biotite, the most extensively altered mineral in the rindlet zone. Such alteration is paralleled by statistically significant losses of K mass across the rindlet zone. In addition, statistically significant losses of Ca and Na mass across the rindlet zone, likely reflect conversion of sericite to kaolinite. In contrast, the absence of statistically significant losses of Mg, Fe, and Mn over most of the rindlet zone, implies that fluids were mostly oxidizing, and that any Mg leached from amphibole was likely fixed within smectite, while leached Fe and Mn precipitated out as oxides or oxyhydroxides. Though calcite was present in the corestone, its absence in the rindlets indicates that fluids were sufficiently acidic to dissolve and remove it. Previous studies have shown that spheroidal weathering occurs when volume expansion produced by a positive ΔV of reaction builds up internal elastic strain energy in the rock. For example, this type of reaction occurs when iron oxidizes within biotite resulting in an expansion of d(001) from 10 A to 10.5 A, or when biotite is transformed into vermiculite leading to an expansion of d(001) from 10 A to 14 A. Data presented here suggest that the conversion of biotite to vermiculite, and the resulting positive ΔV produced the spheroidal fracturing of the corestone at SMER. Hence, these and other data discussed in this paper suggest that the weathering of biotite is the primary driving force in the formation of spheroidally weathered corestone in the Mediterranean climate of the Peninsular Ranges.
The Orientational Ordering in Dilute Solid N2-Ar Mixtures

NMR studies have been carried out to determine the nature of the orientational ordering of N 2 in dilute solid N 2–Ar mixtures. The orientational ordering for cubic lattices (x(N 2)≍50%) was compared to that observed for the hexagonal lattice structures for 57 < x(N 2) < 75%. The NMR line shapes for the cubic structures were found to be sharply defined and could only be explained in terms of a narrow distribution of order parameters. This is in contrast to the quadrupolar glass state with a very broad order parameter distribution observed for the hexagonal structures.
Perioperative outcomes of robotic hysterectomy with mini-laparotomy versus open hysterectomy for uterus weighing more than 250 g

To compare perioperative outcomes in patients undergoing robotic hysterectomy and extraction of specimen via mini-laparotomy (RHML) versus open hysterectomy (OH) when uterus weighs more than 250 g. To study the factors determining the length of hospital stay in 2 groups. A retrospective analysis of all hysterectomies performed for uterus weighing more than 250 g from the year 2012 to 2015 was conducted. A total of 140 patients were divided into 2 groups based on the type of surgery; RHML (n = 82) and OH (n = 58). Mini-laparotomy consisted of a customised incision connecting 2 left lateral port sites for specimen extraction after completing the hysterectomy robotically. Patient factors and perioperative outcomes were compared using Student’s t tests and Chi-square analysis. Mean length of stay (RHML = 1.4 days; OH = 3.4 days), estimated blood loss (EBL) (RHML = 119.9 ml; OH = 547.5 ml) and operative time (RHML = 191.5 min; OH = 162.8 min) were significantly different. No significant differences were noted for patient BMI, age, comorbidities, intraoperative complications, pathology of uterus and uterus weight. Postoperative complications were significantly different between two groups (RHML = 6.0%; OH = 15.5%; p = .021). None of the patients stayed less than 24 h in OH group compared to 59.8% patients in RHML group. Type of procedure (p = .004) and EBL (p = .002) significantly predicted the length of stay. Patients undergoing RHML have significantly shorter length of stay, EBL and postoperative complications than OH. The operative time for RHML was longer than OH, but the overall decreased length of stay overcomes this disadvantage. RHML approach retains the benefits of da Vinci, while simultaneously preserving the specimen.
Sexual orientation and psychological distress: differences by race and gender

This study investigates interactions between sexual orientation, race, and gender on a measure of psychological distress. There is a known association between sexual orientation minority identity a...
Machine learning approaches to evaluate correlation patterns in allosteric signaling: A case study of the PDZ2 domain.

Many proteins are regulated by dynamic allostery wherein regulator-induced changes in structure are comparable with thermal fluctuations. Consequently, understanding their mechanisms requires assessment of relationships between and within conformational ensembles of different states. Here we show how machine learning based approaches can be used to simplify this high-dimensional data mining task and also obtain mechanistic insight. In particular, we use these approaches to investigate two fundamental questions in dynamic allostery. First, how do regulators modify inter-site correlations in conformational fluctuations (Cij)? Second, how are regulator-induced shifts in conformational ensembles at two different sites in a protein related to each other? We address these questions in the context of the human protein tyrosine phosphatase 1E’s PDZ2 domain, which is a model protein for studying dynamic allostery. We use molecular dynamics to generate conformational ensembles of the PDZ2 domain in both the regulat...
Design Guidelines for Superjunction Devices in the Presence of Charge Imbalance

Performance limitations of superjunction (SJ) devices due to charge imbalance (CI) are analyzed in this paper. It is demonstrated that in the presence of CI, the specific on-resistance has a quadratic dependence on blocking voltage, similar to a conventional drift region. We also show that by designing the SJ structure with an optimally modified pillar doping, we can achieve better performance under conditions of CI. The design guidelines presented in this paper are applicable to any semiconductor, although all calculations are based on silicon carbide.
Possibilities for Subverting the Dominant Visual Regime

Chapter 8 addresses the postcolonial work of representation that is created by artists, transnational feminist organizations, and grassroots media outlets. While much popular media still create representations that display traces of colonial stereotypes and assumptions, there are individuals and groups who are actively trying to challenge the mainstream media’s colonial education. These forces are subverting the patriarchal representations of women that remain entrenched from colonialism through a complicating binaries and cultural distinctions. The chapter introduces transnational feminist artists who create work in a variety of media that actively critique the history of imbalances in global power and the regulation of women’s roles within and across cultures. Many artists appropriate traditionally feminine materials and subject matter and use these in a way that subverts the assumed meaning.
Issues of Linguistic Development in Rural Subcultures in the United States

Although language may be viewed as a type of code for the transmission of information, it is certainly much more than that. Language is also an integral aspect of human behavior, and, as such, is a vehicle for the manifestation of cultural and social identity. From this latter perspective, it is hardly surprising that a distinction between “urban” and “rural” subcultures might be manifested in language differences. As early industrial metropolitan centers in the United States were set apart from outlying agricultural areas, a corresponding variation in the language patterns developed. While the resulting language differences might have been viewed as simple regional variations, they were certainly tied in with the developing sociocultural distinction between urban and rural lifestyles.
A queuing model for CPU functional unit and issue queue configuration

Abstract In a superscalar processor, instructions of various types flow through an execution pipeline, traversing hardware resources which are mostly shared among many different instruction types. A notable exception to shared pipeline resources is the collection of functional units, the hardware that performs specific computations. In a trade-off of cost versus performance, a pipeline designer must decide how many of each type of functional unit to place in a processor’s pipeline. In this paper, we model a superscalar processor’s issue queue and functional units as a novel queuing network. We treat the issue queue as a finite-sized waiting area and the functional units as servers. In addition to common queuing problems, customers of the network share the queue but wait for specific servers to become ready (e.g., addition instructions wait for adders). Furthermore, the customers in this queue are not necessary ready for service, since instructions may be waiting for operands. In this paper we model a novel queuing network that provides a solution to the expected queue length of each type of instruction. This network and its solution can also be generalized to other problems, notably other resource-allocation issues that arise in superscalar pipelines.
Impact of Vehicle Physicochemical Properties on Modeling-Based Predictions of Cyclosporine Ophthalmic Emulsion Bioavailability and Tear Film Breakup Time.

Abstract Several physicochemical parameters are thought to affect in vivo performance of cyclosporine ophthalmic emulsion, including globule size distribution, viscosity profile as a function of applied shear, pH, zeta potential, osmolality, and surface tension. Using a modeling approach, this study predicts cyclosporine ophthalmic emulsion drug bioavailability to the cornea and conjunctiva and tear film breakup time for human subjects as a function of the vehicle physicochemical properties viscosity, surface tension, and osmolality for products that are qualitatively (Q1) and quantitatively (Q2) the same. The change in tear film breakup time from baseline, a potential indirect measure of therapeutic benefit, was predicted to characterize the direct effect of the vehicle on efficacy. Bioavailability predictions showed that while individual predictions were sensitive to variations in corneal and conjunctival permeabilities, geometric mean ratios of the test-to-reference comparisons for formulations that are Q1 and Q2 the same showed little sensitivity. Parameter sensitivity analysis showed that bioavailability and change in tear film breakup time from baseline values were both very sensitive to viscosity, slightly sensitive to surface tension, and insensitive to osmolality. With further improvements, the modeling framework developed for this study may be useful for informing future recommendations of cyclosporine ophthalmic emulsion bioequivalence for potential generic drug products.
Thermodynamics and kinetics of interfacial decohesion

Thermodynamic and kinetic aspects of interfacial decohesion are analyzed for a uniform separation along an interface subjected to a uniform tensile stress normal to the interface. During the separation process, an embrittling impurity can penetrate into the interface and reduce its cohesive strength. Rice(1976) and Hirth and Rice (1980) analyzed this process in great detail, and in particular considered two limiting cases: slow separation (constant chemical potential of the impurity) and fast separation (constant impurity concentration). Our work extends their analysis to intermediate, time-dependent situations, which correspond to the problem at hand. A phenomenological model is introduced to describe the free energy of the interfacial “solid solution”, stress-separation curves as functions of the impurity concentration, and kinetics of separation. The observed separation kinetics, as well as the work of decohesion, cohesive strength and other interfacial properties, depend on the interrelation between the strain rate and the impurity diffusion rate. An equation of stress-driven diffusion along the interface is derived, and the origin of the stress effect on diffusion is analyzed.