cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Peer Awards Increase User Content Generation but Reduce Content Novelty

Platforms that depend on user-generated content spend a great deal of effort crafting policies and mechanisms that can yield a steady stream of engaging content. In this work, we consider the effects of awards offered by peers, a feature that many platforms provide to enable users to recognize the quality of their peers’ contributions. We conduct a large-scale field experiment on Reddit, one of the largest social news aggregation and discussion platforms in the world and evaluate the effect of peer awards on content generation in terms of both volume and novelty. We leverage Reddit’s native peer award feature, the Gold Award, purchasing and randomly assigning Gold to 905 posts, anonymously, over the course of two months. We collect and analyze users’ behavioral trace data and posting content over the period leading up to and following our treatments via Reddit’s API. We find that, on average, peer awards raise the probability that treated subjects will make additional Reddit posts by 6.6%, in addition to lengthening treated subjects’ posts by approximately 39.6%. Interestingly, however, we also observe that the content users post under treatment exhibits greater similarity to past content (particularly the intervention post), indicating a decline in novelty. Based on this result, we conclude that peer awards are a double-edged sword. On the one hand, they foster increased engagement and content production among recipients. On the other hand, the additional content that awards elicit is less novel.
Long-term arthroscopic assessment of intra-articular allografts for treatment of spontaneous cranial cruciate ligament rupture in the dog

Objective To assess the 12-month survival of intra-articular, decellularized allografts for the treatment of cranial cruciate ligament disease (CCLD) in dogs. Study design Prospective case series. Animals Twenty client-owned dogs with spontaneous CCL rupture. Methods Affected stifles were treated solely by implantation of an intra-articular, decellularized, deep digital flexor tendon allograft. Functional outcome was evaluated at baseline and at 6 and 12 months after surgery with the Liverpool Osteoarthritis for Dogs questionnaire and force platform gait analysis. At 12 months after surgery, dogs underwent arthroscopy to visually assess the allografts. Results Scores on owner questionnaires (improved 62.5%; P = .005) and ground reaction forces (improved 34.4%; P = .017) were improved in all dogs 12 months after surgery. Dogs with an intact graft (IG) were more likely to have a successful outcome compared with dogs with a torn graft (P = .011). According to arthroscopy, 45% of grafts seemed to survive at 12 months after surgery. Conclusion About half of intra-articular allografts survived 12 months after implantation in CCL-deficient stifles. Dogs with IG had successful outcomes at 12 months after surgery according to assessment by force platform gait analysis. Clinical significance These results preclude immediate clinical application but provide evidence to justify further investigation of intra-articular grafts as a repair option for CLLD.
IGBT Social Impact

Huge energy savings have been derived by insulated gate bipolar transistor (IGBT)-enabled technologies. The development of electronic ignition systems using IGBT has improved fuel efficiency by 10%. The cumulative fuel savings derived from this exceeds 1 trillion gallons of gasoline. This has saved worldwide consumers more than $5 trillion and reduced carbon dioxide emissions by 22 trillion pounds. Two-thirds of the electricity in the world is used to run motors for air-conditioning and refrigeration. Adjustable speed motor drives developed using IGBTs have improved efficiency by over 40%. The cumulative energy savings from this technology add up to 41,870 TWh. This has saved worldwide consumers more than $8 trillion and reduced carbon dioxide emissions by 46 trillion pounds. One-fifth of the electricity in the world is used for lighting. Replacing a 60-W incandescent lamp with an equivalent CFL reduced power consumption by 45 W. Fourteen billion CFLs that use IGBT-ballasts are now in use around the world. The cumulative energy savings from this technology add up to 9145 TWh. This has saved worldwide consumers more than $1.8 trillion and reduced carbon dioxide emissions by 10 trillion pounds.
A colorful approach towards developing new nano-based imaging contrast agents for improved cancer detection

Providing physicians with new imaging agents to help detect cancer with better sensitivity and specificity has the potential to significantly improve patient outcomes. Development of new imaging agents could offer improved early cancer detection during routine screening or help surgeons identify tumor margins for surgical resection. In this study, we evaluate the optical properties of a colorful class of dyes and pigments that humans routinely encounter. The pigments are often used in tattoo inks and the dyes are FDA approved for the coloring of foods, drugs, and cosmetics. We characterized their absorption, fluorescence and Raman scattering properties in the hopes of identifying a new panel of dyes that offer exceptional imaging contrast. We found that some of these coloring agents, coined as "optical inks", exhibit a multitude of useful optical properties, outperforming some of the clinically approved imaging dyes on the market. The best performing optical inks (Green 8 and Orange 16) were further incorporated into liposomal nanoparticles to assess their tumor targeting and optical imaging potential. Mouse xenograft models of colorectal, cervical and lymphoma tumors were used to evaluate the newly developed nano-based imaging contrast agents. After intravenous injection, fluorescence imaging revealed significant localization of the new "optical ink" liposomal nanoparticles in all three tumor models as opposed to their neighboring healthy tissues (p < 0.05). If further developed, these coloring agents could play important roles in the clinical setting. A more sensitive imaging contrast agent could enable earlier cancer detection or help guide surgical resection of tumors, both of which have been shown to significantly improve patient survival.
Standing Our Ground: A Response to Reviewers: Author Response

I welcome these perceptive wide-ranging responses from five colleagues, Stephanie Erev, Kathy E. Ferguson, Teena Gabrielson, James K. Rowe, and Sarah Marie Wiebe, and thank all of them for the thou...
A Review of "First Rib Fracture: A Hallmark of Severe Trauma" (1975).

This review is submitted for inclusion in the literary festschrift in honor of J. David Richardson, MD.
Healthcare providers' challenges during the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic: A qualitative approach.

The uncertain trajectory of COVID-19 has led to significant psychosocial impacts on nurses and other healthcare providers. Given the critical role of these providers in pandemic response, this study sought to gain a better understanding of the challenges faced by healthcare providers caring for adult patients during the COVID-19 pandemic. A descriptive, qualitative study was conducted via semi-structured interviews. A purposeful sample of healthcare providers (n = 23) caring for patients during the COVID-19 pandemic was recruited to participate in interviews via snowball sampling and an information systems-supported recruiting process (e-recruiting). Thematic analysis revealed four themes: (1) Managing isolation, fear, and increased anxiety; (2) adapting to changes in healthcare practice and policy; (3) addressing emotional and physical needs of patients and their families; and (4) navigating evolving workplace safety. New evidence was introduced about nurses practicing outside their usual role. Nurses and other healthcare providers consistently reported increased anxiety during the pandemic. Hospital administrations can proactively support healthcare providers during this and future pandemics by ensuring access to mental health programs, standardizing communication, and developing plans that address equipment and supply availability.
Targeting the intranuclear functions of GAPDH: phosphoThr99-GAPDH is translocated into nucleus of A549 cells after genotoxic stress (739.6)

GAPDH is a multifunctional cytosolic protein involved in various cellular processes including glycolysis, apoptosis, and accelerated senescence. Post-translational modifications, e.g. phosphorylati...
A thermoacoustic Stirling heat engine

Electrical and mechanical power, together with other forms of useful work, are generated worldwide at a rate of about 1012 watts, mostly using heat engines. The efficiency of such engines is limited by the laws of thermodynamics and by practical considerations such as the cost of building and operating them. Engines with high efficiency help to conserve fossil fuels and other natural resources, reducing global-warming emissions and pollutants. In practice, the highest efficiencies are obtained only in the most expensive, sophisticated engines, such as the turbines in central utility electrical plants. Here we demonstrate an inexpensive thermoacoustic engine that employs the inherently efficient Stirling cycle1. The design is based on a simple acoustic apparatus with no moving parts. Our first small laboratory prototype, constructed using inexpensive hardware (steel pipes), achieves an efficiency of 0.30, which exceeds the values of 0.10–0.25 attained in other heat engines5,6 with no moving parts. Moreover, the efficiency of our prototype is comparable to that of the common internal combustion engine2 (0.25–0.40) and piston-driven Stirling engines3,4 (0.20–0.38).
Effects of Non-Linearity in the Variation of Pinning Potential with Current-Density on Magnetic Flux Creep in High and Low Tc Superconductors

A theoretical analysis is presented of the effects on magnetic flux creep of non-linearity in the relation between the activation energy required for the depinning of magnetic flux and the current density. The non-linearity results in an apparent temperature dependence of the depinning energy as deduced by the conventional methods of analysis of flux-creep data. The discussion is illustrated with data for YBa2Cu3O7 and Nb3Sn.
The use of fibrin glue to stop venous bleeding in the epidural space, vertebral venous plexus, and anterior cavernous sinus: technical note.

Objective Various techniques have been used to stop venous bleeding from the epidural space, vertebral venous plexus, and cavernous sinus. Here, we describe our experience with the use of fibrin glue to stop venous bleeding in these areas. Methods During the last 8 years, the senior author (LNS) has used injection of Tisseel fibrin glue (Baxter Healthcare Corp., Deerfield, IL) into the epidural space (n = 200 patients), anterior cavernous sinus (n = 46 patients), vertebral venous plexus (n = 20 patients), and superior petrosal sinus (n = 20 patients) to assist in hemostasis. The technical nuances are illustrated in three videos. Results Injection of fibrin glue in the epidural space, anterior cavernous sinus, and vertebral venous plexus yielded good results in assisting with hemostasis. Two patients experienced complications caused by occlusion of veins draining the brainstem after fibrin glue was injected into the superior petrosal sinus. Conclusion Fibrin glue injection is an excellent option for hemostasis in the epidural space, anterior cavernous sinus, and vertebral venous plexus. However, based on our experience, fibrin glue injection into the superior petrosal sinus is not recommended.
Estimation of confidence intervals for radial emissivity and optimization of data treatment techniques in Abel inversion

Abstract A novel method is described for finding confidence intervals for radially resolved emissivity derived from Abel inversion. The essence of the method is that the measured lateral emission profile (here a profile is defined as a line-of-sight spatial map) is split into two components, namely (a) an estimated noise-free lateral emission profile that mimics the lateral emission profile in the absence of measurement noise and (b) a noise profile that estimates the magnitude of noise along the lateral profile. Through random-number generation, noise with a magnitude defined by the noise profile is then artificially added to the estimated noise-free lateral profile. If this noise-addition and subsequent Abel inversion is iterated for a sufficient number of cycles, a statistical distribution of the Abel-inverted radial profiles can be obtained and confidence intervals can thus be estimated. It was verified that an effective means for the estimation of the noise-free lateral profile involves approximation of the lateral emission profile through polynomial fitting. A noise profile can then be obtained by assuming that the residual between the experimental lateral profile and the fitted profile is due solely to noise. The validity of this methodology was verified with seven lateral test profiles. In addition, the parameters that are commonly used in data treatment by Abel inversion are optimized. It was found that 100–300 data points are sufficient for accurate Abel inversion using the Nestor-Olsen inversion algorithm; more data points provide only minimal improvement in the inversion. Also, it was found that most commonly observed lateral emission profiles can be satisfactorily approximated by polynomials with a degree of fifteen. Further, polynomial fitting can be used to partially filter out noise in the lateral profile. Depending on the shape of the lateral profile and the magnitude of the noise, the optimal polynomial order, in general, ranges from ten to fifteen. For higher-degree polynomials, the effectiveness of a polynomial as a noise filter decreases and severely degrades the quality of the Abel-inverted radial profile.
Observation and elimination of N-acetylation of oligonucleotides prepared using fast-deprotecting phosphoramidites and ultra-mild deprotection.

Abstract Commercially available ‘fast-deprotecting’ phosphoramidites are useful for synthesizing oligonucleotides containing alkali-sensitive nucleotides. However, N-acetylated oligonucleotides were observed during solid-phase synthesis using ‘fast-deprotecting’ phosphoramidites in conjunction with K2CO3/MeOH (‘ultra-mild’) deprotection. Transamidation was localized at deoxyguanosine, which is protected as its isopropylphenoxyacetyl amide. Substitution of trimethylacetic anhydride for acetic anhydride and appropriate modification of the automated synthesis cycles eliminated this problem.
INVESTIGATING THE SUITABILITY OF IMPLEMENTING THE E‐RATER® SCORING ENGINE IN A LARGE‐SCALE ENGLISH LANGUAGE TESTING PROGRAM

In this research, we investigated the suitability of implementing e-rater® automated essay scoring in a high-stakes large-scale English language testing program. We examined the effectiveness of generic scoring and 2 variants of prompt-based scoring approaches. Effectiveness was evaluated on a number of dimensions, including agreement between the automated and the human score and relations with criterion variables. Results showed that the sample size was generally not sufficient for prompt-specific scoring. For the generic scoring model, automated scores agreed with human raters as strongly as, or more strongly than, human raters agreed with one another for more than 97% of the prompts. The impact of substituting e-rater for the second human rater made no practically important impact on test takers' scores at both the item and total test score levels. However, neither automated scoring models nor human raters performed invariantly across all prompts or across different test countries/territories. Further investigation indicated homogeneity in the examinee population, possibly nested within test countries/territories as one potential cause of this lack of invariance. Among other limitations, findings may not be generalizable beyond the examinee population investigated in this study.
Changes in Urease Activity in Apple Trees as Related to Urea Applications

Changes in urease (E.C.3.5.1.5.) were followed during the growth of 1-year-old MM 106 and 9-year-old Golden Delicious apple trees (Malus pumila Rehd.). Urease was found in leaves, roots, and bark with actively growing tissues containing more activity than senescing tissues. The urease activity in the leaves declined steadily during leaf senescence but abscised leaves still contained about half of their initial urease activity. In the bark the urease activity changed only slightly. Urease activities in the leaves and bark of apple trees were always greater in those trees which had received an application of urea. In senescing apple leaves, urea induced a rapid increase in urease activity. The changes in total activity and specific activity of urease were parallel and suggests that urease was synthesized de novo. After urease activity reached a maximum, a rapid decline occurred. Urease was inhibited by low concentrations of ammonia and this decline may be due to product inhibition.
Apical infection spreading to adjacent teeth: a case report

This case report describes apical infection on tooth number 24 that spread to adjacent teeth, resulting in devitalized teeth numbers 23 and 25. The 25-year-old Caucasian female patient was referred to the endodontic resident clinic because of uncontrolled apical infection. Root-end surgery and root-end filling of teeth numbers 23, 24, and 25 were performed. The histopathological diagnosis was a periapical cyst; however, the clinical surgical finding of a purulence-filled bone cavity also revealed a periapical abscess. After root-end surgery and regenerative therapy using Mineral Trioxide Aggregate, Bio-Oss xenograft material, and Bio-Gide resorbable collagen membrane, the patient had no symptoms. Radiographs showed the apical lesion had healed satisfactorily at the 6-month, 1-year, and 2-year follow-ups. The clinical implication of this rare case suggests the importance of standard endodontic diagnostic procedures for pulpal and apical diagnosis, prevention of apical periodontitis exacerbation by reducing bacterial factors, and the effectiveness of healing large bone defects using regenerative materials.
Differences in Worldviews Between Social Workers and People of Faith

Worldview conflicts between social workers and clients are widely understood to inhibit the provision of client-centered services. One of the most influential theories that has been advanced for un...
Teamwork in the trauma room evaluation of a multimodal team training program

Introduction: Poor teamwork leads to preventable medical errors, and thus negatively impacts medical care. One way to improve teamwork is training. A multimodality team training program was designed to impact the attitudes and behavior of first-year residents who will encounter medical situations in the trauma room. The training program included low-fidelity role plays, lectures, and high-fidelity simulation with feedback. Materials and Methods: The training program was a one-day workshop that was conducted twice, once for each of the two groups over two days at the beginning of the academic year in July. A total of 41 first-year interns (10 Emergency Medicine and 31 Surgery) were recruited for participation. Participants completed a Situational judgment test (SJT) on trauma teamwork before training. The training began with a low-fidelity simulation that served as an icebreaker to team concepts. Subsequently, a lecture with discussion provided key points regarding teamwork in the trauma room. A high-fidelity simulation then allowed participation in one of four trauma room scenarios with medical expert debriefing. The course concluded with a course summary and an assessment of participant attitudes regarding training along with a second administration of SJT. Results: Participant reactions to the training were positive overall. Results of SJT showed a positive effect for team training in three of the four possible comparisons. Conclusion: The program was well received by the residents. Results suggest that a comprehensive training approach using role play, lecture, and simulation can positively affect behavioral choices for teamwork in the trauma room.
Puromycin potentiation of corticotropin-induced insulin release.

The effect of puromycin on ACTH-mediated insulin secretion was studied in mice. In contrast to its interference with the steroidogenic response of the adrenal to ACTH, puromycin markedly potentiated ACTH-induced insulin secretion. This potentiation occurred in both intact and adrenalectomized animals. Puromycin aminonucleoside had no effect on ACTHinduced insulin secretion. Puromycin did not alter plasma insulin responses to glucose or tolbutamide, showing that it does not exert nonspecific effects on insulin secretion or degradation. Glucagon-stimulated insulin secretion was augmented by puromycin. The data suggest that agents which interfere with protein synthesis at the ribosomal level augment ACTH-induced insulin secretion. The mechanisms of ACTH and glucagon action on the pancreatic β cells may be similar and clearly differ from those of glucose and tolbutamide. (Endocrinology 80: 656, 1967)
The Analysis Of A Three-Fiber Lever Transducer

A fiber optic lever sensing technique utilizing three fibers, one transmit and two receive with different core diameters, is described. The method predicts improved sensitivity, and in some cases, larger fiber-reflector gaps than three fibers of equal cores and numerical apertures. Other features include the already established advantages of compensation for input power variations and input fiber losses. It is found that optical fibers with unequal core-cladding diameters as well as numerical apertures provide the most improved results.
Small-molecule inhibitors of protein geranylgeranyltransferase type I.

Small molecules that inhibit the geranylgeranylation of K-Ras4B and RhoA by protein geranylgeranyltransferase type I (GGTase-I) were identified from chemical genetic screens of heterocycles synthesized through phosphine catalysis of allenes. To further improve the efficacy of the GGTase-I inhibitors (GGTIs), 4288 related compounds bearing core dihydropyrrole/pyrrolidine and tetrahydropyridine/piperidine scaffolds were synthesized on SynPhase lanterns in a split-pool manner through phosphine-catalyzed [3 + 2] and [4 + 2] annulations of resin-bound allenoates. Testing of the 4288 analogues resulted in several GGTIs exhibiting submicromolar IC50 values. Because proteins such as Ras and Rho GTPases are implicated in oncogenesis and metastasis, these GGTIs might ultimately lead to the development of novel antitumor therapeutics.
Baryon phase-space density in heavy-ion collisions

The baryon phase-space density at mid-rapidity from central heavy-ion collisions is estimated from proton spectra with interferometry and deuteron coalescence measurements. It is found that the mid-rapidity phase-space density of baryons is significantly lower at the super proton synchrotron than the Alternating-Gradient Synchrotron, while those of total particles (pion + baryon) are comparable. Thermal and chemical equilibrium model calculations tend to over-estimate the phase-space densities at both energies.
Intramuscular Adipose Tissue, Sarcopenia, and Mobility Function in Older Individuals

Objective. Intramuscular adipose tissue (IMAT) and sarcopenia may adversely impact mobility function and physical activity. This study determined the association of locomotor muscle structure and function with mobility function in older adults. Method. 109 older adults with a variety of comorbid disease conditions were examined for thigh muscle composition via MRI, knee extensor strength via isometric dynamometry, and mobility function. The contribution of strength, quadriceps lean tissue, and IMAT to explaining the variability in mobility function was examined using multivariate linear regression models. Results. The predictors as a group contributed 27–45% of the variance in all outcome measures; however, IMAT contributed between 8–15% of the variance in all four mobility variables, while lean explained only 5% variance in only one mobility measure. Conclusions. Thigh IMAT, a newly identified muscle impairment appears to be a potent muscle variable related to the ability of older adults to move about in their community.
STATISTICAL HAZARDS IN THE DETERMINATION OF ADVERSE IMPACT WITH SMALL SAMPLES

In 1975, a small but prestigious fellowship program was charged with implementing a selection process that discriminated against women. One set of relevant data described the selection rates for the three most recent years of the program, while another set consisted of rankings based on written qualifications and on performance during a weekend interview, available only for 1975. The numbers of candidates involved were so small that adequate statistical power could not be assured; results were equivocal. To increase power, the probabilities for the three years considered separately can be combined. Disagreement between the expert witnesses for the plaintiff and the defendant were based on differing assumptions about appropriate statistical procedures.
Three theoretical models of child abuse: A critical review

A review of the research on child abuse suggests three basic theoretical models to account for the etiology of abuse: (1) a psychiatric model emphasizing the role of the individual abuser; (2) a sociological model highlighting the role of social factors in abuse; and (3) the effect of the child on caregiver model pointing toward the role the child plays in stimulating his own maltreatment. After reviewing the research evidence in support of each model as well as documenting the inadequacies of each, it is concluded that only a comprehensive framework, subsuming each model, can expect to account for the occurrence of abuse. Furthermore, if treatment and prevention strategies hope to succeed in combatting this disturbing social problem, they must address the influential components highlighted by each of these three models.
A semilinear problem with jumping nonlinearities in unbounded domains

On considere des equations semi-lineaires de la forme Lu=g(x,u)+f(x) ou Ω⊆R 2 , L est un operateur autoadjoint dans L 2 (Ω), g:Ω×R→R est une fonction de Caratheodory et f∈L 2 (Ω). On etudie le cas ou L n'a pas de resolvante compacte et la non-linearite g(x,u) a au plus une croissance lineaire en u
Synthesis and bioactivity of MSH4 oligomers prepared by an A2 + B2 strategy

Oligomers incorporating the tetrapeptide MSH4, the minimum active sequence of melanocyte stimulating hormone, were synthesized by an A2 + B2 strategy involving microwave-assisted copper-catalyzed azide-alkyne cycloaddition. A2 contained an MSH4 core while B2 contained a (Pro-Gly)3 spacer. Soluble mixtures containing compounds with up to eight MSH4 units were obtained from oligomerizations at high monomer concentrations. The avidities of several oligomeric mixtures were evaluated by means of a competitive binding assay using HEK293 cells engineered to overexpress the melanocortin 4 receptor. When based on total MSH4 concentrations, avidities were only minimally enhanced compared with a monovalent control. The lack of variation in the effect of ligands on probe binding is consistent with high off rates for MSH4 in both monovalent and oligomeric constructs relative to that of the competing probe.
Noise filtering in digital images and approximation theory

Abstract In this paper a kind of equivalence between noise filtering and approximation theory is established. This is done for several noise filtering algorithms for both random and impulse noises. As a result one gets a better understanding of the noise filtering operations. Other enhancing operations may be explained also in this context. We then make use of a special property of the L1 approximation for discrete data to present a simple algorithm for removing impulse noises. Experimental results and comments are given.
Characterization of CD200-Receptor Expression in the Murine Epidermis

CD200 is a widely expressed transmembrane glycoprotein that transmits an inhibitory signal after ligation of the structurally homologous CD200-receptor-1 (CD200R1). Recently, we showed that CD200 is expressed on keratinocytes and plays a role in protecting hair follicles from autoimmune attack. Here, we report the characterization of cell surface and mRNA expression of CD200R1 by cells of the murine epidermis. In addition, we report mRNA expression for other members of the CD200R-family (R2–R4) by quantitative real-time RT-PCR. Variable levels of CD200R1, R2, R3, and R4 mRNA were detected in bulk epidermal cell suspensions. Freshly isolated Langerhans cells (LC) preferentially expressed CD200R1. Consistent with an inhibitory role for CD200:CD200R1 interaction, LC obtained from mice deficient in CD200 (CD200–/–) were in a heightened state of activation as compared with wild-type (CD200+/+) cells. Freshly isolated dendritic epidermal T cells (DETC) expressed low levels of CD200R1, R2, and R3 mRNA, but they preferentially increased cell surface and mRNA expression of CD200R1 upon activation in vitro. In functional assays using sub-optimal CD3 signaling, immobilized CD200 inhibited DETC proliferation and cytokine secretion. Collectively, these results suggest that CD200:CD200R interactions may play a role in regulating both LC and DETC in cutaneous immune reactions.
Isotopic evidence for neogene hominid paleoenvironments in the kenya rift valley.

Bipedality, the definitive characteristic of the earliest hominids, has been regarded as an adaptive response to a transition from forested to more-open habitats in East Africa sometime between 12 million and 5 million years ago. Analyses of the stable carbon isotopic composition (δ13C) of paleosol carbonate and organic matter from the Tugen Hills succession in Kenya indicate that a heterogeneous environment with a mix of C3 and C4 plants has persisted for the last 15.5 million years. Open grasslands at no time dominated this portion of the rift valley. The observed δ13C values offer no evidence for a shift from more-closed C3 environments to C4 grassland habitats. If hominids evolved in East Africa during the Late Miocene, they did so in an ecologically diverse setting.
CFD Modeling and X-Ray Imaging of Biomass in a Fluidized Bed

Computational modeling of fluidized beds can be used to predict the operation of biomass gasifiers after extensive validation with experimental data. The present work focused on validating computational simulations of a fluidized bed using a multifluid Eulerian― Eulerian model to represent the gas and solid phases as interpenetrating continua. Simulations of a cold-flow glass bead fluidized bed, using two different drag models, were compared with experimental results for model validation. The validated numerical model was then used to complete a parametric study for the coefficient of restitution and particle sphericity, which are unknown properties of biomass. Biomass is not well characterized, and so this study attempts to demonstrate how particle properties affect the hydrodynamics of a fluidized bed. Hydrodynamic results from the simulations were compared with X-ray flow visualization computed tomography studies of a similar bed. It was found that the Gidaspow (blending) model can accurately predict the hydrodynamics of a biomass fluidized bed. The coefficient of restitution of biomass did not affect the hydrodynamics of the bed for the conditions of this study; however, the bed hydrodynamics were more sensitive to particle sphericity variation.
Electrical conductivity of inhomogeneous superconductors

Abstract The excess electrical conductivity of an inhomogeneous superconducting film is calculated using a Random-Ginzburg-Landau model. Treating the quartic interaction within a self-consistent Hartree-approximation the excess conductivity of a random superconductor is found, for T ⪆ Tc, to be enhanced compared to that of a homogeneous film.
UNSTEADY EULER ALGORITHM WITH UNSTRUCTURED DYNAMIC MESH FOR COMPLEX – AIRCRAFT AERODYNAMIC ANALYSIS

An Euler solution algorithm is presented for unsteady aerodynamic analysis of complex-aircr aft configurations. The flow solver involves a multistage Runge-Kutta time-stepping scheme that uses a finite-volume spatial discretization on an unstructured grid made up of tetrahedra. A significant contribution of the research is the development and implementation of a moving mesh algorithm that is employed for problems involving static or dynamic deformation of the aircraft. The mesh algorithm is a general procedure that can treat realistic motions and deformations of complex-aircraft configurations. Steady and unsteady results are presented for a supersonic fighter configuration to demonstrate applications of the Euler solver and dynamic mesh algorithm. The unsteady flow results were obtained for the aircraft oscillating harmonically in a complete-vehicle bending mode. Effects of angle of attack and reduced frequency on instantaneous pressures and force responses were investigated. The paper presents descriptions of the Euler solver and dynamic mesh algorithm along with results that assess the capability.
Emergence temperatures as physical constants for measuring analyte retention in programmed temperature gas chromatography

Abstract Emergence temperatures are physical constants useful for describing analyte retention when progrmmed temperature gas chromatographic operating parameters are properly standardized. A combination of all the column operating conditions is standardized by the proposed method, therefore a wide variety of conditions (column length, program-rate, flow-rate, amount of stationary phase, etc.) may be used. Reproducibility is unaffected by the size, shape, or polarity of the analytes. In addition, tables of emergence temperatures provide an excellent means of identification of unknowns because reference compounds can be selected that emerge close to the compounds to be identified.
Catalytic Activity and Inhibition of Human Histone Deacetylase 8 Is Dependent on the Identity of the Active Site Metal Ion

Histone deacetylases play a key role in regulating transcription and other cellular processes by catalyzing the hydrolysis of e-acetyl-lysine residues. For this reason, inhibitors of histone deacetylases are potential targets for the treatment of cancer. A subset of these enzymes has previously been shown to require divalent metal ions for catalysis. Here we demonstrate that histone deacetylase 8 (HDAC8) is catalytically active with a number of divalent metal ions in a 1:1 stoichiometry with the following order of specific activity: Co(II) > Fe(II) > Zn(II) > Ni(II). The identity of the catalytic metal ion influences both the affinity of the HDAC inhibitor suberoylanilide hydroxamic acid (SAHA) and the Michaelis constant, with Fe(II)- and Co(II)-HDAC8 having KM values that are over 5-fold lower than that of Zn(II)-HDAC8. These data suggest that Fe(II), rather than Zn(II), may be the in vivo catalytic metal. In further support of this hypothesis, recombinant HDAC8 purified from E. coli contains 8-fold mor...
African American Female Social Work Educators in Predominantly White Schools of Social Work: Strategies for Thriving

This article describes the meaning of the African American female social work educator’s experience in predominantly white educational settings. The experiences and special challenges of African American women in these settings are the focus of attention and are discussed from the framework of Kanter’s theory of proportional representation (Kanter, Men and women of the corporation, New York, NY: Basic Books, 1993). The tenets of Relational/Cultural theory are applied to illustrate the importance of interpersonal connections in the social work academic environment as well as to provide a framework for the emotional, psychological, social and spiritual consequences of their experiences. Implications for institutional change as well as recommendations are provided to address the interpersonal challenges that African American female social work educators face.
NOZE project to look into ozone hole

Atmospheric scientists will return to McMurdo Base in the Antarctic this week to probe more deeply into the mysteries of Earth's ozone hole. Ground-based experiments will be complemented by in situ measurements of stratospheric ozone from high-altitude research aircraft flying through the zone of greatest depletion of the gas, some 20 km above the ground. The results of this work could provide conclusive evidence for or against a human cause for the ozone decline.
The ability of prospective jurors to estimate the accuracy of eyewitness identifications

This study investigated whether people's “common knowledge” is sufficient to enable them to accurately assess the validity of evidence based upon an eyewitness report. Prospective jurors were provided with descriptions of actual research studies on eyewitness identification and asked to predict the research results. A sample of registered voters, selected to represent the court's lists of prospective jury members, was presented with scenarios derived from the method sections of previously conducted empirical studies of eyewitness identification involving target-present lineups. Respondents' estimates of the hit rates in the three target-present situations were significantly greater than the actual hit rates in each of the three cases. The mean percentage of respondents who overestimated the hit rates, averaged across the three cases, was 83.7%. The results indicate that awareness of the unreliability of eyewitness evidence does not appear to be part of the “common knowledge” of prospective jury members. These data can be seen as refuting the claim made by some courts that expert testimony about eyewitness evidence would not tell the jury members anything they did not already know.
Planning for repetitive cycles using an infinite horizon linear program

Termination conditions are often difficult to model in a linear program. This paper discusses the use of an infinite horizon linear program which may enable the termination conditions to be modeled more accurately. It can be applied situations where a repetitive cycle (i. e. season) exists and generates steady state values of the decision variables. Examples are then given illustrating the use of the infinite horizon linear program.
Determination of lead content in leaded gasolines

The authors describe a proposed combination method for TEL determination in which the TEL is decomposed by means of freshly liberated iodine, and the lead is determined by oscillographic polarography. It is proposed that TEL should be decomposed by successive action of HC1, KI, and KIO/sub 3/. The iodine released in the course of the reaction decomposes the TEL. The gasolines used for analysis contained different amounts of lead. The lead determination procedure is described, and the time required for analysis is about 30 minutes. The results obtained in the analysis, treated statistically, are presented in a table.
Soliton equations, minimal Kazama-Suzuki models and 2-dimensional gravity

We propose a framework relating the integrable structures appearing in k-matrix models with algebraic data of the corresponding N=2 Kazama-Suzuki models. Both the generalized KdV flows and the Virasoro constraints are obtained. The carrier spaces of the basic, principally realized representations of the corresponding affine algebras appear to constitute natural infinite “gravitational” analogs of the chiral rings of the associated Kazama-Suzuki models.
The use of hyper-hidden markov models in wireless channel simulation

The transmission of multimedia over satellite, cellular or mobile wireless networks introduces impairments which degrade signal quality. This thesis proposes a channel simulation model and design philosophy that represents a shift from the use of traditional network-centric design requirements to a more comprehensive approach that encompasses perceptual quality issues. PerFEC, the Perceptually-Sensitive Forward Error Control agent, employs a flexible, adaptive coding scheme that is both quality-of-service (QoS) and quality-of-perception (QoP) configurable. PerFEC is a decision agent that uses decoder output to select an error control scheme that is appropriate for the prevailing channel conditions. The channel simulation model is based on a new construct, the Hyper-Hidden Markov Model (HHMM), whose internal states have dual interpretation: they represent the user's perceptual quality as well as an estimate of the current bit-errorrate. This layering of Hidden Markov Models provides insight into the nonlinear relationship between quality-of-service metrics and perceptual quality.
Association of hypertension treatment and control with all-cause and cardiovascular disease mortality among US adults with hypertension.

Background Clinical trials have provided convincing evidence that blood pressure (BP) lowering treatment reduces the risk of cardiovascular disease (CVD) and total mortality. The objective of this study was to examine the association of hypertension treatment, control, and BP indexes with all-cause and cardiovascular mortality among US adults with hypertension. Methods Persons aged > or =18 years from the Third National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES III) were identified as hypertensives based on a BP > or =140/90 mm Hg or current treatment for hypertension. Vital status in 2006 was ascertained by passive follow-up using the National Death Index. Cox regression models were used to assess correlates of survival. Results At baseline, 52% of hypertensive adults reported currently taking prescription medicine for high BP and 38% of treated persons had BP controlled. Compared to treated controlled hypertensives, treated uncontrolled hypertensives had a 1.57-fold (95% confidence interval (CI) 1.28-1.91) and 1.74-fold (95% CI 1.36-2.22) risk of all-cause and cardiovascular mortality; untreated hypertensives had a 1.34-fold (95% CI 1.12-1.62) and 1.37-fold (95% CI 1.04-1.81) risk of all-cause and cardiovascular mortality, respectively. The association persisted after further excluding persons with pre-existing hypertension comorbidities. Mortality risk was linearly increased with systolic BP (SBP), pulse pressure (PP), and mean arterial pressure (MBP), whereas diastolic BP (DBP) was not a significant predictor of cardiovascular mortality overall. No significant associations were observed between drug classes and mortality risk. Conclusions This study indicates that uncontrolled and untreated hypertension was associated with increased risk of total and cardiovascular mortality among the general hypertensive population.
Load testing and GPR assessment for concrete bridges on military installations

Abstract The US Army owns and maintains approximately 2000 bridges on its installations spread out in the United States and around the world. From this inventory, 67% are concrete bridges, most of which do not have design or as-built plans to effectively evaluate their condition/capacity. In addition, military vehicles have unique characteristics that are difficult to take into account when analytical analyses are performed. For these purposes, the US Army Engineer Research and Development Center has been adapting non-destructive techniques. The most promising concept explored thus far involves bridge rating through non-destructive load testing in combination with Ground Penetrating Radar (GPR) techniques. Field load testing techniques are valuable for evaluating the capacity of existing bridges and accurately characterize the structure’s live-load response while GPR techniques provide valuable information regarding the internal reinforcement as well as the condition of the concrete. This article will provide a brief description as well as the results from recent evaluations performed on reinforced concrete bridges at military installations.
Unbounded graph-Laplacians in energy space, and their extensions

Our purpose is to develop computational tools for determining spectra for operators associated with infinite weighted graphs. While there is a substantial literature concerning graph-Laplacians on infinite networks, much less developed is the distinction between the operator theory for the l2 space of the set V of vertices vs the case when the Hilbert space is defined by an energy form. A network is a triple (V,E,c) where V is a (typically countable infinite) set of vertices in a graph, with E denoting the set of edges. The function c is defined on E. It is given at the outset, symmetric and positive on E. We introduce a graph-Laplacian Δ, and an energy Hilbert space \(\mathcal{H}_{E}\) (both depending on c). While it is known that Δ is essentially selfadjoint on its natural domain in l2(V), its realization in \(\mathcal{H}_{E}\) is not. We give a characterization of the Friedrichs extension of the \(\mathcal{H}_{E}\)-Laplacian, and prove a formula for its computation. We obtain several corollaries regarding the diagonalization of infinite matrices. To every weighted finite-interaction countable infinite graph there is a naturally associated infinite banded matrix. With the use of the Friedrichs spectral resolution, we obtain a diagonalization formula for this family of infinite matrices. With examples we give concrete illustrations of both spectral types, and spectral multiplicities.
Flux Relationships for Diffusion in Microcapillaries

IT is well known that flux ratios in small capillaries, that is in capillaries where the Knudsen number (Nk, defined as the ratio of capillary diameter to the mean free path of the diffusing molecule) is much less than one, vary as the square root of the inverse molecular weight ratio for binary systems. It has been shown1 that for counter-diffusion in an ‘open’ system, corresponding to the physical situation in most transport experiments of the Wicke–Kallenbach type2, flux ratio may vary from dependence on the square root to the first power of the inverse molecular weight ratio for the bulk diffusion mechanism alone. For capillaries of a fixed length, the progression from square root to first power dependence is associated with increasing Knudsen numbers, the latter mechanism corresponding to Nk≫1. It is clear, then, that at Nk≪1 the predominant mechanism of transport is that of Knudsen diffusion, and flux ratios are equal to the square root of inverse molecular weight ratios, and at Nk≫1 the predominant mechanism of transport is that of bulk diffusion. Flux ratios for sufficiently large Nk will then be equal to the first power of the inverse molecular weight ratios (provided capillary length–diameter ratios do not approach the order of unity).
Secondary characteristic classes of super-foliations

Abstract We construct secondary classes for super-foliations of codimension 0 + e 1 and 1 + e 1 . We indicate how to generalize this construction for any regular super-foliations on super-manifolds. We interpret the secondary classes as classes of foliated flat connections. To cite this article: C. Laurent-Gengoux, C. R. Acad. Sci. Paris, Ser. I 339 (2004).