cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Peptide Mimetics of Gamma Interferon Possess Antiviral Properties against Vaccinia Virus and Other Viruses in the Presence of Poxvirus B8R Protein

We have developed peptide mimetics of gamma interferon (IFN-gamma) that play a direct role in the activation and nuclear translocation of STAT1alpha transcription factor. These mimetics do not act through recognition by the extracellular domain of IFN-gamma receptor but rather bind to the cytoplasmic domain of the receptor chain 1, IFNGR-1, and thereby initiate the cellular signaling. Thus, we hypothesized that these mimetics would bypass the poxvirus virulence factor B8R protein that binds to intact IFN-gamma and prevents its interaction with the receptor. Human and murine IFN-gamma mimetic peptides were introduced into an adenoviral vector for intracellular expression. Murine IFN-gamma mimetic peptide was also expressed via chemical synthesis with an attached lipophilic group for penetration of cell plasma membrane. In contrast to intact human IFN-gamma, the mimetics did not bind poxvirus B8R protein, a homolog of the IFN-gamma receptor extracellular domain. Expression of B8R protein in WISH cells did not block the antiviral effect of the mimetics against encephalomyocarditis or vesicular stomatitis virus, while the antiviral activity of human IFN-gamma was neutralized. Consistent with the antiviral activity, the upregulation of MHC class I molecules on WISH cells by the IFN-gamma mimetics was not affected by B8R protein, while IFN-gamma-induced upregulation was blocked. Finally, the mimetics, but not IFN-gamma, inhibited vaccinia virus replication in African green monkey kidney BSC-40 cells. The data presented demonstrate that small peptide mimetics of IFN-gamma can avoid the B8R virulence factor for poxviruses and, thus, are potential candidates for antivirals against smallpox virus.
Voiding reflex in chronic spinal cord injured cats induced by stimulating and blocking pudendal nerves.

Aims To induce efficient voiding in chronic spinal cord injured (SCI) cats. Methods Voiding reflexes induced by bladder distension or by electrical stimulation and block of pudendal nerves were investigated in chronic SCI cats under α-chloralose anesthesia. Results The voiding efficiency in chronic SCI cats induced by bladder distension was very poor compared to that in spinal intact cats (7.3 ± 0.9% vs. 93.6 ± 2.0%, P < 0.05). In chronic SCI cats continuous stimulation of the pudendal nerve on one side at 20 Hz induced large amplitude bladder contractions, but failed to induce voiding. However, continuous pudendal nerve stimulation (20 Hz) combined with high-frequency (10 kHz) distal blockade of the ipsilateral pudendal nerve elicited efficient (73.2 ± 10.7%) voiding. Blocking the pudendal nerves bilaterally produced voiding efficiency (82.5 ± 4.8%) comparable to the efficiency during voidings induced by bladder distension in spinal intact cats, indicating that the external urethral sphincter (EUS) contraction was caused not only by direct activation of the pudendal efferent fibers, but also by spinal reflex activation of the EUS through the contralateral pudendal nerve. The maximal bladder pressure and average flow rate induced by stimulation and bilateral pudendal nerve block in chronic SCI cats were also comparable to those in spinal intact cats. Conclusions This study shows that after the spinal cord is chronically isolated from the pontine micturition center, bladder distension evokes a transient, inefficient voiding reflex, whereas stimulation of somatic afferent fibers evokes a strong, long duration, spinal bladder reflex that elicits efficient voiding when combined with blockade of somatic efferent fibers in the pudendal nerves. Neurourol. Urodynam. 26:879–886, 2007. © 2007 Wiley-Liss, Inc.
A 0.2–0.3 THz CMOS Amplifier With Tunable Neutralization Technique

Recently, there are revolutionary achievements in silicon-based conventional terahertz (THz) and millimeter-wave (mm-wave) integrated circuits, particularly with the advancement of CMOS technology. However, unlike Radio Frequency Integrated Circuits (RFICs), innovative designs and lack of various circuit techniques still remain unknown in THz gap. In this paper, a multi-band THz amplifier is presented in 40 nm CMOS technology with adaptive band selection technique. The smart amplifier is able to adjust the band of operation with respect to input signal power and frequency. In addition, the circuit performance will be adjusted to achieve maximum power gain. In order to achieve multi-band external neutralization, self-healing technique is vastly utilized by means of tunable transmission lines (TTLs). The proposed smart system contains tunable transmission lines, a 5-stage amplifier core, two Successive Approximation Register-based analog-to-digital converters (SAR ADCs), a digital control core and two on-chip power sensing blocks. The fabricated amplifier achieves $P_{1~{\rm dB}}$ of 1 dBm, $P_{sat}$ of 6.1 dBm and power gain of ${\hbox{14.8}}~{\hbox{dB}}\pm { from 197 to 288 GHz frequency range. The proposed amplifier demonstrates the highest operation frequency among all published state-of-arts in all CMOS technologies.
Earning Industry-Recognized Credentials in High School: Exploring Research and Policy Issues

The era of school accountability is upon us. In order to address past inequities and to ensure future achievement of minimum standards, the federalImproving America's Schools Act of 1994expected states to establish academic content and performance standards, and to implement assessments that measured student achievement against these standards. By the time the U.S. Congress passed theNo Child Left Behind Act of 2001,which called for comprehensive accountability systems in public schools, all of the 50 states already had some sort of assessment system for their K-12 schools (Goertz, Duffy, & Carlson Le Floch, 2001).
Control of glycogen synthesis is shared between glucose transport and glycogen synthase in skeletal muscle fibers

The effects of transgenic overexpression of glycogen synthase in different types of fast-twitch muscle fibers were investigated in individual fibers from the anterior tibialis muscle. Glycogen synt...
Methodology of the Fullerton Longitudinal Study and Data Analytic Strategy

The Fullerton Longitudinal Study (FLS) is a contemporary investigation of 130 infants and their families. Children were 1 year old at the initiation of the project; they were tested every 6 months from 1 year through 3.5 years and at yearly intervals from 5 through 17 years thus far, as displayed in Table 2.01. Thus, across the span of investigation covered in this book, participants visited our lab for 19 assessments and FLS researchers made 3 direct in-home assessments. Subject retention has been excellent, with 109 (84%) returning for assessment at age 17.
Viewing Oneself Performing Selected Motor Skills in Motion Pictures and Its Effect upon Expressed Concept of Self in Performance

(1962). Viewing Oneself Performing Selected Motor Skills in Motion Pictures and Its Effect upon Expressed Concept of Self in Performance. Research Quarterly. American Association for Health, Physical Education and Recreation: Vol. 33, No. 3, pp. 369-375.
Neutron irradiation effects in Fe and Fe-Cr at 300 °C

Abstract Fe and Fe-Cr (Cr = 10–16 at.%) specimens were neutron-irradiated at 300 °C to 0.01, 0.1 and 1 dpa. The TEM observations indicated that the Cr significantly reduced the mobility of dislocation loops and suppressed vacancy clustering, leading to distinct damage microstructures between Fe and Fe-Cr. Irradiation-induced dislocation loops in Fe were heterogeneously observed in the vicinity of grown-in dislocations, whereas the loop distribution observed in Fe-Cr is much more uniform. Voids were observed in the irradiated Fe samples, but not in irradiated Fe-Cr samples. Increasing Cr content in Fe-Cr results in a higher density, and a smaller size of irradiation-induced dislocation loops. Orowan mechanism was used to correlate the observed microstructure and hardening, which showed that the hardening in Fe-Cr can be attributed to the formation of dislocation loops and α′ precipitates.
Unique Model of Neonatal Palliative Care Delivery

Children are much more likely to die during the first year of life than they are at older ages. Palliative care is gradually being recognized in children however families with neonates have needs that deserve a unique approach. Our goal was to create and implement an innovative, quality improvement based neonatal program that integrated primary, subspecialty palliative care and hospice. We created a unique palliative care program in our quaternary level NICU, the regional center for cardiac surgery, extremely low birth weight infants, hypothermia and subspecialty care. A dedicated …
Cognitive Enhancement Therapy Improves Resting-State Functional Connectivity in Early Course Schizophrenia

AbstractObjective: Cognitive remediation is emerging as an effective psychosocial intervention for addressing untreated cognitive and functional impairments in persons with schizophrenia, and might achieve its benefits through neuroplastic changes in brain connectivity. This study seeks to examine the effects of cognitive enhancement therapy (CET) on fronto-temporal brain connectivity in a randomized controlled trial with individuals in the early course of schizophrenia. Method: Stabilized, early course outpatients with schizophrenia or schizoaffective disorder (N = 41) were randomly assigned to CET (n = 25) or an active enriched supportive therapy (EST) control (n = 16) and treated for 2 years. Functional MRI data were collected annually, and pseudo resting-state functional connectivity analysis was used to examine differential changes in fronto-temporal connectivity between those treated with CET compared with EST. Results: Individuals receiving CET evidenced significantly less functional connectivity l...
Response to selection for milk yield in Holsteins.

Abstract Data were collected for 11 yr in five institutional herds in Virginia to determine the response to selection for milk yield and to examine correlated response in other traits. A randombred control population allowed separation of genetic and environmental effects. The genetic base was the same for both control and selection groups, and little directional selection took place in the control population. The control line was generated from 12 sire lines initiated by 8 unproven sires sampled by artificial insemination and sons of 4 proven bulls. Four bulls high for Predicted Difference milk were used in the selection group each year. By three methods of analysis, best linear unbiased prediction, deviation of selection from control group means, and least squares differences between selection and control for milk, fat, and fat percentage were: 370, 374, 438 kg; 10, 8, 6 kg; and −.02, −.02, and −.10%. These agree closely with expectations from modified contemporary comparisons of the bulls. Differences in fat percentages were more variable although all analyses indicated a negative correlated response to selection for milk yield. Generation effects varied with method of analysis but were generally small and agreed with differences in sire Predicted Differences. Response differed across herds.
Jeremy bentham: on organizational theory and decision making, public policy analysis and administrative management

Jeremy Bentham (1748 - 1832) was an eccentric 18th Century English genius of many interests. He was the leader of a group of social and political reformers known as the philosophical radicals that included John Stuart Mill. While Bentham never held a government position, his writings influenced many who did. Bentham’s ideas and works touch on a variety of disciplines including: administrative management, criminal justice, economics, law, organizational theory and decision making, philosophy, political science, public administration, public policy, social welfare, and sociology. Bentham was a wordsmith adding such terms to the popular lexicon as: "minimize," "maximize," and "rational." He was also the first person to use the term "international." This article looks at Jeremy Bentham’s contributions in three areas: organizational theory and decision-making, public policy analysis, and administrative management. The article argues that although his ideas and works have been dismissed as passe in the post 1960s era of selective social consciousness and heightened political correctness, Bentham has much to say that is still important and relevant today
Evaluation of Sodium Diacetate and ALTA™ 2341 on Viability of Listeria monocytogenes in Turkey Slurries.

The antilisterial activity of sodium diacetate and a commercial shelf-life extender (ALTA™ 2341) were monitored at 25°C in slurries prepared with turkey breast meat. In slurries prepared without either ingredient, populations of Listeria monocytogenes increased about 5-log10 units in 7 d. The addition of 0.3% diacetate extended the generation time (7 h) compared to the control (no food additives; 1.7 h), whereas 0.5% inhibited the pathogen somewhat (0.4-log10 unit decrease in 7 d compared to the control). Slurries containing ALTA (0.25, 0.5, or 0.75%) and 0.3% diacetate extended the lag phase of L. monocytogenes to a greater extent than slurries with 0.3% diacetate alone. In contrast, 0.5% diacetate in combination with all three levels of ALTA tested was listericidal (ca. 2-log10 unit decrease after 7 d compared to the control). These data confirm the efficacy of diacetate for inhibiting L. monocytogenes in turkey meat and indicate that multiple barriers such as diacetate with ALTA may further lessen the likelihood of food-related listeriosis.
Integrating Multimodal Arguments Into High School Writing Instruction

We conducted a formative experiment investigating how an intervention that engaged students in constructing multimodal arguments could be integrated into high school English instruction to improve students’ argumentative writing. The intervention entailed three essential components: (a) construction of arguments defined as claims, evidence, and warrants; (b) digital tools that enabled the construction of multimodal arguments; and (c) a process approach to writing. The intervention was implemented for 11 weeks in high school English classrooms. Data included classroom observations; interviews with the teacher, students, and administrators; student reflections; and the products students created. These data, analyzed using grounded-theory coding and constant-comparison analysis, informed iterative modifications of the intervention. A retrospective analysis led to several assertions contributing to an emerging pedagogical theory that may guide efforts to promote high school students’ ability to construct argu...
Emissions from a domestic two-stage wood-fired hydronic heater: Effects of non-homogeneous fuel decomposition

Accurate knowledge of the combustion gas composition is necessary for practical combustion systems where emissions reduction is a major concern. Industries use a variety of sensor technologies, many of which can be expensive. In industries that use plant biomass for heat production, a constant fuel composition is often assumed for estimation of unmeasured exhaust gas species and for the calculation of thermal efficiency. To address the fact that biomass decomposes non-homogeneously, a new analysis is developed where a 2:1 ratio of hydrogen to oxygen atoms in the fuel is assumed, thereby relaxing the constant fuel composition constraint. This analysis provides a reliable and accurate estimate of exhaust H2O and CO2 given commonly monitored air and fuel rates along with O2, CO, and NO measurements. Validation of the analysis is investigated using tunable diode laser absorption spectroscopy (TDLAS) measurements of the flue gas. Results show good agreement between the new analysis and TDLAS measurements, verifying the validity of the approach. The new analysis also provides time accurate elemental species information for interpreting the non-homogeneous fuel decomposition.
Effect of whisker geometry on contact force produced by vibrissae moving at different velocities.

This study describes the geometry of facial whiskers distributed across the mystacial pad with emphasis on velocity encoding of object strikes. Findings indicate how the shapes, lengths, and thickn...
Exploring the Minority Threat Hypothesis for Juveniles in Criminal Court: Static Versus Dynamic Threat and Diffuse Versus Targeted Effects

In the context of the criminal justice system, the minority threat hypothesis posits that a growing minority population will exacerbate racial and ethnic disparities as those in power seek to establish social control over the threatening population. Decades of research have produced mixed findings, possibly due to the varied approaches to testing this hypothesis as well as the different populations to whom it is applied. To fully explore the racial and ethnic threat hypotheses for an underexamined population—juveniles transferred to criminal court—and an underexamined outcome—pretrial detention—the present article employs a series of multilevel models to test several versions of the hypothesis. Specifically, the article distinguishes between two measures of minority threat—static and dynamic—and two types of threat effects—diffuse and targeted. Findings indicate limited support for the minority threat hypothesis in all forms. Several interpretations are offered, ranging from consideration of the need for ...
Conceptualization and Assessment of Adolescents’ Engagement and Disengagement in School

Abstract. Increasing school engagement is critical for improving academic achievement and reducing dropout rates. In order to increase student engagement and identify those students who are most disengaged from school, we need to conceptualize and measure student engagement appropriately. This study used a mixed method sequential exploratory design to develop and validate a student survey measure of school engagement that reflects a multidimensional conceptualization of engagement. Psychometric tests were conducted with a large racially and socioeconomically diverse sample of 5th–12th graders in the United States (N = 3,632). Findings demonstrated that a bifactor multidimensional model fit the data appropriately and provided evidence of measurement invariance, construct, and predictive validity. Results provided a psychometrically sound foundation for capturing the behavioral, emotional, cognitive, and social aspects of student engagement and disengagement in school.
Why and how to study the fate of cancer survivors: observations from the clinic and the research laboratory

This paper provides a rationale for the importance of studying health outcomes in cancer survivors, including their growing numbers, the need for detailed information on the short and long-term effects of treatment, and the interactions of cancer with other comorbid conditions. However, there are a number of challenges associated with this research. Identification and recruitment of cancer survivors is not always easy, and linking their current health status to details of medical treatment is important, but not always feasible. National surveys and databases are a potential source of information on survivors, but may not provide sufficient details for this type of research. Strategies need to be developed to plan for long-term outcome studies in cancer patients from the very beginning of treatment to obtain the most comprehensive data on the outcomes of survivors.
Integrating Algae with Bioenergy Carbon Capture and Storage (ABECCS) Increases Sustainability

Bioenergy Carbon Capture and Storage (BECCS) has been proposed to reduce atmospheric CO2 concentrations, but concerns remain about competition for arable land and freshwater. The synergistic integration of algae production, which does not require arable land or freshwater, with BECCS (called “ABECCS”) can reduce CO2 emissions without competing with agriculture. This study presents a techno-economic and life-cycle assessment for co-locating a 121-ha algae facility with a 2,680-ha eucalyptus forest for BECCS. The eucalyptus biomass fuels combined heat and power generation (CHP) with subsequent amine based carbon capture and storage (CCS). A portion of the captured CO2 is used for growing algae and the remainder is sequestered. Biomass combustion supplies CO2, heat, and electricity, thus increasing the range of sites suitable for algae cultivation. Economic, energetic, and environmental impacts are considered. The system yields as much protein as soybeans while generating 61.5 TJ of electricity and sequestering 29,600 t of CO2 per year. More energy is generated than consumed and the freshwater footprint is roughly equal to that for soybeans. Financial break-even is achieved for product value combinations ranging from 1) algal biomass sold for $1,780/t without a carbon credit to 2) algal biomass sold for $100/t with a carbon credit of $396/t. Sensitivity analysis shows significant reductions to the cost of carbon sequestration are possible. The ABECCS system represents a unique technology for negative emissions without reducing protein production or increasing water demand, and should therefore be included in the suite of technologies being considered to address global sustainability.
Effects of Nb and Ta additions on the strength and coarsening resistance of precipitation-strengthened Al-Zr-Sc-Er-Si alloys

Abstract A dilute Al-0.07Zr-0.02Sc-0.005Er-0.06Si (at.%) alloy was microalloyed with 0.08 at.% Nb or Ta. Atom-probe tomography reveals that, upon aging, Nb and Ta partition to the coherent L1 2 -Al 3 (Zr,Sc,Er) nanoprecipitates (with average concentrations of 0.2 and 0.08 at.%, respectively), with both segregating at the matrix/nanoprecipitate heterophase interface. This is consistent with the Nb- and Ta-modified alloys exhibiting, as compared to the unmodified alloy: (i) higher peak microhardness, from a higher nanoprecipitate volume fraction and/or lattice parameter mismatch; and (ii) improved aging resistance, from slower nanoprecipitate coarsening due to the small diffusivities of niobium and tantalum in aluminum. Analogous results were previously reported for a V-modified alloy.
Human Health and Environmental Risks Associated with Contaminated Military Sites

Public health interest in the investigation, evaluation and remediation of abandoned Soviet military bases in Central and Eastern Europe has intensified as the ownership, and hence the future use, of these facilities has come under the control of the host country in which the base is located. Some of the sites are located in or near heavily populated areas, and in some cases the intention is to convert the base and its associated infrastructure to other uses, including residential housing or commercial facilities.
Interferon Therapy in Herpes Virus Infections

Interferon (IFN’s) are a family of proteins secreted by vertebrate cells antigenic or mitogenic stimulation, or stimulation by synthetic compounds, intracellular infection, microbial polysaccharides, or endotoxins. They show broad, partially species-specific antiviral activity by inducing certain cellular enzymes. Additionally, IFN exerts many regulatory functions (1).
Homotypic cooperativity and collective binding are determinants of bHLH specificity and function

Eukaryotic cells express transcription factor (TF) paralogues that bind to nearly identical DNA sequences in vitro but bind at different genomic loci and perform different functions in vivo. Predicting how 2 paralogous TFs bind in vivo using DNA sequence alone is an important open problem. Here, we analyzed 2 yeast bHLH TFs, Cbf1p and Tye7p, which have highly similar binding preferences in vitro, yet bind at almost completely nonoverlapping target loci in vivo. We dissected the determinants of specificity for these 2 proteins by making a number of chimeric TFs in which we swapped different domains of Cbf1p and Tye7p and determined the effects on in vivo binding and cellular function. From these experiments, we learned that the Cbf1p dimer achieves its specificity by binding cooperatively with other Cbf1p dimers bound nearby. In contrast, we found that Tye7p achieves its specificity by binding cooperatively with 3 other DNA-binding proteins, Gcr1p, Gcr2p, and Rap1p. Remarkably, most promoters (63%) that are bound by Tye7p do not contain a consensus Tye7p binding site. Using this information, we were able to build simple models to accurately discriminate bound and unbound genomic loci for both Cbf1p and Tye7p. We then successfully reprogrammed the human bHLH NPAS2 to bind Cbf1p in vivo targets and a Tye7p target intergenic region to be bound by Cbf1p. These results demonstrate that the genome-wide binding targets of paralogous TFs can be discriminated using sequence information, and provide lessons about TF specificity that can be applied across the phylogenetic tree.
Kerr Combs for Stimulated Brillouin Scattering Mitigation in Long-Haul Analog Optical Links

By limiting the optical input launch power, stimulated Brillouin scattering imposes detrimental effects on long haul analog optical links. Utilizing Kerr combs generated from an integrated Silicon Nitride microring resonator, we mitigate Brillouin scattering in a 25 Km sampled analog optical link. Such combs offer reduced footprint, high repetition rates and low power consumption, rendering them attractive for next generation integrated analog photonic links. The distribution of the optical carrier power over multiple spectral lines allows launching higher total average powers, significantly improving the link performance. Operating the link in an externally intensity-modulated direct-detection architecture, we compare link metrics using a soliton or a dark pulse as the sampling frequency comb source. An advantageous aspect of the dark pulse is its high pump conversion efficiency. We find that the Kerr comb pump conversion efficiency has a direct effect on the relative intensity noise and the link noise figure. We show that the spurious free dynamic range using Kerr combs can match that of the well-established electro-optic combs.
Universal Multienergy Harvester Architecture.

The energy available in the ambient vibrations, magnetic fields, and sunlight can be simultaneously or independently harvested using universal architecture. The universal harvester design is shown ...
Digital scribe utility and barriers to implementation in clinical practice: a scoping review.

Electronic health records (EHRs) allow for meaningful usage of healthcare data. Their adoption provides clinicians with a central location to access and share data, write notes, order labs and prescriptions, and bill for patient visits. However, as non-clinical requirements have increased, time spent using EHRs eclipsed time spent on direct patient care. Several solutions have been proposed to minimize the time spent using EHRs, though each have limitations. Digital scribe technology uses voice-to-text software to convert ambient listening to meaningful medical notes and may eliminate the physical task of documentation, allowing physicians to spend less time on EHR engagement and more time with patients. However, adoption of digital scribe technology poses many barriers for physicians. In this study, we perform a scoping review of the literature to identify barriers to digital scribe implementation and provide solutions to address these barriers. We performed a literature review of digital scribe technology and voice-to-text conversion and information extraction as a scope for future research. Fifteen articles met inclusion criteria. Of the articles included, four were comparative studies, three were reviews, three were original investigations, two were perspective pieces, one was a cost-effectiveness study, one was a keynote address, and one was an observational study. The published articles on digital scribe technology and voice-to-text conversion highlight digital scribe technology as a solution to the inefficient interaction with EHRs. Benefits of digital scribe technologies included enhancing clinician ability to navigate charts, write notes, use decision support tools, and improve the quality of time spent with patients. Digital scribe technologies can improve clinic efficiency and increase patient access to care while simultaneously reducing physician burnout. Implementation barriers include upfront costs, integration with existing technology, and time-intensive training. Technological barriers include adaptability to linguistic differences, compatibility across different clinical encounters, and integration of medical jargon into the note. Broader risks include automation bias and risks to data privacy. Overcoming significant barriers to implementation will facilitate more widespread adoption.
The Critical Zone in Desert Environments

Abstract Critical Zones represent the near-surface environment where complex geologic, hydrologic, and biologic processes interact. The integrated nature of those interactions is unique to the environmental setting including deserts. Arid land environments make up a large portion of the Earth (over 35%) and desert soils encompass over 46 million km2. The prevailing environmental conditions of low moisture and sparse vegetation that characterize deserts result in a unique Critical Zone. Desert soils are commonly poorly developed with shallow profiles and low organic content. Reduced weathering rates lead to coarse texture and concentrations of salts and carbonates. This chapter reviews the unique characteristics of the Critical Zone in arid land environments and the geomorphic and geologic factors that contribute to the formation of the desert soils. The focus is on the development and processes involved with regolith in the desert Critical Zone, which includes all material in the soil/sediment profile above fresh, unweathered bedrock. An overview of the Critical Zone in arid lands is presented including the nature of desert soils and surfaces. Weathering processes and soil hydrology in desert environments are examined including a review of numerical modeling of soil and regolith development and hillslope movement processes. Finally, case studies on regolith processes in the Mojave Desert are presented including the contribution of aeolian dust to the desert Critical Zone and an examination of soil and landscape development on stone pavements and sand ramps.
Thermal Effects of Nd PL Spectra in Garnet Hosts

Nd doped crystals are systems of great interests for spectroscopic studies and laser applications. Although Nd:YAG has been one of the most popular laser materials with a wavelength of 1.06u , the study of Nd in different hosts may uncover the underlying reasons for a better efficiency and satisfy different necessities of laser fabrications. On the other hand, due to the coupling of ions to the lattice vibrations, temperature is of great relevance and plays an important role in the enfolding of the dynamic processes.
The Case | Elevated lactate and osmolar gap after levothyroxine overdose

A 42-year-old woman with hypothyroidism was brought to the emergency department (ED) after collapsing at home. As per her family she was seen in her usual state of health 2 h prior to presentation. She admitted to the ED physician that she attempted suicide by ingesting 15 tablets of levothyroxine, 88 mcg each.
Dynamic modeling and stability analysis of grid-connected and autonomous distributed generation system

This paper presents a model of a distributed generation system that could operate both autonomously and connected with the grid. Mathematical models of the distributed energy resources were used to study the dynamic behavior of the interconnected system that includes a three-level control system. State-space models for entire grid-connected system were developed and the small-signal stability of the system was studied. All models were built using MATLAB/Simulink and numerical simulations were used to verify and validate the models as well as the operation of the controlled system.
Metacomputing revisited: alternative paradigms for distributed resource sharing

Conventional distributed computing paradigms such as PVM and MPI(CH) have had mixed success when translated to computing environments that span multiple administrative and ownership domains. We analyze fundamental issues in distributed resource sharing particularly from the viewpoint of different forms of heterogeneity – i.e. not just in the computing platforms, but also in storage, network characteristics, availability, access protocols, robustness, and dynamicity. We argue that effective multidomain resource sharing in the face of such variability is critically dependent upon minimizing global state between providers, and between providers and clients. The H2O framework has made one step in this direction, by decoupling provider concerns from client requirements, and enabling clients to (re)configure resources as required. H2O is based on a “pluggable” software architecture to enable flexible and reconfigurable distributed computing. A key feature is the provisioning of customization capabilities that permit clients to tailor provider resources as appropriate to the given application, without compromising control or security. Through the use of uploadable “pluglets”, users can exploit specialized features of the underlying resource, application libraries, or optimized message passing subsystems on demand. The next generation of this framework takes the second step, to virtualize and homogenize resource aggregates at the client side, thereby further reducing the degree of coupling between providers, and between providers and clients. The system also supports dynamic environment preconditioning to automate many of the tasks required in multidomain resource sharing. The architecture and design philosophies of these software frameworks, their implementation, recent experiences, and planned enhancements are described, in the context of new paradigms and directions for metacomputing.
A pit stop at the ER.

Although ligand activation of receptor signaling is well understood, less is known about how a cell switches off signaling by the activated receptor. In his Perspective, Gill discusses new work ( Haj et al.) that visualizes one step in the process of deactivating a ligand-activated receptor tyrosine kinase--the dephosphorylation of the internalized receptor by a phosphatase in the endoplasmic reticulum.
Who Is Adopted?: Measuring Adoption Status Using National Survey Data

ABSTRACT There are several advantages of using large representative samples to study adoption-related issues, and existing databases are increasingly used for this purpose. Large scale surveys are often limited, however, in the number and type of questions that are asked regarding adoption. Conceptual and methodological issues in measuring adoption status are discussed, and a rich new database-the National Longitudinal Survey of Adolescent Health (Add Health)-is used to illustrate these complexities. In Add Health school survey data, adolescents were asked a direct question about whether or not they were adopted and whether they lived with biological parents. During home interviews, adolescents were not asked about adoption status per se, but they could be classified as adopted if they lived with adoptive rather than biological parents. Parents' and adolescents' reports of adoption status and living arrangements are compared in Add Health data to illustrate the complexities of measuring adoption status wh...
Analysis of class II gene regulation.

Publisher Summary The chapter focuses specifically on class II genes that are studied by DNA transfer into embryos. The choice of a gene for study is the most important decision to be made. The expression of the gene should respond to a known specification process, such as mesoderm or neural induction. The gene should also be regulated unambiguously, going promptly from a clearly “off” to a clearly “on” condition (or vice versa). If the gene is merely increasing or decreasing in activity, then, however important this may be to development, the injection experiments may be difficult to interpret and the regulatory element map corresponding elusive. In general, it is easier to study tissue specific rather than time-specific gene expression. One problem with the latter derives from the transient and variable nature of DNA injected into frog eggs. The chapter also illustrates initial DNA injection experiments.
Modeling geographic impacts on early Eocene ocean temperature

[1] A general circulation model is used to evaluate the impact of geographic differences between the early Eocene and the present day on ocean thermal structure. The model includes reconstructed Eocene bathymetry and surface thermal boundary conditions that mimic a diffusive atmosphere. The model estimates that bathymetric changes alone caused surface waters to cool by 3–4°C in high latitudes and warm by 1–2°C in low latitudes over the last 55 million years, which would account for as much as half (∼4–5°C) of the increase in the meridional sea surface temperature gradient during this time. Other changes include a cooling (∼2°C) of deep ocean waters, a warming of low-latitude intermediate waters (∼2°C), and decreases in Southern Ocean zonal sea surface temperature gradients.
Characterization of a boron carbide-based polymer neutron sensor

Abstract Boron is used widely in thin-film solid-state devices for neutron detection. The film thickness and boron concentration are important parameters that relate to a device׳s detection efficiency and capacitance. Neutron depth profiling was used to determine the film thicknesses and boron-concentration profiles of boron carbide-based polymers grown by plasma enhanced chemical vapor deposition (PECVD) of ortho-carborane (1,2-B 10 C 2 H 12 ), resulting in a pure boron carbide film, or of meta-carborane (1,7-B 10 C 2 H 12 ) and pyridine (C 5 H 5 N), resulting in a pyridine composite film, or of pyrimidine (C 4 H 4 N 2 ) resulting in a pure pyrimidine film. The pure boron carbide film had a uniform surface appearance and a constant thickness of 250 nm, whereas the thickness of the composite film was 250–350 nm, measured at three different locations. In the meta-carborane and pyridine composite film the boron concentration was found to increase with depth, which correlated with X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS)-derived atomic ratios. A proton peak from 14 N (n,p) 14 C reaction was observed in the pure pyrimidine film, indicating an additional neutron sensitivity to nonthermal neutrons from the N atoms in the pyrimidine.
Sex-stereotyped attitudes of male and female child care workers: Support for androgynous child care

The present study assessed the sex-stereotyped attitudes of 20 male and 20 female child-care workers. Data were collected from the Sex Stereotyped Attitude Checklist, drawn from a study by Williams and Bennett (1975). Results indicated that men and women held androgynous attitudes towards girls but preferred that boys behave in masculine ways. The implications of narrowly prescribed sex roles for boys are discussed, and a position is taken in support of androgynous child care.
Fundamentals and bubbles in asset prices: Evidence from U.S. and Japanese asset prices

This paper investigates the existence and extent of non-fundamental bubbles in both U.S. and Japanese asset prices by employing a flexible empirical method which allows us to decompose asset prices into fundamental and non-fundamental bubble components. This study finds that a substantial fraction of U.S. and Japanese asset prices is accounted for by non-fundamental bubble components and that these asset prices overreact to non-fundamental bubble shocks. In addition, allowing for time-varying interest rates as another fundamental factor does not change any qualitative results about the role of non-fundamental bubble components. This suggests that the present value model fails to explain volatile asset price behavior even with time-varying interest rates.
Mechanical and Structural Selection Factors in Electrical Insulation: A Systematic Approach

The selection of a material for use can be simplified by listing the use-requirements/material-properties systematically so that a workable combination of properties can be found. The requirements are organized under the headings of mechanical, thermal, environmental, electrical, and economic. These generally in decreasing order of importance except where economic factors override.
The effects of substitution on the eletrochemical reduction of dihydroxynaphtacenequinone in N,N-dimethylformamide

Abstract The electrochemical reduction of 6,11-dihydroxy-5,12-naphthacenequinone (DHNQ) in N,N - dimethylformamide was investigated. Under polarographic conditions, DHNQ behaves like a simple aromatic quinone with reduction occuring in two successive one-electron steps followed by protonation in the aprotic system and a single two-electron irreversible in the protic medium. The substituent inductive effects in several DHNQ derivatives were noted. The electron withdrawing groups, chloro and phenylsulfonyl, enhance the oxidation potentials, and the eletron-releasing groups, methyl and methoxy, make the reduction more difficult. The strength of the substituents follows the order: C 6 H 5 SO 2 ⪢ Cl ⪢ CH 3 ⪢ CH 3 O. A linear Hammett relationship exists in this series when the averaged value of σ meta and σ para are used as substitution constants.
The engineering subjects in the four-year college program of electrical engineering

I HE PRACTISING engineer is vitally concerned with education because the young graduates are trained to meet the specifications of his profession, to join its ranks, and to work beside him in the years to come. He should give advice therefore as to the economic and professional content and interrelation of the programs.
Influence of Production, Handling, and Storage on Phytonutrient Content of Foods

The goals of agricultural production have traditionally been to try to accommodate needs for: 1) adequate and reliable yields to provide a sufficient food supply in a growing world; 2) food safety; 3) taste; 4) convenience; 5) profit; and 6) variety. Alternative strategies to enhance any of these outcomes are typically evaluated as to their probable effects on the key outcome: yield. However, with the burgeoning consumer interest in foods that optimize health, attention is shifting from concerns over quantity alone to concerns over the constituents of foods that may promote health, and thus to the agricultural practices that will protect, and perhaps enhance these constituents of the food supply. This shift in focus requires new thinking and new strategies across all segments of the food production system. This paper summarizes selected aspects of crop production that are pivotal to the nutrient value of foods for human consumption and suggests some strategies for establishing a new research and production paradigm that will embrace nutrient quality among the priorities of agricultural research.
Preparation and Optical Properties of Evaporated β-HgS Films

A modified vacuum deposition technique has been developed for producing thin films of HgS with cubic structure. Transmission and reflection measurements near the fundamental absorption edge have been carried out at various temperatures. The room temperature energy gap is determined to be 0.54 eV. The temperature shift of the optical absorption edge in β-HgS is +7.7 × 10−4 eV/°K. With increasing carrier concentration, the absorption edge exhibits a shift to higher energies. The electron effective mass has been determined from reflectivity measurements. Its dependence on carrier concentration indicates nonparabolic behaviour of the conduction band. The temperature dependence of the electrical resistivity, Hall coefficient, and mobility between 4.2 and 300 °K has been measured. These studies reveal semimetallic behaviour of β-HgS. [Russian Text Ignored.]
Niobe: A practical replication protocol

The task of consistently and reliably replicating data is fundamental in distributed systems, and numerous existing protocols are able to achieve such replication efficiently. When called on to build a large-scale enterprise storage system with built-in replication, we were therefore surprised to discover that no existing protocols met our requirements. As a result, we designed and deployed a new replication protocol called Niobe. Niobe is in the primary-backup family of protocols, and shares many similarities with other protocols in this family. But we believe Niobe is significantly more practical for large-scale enterprise storage than previously published protocols. In particular, Niobe is simple, flexible, has rigorously proven yet simply stated consistency guarantees, and exhibits excellent performance. Niobe has been deployed as the backend for a commercial Internet service; its consistency properties have been proved formally from first principles, and further verified using the TLA p specification language. We describe the protocol itself, the system built to deploy it, and some of our experiences in doing so.
A diesel engine study of conventional and alternative diesel and jet fuels: Ignition and emissions characteristics

Abstract Measurements of ignition delay, CO and NO emissions, and fuel consumption were carried out in a light-duty single-cylinder direct-injection diesel engine for operation with petroleum and alternative hydroprocessed and Fischer–Tropsch diesel and jet fuels. Ignition measurements carried out for a fixed engine speed and injection timing quantify the decrease in in-cylinder ignition delay with increasing derived cetane number (DCN) over a range of DCN relevant to diesel engine operation (DCN = 40–80) and show no discernible dependence of ignition delay on other fuel properties. Brake specific fuel consumption (BSFC) was found to decrease with increasing DCN with strong correlation due to a reduction in ignition time for fixed-injection-timed operation. Brake specific CO emissions were also found to decrease with increasing DCN due to increased time provided for CO burn out due to earlier ignition. Brake specific NO emissions were found to decrease with increasing hydrogen-to-carbon (H/C) ratio, due to the lower peak combustion temperatures and thermal NOx occurring for fuels with higher H/C.
Surface water nanofiltration incorporating (electro) coagulation–microfiltration pretreatment: Fouling control and membrane characterization

Abstract Bench-scale experiments were performed to evaluate the capability of four different advanced pretreatment processes to reduce fouling of a commercially available thin-film composite nanofiltration (NF) membrane during surface water treatment. Specifically, microfiltration (MF) alone, chemical (alum) coagulation–MF, electrocoagulation–MF, and electroflotation–MF were compared in terms of their ability to maintain specific flux during NF of Lake Houston water. It was empirically determined that NF productivity decline was best controlled by electroflotation–MF. Attenuated total reflection-Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy revealed polysaccharides and proteins as major NF foulants. Coagulation induced subtle differences in protein foulants in terms of their secondary structures as inferred from second derivative analysis of the amide I band. For example, electro- and chemical-coagulation decreased intramolecular β structures and α helices but increased 3 10 -helices and unordered structures indicating conformational changes of protein foulants with pretreatment type. Alcian Blue staining established the presence of acidic polysaccharides in the fouling layer. Similar air–water contact angles for virgin and fouled nanofilters provided further evidence that foulants were predominantly hydrophilic in nature. Fouling caused only a slight increase in surface roughness suggesting that natural organic matter complexation with divalent cations (soft feed water) was relatively insignificant leading to the deposition of a thin foulant layer. Further, the RMS surface roughnesses of fouled nanofilters were all statistically similar suggesting negligible effect of pretreatment type on the physical morphology of NF foulant layers.