cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
The integrity of human lymphoblastoid RNA after incorporation by human skin fibroblasts.

Abstract RNA from a human lymphoblastoid cell line is taken up at the macromolecular level by human skin fibroblasts in culture. Most of the donor RNA is found in the nuclei of recipient cells, apparently associated there with deoxynucleoprotein. Two techniques were designed to determine whether the RNA undergoes gross degradation intracellularly, with resynthesis of the degradation products into newly synthesized fibroblast RNa. The first method involves a comparison of the chromatographic profiles from methylated albumin Kieselguhr columns of 3 H-labeled donor RNA with 14 C-labeled RNA formed de novo from the simultaneous incorporation of nucleosides. The other method utilizes the ability of 5-fluorouridine (FUrd) to substitute for uridine in RNA. A nearest-neighbor analysis was made of the RNA in the recipient cells after the uptake of [ 3 H]FUrd together with donor 32 P-labeled RNA or of 32 PO 4 together with donor [ 3 H]FUrd-labeled RNA. The results of these experiments indicate that the RNA taken up retains its polymeric form for some hours and is not present in significant amounts as a result of breakdown-resynthesis inside the cell.
Inexpensive, high throughput microplate format for plant nucleic acid extraction : Suitable for multiplex southern analyses of transgenes

To achieve high throughput analysis of genomic DNA from small amounts of plant tissue, a standard nucleic acid extraction was formatted to microplates by linking a novel series of interlocking plates. The protocol integrates steel pellet tissue homogenization and unique liquid handling and phase separation techniques with minimal special equipment. The method was validated for difficult plant DNAs, such as hop (Humulus lupulus L.), soybean [Glycine max (L.) Merr.], and tobacco (Nicotiana tabacum L.), with agarose gel separations of restriction fragments and Southern blot analysis of transgene integrants in soybean. The range of success rates for Southern blots was 73 to 92% per sample per plate (n = 2016 samples). Variation in absolute yield was quantified by PicoGreen microplate flourimetry. The variation in yield among samples per plate was small enough to obviate individual sample concentration adjustment before Southern analysis. Average absolute yield for the barley (Hordeum vulgare L.) mapping population based on flourimetry was 6.8 μg ± 0.85 SE, n = 96; providing enough pure, stable DNA for many individual polymerase chain reaction (PCR) reactions. Intersample cross-contamination and suitability for PCR analysis were validated by simple sequence repeat (SSR) display of a previously characterized barley mapping population. Cost calculation from a materials detail was U.S. $0.17 per sample extraction. Although the implementation requires some skill and practice, we find it to be a robust, adaptable, and versatile alternative to expensive commercial kits.
Postoperative radiographic appearance of intracranial hemostatic gelatin sponge.

Abstract Hemostatic gelatin sponges were placed in hemispheric defects created in four dogs which were then periodically scanned by computed tomography to determine the post-operative appearance of the sponges. The hemostatic sponges appeared as low attenuation regions for 7–10 days. The attenuation value of these Gelfoam cavities was intermediate between fat and air. Subsequently, clinical cases were selected in which the location of gelatin sponges were known to demonstrate the appearance of the material in patients. In addition to enhancing the accuracy of computed tomographic interpretation, we have found that the gelatin sponge can be useful as a transient computed tomography marker for localization of surgical activity.
A review of ammonia emission mitigation techniques for concentrated animal feeding operations

Several approaches have been suggested and evaluated for reducing ammonia emissions from excreted animal manure: reducing nitrogen excretion through dietary manipulation, reducing volatile ammonia in the manure to stop ammonia loss, and segregating urine from faeces to reduce contact between urease and urine. When urine-faeces segregation is not an option, urease inhibitors can also be used to reduce or eliminate the hydrolysis of urea into ammonia. Methods for reducing the more volatile ammonia in manure include the reduction of pH, which shifts the equilibrium in favour of ammonium over ammonia; use of other chemical additives that bind ammonium-N; and the use of biological nitrification-denitrification to convert ammonium into non-volatile N-species such as nitrite, nitrate, or gaseous nitrogen. Other methods for mitigating ammonia emissions target emitting surfaces, and include capturing air (using physical covers) and treating the captured air to remove ammonia (using bio-filters or bio-covers, and scrubbers), and direct manure injection or incorporation into the soil. Manure collection facility designs and appropriate facility management are also essential for abating ammonia emissions. This paper provides a review of these approaches in the context of concentrated animal feeding operations (CAFOs).
Singular filaments organize chemical waves in three dimensions: III. Knotted waves

Abstract This is the third of a series of papers on the anatomy of three-dimensional organizing centers in excitable media. We here ask whether all self-consistent waves in excitable media are topologically equivalent to the experimentally-verified scroll ring, whose axis lies in a plane. As a test case we examine a scroll ring whose axis contains a knot. It proves to be incompatible with the requirements of physical chemistry unless simultaneously twisted by an amount equal to the “writhing number” of its axis (which is zero for planar closed curves). Appropriate initial conditions are suggested for experimentally creating a wave whose source is a scroll ring knotted and twisted in this way.
Fatty acid synthesis and Krebs' cycle activity in heart mitochondria

Abstract The relationship between [1-14C]acetate incorporation into fatty acids (FA) and the concomitant [1-14C]acetate flux through citrate synthase (CS) was studied in isolated rabbit heart mitochondria during state 4 (Chance) respiration. The flux through CS was calculated from the 14C content of 14CO2, Krebs' cycle acids, and glutamate; the latter were extracted and separated by ion exchange chromatography. Both succinate in low concentration and l -malate effected low NADH NAD ratios and increased flux through CS without stimulating incorporation into FA. Succinate in high concentration effected high NADH NAD ratios, reduced flux through CS, and stimulated incorporation into FA. In the presence of succinate both rotenone and l -carnitine inhibited incorporation into FA but not flux through CS despite high NADH NAD ratios. Maximal [2-14C]pyruvate flux through CS approximated that of [14C]acetate. However, with the high NADH NAD ratio effected by succinate, the [2-14C]pyruvate flux through CS was greater than that of [14C]acetate and the [2-14C]pyruvate incorporation into FA was only about one-tenth that of [14C]acetate. Studies with the isolated perfused rabbit heart showed that hypoxia increased five-to-nine fold the net [U-14C]glucose incorporation into FA. We conclude that in heart mitochondria a high NADH NAD ratio not only stimulates [14C]acetate incorporation into FA but also concomitantly slows flux through citrate synthase by decreasing the oxalacetate level. The data suggest an acetyl CoA pool available for FA synthesis different from that for CS. During myocardial hypoxia mitochondrial FA synthesis may supplement lactate production as a mechanism for NADH oxidation.
A comparison of estimators for randomized response sampling with continuous distributions from a dichotomous population

This paper introduces and compares two estimators of population proportions from a dichotomous population when using randomized response sampling with a normal, randomizing distribution. Both maximum likelihood and methods of moments are compared by computer simulation for various population percentages, number of trials per respondent, and values of means and standard deviations for the randomizing distribution. The two methods are applied to survey data and the results compared to direct survey data.
Modulation by 20-HETE of Phenylephrine-Induced Mesenteric Artery Contraction in Spontaneously Hypertensive and Wistar-Kyoto Rats

Small mesenteric arteries of spontaneously hypertensive (SHR) and Wistar-Kyoto rats (WKY) were compared for the production of 20-HETE and the effects of 20-HETE and N-methylsulfonyl-12,12-dibromododec-11-enamide (DDMS, 30 micromol/L), a 20-HETE synthesis inhibitor, on contractile responsiveness to phenylephrine (0.1 to 50.0 micromol/L). 20-HETE production was higher in vessels of SHR compared with WKY (1.34+/-0.16 versus 0.27+/-0.09 pmol/mg tissue, P<0.05). Phenylephrine elicited concentration-dependent vascular contraction; the R(max) was similar in vessels of SHR and WKY, but the former were more sensitive as denoted by the lower EC(50) (1.10+/-0.14 versus 1.89+/-0.33 micromol/L, P<0.05). DDMS caused a rightward shift in the concentration-response curve to phenylephrine, increasing (P<0.05) the EC(50) by 258% and 134% in vessels of SHR and WKY, respectively. In contrast, in DDMS-treated vessels, 20-HETE (0.01 to 10.0 micromol/L) caused a leftward shift in the phenylephrine concentration-response curve, decreasing (P<0.05) the EC(50) without affecting the R(max). Importantly, the minimal concentration of 20-HETE that decreased the EC(50) of phenylephrine was much smaller in vessels of SHR that of WKY (0.01 versus 1.0 micromol/L). We conclude that 20-HETE increases the sensitivity of mesenteric arterial vessels to phenylephrine, vessels of SHR are more sensitive to this action of the eicosanoid than vessels of WKY, and vessels of SHR produce more 20-HETE than do vessels of WKY. Hence, 20-HETE of vascular origin may be a determinant of the increased reactivity to constrictor agonists in the vasculature of SHR.
Foxp3 Regulates Megakaryopoiesis and Platelet Function

Objective— Platelets are crucial for hemostasis and are vital regulators of inflammation. Foxp3 is a key transcription factor for T regulatory cell development. Humans with IPEX (immune dysregulation, polyendocrinopathy, enteropathy, x-linked) and the scurfy ( Foxp3 sf ) mouse have mutations in the Foxp3 gene that lead to a host of pathologies including autoimmunity and skin diseases. Scurfy mice and some humans with IPEX are also thrombocytopenic. The purpose of this study was to determine whether the absence of functional Foxp3 leads to defects in megakaryocytes and platelets. Methods and Results— We discovered that human and mouse megakaryocytes express Foxp3 mRNA and protein. Using shRNA and Foxp3 sf mice, we demonstrated that Foxp3-deficient mouse and human megakaryocyte progenitors exhibited proliferation defects. Striking platelet abnormalities were observed in both an IPEX patient and Foxp3 sf mice. Impaired platelet spreading and release of TGF-β and CD40 ligand (CD40L), and abnormal levels of plasma CD40L were observed in a case of IPEX syndrome. Foxp3 sf mice were thrombocytopenic and had increased platelet volume and altered serum levels of CD40L, TXB 2 , and TGF-β. Conclusion— These findings provide compelling new evidence that Foxp3 is needed for proper megakaryopoiesis and plays a role in regulating platelet function including spreading and release.
Direct contact heat exchange interfacial phenomena for liquid metal reactors : Part I - heat transfer.

Experiments on direct-contact heat exchange between molten metal and water for steam production were conducted. These experiments involved the injection of water into molten lead-bismuth eutectic for heat transfer measurements in a 1-D geometry. Based on the initial results of the experiments, the effects of the water flow rate and the molten metal superheat (temperature difference between molten metal and saturated water) on the volumetric heat transfer coefficient were discussed.
Operation of the U.S. Pilot National Environmental Specimen Bank Program

The concept of an environmental specimen bank for archiving and retrospective analysis of biological and environmental samples has been widely recognized as an important component of systematic environmental monitoring. Two international workshops, held in 1977 and 1978, have issued recommendations for the establishment of environmental monitoring and specimen banking programs (1,2). In the United States the historical development during the 1970’s of the concept of a National Environmental Specimen Bank (NESB) has been reviewed previously by Goldstein (3,4). The purpose of such a national system would be [1] to detect changes in the environment, using bioaccumulators as indicators, on a real-time basis (i.e., monitoring), [2] to distinguish such changes from natural inputs, and [3] to provide a “bank” of well preserved and documented environmental samples for retrospective analyses in future years as analytical techniques improve or as new pollutants are identified.
THE EXISTENCE OF A PATTERN WHICH IS 5-AVOIDABLE BUT 4-UNAVOIDABLE

A word W avoids a pattern P if for any substitution α of the letters of P with nonempty words, α(P) is not a subword of W. The avoidability index of a pattern P is the smallest n for which P is avoided by infinitely many words over an n-letter alphabet. Heretofore, every known avoidable pattern has had avoidability index 2, 3 or 4. This paper shows that the pattern Pρ = abvacwbaxbcycdazdcd has avoidability index 5.
On the development of a 6DoF GNC framework for docking multiple small satellites

Small and very capable satellites are becoming an attractive option for future space missions by reducing the cost, decreasing the risk and improving exibility. Small satellites can also be used as building blocks of large space structures such as solar panels or space telescopes. This work is focused on the development of a position and attitude GNC framework for docking multiple small satellites in a cooperative manner using the Comprehensive Open-architecture Solution for Mission Operations Systems (COSMOS) developed at the Hawaii Space Flight Laboratory. We introduce a 6DoF guidance law for position and attitude that optimizes fuel consumption and use the COSMOS software agents to bundle individual satellite dynamics for a realistic simulation. By using the COSMOS agents each satellite can broadcast its information to the network making it available to all other satellites. An important outcome of this work is the development of the ight-like software that can be used in real time simulation environments and for mission rehearsals.
Turning science into policy : challenges and experiences from the science-policy interface

This paper discusses key issues in the science–policy interface. It stresses the importance of linking the conservation and sustainable use of biodiversity to the Millennium Development Goals and to issues of immediate concern to policy-makers such as the economy, security and human health. It briefly discusses the process of decision-making and how the scientific and policy communities have successfully worked together on global environmental issues such as stratospheric ozone depletion and climate change, and the critical role of international assessments in providing the scientific basis for informed policy at the national and international level. The paper also discusses the drivers of global environmental change, the importance of constructing plausible futures, indicators of change, the biodiversity 2010 target and how environmental issues such as loss of biodiversity, stratospheric ozone depletion, land degradation, water pollution and climate change cannot be addressed in isolation because they are strongly interconnected and there are synergies and trade-offs among the policies, practices and technologies that are used to address these issues individually.
Organizational factors in post-acquisition performance

A study is reported based on 31 acquisitions for which data have been obtained from executives in the acquired divisions as well as the corporate officers by structured interviews and questionnaires. The study shows a lack of relationship between the professed motives of acquisition and post-acquisition performance. It seems that the lure of quick profitable growth through acquisition does not often materialize regardless of motive. The level of integration between the acquired division and its parent is shown to affect performance measured in terms of sales, profit, return on investment, market share growth, innovation, and broadening of customer base. The post-acquisition performance is also dependent on a variety of other factors including the assistance accorded to the division by the corporate organization. Intensive communication between the acquired division and the other organizational units on technology, joint projects, etc. are key elements in sharing the strategic capabilities. Increased level of formalization in resource allocation and other management decision areas adversely affects performance. >
Clinical practice and genetic counseling for cystic fibrosis and CFTR -related disorders

Cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator-related disorders encompass a disease spectrum from focal male reproductive tract involvement in congenital absence of the vas deferens to multiorgan involvement in classic cystic fibrosis. The reproductive, gastrointestinal, and exocrine manifestations of cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator deficiency are correlated with CFTR genotype, whereas the respiratory manifestations that are the main cause of morbidity and mortality in cystic fibrosis are less predictable. Molecular genetic testing of CFTR has led to new diagnostic strategies and will enable targeting of molecular therapies now in development. Older diagnostic methods that measure sweat chloride and nasal potential difference nonetheless remain important because of their sensitivity and specificity. In addition, the measurement of immunoreactive trypsinogen and the genotyping of CFTR alleles are key to newborn screening programs because of low cost. The multiorgan nature of cystic fibrosis leads to a heavy burden of care, thus therapeutic regimens are tailored to the specific manifestations present in each patient. The variability of cystic fibrosis lung disease and the variable expressivity of mild CFTR alleles complicate genetic counseling for this autosomal recessive disorder. Widespread implementation of newborn screening programs among populations with significant cystic fibrosis mutation carrier frequencies is expected to result in increasing demands on genetic counseling resources.
The Psychoeconomic View of Creative Work in Groups and Organizations

Although most research on creativity deals only with individuals, there are many settings in which creative tasks are assigned to groups. Indeed, in most contemporary research settings collaborative inquiry is the norm. Extensions to the psychoeconomic theory of creativity provide several specific predictions about the nature and optimization of group creativity. These predictions are based on consideration of the ways in which some individual differerences in creative style, such as domain experience and flexibility of thinking, are likely to interact. Instead of characterizing such attributes as conducive or harmful to the creative process, the psychoeconomic theory explicitly recognizes their potential for contributions in both directions. In particular, the theory implies that groups should be composed of heterogeneous participants who vary in their experiences within the domain in question, and who are only moderately familiar with one another, for most successful creative performance. This proposal is contrary to several theories which imply greater success from more congenial and symmetric groups. The theory also yields detailed predictions for how the optimal composition of a creative group should vary in response to changes in the characteristics of the group's members and the structure of its working environment.
The landscape of EVEN

This paper explores the role that the scalar properties and presuppositions of even play in creating polarity sensitive even meanings crosslinguistically (henceforth EVEN). I discuss the behavior of three lexically distinct Greek counterparts of even in positive, negative, and subjunctive sentences, and polar questions. These items are shown to be polarity sensitive, and a three-way distinction is posited between a positive polarity (akomi ke), a negative polarity (NPI) (oute), and a ‘flexible scale’even (esto) which does not introduce likelihood, but is associated with scales made salient by the context. The analysis is a refinement of Rooth’s original idea that NP is involved in the interpretation of English even, and establishes further that the “negative” polarity domain of EVEN includes a sensitivity that is not strictly speaking negative (flexible scale esto). The distributional restrictions of EVEN items are shown to follow from distinct presuppositions (positive polarity and flexible scale EVEN), or from their lexical featural specification (NPI EVEN), a result that squares neatly with the fact that ill-formedness is systematic pragmatic deviance in the former case but robust ungrammaticality in the latter. This result supports the by now widely accepted view that polarity dependencies are not of uniform nature, and that we need to distinguish presupposition failures (which are weaker and possibly fixable in some contexts) from cases of ungrammaticality which are robust and cannot be fixed in any context [Giannakidou A. (2001). Linguistics and Philosophy, 24, 659–735].
Primary lymphoma of the central nervous system: Clinicopathological study of experience at Stanford

The authors present 22 cases of primary lymphoma of the central nervous system (CNS) from Stanford University Medical Center. Fifteen other published series comprising 400 patients with this disease are also reviewed. Males were affected more often than females. The majority of patients were in the sixth decade of life. The most common presenting symptoms were headache, nausea, vomiting, and mental status changes. The most common presenting signs were hemiparesis and papilledema. An elevated protein concentration was the most common cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) abnormality. The CSF cytology was rarely positive prior to surgery. If a mass was seen on computerized tomography, it always enhanced with infusion of contrast material. On angiography, the tumor was generally seen as an avascular mass. The most and least common sites of involvement supratentorially were the frontal and occipital lobes, respectively. Infratentorially, the cerebellum was most often involved. Histologically, the most common tissue type according to the Rappaport and Working Formulation systems were diffuse histiocytic lymphoma and immunoblastic lymphoma, respectively. Therapy primarily involved surgery for biopsy or subtotal resection and radiation therapy. The majority of patients died, and the median survival time of those dying was distinctly shorter than the follow-up period of those patients still alive. This difference in survival time suggests that primary CNS lymphoma consists of more than one disease group. Statistical analysis of our series showed those patients with either a diffuse mixed lymphoma histology or an infratentorial location of disease had a poorer prognosis. These two factors cannot totally account for the division of cases into separate survival-related groups.
Regression of left ventricular hypertrophy after bilateral nephrectomy

Left ventricular hypertrophy (LVH) is common inhypertensive patients and predicts heart failure,arrhythmia, cerebrovascular complications and death.LVH is endemic in end-stage renal disease (ESRD).Risk factors for LVH in ESRD patients includehypertension, anaemia, secondary hyperparathyroid-ism and arteriovenous ﬁstulae. LVH is a powerfulpredictor of cardiac morbidity and mortality in theESRD population [1,2]. Regression of LVH has beenreported in ESRD patients after blood pressure (BP)reduction with angiotensin converting enzyme inhibi-tors (ACE-Is), or angiotensin receptor antagonists(ARB) [3,4], and after erythropoietin therapy foranaemia.We report a case in which dramatic regression inLVH was documented on magnetic resonance images(MRIs) of the heart performed before and afterbilateral nephrectomy.Cardiologists use measurements of left ventricular(LV) mass, relative wall thickness and mass–volumeratio to diagnose LVH. Data about LV mass andgeometry in dialysis patients are based on echocardio-graphy which is highly dependent upon operatorskill, individual patient anatomy and mathematicalassumptions. Changes in extracellular volume duringand between dialysis treatments can also cause sub-stantial variations in echocardiographic measurements.Cardiac MRI measures the heart independent ofoperator skill or patient habitus. MRI assessments ofLVmass,relativewallthicknessandmass–volumeratiorely on direct measurements rather than geometricalassumptions which have never been proven to apply tothe ESRD ventricle [5].
Engineered Minichromosome Technology in Plants

Engineered minichromosomes have been produced in plants using telomere-mediated truncation that cleaves chromosome arms and simultaneously places desired transgenes linked to an endogenous centromere. Proof-of-concept experiments have been successful, illustrating that site-specific recombination can occur at terminal sites on the chromosome and that in vivo modification of minichromosomes is possible as demonstrated by selectable marker removal. Future developments are discussed that would amplify the utility of engineered minichromosomes.
Algo nuevo con los novísimos

La publicacion de Nueve novisimos poetas espanoles representa uno de los momentos clave en la gestacion y legitimacion de la industria cultural espanola. Tras los innumerables asedios criticos y hermeneuticos que esta obra y, sobre todo, el fenomeno literario que trajo consigo han generado, aun parece existir un margen de analisis poco explotado desde los estudios literarios dedicados a comprender y explicar la excepcionalidad de este acontecimiento. Se trata de la relacion que el modelo castelletiano guarda con el volumen I novissimi, poesie per gli anni ’60, publicado casi diez anos antes, en Italia, bajo un espiritu radicalmente vanguardista y de subversion mercantil. La confrontacion de ambos episodios suscita algunos interrogantes de radical interes para la comprension de uno de los productos culturales con mayor impacto mediatico e institucional de la poesia espanola contemporanea. Seran estas preguntas las que articulen el siguiente texto.
Flood Flow Downstream from Slide

Mass wasting, or the gravitative transfer of earth material toward and into streams, not only reshapes the landscape with a scar but has a pronounced and nearly immediate effect on local streamflow. This report notes the effect of a landslide of the soil avalanche type from a wooded hillside, on the flow rate of a small stream draining a 20-acre basin, in the northeast branch of Ginseng Hollow, near Roseland, VA.
Adsorption of biomolecules and polymers on silicates, glasses, and oxides: mechanisms, predictions, and opportunities by molecular simulation

Silicates, glasses, and oxides are widely used in everyday applications such as surfaces of cell phones and tablets as well as in nanostructured form for therapeutics, catalysts, and composites. Modeling of the inorganic⿿organic interfaces at the 1⿿100 nm scale has recently become more viable as suitable force fields and molecular models including details of oxide surface chemistry and pH dependent ionization have been introduced. Here we describe computational models for glasses, silica, and common oxides for simulations at high temperatures and at room temperature, including necessary chemical specificity to analyze surfaces and organic interfaces. The bulk structure of glasses, surface chemistry and type of molecular interactions governing adsorption, as well as the feasible accuracy is illustrated by examples. Applications and opportunities of simulation methods are discussed.
The Problem of Farm Business Survival in Areas of Highly Variable Rainfall

survives has been adapted successfully to areas characterized by extreme weather variability; or has survival been the result merely of historical accident or of the industry and good management of the farm operator? How one is to define "survival"-whether in terms of the continued existence of the farm business, in terms of some minimum degree of income stability or on some other basiscan be left to the discretion of the individual research worker.
Does cardiac rhythm monitoring in patients with elevated troponin levels lead to changes in management

Background:We sought to identify the frequency of arrhythmias in patients with elevated cardiac troponin levels and without ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction or a primary arrhythmia, and to determine whether detection of an arrhythmia leads to management changes.Methods:A review of 1381 consecutive patients admitted from the emergency department for rhythm monitoring with an elevated cardiac troponin T (cTnT) level was performed. Patients admitted to an intensive care unit and those with an initial primary arrhythmia were excluded. Troponin values were obtained on admission, at 3 hours and at 6 hours. Electronic medical records and all rhythm recordings were reviewed for documentation of an arrhythmia and any changes in management.Results:An arrhythmia was detected in 26% of the 330 patients who met the inclusion criteria. Those with arrhythmias had higher rates of coronary artery disease and prior percutaneous coronary intervention (p = 0.02 and p = 0.01, respectively). Those with arrhythmias ha...
A Multi-Dimensional Finite Element Based Solver for Decomposing and Non-decomposing Thermal Protection Systems.

A multi-dimensional finite element solver for decomposing and non-decomposing ablating materials has recently been developed and is discussed in this paper. The underlying mathematical and material models are presented along with its discretization via the finite element method. The governing equations and solution algorithm is based on the one-dimensional control-volume finite element method (CVFEM) Chaleur code, a successful ablation code in use at Sandia National Labs, and this paper represents a multi-dimensional extension of Chaleur. The Equilibrium Surface Thermochemistry (EST) code, an equilibrium gas/surface thermochemistry code for decomposing and non-decomposing materials that was previously developed by the authors is used in conjunction with this new multi-dimensional ablation code to provide ablation thermochemistry information (i.e. B′ c and enthalpy tables). This new multi-dimensional ablation response code is first applied to solve two established code-to-code comparison problems with tabular aeroheating data. Another aspect of this work has been to develop the ability to couple CFD-based aeroheating data to the ablation code as a spatial and time variant boundary condition. Towards this end, we have established a one-way passing of aeroheating data from a hypersonic CFD code to the ablation code. We then examine the problem of simulating the ablation response of non-decomposing and decomposing materials in two arc-jet facilities.
Intersecting basal plane and prismatic stacking fault structures and their formation mechanisms in GaN

Comparative TEM studies have been carried out on GaN/AlN epifilms grown on both on-axis and off-cut 6H-SiC substrates to study the defects formed in the GaN/AlN films and the state of strain relaxation at the interface. Prismatic Stacking Faults (PSFs) are observed to form at I1 type substrate steps in both the on-axis and vicinal samples. In the vicinal samples, the PSFs expand into GaN/AlN film forming intersecting stacking fault configurations comprising faults that fold back and forth from the basal plane (I1 Basal-Plane Stacking Faults; BSFs) to the prismatic plane (PSFs). On the other hand, in the on-axis sample the PSFs are observed to mostly annihilate each other to form enclosed domains confined to the near-interface region. In addition, HRTEM studies suggest the existence of Geometric Partial Misfit Dislocations (GPMDs) at the SiC/AlN interface of the vicinal sample, which form at I2 type substrate steps. These GPMDs simultaneously accommodate the lattice mismatch and stacking sequence mismatch present at the SiC/AlN interface. This provides explanation of the improved strain relaxation observed in the vicinal versus the on-axis sample.
Genetic Programming of Crops to Sustain or Increase Yields under Reduced Irrigation

Crop productivity is determined by the plant's capacity to convert energy, nutrients, and water into harvestable yield of high quality and high value. The challenge is to sustain or enhance the outputs with a declining land base, reduced water supplies, and a changing global environment. The process of crop adaptation to the environment is restricted by the genetic potential of the plant. Improving the capacity of crops to overcome or adapt to factors that limit growth would increase yield and quality, while reducing demand for irrigation. Research identifying the molecular and biochemical factors underlying crop productivity, adaptation to stressful environments, and production of high-value end products is providing new insights into strategies for germplasm improvement. Characterization of existing genetic diversity within U.S germplasm collections for water-deficit and temperature stress resistance; and the use of biotechnology to enhance yield stabilization in water limited environments will ensure farming sustainability in the future.
Emotional Competence and Anxiety in Childhood and Adolescence: A Meta-Analytic Review

Anxiety is conceptualized as a state of negative emotional arousal that is accompanied by concern about future threat. The purpose of this meta-analytic review was to evaluate the evidence of associations between emotional competence and anxiety by examining how specific emotional competence domains (emotion recognition, emotion expression, emotion awareness, emotion understanding, acceptance of emotion, emotional self-efficacy, sympathetic/empathic responses to others’ emotions, recognition of how emotion communication and self-presentation affect relationships, and emotion regulatory processes) relate to anxiety in childhood and adolescence. A total of 185 studies were included in a series of meta-analyses (N’s ranged from 573 to 25,711). Results showed that anxious youth are less effective at expressing (r = −0.15) and understanding emotions (r = −0.20), less aware of (r = −0.28) and less accepting of their own emotions (r = −0.49), and report less emotional self-efficacy (r = −0.36). More anxious children use more support-seeking coping strategies (r = 0.07) and are more likely to use less adaptive coping strategies including avoidant coping (r = 0.18), externalizing (r = 0.18), and maladaptive cognitive coping (r = 0.34). Emotion acceptance and awareness, emotional self-efficacy, and maladaptive cognitive coping yielded the largest effect sizes. Some effects varied with children’s age. The findings inform intervention and treatment programs of anxiety in youth and identify several areas for future research.
Herbal medicines and possible anesthesia interactions

Herbal medicines are biochemically active compounds that have the potential to interact with drugs used in anesthesia. Lack of herbal standardization makes definitive diagnosis of herb-anesthesia interaction difficult. However, identified herbal use and an understanding of possible interactions can alert the anesthesia provider and raise suspicion of possible herb-related complications. In a recent survey, 22% of patients undergoing surgery reported herbal medicine use. Most patients using herbal remedies fail to report this use to their healthcare providers. Herbal medicine use is not routinely addressed during the preoperative interview. The interviewer should include open-ended questions such as: "What herbal or vitamin supplements do you currently take?" The purpose of this review is to give an industry overview and look at commonly used herbal medicines, focusing on those with the greatest potential for anesthetic and operative complications.
Fiber Path Optimization of Symmetric Laminates with Cutouts for Thermal Buckling

Automated fiber placement technology has pushed for the need to explore nonconventional fiber paths in laminated composites. This paper investigates optimal spatially varying fiber paths in a symmetric linear orthotropic laminate, which could increase the critical buckling temperature under uniform applied thermal loads. The key idea here is to achieve gains in buckling performance yet focus on manufacturability of the obtained optimal fiber path. The subject of this study is a four-layer symmetric orthotropic laminated plate, with a central circular cutout that is clamped on all the edges. A novel finite element algorithm is proposed, which imposes a condition on the definition of discrete fiber angles within each element. The main objectives of the proposed finite element approach are to maintain continuity of the fiber paths and to use a computationally efficient model by reducing the number of optimization variables.
A Novel Respiratory Motion Perturbation Model Adaptable to Patient Breathing Irregularities

Purpose To develop a physical, adaptive motion perturbation model to predict tumor motion using feedback from dynamic measurement of breathing conditions to compensate for breathing irregularities. Methods and Materials A novel respiratory motion perturbation (RMP) model was developed to predict tumor motion variations caused by breathing irregularities. This model contained 2 terms: the initial tumor motion trajectory, measured from 4-dimensional computed tomography (4DCT) images, and motion perturbation, calculated from breathing variations in tidal volume (TV) and breathing pattern (BP). The motion perturbation was derived from the patient-specific anatomy, tumor-specific location, and time-dependent breathing variations. Ten patients were studied, and 2 amplitude-binned 4DCT images for each patient were acquired within 2 weeks. The motion trajectories of 40 corresponding bifurcation points in both 4DCT images of each patient were obtained using deformable image registration. An in-house 4D data processing toolbox was developed to calculate the TV and BP as functions of the breathing phase. The motion was predicted from the simulation 4DCT scan to the treatment 4DCT scan, and vice versa, resulting in 800 predictions. For comparison, noncorrected motion differences and the predictions from a published 5-dimensional model were used. Results The average motion range in the superoinferior direction was 9.4 ± 4.4 mm, the average ΔTV ranged from 10 to 248 mm 3 (−26% to 61%), and the ΔBP ranged from 0 to 0.2 (−71% to 333%) between the 2 4DCT scans. The mean noncorrected motion difference was 2.0 ± 2.8 mm between 2 4DCT motion trajectories. After applying the RMP model, the mean motion difference was reduced significantly to 1.2 ± 1.8 mm ( P =.0018), a 40% improvement, similar to the 1.2 ± 1.8 mm ( P =.72) predicted with the 5-dimensional model. Conclusions A novel physical RMP model was developed with an average accuracy of 1.2 ± 1.8 mm for interfraction motion prediction, similar to that of a published lung motion model. This physical RMP was analytically derived and is able to adapt to breathing irregularities. Further improvement of this RMP model is under investigation.
Growing season ecophysiology of Taxodium distichum (L.) Rich. (bald cypress) saplings in a restored wetland: a baseline for restoration practice.

Wetland restoration is a common practice in the southeastern United States, where changing land use patterns have resulted in the widespread degradation of coastal ecosystems. Re-establishment of indigenous vegetation is a fundamental paradigm of restoration practice. In freshwater wetlands, this often includes planting flood-tolerant species such as Taxodium distichum (L.) Rich (bald cypress). While much is known regarding the ecology of this foundational species, research establishing the ecophysiological profile of mature bald cypress under stress-free, baseline conditions is limited. Therefore, a study was undertaken in 2015 to monitor the growing season ecophysiology of a bald cypress stand in a restored coastal wetland. Net photosynthesis was constant in the early to mid-growing season, declining steadily late in the growth season until the visible onset of needle senescence. Patterns in transpiration matched those observed for photosynthesis, whereas needle conductance and chlorophyll fluorescence ...
HIV Non-Nucleoside Reverse Transcriptase Inhibitors

Non-nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitors (NNRTIs) act by binding directly to the enzyme at a site different from the nucleoside binding component, thereby causing an allosteric inhibition of the transcriptase. The three members of this group that are used clinically are nevirapine, delavirdine and efavirenz. These agents are given in combination with other antiretroviral agents for the treatment of AIDS. All of the NNRTIs are rapidly absorbed from the gastrointestinal tract and highly bound to plasma proteins. They are extensively metabolized by cytochrome P450 enzymes, with variable amounts of the administered drug being recovered in the urine as metabolites. Skin rash is the most common adverse effect associated with the use of these drugs.
Examining the Quality of Crowdsourced Deliberation: Respect, Reciprocity and Lack of Common-Good Orientation

We examine deliberative quality of crowdsourced deliberation in this paper. Analyzing data from two crowdsourced policy-making processes, we found a good quality deliberation with respect, reciprocity, and storytelling according to the standards in the theory of deliberative democracy. We identified a group of super-deliberators, whose deliberation was above the average, and low-quality deliberators, whose deliberation was below the average. The findings show that even when crowdsourced policymaking was not designed for deliberation, it can facilitate a fairly high-quality democratic deliberation.
Modulation Doped A1xGa1-xAs/GaAs Field Effect Transistors (MODFETS): Analysis, Fabrication and Performance

Lattice matched heterojunction structures have received a great deal of attention owing to their applications to high speed and opto-electronic devices. In designing devices with ultra small dimensions, it is necessary to obtain high carrier concentrations in a controllable manner in a very narrow region of the epitaxial structure. Modulation doped AlxGa1-xAs/GaAs structures meet this requirement without degrading the quality of the semiconductor. This is done by doping the larger bandgap AlxGa1-xAs layer quite heavily with donors. Electrons associated with donors in AlxGa1-xAs layer transfer to GaAs where they are confined in a quantum well about 100A wide at the heterointerface. Since the ionized donors are located in the AlxGa1-xAs layer, the GaAs layer having an interface sheet carrier concentration of about 1012 cm-2 is virtually free of ionized carriers. The high field transport parallel to the interface then becomes similar to pure GaAs crystal with peak electron velocities of about 2.1 x 107 cm/s and 3.3 x 107 cm/s at 300 and 77K respectively. Compared to GaAs doped at comparable levels, these figures represent substantial improvements.
A hardware/software co-design architecture for ultrasonic flaw detection with Hidden Markov Model and Wavelet Transform

This work presents an embedded hardware architecture for real-time ultrasonic NDE applications that incorporate Hidden Markov Model (HMM) based statistical signal methods. Proposed algorithm is a combination of Discrete Wavelet Transform (DWT) for pre-processing A-scan signals and HMM for classification of the flaw presence. For this study, a MicroZed FPGA with Xilinx Zynq-7020 System-on-Chip (SoC) is chosen for the hardware implementation. A hardware/software approach is used for maximizing the resource usage and efficiency. Wavelet transform has been implemented on the ARM CPU core while the HMM has been implemented on FPGA fabric. Results confirm that the algorithm is feasible for real-time implementation on this low-cost SoC, with an execution time under 40ms.
Background electrolytes and pH effects on selenate adsorption using iron-impregnated granular activated carbon and surface binding mechanisms.

Iron-impregnated granular activated carbon (Fe-GAC) has been shown effective for selenite adsorptive removal from aqueous solutions, but similar effectiveness was not observed with selenate. This study examined the effects of background electrolytes and pH on selenate adsorption on to Fe-GAC, and surface bindings to elucidate the selenate adsorption mechanisms. The decrease magnitude of selenate adsorption capacity under three background electrolytes followed the order: LiCl > NaCl > KCl, as ionic strength increased from 0.01 to 0.1 M. Larger adsorption capacity differences among the three electrolytes were observed under the higher ionic strengths (0.05 and 0.1 M) than those under 0.01 M. Multiplet peak fittings of high resolution X-ray photoelectron spectra for O1s and Fe2p3/2 indicated the presence of iron (III) on adsorbent surface. pH variations during the adsorbent preparation within 3-8 in NaCl solutions did not cause appreciable changes in the iron redox state and composition. Raman spectra showed the formation of both monodentate and bidentate inner sphere complexes under pHs <7 and a mixture of outer sphere and inner sphere complexes at pH 8. These results explained the lower selenate adsorption under alkaline conditions. Mechanisms for monodentate and bidentate formations and a stable six-member ring structure were proposed. Two strategies were recommended for modifying Fe-GAC preparation procedure to enhance the selenate adsorption: (1) mixed-metal oxide coatings to increase the point of zero charge (pHzpc); and (2) ferrous iron coating to initially reduce selenate followed by selenite adsorption.
Characterizing the Quantum State of Matter Using Emission Tomography

Recent advances in laser technology have stimulated a revival of interest in the study of wave packets in atoms,[1] molecules[2] and in the solid-state.[3] In many experiments, particularly those on atoms and molecules, the aim is to engineer a specific state. Control of the system at the quantum level is intended to initiate a dynamic which can subsequently lead to a desired conclusion; the favoring of a particular dissociation pathway in a molecule, for example, or the generation of states that most closely mimic the dynamics of the equivalent classical system in a Rydberg atom perhaps. In all cases, however, the details of the state prepared by experiment has been inferred from a more or less detailed knowledge of the electric field of the pulse that is used to drive the system. This inference clearly stands or falls on the ability to fully characterize the driving field, but in fact most of the measurements of the nonstationary atomic or molecular states are not sensitive to the full quantum structure of the underlying wave packet, so that a lack of knowledge of the driving pulse is offset by a relatively coarse measurement of the state of the matter system. This is a particularly pressing problem for experiments in which data is acquired over an ensemble of pulses, since then it is impossible to calculate the density matrix unless the statistical properties of the generating pulse ensemble is known. Techniques for complete characterization of a partially-coherent ensemble of optical pulses have only recently been developed.[4]
Noninvasive wave intensity analysis predicts functional worsening in children with pulmonary arterial hypertension.

Wave intensity analysis (WIA) studies are lacking in children with pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) partially because WIA, which is necessary to assess vascular stiffness, requires an invasive...