cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Moving Striations in Direct Current Glow Discharges

A theoretical examination of the ion balance equations for a plasma, such as the positive column of a direct current glow discharge might be, shows that a uniform plasma is not always possible. When ionization proceeds by a two-stage process involving accumulated metastable excited atoms, as may be the case in the noble gases, small perturbations of the ion concentrations from their equilibrium values may not remain small. Under such conditions, a spatially uniform steady plasma cannot exist. A general stability criterion is developed which may be used whenever accurate expressions are known for the ion and metastable production and loss rate terms. Application of the stability criterion is made using several approximations.The instability of a spatially uniform plasma suggests that the ion concentrations may vary along the direction of current flow. The ion balance equations are re-examined for wave-like solutions. Two approximate solutions showing some agreement with experimental observations on moving striations are obtained. The first solution, ignoring variations in the metastable concentration, yields ion and electron concentration waves traveling in the direction of the current flow with velocity probably considerably greater than the positive ion drift velocity. The amplitude of the positive ion wave is much greater than that associated with the electrons.The second approximate solution ignores diffusion and represents a concentration wave dependent solely upon production and loss processes. It can travel in either direction, depending upon conditions in the plasma. General expressions for velocity, frequency, and wave number are given, but these cannot be evaluated numerically without better expressions for some of the quantities involved.
Some organizing principles in the valuation of tropical forests

Abstract Some principles that should be used when evaluating the economic benefits of a standing tropical forest are outlined in this paper. The benefits of tropical forests include timber rents, revenues from non-timber forest goods and services, positive externalities to people living downstream, income from tourism, and biodiversity. The misallocation of resources arising from improper valuation of tropical forests are outlined.
Access and Benefits: Assistive Technology in Adult Literacy

Through access to assistive technology, adult students with learning disabilities can improve their literacy skills and goal attainment as a supplement to regular adult basic education classes. This article describes a project that investigated whether increased engagement with text-to-speech and speech-recognition software could improve participants' foundational literacy skills. Data were gathered through careful observations as well as reflective dialogue with the learners. Three layers are explored: • The underlying framework of dialogic research • Thematic analysis of students' interactions with the equipment • Thematic analysis of the role of the coach Through a series of snapshots of students' approaches to literacy learning with assistive technology and a cross-case analysis, possibilities and complexities are revealed in the intersection of literacy and technology.
Injury of the carotid and vertebral arteries

A knowledge of the normal anatomy and anatomic relationships of the carotid and vertebral arteries, as well as the biomechanics by which traumatic injury occurs to these vessels, is important both in the interpretation of diagnostic arteriograms and in the clinical assessment of the injured patient.
Do Adolescents Who Regularly Attend Religious Services Stay Out of Trouble? Results From a National Sample:

The relationship between religious service attendance and adolescent externalizing behavior is well established in the aggregate, but little is known about what behavioral and psychosocial differen...
Adaptive plotting position and test of normality

The quantile–quantile plot is widely used to check normality. The plot depends on the plotting positions. Many commonly used plotting positions do not depend on the sample values. We propose an adaptive plotting position that depends on the relative distances of the two neighbouring sample values. The correlation coefficient obtained from the adaptive plotting position is used to test normality. The test using the adaptive plotting position is better than the Shapiro–Wilk W test for small samples and has larger power than Hazen's and Blom's plotting positions for symmetric alternatives with shorter tail than normal and skewed alternatives when n is 20 or larger. The Brown–Hettmansperger T* test is designed for detecting bad tail behaviour, so it does not have power for symmetric alternatives with shorter tail than normal, but it is generally better than the other tests when β2 is greater than 3.25.
Interaction between cytokines and inflammatory cells in islet dysfunction, insulin resistance and vascular disease

Inflammation is an established pathogenic player in insulin resistance, islet demise and atherosclerosis. The complex interactions between cytokines, immune cells and affected tissues result in sustained inflammation in diabetes and atherosclerosis. 12- and 15-lipoxygenase (LO), such as 12/15-LO, produces a variety of metabolites through peroxidation of fatty acids and potentially contributes to the complex molecular crosstalk at the site of inflammation. 12- and 15-LO pathways are frequently activated in tissues affected by diabetes and atherosclerosis including adipose tissue (AT), islets and the vasculature. Moreover, mice with whole body and tissue-specific knockout of 12/15-LO are protected against insulin resistance, hyperglycaemia and atherosclerosis supporting functional contribution of 12- and 15-LO pathways in diabetes and atherosclerosis. Recently, it has emerged that there is a temporal regulation of the particular isoforms of 12- and 15-LO in human AT and islets during the development of type 1 and type 2 diabetes and obesity. Analyses of tissues affected by diabetes and atherosclerosis also implied the roles of interleukin (IL)-12 and nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate (NADPH) oxidase-1 (NOX-1) in islets and IL-17A in atherosclerosis. Future studies should aim to test the efficacy of inhibitions of these mediators for treatment of diabetes and atherosclerosis.
Particle Image Velocimetry via Wavelet Analysis

Novel analytical and image processing methods derived as part of the development of a digital particle image velocimetry system, based on multiresolution analysis, are presented. The derivation of wavelet-based multiresolution methods for velocity e eld reconstruction is addressed, and the experimental setup used for validation of results is described. New techniques are proposed with improved spatial resolution and reliability over some existing methods. The techniques are based on wavelet-based representations of digital particle image data that are used to calculate spatially localized and frequency localized e ltered correlations of successive images. An essential feature of the method is the development of windowed cross-correlation expressions for wavelet-based expansions that are not orthogonal (or biorthogonal) over the cross-correlation window. The methodology makes use of recently introduced ree nable functions and generalized connection coefe cients derived in wavelet-based e nite element methods. A conventional charge-coupled device camera is used with a frame rate of 30 frames/s and pixel resolution of 512 £ 480 per frame. The images are acquired in pairs at 30 frames/s, with a user-dee ned time delay between image pairs, to capture the e owe eld structure evolution. The e ow illumination was achieved using a 5-W, argon-ion laser. Finally, hardware and algorithm performance is demonstrated via sample water-tunnel experiments.
Using an obliquely incident laser beam to measure optical properties of turbid media

ABSTRACT A simple and quick approach was invented to measure optical properties of tissue-like turbid media. A laser beam with oblique incidence to the medium causes the center of the diffusereflectance that is several transport mean free paths away from the incident point to shift from thepoint of incidence. The amount of shift is used to compute the reduced scattering coefficient by asimple formula. This formula is a function of the refractive index of the turbid medium divided bythat of the incident medium and the angle of incidence off the surface normal for a semi-infiniteturbid medium having a much smaller absorption coefficient than the reduced scattering coefficient. For a turbid medium having a comparable absorption coefficient with the reduced scattering coefficient, a revision to the above formula was made. The slope of the diffuse reflectance can beused to compute the penetration depth. Both the computation of the reduced scattering coefficientand penetration depth are based on simple and quick algorithms. The validity conditions of thealgorithms for slabs of turbid media are studied. This technique has potential for non-invasive, invivo, real-time diagnosis of disease or monitoring of treatments.Key words: Tissue optics, turbid media, scattering media, absorption coefficient, reducedscattering coefficient, optical properties, Monte Carlo simulation.
The Effects of Energy Levels on Nitrogen Components of Urine

Abstract IN STUDIES concerning nitrogen metabolism in chickens, the interrelated metabolism of the energy nutrients (carbohydrates and fats) and protein present a problem in the formulation of rations. The effects of dietary energy levels on nitrogen components of the urine has not been extensively investigated. The findings of urinary nitrogen components were reviewed by O’Dell et al. (1960). These workers also presented data on urinary nitrogen components as influenced by various protein sources. It was of interest in this laboratory to determine whether dietary energy levels would affect the nitrogen components of avian urine while being maintained on an iso-protein ration. MATERIALS AND METHODS Twelve hens (S.C. White Leghorn) were selected and placed in an air-conditioned room (75° ± 1°F.). Surgical techniques used for the separate collection of feces and urine were similar to those described by Dixon and Wilkinson (1957) and Dixon (1958) and modified by Richardson et al., (1960).
Processing-microstructure relationships for Ti-6Al-2Sn-4Zr-2Mo-0.1Si

The detailed relationships between thermal-mechanical processing parameters and resulting microstructures for Ti-6Al-2Sn-4Zr-2Mo-0.1 Si (Ti-6242) have been established through compression testing and heat treatment. Beginning with either an equiaxed alpha or Widmanstatten alpha preform microstructure, isothermal compression tests were run at strain rates typical of isothermal forging (10−3 to 10−1 s−1) and conventional forging (1 to 100 s−1). Metallographic investigation of these test specimens in as-deformed and heat treated conditions was used to characterize deformation-induced microstructures and transformations. For the equiaxed alpha microstructure, it was shown that deformation, as well as post-deformation heat treatment, were more effective in promoting microstructures close to the expected equilibrium ones than heat treatment alone, a finding similar to that for other alloy systems. For the metastable Widmanstatten alpha microstructure, the deformation and heat treatment parameters that promote the development of an equilibrium, equiaxed alpha microstructure have been determined. For this microstructure, two separate temperature-strain rate regimes have been identified, and the resulting microstructures correlated with the measured flow stress behavior. For the low temperature regime, deformation is highly nonuniform, and the microstructural features are shown to be similar to those in pearlitic steels and other lamellar alloys. In the higher temperature regime, on the other hand, deformation is much more uniform. The results presented can be applied to select hot forging parameters for the control of final microstructure and properties in Ti-6242 and similarα/β titanium alloys.
The genome portal of the Department of Energy Joint Genome Institute: 2014 updates

The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) Joint Genome Institute (JGI), a national user facility, serves the diverse scientific community by providing integrated high-throughput sequencing and computational analysis to enable system-based scientific approaches in support of DOE missions related to clean energy generation and environmental characterization. The JGI Genome Portal (http://genome.jgi.doe.gov) provides unified access to all JGI genomic databases and analytical tools. The JGI maintains extensive data management systems and specialized analytical capabilities to manage and interpret complex genomic data. A user can search, download and explore multiple data sets available for all DOE JGI sequencing projects including their status, assemblies and annotations of sequenced genomes. Here we describe major updates of the Genome Portal in the past 2 years with a specific emphasis on efficient handling of the rapidly growing amount of diverse genomic data accumulated in JGI.
Study of taurine and tauret content in the compound eye of locust with light and dark adaptation

Taurine as well as tauret (retinyliden taurine) levels were measured in locust Locusta migratoria compound eyes. HPLC measurements revealed relatively low taurine levels (1.9 +/- 0.16 mM) in dark-adapted eyes. Glutamate, aspartate and glycine levels were 2.0 +/- 0.2, 2.7 +/- 0.4 and 3.0 +/- 0.37 mM, respectively, while GABA was present only in trace amounts. After about 4 h of light adaptation at 1500-2000 lx, amino acid levels in the compound eye were as follows: taurine, 1.8 +/- 0.17 mM; glutamate, no change at 2.1 +/- 0.2 mM; aspartate sharply increased to 4.7 +/- 0.7 mM; glycine slightly decreased to 2.8 +/- 0.3 mM; and GABA trace levels. In the compound eye of locust Locusta migratoria, the existence of endogenous tauret in micro-molar range was established. In the dark, levels were several times higher compared with compound eye after light adaptation 1500 lx for 3 h, as estimated by TLC in combination with spectral measurements. Existence of tauret in compound eye is of special interest because in the compound eye, rhodopsin regeneration is based on photoregeneration.
Efficient interpretation algorithm for embedded Bragg gratings for damage detection in composites

The goal of a structural health monitoring system is to detect, locate, and identify damages in a structure during its lifetime. The concept of structural health monitoring is particularly important for fiber reinforced composites due to the complexity of the possible failure mechanisms. The goal of this work is to simulate the response of optical fiber Bragg grating sensors to multi-component loading for their implementation in structural health monitoring algorithms for composites. A simulation method is presented to determine the effects of axial, bending and shear loading on an embedded optical fiber Bragg grating sensor. The effect of fiber bending on the Bragg grating sensor is experimentally verified by embedding the sensor in a solid cone, clamped at the base and subjected to a point load at the apex. Next, a numerically efficient method to calculate the response of sensors embedded in a unidirectional composite is developed using both finite element analysis and optimal shear-lag theory and taking into account the above effects. The limitations of the optimal shear-lag theory are derived through comparison with the finite element results. The application of this method is demonstrated through a numerical example, simulating the response of sensors embedded in one fiber layer to a transverse crack.
Abstract 4504: Genetic determinants of AKT-dependence in epithelial ovarian cancer

Ovarian cancer is a genetically complex disease. Recent data compiled by The Cancer Genome Atlas Project highlights the heterogeneity within this disease, though distinct genetic signatures, such as PI3K pathway aberration, KRas alteration and Rb loss, are emerging that may condition treatment response. The high frequency of AKT activation in ovarian cancer, via PTEN mutation/deletion, PIK3CA/AKT mutation/amplification, RAS mutation, or mutation/amplification of upstream receptor tyrosine kinases (RTK), suggests that inhibitors of this pathway may be particularly effective treatments for this disease. We utilized a selective, allosteric inhibitor of AKT to determine the AKT-dependence of a panel of ovarian cancer cell lines. This AKT1/2 inhibitor (Merck AKTi-1/2) has been extensively tested against panels of kinases and PH-domain containing proteins and based upon these studies appears to be highly selective for AKT1 and AKT2. The drug effectively inhibited AKT activity as measured by a decrease in AKT phosphorylation at serine 473 in all cell lines. Of the 17 cell lines tested to date, 3 were hypersensitive (IC50 = 0.1um) to AKT inhibition, while 1 demonstrated intermediate sensitivity (IC50 = 2uM) and 13 were resistant (IC50 >=5uM). Levels of AKT phosphorylation at serine 473 were inversely correlated with Merck AKTi-1/2 IC50 (p = 0.036) but AKT activation alone was insufficient to confer sensitivity. Activation of the MAPK pathway, via KRas/BRaf/MEK1 mutation or KRas amplification, and Rb loss were predictive of resistance to AKT inhibition. In sensitive cell lines, AKT inhibition resulted in hypophosphorylation of RB and accumulation of cells in G1. Significant induction of apoptosis was not observed even in PTEN null, AKT2 amplified and PIK3CA mutant models. Treatment of a PTEN-mutant xenograft model of ovarian cancer with the AKTi-1/2 was also effective in inhibiting AKT phosphorylation and downstream signaling and resulted in a cytostatic tumor response. Ongoing studies are focused on the identification of rational combination strategies that result in induction of apoptosis in the cell lines in which the AKTi-1/2 alone induces growth arrest. The long-term goal will be to identify genetic predictors of AKT-dependence and AKT-inhibitor resistance to guide patient selection for future clinical trials. Citation Format: {Authors}. {Abstract title} [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 101st Annual Meeting of the American Association for Cancer Research; 2010 Apr 17-21; Washington, DC. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2010;70(8 Suppl):Abstract nr 4504.
Growth of Tailored Oxide Nanostructures for Use as Catalyst Support Media

Graphite nanofibers are a family of materials consisting of graphene sheets arranged at various angles with respect to the growth axis. Graphite nanofibers possessing a structure in which the individual sheets constituting the material are aligned in a direction perpendicular to the growth axis have been used as templates for the deposition of selected metal oxides. The abundant number of exposed edges in the substrate act as collection centers onto which the chemical vapor deposited oxides nucleate and grow in an epitaxial manner. When the mixed oxide/graphite nanofiber structure is treated in CO 2 at 1100 °C, it is possible to selectively remove the carbon skeleton so that one is left with a highly crystalline metal oxide faceted nanotube. Electron diffraction and X-ray diffraction studies demonstrate that these oxides adopt preferred orientations that are quite different from those encountered with the corresponding oxide powders, which are generally amorphous in nature. These novel oxide structures provide a well-ordered surface on which to disperse small metal particles for subsequent use as catalysts. Preliminary results indicate that when iron is supported on the graphite nanofiber-modified alumina surface, the catalytic behavior of the system is significantly different from that observed when the metal is dispersed directly onto the nanofibers or the oxide powder. This effect is discussed in terms of the possibility that the metal particles adopt a preferred crystallographic orientation on the oxide nanotube surface, which favor interaction with certain gas-phase molecules.
Substrate recognition and splice site determination in yeast tRNA splicing

S. cerevisae tRNA introns interrupt the gene at a constant position in the anticodon loop. Pre-tRNAs are matured by an endonuclease and a ligase. The endonuclease alone can accurately release the intron from the pre-tRNA. Here, we investigate the mechanism of splice site selection by the endonuclease. We propose that it initially recognizes features in the mature domain common to all tRNAs. Once positioned on the enzyme, the splice sites are recognizable because they are a fixed distance from the mature domain. To test this hypothesis, we developed a system for synthesizing pre-tRNA by bacteriophage T7 RNA polymerase. To search for recognition sites, we made several mutations. Mutations of C56 and U8 strongly affect endonuclease recognition of pre-tRNA. With insertion and deletion mutations, we show that the anticodon stem determines splicing specificity. The sequence and structure of the intron are not strong determinants of splice site selection.
Neutral proteases and disruption of the blood-brain barrier in rat

Blood-brain barrier disruption is common in many neurological diseases. Matrix metalloproteinases are induced in brain injury and increase capillary permeability by attacking the extracellular matrix around cerebral capillaries. Other neutral proteases are also increased in sites of secondary injury, and may contribute to the proteolysis of the blood-brain barrier. Therefore, we studied capillary permeability and histological tissue damage after intracerebral injection of neutrophil elastase, cathepsin G, heparatinase and plasmin. Adult rats were injected intracerebrally with an enzyme. After 1, 4 or 24 h, measurements were made of brain uptake of a radiolabeled tracer, [14C]sucrose. Enzymes that significantly increased capillary permeability were injected into other rats for histological assessment of tissue damage. Elastase increased capillary permeability significantly when compared with controls; maximal damage was seen at 4 h. Plasmin produced smaller increases in permeability at 4 h, exerting its maximal effect on sucrose uptake at 24 h. Cathepsin G had a small effect at 4 h. Heparitinase had no effect. Histologic examination of elastase-injected brains at 24 h revealed multifocal perivascular and intraparenchymal acute hemorrhages accompanied by a polymorphonuclear cell infiltrate. Elastase-injected brains were microscopically similar to saline-injected brains at 1 and 4 h. Plasmin produced fibrinoid changes in the blood vessels at 24 h, coinciding with the maximal increase in capillary permeability. We conclude that neutrophil elastase attacks the capillary extracellular matrix, causing extensive hemorrhage, while plasmin leads to increased vascular permeability and fibrinoid necrosis of blood vessel walls. Differential effects of neutral proteases released secondary to injury could be important in both the acute changes in blood vessel permeability and long-term alterations in vessel structure.
Methylandrostenediol; a protein-anabolic steroid with little androgenic activity.

THE need for a compound which stimulates general tissue growth has led to examination of a number of agents by several methods of assay. The final test of clinical usefulness of such a compound is its ability to produce an increment of tissue in man as measured by weight, height, and metabolic balance studies. The hormones found to be potent in this respect are also strongly androgenic, a quality which limits their clinical application. Although the growth hormone of the anterior pituitary gland fulfills the criteria of tissue growth in animal experimentation and is devoid of androgenic activity, existing preparations of this hormone have been disappointing in man (1, 2). Previous experiments have suggested that the androgenic potency of the steroids does not necessarily parallel their anabolic activity (3). These studies have also indicated that the weight of the levator ani muscle of the castrate male rat reflects the anabolic efficacy of administered steroids. This muscle is restored to normal, or even...
Empirical investigations versus anecdotal observations concerning anxiety in computer-assisted instruction

Abstract Empirical data are offered as counter evidence to the negative criticisms of Computer-Assisted Instruction systems as anxiety producing situations.
Tomographic image reconstruction techniques for spectroscopic sources—I. Theory and computer simulations

Abstract Computerized tomography (CT) offers one method for accurately reconstructing the spatial features of a spectroscopic source having arbitrary geometry. With computer-simulated lateral projections as the input data, the potential advantages and problems associated with several CT algorithms were compared. In general, CT offers greater spatial information content than more commonly used image-reconstruction techniques, but at the added expense of more involved post-processing calculations and more elaborate experimental instrumentation.
Synthesis and structure-activity relationships of chiral allosteric modifiers of hemoglobin.

A series of allosteric effectors of hemoglobin, 2-(aryloxy)-2-alkanoic acids, was prepared to investigate the effect of the stereocenter on allosteric activity. The chiral analogues were based on the lead compound, RSR13 (3b), with different alkyl/alkanoic and cycloalkyl/cycloalkanoic groups positioned at the acidic chiral center. Of the 23 racemic molecules synthesized, 5 were selected for resolution based on structure−activity relationships. One chiral analogue, (−)-(1R,2R)-1-[4-[[(3,5-dimethylanilino)carbonyl]methyl]phenoxy]-2-methylcyclopentanecarboxylic acid (11), exhibited greater in vitro activity in hemoglobin solutions than its antipode, racemate, and RSR13. Compound (−)-(1R,2R)-11 was equipotent with RSR13 in whole blood, is a candidate for in vivo animal studies, and if efficacious and safe has a potential for use in humans. In general, it was found that chirality affects allosteric effector activity with measurable differences observed between enantiomers and the racemates.
Cytotoxic effector function of CD4-independent, CD8(+) T cells is mediated by TNF-α/TNFR

Background Liver parenchymal cell allografts initiate both CD4-dependent and CD4-independent, CD8(+) T cell-mediated acute rejection pathways. The magnitude of allospecific CD8(+) T cell in vivo cytotoxic effector function is maximal when primed in the presence of CD4(+) T cells. The current studies were conducted to determine if and how CD4(+) T cells might influence cytotoxic effector mechanisms. Methods Mice were transplanted with allogeneic hepatocytes. In vivo cytotoxicity assays and various gene-deficient recipient mice and target cells were used to determine the development of Fas-, TNF-α-, and perforin-dependent cytotoxic effector mechanisms after transplantation. Results CD8(+) T cells maturing in CD4-sufficient hepatocyte recipients develop multiple (Fas-, TNF-α-, and perforin-mediated) cytotoxic mechanisms. However, CD8(+) T cells, maturing in the absence of CD4(+) T cells, mediate cytotoxicity and transplant rejection that is exclusively TNF-α/TNFR-dependent. To determine the kinetics of CD4-mediated help, CD4(+) T cells were adoptively transferred into CD4-deficient mice at various times posttransplant. The maximal influence of CD4(+) T cells on the magnitude of CD8-mediated in vivo allocytotoxicityf occurs within 48 hours. Conclusion The implication of these studies is that interference of CD4(+) T cell function by disease or immunotherapy will have downstream consequences on both the magnitude of allocytotoxicity as well as the cytotoxic effector mechanisms used by allospecific CD8(+) cytolytic T cells.
Performance-Based Payment Incentives Increase Burden And Blame For Hospital Nurses

We interviewed hospital leaders and unit nurses in twenty-five hospitals between June and October 2008 to explore the effect of performance-based incentives. Interviewees expressed favorable impressions of the impact that incentive policies have on quality and safety. However, they raised concerns about the policies’ effects on the nurse workforce. Their concerns included the belief that performance-based incentives would increase both the burden and the blame for nurses without corresponding improvements in staffing levels, work environment, salaries, or turnover. To maximize the intended policy impact without jeopardizing the workforce that holds the key to their adoption, we recommend that policy makers invest in implementation support, redesign hospital incentives to reward teamwork, and involve nursing leaders in the design of future incentive policies.
Immunization and culture of rainbow trout organ sections in vitro

Abstract Splenic and anterior kidney sections or whole organs were excised from large (1 kg) or small (200 g) rainbow trout ( Salmo gairdneri ) and placed in sterile 60 mm plastic plates containing 10 ml of Eagle's minimal essential medium (EMEM) supplemented with normal or fetal calf serum for in vitro culture. The organ samples were immunized in vitro by direct injection or by mixing in the medium Yersinia ruckeri O-antigen or dinitrophenyl-Ficoll. The medium was changed once during the 10-day incubation at 15 C. The passive hemolytic plaque assay demonstrated antibody production from the plaque-forming cells (PFC); passive hemagglutination was used to measure antibody titers in the media. High numbers of PFC occurred in cultures of either kidney or spleen, demonstrating that these organs can function independently for antibody production. Splenic sections from large fish produced more PFC than comparable whole organs from small fish. EMEM supplemented with 2% normal calf serum was a satisfactory culture medium. 2-hydroxyethyl-mercaptan an ingredient used in mammalian cell culture, inhibited antibody production in trout cells. These techniques are being used in the culture of organs and cells to elucidate pathways and sequences of antigen uptake and delivery of the immunopoietic tissues in trout.
Experimental and molecular dynamics simulation studies of friction behavior of hydrogenated carbon films

Abstract Hydrogenated carbon (CH x ) films were grown by reactive magnetron sputtering of graphite in an argon–hydrogen plasma. Pulsed d.c. bias was applied to both the carbon target and the substrate to maintain a stable process and reasonable deposition rate. The resulting films were smooth and stress-free. The influence of hydrogen concentration and relative humidity on friction properties of the films was investigated. At 5% relative humidity, the lowest friction coefficient of 0.01 was obtained at a sputter-gas composition containing 25% hydrogen. Excessive incorporation of hydrogen produces softening and degrades its friction performance at high contact stresses. Molecular dynamics simulation studies showed the reduction of friction coefficient with surface hydrogenation. These studies indicate that pulsed d.c. magnetron sputtering can produce hydrogenated carbon films with friction properties similar to those prepared by chemical vapor deposition methods.
Computational micromechanics analysis of electron hopping and interfacial damage induced piezoresistive response in carbon nanotube-polymer nanocomposites

Carbon nanotube (CNT)-polymer nanocomposites have been observed to exhibit an effective macroscale piezoresistive response, i.e., change in macroscale resistivity when subjected to applied deformation. The macroscale piezoresistive response of CNT-polymer nanocomposites leads to deformation/strain sensing capabilities. It is believed that the nanoscale phenomenon of electron hopping is the major driving force behind the observed macroscale piezoresistivity of such nanocomposites. Additionally, CNT-polymer nanocomposites provide damage sensing capabilities because of local changes in electron hopping pathways at the nanoscale because of initiation/evolution of damage. The primary focus of the current work is to explore the effect of interfacial separation and damage at the nanoscale CNT-polymer interface on the effective macroscale piezoresistive response. Interfacial separation and damage are allowed to evolve at the CNT-polymer interface through coupled electromechanical cohesive zones, within a finite element based computational micromechanics framework, resulting in electron hopping based current density across the separated CNT-polymer interface. The macroscale effective material properties and gauge factors are evaluated using micromechanics techniques based on electrostatic energy equivalence. The impact of the electron hopping mechanism, nanoscale interface separation and damage evolution on the effective nanocomposite electrostatic and piezoresistive response is studied in comparison with the perfectly bonded interface. The effective electrostatic/piezoresistive response for the perfectly bonded interface is obtained based on a computational micromechanics model developed in the authors? earlier work. It is observed that the macroscale effective gauge factors are highly sensitive to strain induced formation/disruption of electron hopping pathways, interface separation and the initiation/evolution of interfacial damage.
The superior ophthalmic vein approach for the treatment of carotid-cavernous fistulas: a novel technique using Onyx

Object Endovascular therapy is the primary treatment option for carotid-cavernous fistulas (CCFs). Operative cannulation of the superior ophthalmic vein (SOV) provides a reasonable alternative route to the cavernous sinus when all transvenous and transarterial approaches have been unsuccessful. The role of the liquid embolic agent Onyx in the management of CCFs has not been well documented, especially when using an SOV approach. The purpose of this study is to assess the safety and efficacy of Onyx embolization of CCFs through a surgical cannulation of the SOV. Methods The authors retrospectively reviewed all patients with CCFs who were treated with Onyx through an SOV approach between April 2009 and April 2011. Traditional endovascular approaches had failed in all patients. Results A total of 10 patients were identified, 1 with a Type A CCF, 5 with a Type B CCF, and 4 with a Type D CCF. All fistulas were embolized in 1 session. Onyx was the sole embolic agent used in 7 cases and was combined with coils i...
Broadening behavioral decision research: multiple levels of cognitive processing.

The area of behavioral decision research—specifically, the work on heuristics and biases—has had a tremendous influence on basic research, applied research, and application over the last 25 years. Its unique juxtaposition against economics has provided important benefits, but at the cost of leaving it disconnected from too much of psychology. This paper explores an expanded definition of behavioral decision research through the consideration of multiple levels of cognitive processing. Rather than being limited to how decision makers depart from optimality, we offer a broader analysis of how decision makers define the decision problem and link decisions to goals, as well as a more detailed focus on processes associated with implementing decisions.
Isolation and Characterization of the Circulating Truncated Form of PCSK9

Proprotein convertase subtilisin-kexin type 9 (PCSK9) is a secreted protein which regulates serum LDL cholesterol. It circulates in human and rodent serum in an intact form and a major truncated form. Previous in vitro studies involving the expression of human PCSK9 genetic variants and in vivo studies of furin knockout mice suggest that the truncated form is a furin cleavage product. However, the circulating truncated form of PCSK9 has not been isolated and characterized. Utilizing antibodies which bind to either the catalytic domain or the C-terminal domain of PCSK9, the truncated PCSK9 was isolated from serum. MS was used to determine that this form of PCSK9 is a product of in vivo cleavage at Arg218 resulting in pyroglutamic acid formation of the nascent N terminus corresponding to Gln219 of intact PCSK9. We also determined that the truncated PCSK9 in serum lacked the N-terminal segment which contains amino acids critical for LDL receptor binding. A truncated PCSK9, expressed and purified from HEK293 cells with identical composition as the circulating truncated protein, was not active in inhibition of LDL uptake by HepG2 cells. These studies provide a definitive characterization of the composition and activity of the truncated form of PCSK9 found in human serum.
Imaging Advances In Federally Funded Programs

Various Federal agencies of the United States Government have provided extensive funding support for the development of modern medical diagnostic imaging systems and for the computer technology which has made them possible. Representative images are shown which have been produced by imaging systems developed under contract and grant programs funded by the National Institutes of Health. This research was carried out by investigators in universities, hospitals, and industry. The examples are selected from research in radiology, nuclear medicine, ultrasound, and nuclear magnetic resonance imaging.© (1982) COPYRIGHT SPIE--The International Society for Optical Engineering. Downloading of the abstract is permitted for personal use only.
Tests of Bayesian model selection techniques for gravitational wave astronomy

The analysis of gravitational wave data involves many model selection problems. The most important example is the detection problem of selecting between the data being consistent with instrument noise alone, or instrument noise and a gravitational wave signal. The analysis of data from ground based gravitational wave detectors is mostly conducted using classical statistics, and methods such as the Neyman-Peterson criteria are used for model selection. Future space based detectors, such as the Laser Interferometer Space Antenna (LISA), are expected to produce rich data streams containing the signals from many millions of sources. Determining the number of sources that are resolvable, and the most appropriate description of each source poses a challenging model selection problem that may best be addressed in a Bayesian framework. An important class of LISA sources are the millions of low-mass binary systems within our own galaxy, tens of thousands of which will be detectable. Not only are the number of sources unknown, but so are the number of parameters required to model the waveforms. For example, a significant subset of the resolvable galactic binaries will exhibit orbital frequency evolution, while a smaller number will have measurable eccentricity. In the Bayesian approach to model selection one needs to compute the Bayes factor between competing models. Here we explore various methods for computing Bayes factors in the context of determining which galactic binaries have measurable frequency evolution. The methods explored include a reverse jump Markov chain Monte Carlo algorithm, Savage-Dickie density ratios, the Schwarz-Bayes information criterion, and the Laplace approximation to the model evidence. We find good agreement between all of the approaches.
Verbal persuasive strategies in mixed‐motive interactions

(1970). Verbal persuasive strategies in mixed‐motive interactions. Quarterly Journal of Speech: Vol. 56, No. 2, pp. 149-160.
Precision current regulation of multipole magnets using commercial SMPS

The South Hall Ring project under construction at Bates Linear Accelerator Center will require a large number of highly stable power supplies. Most of these supplies will be powering multipole magnets. Due to the costs of custom power supplies, the authors tested the feasibility of upgrading commercial supplies with an external controller to improve the current regulation from a typical value of 200 PPM to better than 25 PPM. The final design has been shown to comply with the high stability specifications for the multipole power supplies. >
Inhibition of Nitrosomonas europaea by monoterpenes from coastal redwood (Sequoia sempervirens) in whole-cell studies

Inhibition by allelochemicals, including monoterpenes, has been suggested as a factor in the extremely low nitrification rates observed in coastal redwood forests. Similarities between the molecular structure of known nitrification inhibitors and some conifer monoterpenes have been suggested as one reason for the inhibition of autotrophic nitrifiers by conifer monoterpenes. The effect of monolerpenes on nitrification rate and growth of Nitrosomonas europaea was examined in whole-cell pure culture experiments using the five most abundant monoterpenes in coastal redwood needles. These are (in order of decreasing concentration in the needles) limonene, α-pinenc, sabinene, myrcene, and γ-terpinene. Four of the five compounds significantly inhibited growth of N. europaea in batch culture experiments. Short-term kinetic studies of the two most inhibitory monoterpenes, limonene and α-pinene, were performed on whole cells to evaluate the mode of interaction between these chemicals and nitrification rates. Inhibition constants (Ki) of limonene (38 μM) and α-pinene (95 μM) were determined. Lineweaver-Burk plots of nitrification in the presence of monoterpenes appear to fit a noncompetitive inhibition model; however, the mechanisms of inhibition may be more complex.
A Problem-based Learning Model for Teaching the Instructional Design Business Acquisition Process

There is a growing emphasis on utilizing a problem-based learning [PBL] pedagogy to help instructional design students gain an understanding of the complex forces operating within an actual design environment. However, little literature exists to suggest that PBL is being used to teach the process by which instructional design firms and practitioners secure work—the Instructional Design Business Acquisition Process (IDBAP). This study outlines a conceptual framework for using an adapted problem-based learning model for teaching the IDBAP, which consists of writing a response to a request for proposal (RFP), developing a working prototype, and orally presenting the solution. This study also examines the impact of a PBL pedagogy on students' perception of their confidence in solving instructional design problems. The results of this empirical research indicate that students who participate in a problem-based learning pedagogy gain confidence in their abilities to solve instructional design problems, view themselves in emotional control when solving an instructional design problem, and are more inclined to approach similar problems in the future.
IL-18 modulates chronic fungal asthma in a murine model; putative involvement of Toll-like receptor-2.

Fungus-induced asthmatic disease is characterized by persistent airway hyperreactivity and remodeling.¶Objective and design: To determine the role of IL-18 in the allergic airway response to Aspergillus fumigatus conidia in a murine model of A. fumigatus-induced asthma.¶Methods: A. fumigatus-sensitized mice were depleted of IL-18 using a polyclonal anti-IL-18 antibody for 3 days after a conidia challenge.¶Results: Airway hyperresponsiveness and eosinophil numbers were significantly elevated 3-30 days after conidia challenge compared to the normal serum-treated group. Histological evidence showed retention of A. fumigatus conidia, airway remodeling, subepithelial fibrosis, and increased collagen deposition in the lungs of IL-18-depleted mice at day 30 after the conidia challenge. Prolonged retention of conidia in IL-18 depleted A. fumigatus-sensitized mice was associated with decreased Toll-like receptor-2 (TLR-2) expression compared with the control group.¶Conclusions: IL-18 modulates the innate immune response against A. fumigatus conidia and prevents the development of severe fungus-induced asthmatic disease.
Factoring solution sets of polynomial systems in parallel

The authors reported on a first parallel implementation of a recent algorithm to factor positive dimensional solution sets of polynomial systems. As the algorithm uses homotopy continuation, a good speedup of the path tracking jobs was observed. However, for solution sets of high degree, the overhead of managing different homotopies and large lists of solutions exposes the limits of the master/servant parallel programming paradigm for this type of problem. A probabilistic complexity study suggests modifications to the method, which will also improve the serial version of the original algorithm.
Influence of catchment land cover on stoichiometry and stable isotope compositions of basal resources and macroinvertebrate consumers in headwater streams

Anthropogenic land use affects aquatic landscapes. For example, landscape-level conversion to urban or agricultural land can heavily influence nutrient cycles in headwater streams via increased nutrient loading and altered hydrologic patterns. Recent studies in headwater streams have found that the stoichiometry and stable isotope compositions of basal resources and consumers can vary as a result of landscape-level change. To this end, we examined the stoichiometry and stable isotope compositions (δ13C and δ15N) of headwater stream flora and fauna in 16 streams located within forested, agricultural, urban, and mixed (urban, forested, and agricultural) catchments. Our results suggest basal resource stoichiometry varied across streams, with leaf litter being the most variable basal resource. Macroinvertebrate consumers maintained stoichiometric homeostasis across stream groups, but consumer stoichiometry differed across families. Values of δ13C did not vary across stream groups for basal resources; however,...
Issues and opportunities in transitions from speciality care: a field study of bone marrow transplant

Transitional points in patient care, such as handoffs and hospital discharges, are known to have unique information challenges. Transitions following long-term care involve even more complex processes. In this study, we examine the informational and contextual issues for patients transitioning from the care of specialists who have come to know them through long-term partnerships to clinicians potentially less familiar with patients’ chronic care concerns. The context is bone marrow transplant BMT; specifically allogeneic transplants, which involve risk for particular chronic complications and a long-term process that requires close monitoring of patients by BMT specialists for at least a year beyond the actual transplant procedure. Based on a 16-month field study, we examine patient experience and clinician viewpoints regarding the transition of patient responsibility from BMT clinicians to primary care or oncologists, and detail the important issues for patients and clinicians.
Computational Analysis of Combustion of High and Low Cetane Fuels in a Compression Ignition Engine

Past research has shown that the combustion of low cetane fuels in compression ignition (CI) engines results in higher fuel conversion efficiencies. However, when high-cetane fuels such as diesel are substituted with low-cetane fuels such as gasoline, the engine operation tends to suffer from high carbon monoxide (CO) emissions at low loads and combustion noise at high loads. In this paper, we present a computational analysis of a light-duty CI engine operating on diesel, kerosene and gasoline. These three fuels cover a range of cetane numbers (CNs) from 46 for diesel to 25 for gasoline. Similar to experiments, the model predicted higher CO emissions at low load operation with gasoline. Predictions of in-cylinder details were utilized to understand differences in combustion characteristics of the three fuels. The in-cylinder mass contours and the evolution of model predicted in-cylinder mixture in Φ–T coordinates were then used to explain the emission trends. From the analysis, overmixing due to early single injection was identified as the reason for high CO emissions with low load gasoline low temperature combustion (LTC). Additional simulations were performed by introducing techniques like cetane enhancement, adding hot exhaust gas recirculation (EGR), and variation of the injection scheme. Their effects on low load gasoline LTC were studied. Finally, it is shown that use of a dual pulse injection scheme with hot EGR helped to reduce the CO emissions for low load gasoline LTC while maintaining low NOx emissions.