cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Processing and Long-Range Critical Current Transport in High Temperature Superconductors

With the discovery of ceramic high temperature superconductors (HTS), many potential applications of superconductivity which previously were prohibited by the high cost of cryogen and accompanying refrigeration systems suddenly seemed feasible. Such applications for bulk superconductors include power transmission lines, superconducting magnets, motors, generators, and magnetic energy storage systems, to name a few. However, many applications require fabrication of these brittle oxides into conductors which can carry high supercurrent densities in the presence of a magnetic field. The potential of HTS for a wide range of applications triggered many efforts to develop processing methods to fabricate these materials in the necessary forms with high critical current densities(Jc). It was soon realized that some intrinsic characteristics of HTS, such as high anisotropy and small coherence length, resulted in problems nonexistent in low temperature superconductors(LTS), and hence stifled progress toward the achievement of high Jc.
Single odor-sensitive channels in olfactory receptor neurons are also gated by cyclic nucleotides

Olfactory transduction is thought to occur by processes that are mainly restricted to the specialized cilia emanating from the distal end of the receptor neuron's single dendrite. The involvement of a cAMP-based second messenger system seems likely, and a cyclic nucleotide-sensitive current has been recorded in patches of membrane from the cilia. However, the small diameter of the cilia and the high density of channels within the membrane limit the application of the patch recording technique in the cilia. We have found that the cAMP-sensitive channels also exist at a much lower density within the far more accessible dendritic membrane. Recording from on-cell patches, we have observed single-channel activity in response to extracellularly applied odor substances. The channels have a single-channel conductance of 40 pS and a reversal potential near 0 mV. These same channels are activated by treatments that elevate intracellular cyclic nucleotide concentrations. The results provide a direct demonstration that the cyclic nucleotide-gated channel is the conductance pathway for the odor- elicited current.
Process Kinetics for Denitrification

Kinetic equations describing biological growth, substrate removal, and oxygen utilization with the activated sludge process were modified and used to describe the corresponding phenomena in a completely mixed and continuous flow denitrification process. The process kinetics differ primarily with respect to the dependency of variables and process yields. The oxygen equivalent of the nitrates is the independent variable and substrate or carbon source is a dependent variable in the denitrification process. The rate of nitrate reduction was shown, from experimental data, to be a linear function of the sludge loading, and the ratio of substrate applied to nitrate reduced, BOD/N, was constant over this particular range of sludge loadings. The BOD/N ratio was shown to be a function of both the substrate characteristics and the denitrification process employed.
The Ethics of Open Access and Copyright Infringement

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A Review of “Americans, Congress, and Democratic Responsiveness: Public Evaluations of Congress and Electoral Consequences”

The basic thesis of Jones and McDermott's book is that public approval of Congress should be a more central focus in studies of congressional elections and policy making. More specifically, they ma...
Abstraction and underspecification in semantic transfer

This paper introduces the semantic transfer approach MinT (Minimal Transfer) that has been developed in the speech-to-speech MT system VERBMOBIL. As a unification-based and lexicalist semantic transfer model, it relies on some central ideas of the MRS-based transfer approach outlined in [Copestake et al., 1995]. It differs, however, from the latter in certain aspects: in MinT, the idea of abstraction and underspecification is worked out in much more detail and has been applied to a variety of translation phenomena. MinT relates SL and TL semantic descriptions on a maximally abstract level, which results in simultaneously decreasing the number of transfer rules and leaving a considerable amount of options for lexicalization and grammaticalization up to the generator. To preserve ambiguities that hold across the involved languages MinT processes underspecified semantic representations.
Throughput Measurement-Based Access Point Selection for Multi-rate Wireless LANs

In this paper, we propose a novel access point (AP) selection algorithm to maximize the system throughput while considering user fairness. The main idea is that when a new-coming user enters an overlapping area of a wireless local area network (WLAN), it first estimates the system throughput as if it were associated with each of the APs involved. Then it chooses the AP that can achieve the highest system throughput. For existing users that locate in the overlapping area, they may also need to change the AP association due to the dynamic nature of traffic load. To enable the fairness among users, each user is guaranteed the minimum transmission opportunity. Another significant contribution of this paper is that we find that load-balancing based approaches could not achieve the maximum throughput for multi-rate WLANs, although load-balancing has been considered as an effective approach to improve the network throughput for single-rate WLANs. In-depth theoretical analysis and extensive simulations are performed to verify the throughput optimization and user fairness.
Energy Parameters and Crystal Field Effects in the Mixed Valence Problem: Chemically Collapsed Cerium

Previous neutron scattering studies of the mixed valence state in rare earth systems [e.g., CePd3 (Ref. 1) and Ce0.74Th0.26 (Ref. 2)] failed to reveal the presence of crystal electric field (CEF) effects. In the cases studied the characteristic charge fluctuation energies were comparable to the expected CEF energies. The motivation for the present study was to design and study a system in which it is possible to systematically vary the charge fluctuation energy Ec from the regime Ec ∿ Δ to Ec ≪ Δ, where Δ is the characteristic CEF energy.
Damage to Fused Silica Windows while Under Simultaneous Exposure to Flowing Solvents and Laser Radiation at 308 nm

This paper reports the results of a study to determine the degrading effects of flowing dye solvents on the laser damage threshold of fused-silica windows at 308nm. Thresholds were measured at the SiO/sub 2/solvent interface in a test cell. Bare SiO/sub 2/ tested in air at 308nm (20ns) typically exhibits a threshold ranging from 4 to 10 Jcm/sup 2/; with the solvent cyclohexane in contact, a threshold as low as 0.3 Jcm/sup 2/ was measured. The damage data indicate that window lifetime (number of shots) is dependent of fluence at higher levels, and asymptotically approaches infinity at levels near threshold. Dielectric coatings were tested as possible damage-resistent barriers between the solvent and SiO/sub 2/; the results show some improvement in damage threshold. When cyclohexane is replaced with the solvent dioxane, thresholds measured for SiO/sub 2/ windows are within the range cited above for thresholds measured in air.
Naming Regulations and Indigenous Rights in Argentina

In Argentina, parents must register their children at the Civil Registry to receive a national identification card, choosing their child's name from a list maintained by provincial Civil Registry offices. This process regulates all citizens, but it is particularly onerous for indigenous parents who wish to give their child an indigenous name. In tracing the letter and practice of the law and responses to the law, I argue that the regulation of names is a political process with racial and gender assumptions built into it. These assumptions translate into exclusionary implications for membership in national identity. For indigenous people in Argentina, this is particularly problematic, as they are already largely invisible to the national body. Although indigenous people are challenging aspects of the law they are not challenging the very premise of the law—that the state has the right to control their access to citizenship through a law regulating children's names. Finally, the successes of indigenous parents in using an indigenous name has the unintended consequence of turning indigenous names into cultural commodities, thus diminishing the validity of indigenous political critiques of the law.
MODERNIZAÇÃO DA AGRICULTURA VERSUS DESENVOLVIMENTO TERRITORIAL: REFLEXÕES SOBRE A ATIVIDADE MANDIOQUEIRA NO AGRESTE POTIGUAR

O presente trabalho analisa a contribuicao da modernizacao da atividade mandioqueira para o desenvolvimento territorial do Agreste Potiguar. Para isso, as discussoes sao alcadas com uma reflexao critica sobre o perverso processo de modernizacao da agricultura brasileira e, especificamente, da perversa modernizacao da atividade mandioqueira no Agreste Potiguar. Apos a realizacao de pesquisa bibliografica e de pesquisa de campo, a qual foi desencadeada, numa perspectiva qualitativa, entre os anos de 2008 e 2010, constituindo-se em observacoes feitas no espaco agricola dos municipios do Agreste Potiguar e em entrevistas realizadas junto a produtores de mandioca, proprietarios e trabalhadores de casas ou de industrias de farinha do referido territorio, chegamos a conclusao de que a modernizacao da agricultura no Brasil, propagadora de elementos ditos “novos”, e um processo que nao pode ser considerado como sinonimo de desenvolvimento, pois gera e/ou intensifica graves problematicas que perpassam historica e estruturalmente a sociedade nacional. Isso tambem pode ser afirmado no tocante a modernizacao da atividade mandioqueira no Agreste Potiguar.
Identification of amino acids in human colipase that mediate adsorption to lipid emulsions and mixed micelles

The adsorption of colipase is essential for pancreatic triglyceride lipase activity and efficient dietary fat digestion. Yet, little is known about which specific amino acids in the hydrophobic surface of colipase influence adsorption. In this study, we systematically substituted alanine or tryptophan at residues implicated in adsorption of colipase to an interface. We expressed, purified recombinant colipase mutants and characterized the ability of each alanine mutant to restore activity to lipase in the presence of bile salts. The functions of L16A, Y55A, I79A and F84A colipase were most impaired with activities ranging from 20 to 60% of wild-type colipase. We next characterized the fluorescence properties of the tryptophan mutants in the absence and presence of bile-salt-oleic acid mixed micelles. We performed steady-state emission spectra to determine peak shift and I330/I350 ratio and acrylamide quenching curves to characterize the environment of the residues. The analysis supports a model of adsorption that includes residues Leu 34 and Leu 36 on the 2nd loop, Tyr 55 and Tyr 59 on the 3rd loop and Ile 75 and Ile 79 on the 4th loop. The analysis confirms that Phe 84 is not part of the adsorption surface and likely stabilizes the conformation of colipase. Contrary to the predictions of computer modeling, the results provide strong support for an essential role of Tyr 55 in colipase adsorption to mixed micelles. The results indicate that the adsorption of colipase to mixed micelles is mediated by specific residues residing in a defined surface of colipase.
Supersonic viscous flow over cones at large angles of attack

Numerical solutions for the flow field about cones with nose angles of up to 30° at angles of attack up to 50° for a range of Reynolds numbers and wall temperature ratios are presented. The solutions obtained permit interaction between the inviscid region and the boundary layer on the body through the displacement-thickness effect. The solutions are valid throughout the flow field except in the region adjacent to the leeward line of symmetry. Comparisons are made with experimental results and other numerical solutions. Detailed flow structure and the variation of surface conditions with cone angle, incidence, Reynolds number and wall temperature are indicated. The numerical methods used for the inviscid flow equations are Telenin's method and the method of characteristics, while a modified form of the method of integral relations is applied to the boundary-layer equations.
Evidence for the Formation of a Large-Scale Current Sheet in a Solar Flare

We present X-ray evidence for the formation of a large-scale current sheet in a flare observed by the Ramaty High-Energy Solar Spectroscopic Imager on 2002 April 15. The flare occurred on the northwest limb, showing a cusp-shaped flare loop in the rise phase. When the impulsive rise in hard X-rays (>25 keV) began, the cusp part of the coronal source separated from the underlying flare loop and remained stationary for about 2 minutes. During this time, the underlying flare loops shrank at ~9 km s-1. The temperature of the underlying loops increased toward higher altitudes, while the temperature of the coronal source increased toward lower altitudes. These results indicate that a current sheet formed between the top of the flare loops and the coronal source during the early impulsive phase. After the hard X-ray peak, the flare loops grew outward at ~8 km s-1, and the coronal source moved outward at ~300 km s-1, indicating an upward expansion of the current sheet. About 30 minutes later, postflare loops seen in the Solar and Heliospheric Observatory (SOHO) EUV Imaging Telescope 195 A passband rose at ~10 km s-1. A large coronal looplike structure, observed by the SOHO Large Angle and Spectrometric Coronagraph C2 and C3 detectors, also propagated outward at ~300 km s-1. These observations are all consistent with the continued expansion of the current sheet.
Thermodynamic Properties of Superconducting Iridium

The superconducting transition temperature of pure Ir is found to be 0.1125 K (±0.0005 K). The critical magnetic field as a function of temperatureHc(T) has also been measured. From these data it is determined thatHc(0) is 16.00 G (1 G corresponds to 10−4 T), (dHc/dT)T=Tc is 235 G/K, the linear coefficient of normal state electronic specific heat γ is 3.19 mJ/mole-K2, and the energy gap anisotropy parameter 〈a2〉 is 0.048. This value for 〈a2〉 is the largest of any superconducting element so far observed, and its significance in determining the superconducting properties of Ir is discussed. By using the large supercooling effects noticed nearTc, the Ginzburg-Landau parameter x0 is found to be 8.6×10−3. The effects of impurities onTc and on the magnetic behavior of Ir are also discussed.
Mesenchymal Stem Cell Therapy for Cardiac Repair

Owing to the prevalence of heart disease and the lack of effective long-term solutions for managing cardiac injury, research has turned to cell therapy as a potential mechanism for myocardial repair. Mesenchymal stem cells (MSC) in particular have become popular because their differentiative ability and their angiogenic and immunomodulatory properties make them attractive candidates for transplantation. However, there is still debate regarding the optimal strategy for the delivery of these cells. Recent clinical studies have isolated MSCs from a variety of tissue origins and have also tested the benefits of pretreatment with cardiogenic growth factors. Meanwhile, a newer school of thought instead supports the utilization of cardiomyocytes generated from MSC-derived induced pluripotent stem cells. This review will examine the promise of MSC therapy, discuss the results of past work, and propose steps that must be taken in the future.
Managerial attitudes and takeover outcomes: Evidence from corporate filings

Abstract We examine the textual content of merger and acquisition related SEC filings in an effort to understand the role of managerial attitudes and beliefs in merger negotiations and outcomes. Using a textual algorithm to identify the degree to which filings of bidders and targets exhibit negative/cautious tones vs positive/optimistic tones, we find that bidders employing the most optimistic language in their filings actually experience the worst long-run performance following the transactions. In contrast, bidding managers who appear to acknowledge and understand the risks of the transactions experience relatively better post-merger performance. Thus our analysis of the textual content of merger filings appears to give us a new method for investigating the role of bidder and target attitudes and beliefs on merger outcomes.
Distribution and Diversity of Benthic Macroinvertebrates Associated with Aquatic Macrophytes

ABSTRACT We examined macroinvertebrate characteristics and associations with macrophytes in a small spring-fed impoundment, Aquetong Lake in Bucks County, PA. Benthic samples obtained from the 1 m depth contour were sieved to collect, identify, and determine dry mass on macroinvertebrates, detrital material, macroalgae and macrophyte tissue. Chironomids dominated along with gastropods and isopods. Chironomids were twice as abundant along the siltier nearshore bank. The sandier far shore bank supported two-fold higher taxonomic richness with macroinvertebrate mass also being 25% higher. Vascular macrophytes characterized the silty sediment, while macroalgae and allochthonous detritus predominated in sandy sediment. Results from linear and quadratic regressions suggest that macroinvertebrate mass and abundance are higher in algal-dominated sites, but higher taxonomic richness and macroinvertebrate diversity are associated with vascular macrophyte communities.
Magnetic phase diagram for CuMn

Abstract To study the magnetic phases of CuMn, we carry out a generalized perturbation expansion of the band energy across the composition range. We obtain the pair energy using the orbital peeling technique of Burke, based on the tight-binding linear muffin-tin orbital and augmented space recursion methods. We analyze the phases of the system by studying the probability distribution of the local staggered occupation ’fields’ within a mean-field approach. We show that our predicted phase boundaries agree well with experimental results.
A New Composite Restorative Based on a Hydrophobic Matrix

A hydrophobic restorative composite based on a fluorocarbon analog of an alkyl methacrylate and a bisphenol adduct was formulated into a one-paste system, which polymerized in the presence of blue light. Physical, mechanical, and water-related properties were determined. High contact angles and low water sorption were shown by the experimental composite. Capillary penetration of oral fluids around restorations, therefore, could be prevented in the presence of this highly hydrophobic surface. The physical and mechanical properties of the experimental composite were either comparable to or somewhat less favorable than commercial Bis-GMA composites.
Blended tensor product B-spline surface

Abstract A popular method for generating surfaces in design packages is the Coons/Gordon blending method. One of the well-known problems with this surface generating method is that blends of boundary curves that are similar but oppositely oriented produce flat spots in the middle of the surface since the two boundary curves tend to ‘cancel each other out’. This paper describes a method for generating a surface in a B-spline based system that is designed to overcome this problem.
Computational efficiencies for multi-agents: a look at a multi-agent system for sailor assignment

The leadership of the US Navy has undertaken a sweeping modernisation of the Navy's human resources system. A concentrated effort is aimed specifically at transforming the enlisted personnel assignment process. This process is enormously complicated and uses very complex business rules. To facilitate the transformation of the personnel assignment process, a web-based multi-agent system is being developed at NPRST (Navy Personnel Research, Studies, and Technology) to perform sailor assignment. Two of the many challenges facing this project lie in determining both the scalability and the computational efficiency of the proposed system. After conducting a literature review, several possible system architectures were identified and proposed as alternatives for implementation. This paper examines the competing approaches from among those found in the literature and evaluates them using the Analytic Hierarchy Process. The recommendations resulting from this analysis are to be tested in the future.
Art as a Scaffolding Teaching Strategy in Baccalaureate Nursing Education

Although the use of art in nursing education is well highlighted, most of the literature is anecdotal or focuses on development of a reflective nursing practice with clients. In this study, art was used as a scaffold to infuse liberal nursing education by helping baccalaureate nursing students (n = 91) create a personal expression of nursing and move toward greater self-awareness. Scaffolding is a metaphor for supporting learners as they develop higher levels of thinking. Using naturalistic inquiry to analyze students' written responses in a course activity, four themes emerged from the data: art and creativity, teamwork, boundaries and horizons within self, and boundaries and horizons in the profession. Student's individual expressions of art served as the "calling forth" of processes that opened the door to each student's personal expression.
FAULT-TOLERANT PARALLEL PROCESSOR

This paper addresses issues central to the design and operation of an ultrareliable, Byzantine resilient parallel computer. Interprocessor connectivity requirements are met by treating connectivity as a resource that is shared among many processing elements, allowing flexibility in their configuration and reducing complexity. Redundant groups are synchronized solely by message transmissions and receptions, which aslo provide input data consistency and output voting. Reliability analysis results are presented that demonstrate the reduced failure probability of such a system. Performance analysis results are presented that quantify the temporal overhead involved in executing such fault-tolerance-specific operations. Empirical performance measurements of prototypes of the architecture are presented. 30 refs.
Measurements and simulations of the cosmic-ray-induced neutron background

abstract The cosmic-ray-induced neutron background at ground level has been measured and simulated inconjunction with EJ-309 organic liquid scintillators with an approximate deposited energy range of0.5–6MeV.Speciﬁcally, the pulse height distributions, net neutron count rates, and angular dependenceswere obtained. The simulations were carried out using the Monte Carlo transport code MCNPX-PoliMicombined with the (Cosmic-Ray Shower Generator) CRY source subroutine that returns secondary particlesproduced by cosmic rays. A scaling formula from literature was also implemented in the simulation. Theangular dependence of the neutron count rate was measured by collimating the liquid scintillator withpolyethylene to attain 18 1 angular resolution from 0 1 downwards to 72 1 horizontally. The neutron count ratewas measured to be 23.10 71.69 h 1 sr 1 at 01,and7.2070.78 h 1 sr at 721. The simulations andmeasurements compare well and show similar cosine ani sotropy for the angular distribution. The study thusshows that the neutron background response in detector systems can be ef ﬁciently and accurately simulatedusing the procedures described.& 2014 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.
Seasonal Prevalence of Hematodinium sp. Infections of Blue Crabs in Three South Carolina (USA) Rivers

Blue crab, Callinectes sapidus, commercial landings in the USA have been declining at an alarming rate. In South Carolina, these declines are significantly correlated with years of decreased rainfall and elevated salt marsh salinity. Previous studies suggest that higher salinity increases the risk of infection by Hematodinium sp., a dinoflagellate parasite of blue crabs, C. sapidus. A 4-year survey (June 2008 to March 2012) of blue crabs in the ACE Basin National Estuarine Research Reserve documented (1) the temporal and spatial patterns of Hematodinium sp. infection in relation to salinity, (2) some environmental correlates of disease prevalence, and (3) the characteristics of infected blue crabs. Sampling was conducted four times a year in March, June, September, and December in the South Edisto, Ashepoo, and Combahee rivers beginning in June 2008. Crab hemolymph samples were collected and preserved and DNA was successfully amplified for 2,303 individuals. Hematodinium sp. infection was evaluated by PCR amplification of its 18S rRNA gene and adjacent regions. Prevalence was highest in December 2008 in the Combahee River at sites closest to St. Helena Sound. The spatial and temporal pattern of Hematodinium sp. infection was correlated with several environmental parameters. Infected crabs exhibited differences in carapace shape and body condition compared to uninfected crabs. Overall, these results suggest that blue crabs in regions of higher salinity are at greater risk of infection by Hematodinium sp. and infected individuals exhibit sub-lethal effects of the disease.
Situations, rules, and conventional meaning: Some uses of games of partial information

Three uses of partial information games are considered, the situational use, the derivation of rules, and the derivation of conventional meaning. The possibility of probabilistic communication is introduced and modeled. The role of rules and general cognitive strategies is discussed in the context of partial information games. The requirement of common knowledge is also considered briefly in the context of static and evolutionary games.
La fréquence d’emploi et le changement phonologique irrégulier en québécois

On a l’habitude de reconnaitre l’existence de deux types majeurs de developpement phonologique : le changement phonetique regulier, et le changement analogique. Selon Manczak, cependant, il y en aurait un troisieme : le changement phonetique irregulier cause par la frequence. Cet article analyse le domaine du changement sporadique a la lumiere de phenomenes propres au quebecois afin de determiner si on peut y trouver une confirmation des generalisations qui ont ete formulees au sujet de la frequence d’emploi et de ses consequences.
Experiments on light pulse communication and propagation through atmospheric clouds.

This paper describes the facilities and results in an experiment to investigate light pulse propagation through atmospheric clouds. The experiments were conducted with the transmitter and receiver located on two mountain peaks in a naturally cloudy area. The transmitter was a Q-switched ruby laser producing 30 nsec light pulses. The received pulses were 1–10 μsec in duration when there was a cloud in the propagation path. The multipath time lengthening of the received pulse resulted from multiple scattering inside the cloud. The extent of this multipath pulse spreading can be shown to be comparable to that predicted from computer simulation models. We also observed a number of effects in which relatively small changes in the gross cloud shape produced a change in the received signal intensity of an order of magnitude or so.
Using the “Switchable” Quality of Liquid Crystal Solvents To Mediate Segregation between Coil and Liquid Crystalline Polymers

The discontinuous change in solvent quality of a liquid crystal (LC) solvent, 5CB, at the nematic−isotropic phase transition produces abrupt changes in the phase behavior of solutions of coil and LC polymers and in the self-assembly of coil−LC block copolymers. Nematic 5CB is strongly selective for a side-group liquid crystal polymer (SGLCP), and isotropic 5CB is a good solvent for both SGLCP and a random coil (polystyrene, PS). In nematic 5CB, unfavorable LC−PS interactions drive phase separation in SGLCP−PS−LC ternary solutions and drive micellization of PS−SGLCP diblocks. In isotropic 5CB, rich phase behavior occurs in both ternary solutions and block copolymer solutions. Despite the fact that isotropic 5CB is a good solvent for both SGLCP and PS, segregation can occur due to the asymmetric solvent effect (i.e., the preference of the solvent for the SGLCP). In concentrated isotropic solutions, unfavorable SGLCP−PS interactions become dominant.
Penetration of the peritrophic membrane of the tick by Babesia microti

A peritrophic membrane (PM) has been demonstrated in the gut of feeding larvae, nymphs, and adults of the tick Ixodes dammini. This is the first report of a PM in ticks. This temporary structure divides the lumen of the gut into two compartments, an endoperitrophic space, the lumen proper, and an ectoperitrophic space located between the PM and the epithelial cells of the gut wall. The PM is a mechanical barrier and even such small particles as ribosomes derived from ingested reticulocytes are retained in the lumen proper; they are never found in the ectoperitrophic compartment. In Ixodes dammini fed on hamsters infected with Babesia microti some of the parasites are found in the ectoperitrophic space. This passage is accomplished by a highly specialized organelle, the arrowhead, which develops in some Babesia during their metamorphosis in the gut of the vector. The arrowhead, while passing through the PM, changes its fine structure and loses its internal organization as if releasing some of its contents. Its disintegration continues and it disappears shortly after the Babesia have entered the epithelial cells. Only Babesia equipped with the arrowhead structure are able to cross the PM. This is the first documented case of a parasite traversing a solidified PM.
Carpal tunnel syndrome in Lyme borreliosis

Neurophysiologic evidence of median nerve entrapment in the carpal tunnel was present in 25% of patients with late Lyme borreliosis. Sixty-eight of 76 consecutive, prospectively studied patients with late Lyme underwent neurophysiologic testing. Nineteen reported intermittent hand paresthesias; 17 had neurophysiologically confirmed carpal tunnel syndrome. This was not consistently associated with clinically apparent wrist arthritis or with neurophysiologically evident peripheral neuropathy. We conclude that a significant proportion of patients with late Lyme borreliosis develop carpal tunnel syndrome.
An Fe2IVO2 Diamond Core Structure for the Key Intermediate Q of Methane Monooxygenase

A new paradigm for oxygen activation is required for enzymes such as methane monooxygenase (MMO), for which catalysis depends on a nonheme diiron center instead of the more familiar Fe-porphyrin cofactor. On the basis of precedents from synthetic diiron complexes, a high-valent Fe 2 (μ-O) 2 diamond core has been proposed as the key oxidizing species for MMO and other nonheme diiron enzymes such as ribonucleotide reductase and fatty acid desaturase. The presence of a single short Fe-O bond (1.77 angstroms) per Fe atom and an Fe-Fe distance of 2.46 angstroms in MMO reaction intermediate Q, obtained from extended x-ray absorption fine structure and Mossbauer analysis, provides spectroscopic evidence that the diiron center in Q has an Fe 2 IV O 2 diamond core.
Magnetism in fcc rhodium and palladium

First-principles total-energy band calculations using the fixed-spin-moment procedure are used to study the volume dependence of the magnetic behavior for fcc Rh and Pd. We calculate the total energy, the magnetic moment, and the spin-polarized l-decomposed electron occupancy from below the equilibrium volume to the free-atom limit, and show the magnetic susceptibility in the nonmagnetic range. We find that both metals are nonmagnetic at zero pressure, but undergo first-order transitions from nonmagnetic to magnetic behavior at expanded volumes. In both cases, the onset of magnetic behavior is accompanied by magnetic moments that exceed the Hund's-rule atomic limit. With increasing volume, we find a depletion of s and p states and a corresponding increase of d states with an approach to the 4${d}^{9}$ and 4${d}^{10}$ free-atom configurations for Rh and Pd, respectively.
Model filled polymers. V. Synthesis of crosslinked monodisperse polymethacrylate beads

Monodisperse polymethacrylate beads of varied size and crosslink density are prepared by emulsion copolymerization of methacrylate and divinyl monomers in the absence of emulsifiers. The sizes of polybutyl and polyethyl methacrylate beads decreased with increasing polymerization temperature, while polymethyl methacrylate beads were largely unchanged in size. The molar mass of polymer in polymethyl metnacrylate beads markedly exceeded that in polystyrene beads. The rate of polymerization increased, and bead size decreased, with increasing initiator concentration or decreasing monomer concentration. The polymethacrylate beads are used as filler particles in polymer composites.
Defects in an injection-molded intraocular lens

Injection-molded intraocular lenses may undergo structural changes when exposed to solvents and fixatives during post-mortem examination. We report a case in which this phenomenon was seen in an injection-molded lens. We were able to duplicate these changes by immersing injection-molded lenses in 60% alcohol for 48 hours.
Peripartum cardiomyopathy: A case report

Peripartum cardiomyopathy (PPCM) is a relatively rare form of acute heart failure. Onset is from the last trimester of pregnancy to 5 months postpartum. Diagnosis is made by excluding other causes of acute heart failure, such as infections or toxins, and by determining that the patient does not have an underlying cardiac problem that has been unmasked by pregnancy. Diagnosis in the last trimester is complicated by the fact that the early symptoms of this disorder may mimic the symptoms of normal pregnancy. PPCM must be considered in any patient who presents with new onset peripheral edema, dyspnea on exertion, or paroxysmal nocturnal dyspnea during late pregnancy or up to 5 months postpartum. Limited studies suggest that early and aggressive therapy is associated with a better outcome. Therapy is directed toward decreasing preload and improving cardiac function. Return of cardiac size to normal is associated with a better prognosis than continued cardiomegaly.
Relationship Between Progesterone and Prolactin Surges in Aged and Young Pseudopregnant Rats

The 24 h patterns of prolactin (PRL), progesterone (P), and 20o-hydroxyprogesterone (20aOH-P) secretion were determined on Day 7 of pseudopregnancy in old (20-26 months) and young (4 months) rats and 2 days after ovariectomy (OVX; Day 8) on Day 10, with or without P replacement. Serial blood samples were taken via intra-atrial cannula for measurement of plasma hormone levels. In old, repetitively pseudopregnant (RPSP) rats, PRL increased from baseline values to 446 ± 84 (SEM) ng/ml at 0200 h and subsequently fell to 49 ± 10 ng/mI by 0800 h. Following OVX and implantation of blank Silastic capsules, plasma PRL remained low throughout Day 10; however, the nocturnal PRL surge was maintained in animals implanted with P capsules. In contrast, young rats made pseudopregnant by cervical stimulation (CS-PSP) or estradiol benzoate administration (EB-PSP) exhibited both diurnal and nocturnal PRL surges at 1700 and 0200 h, respectively, with peak nocturnal PRL values almost twice as high as those in old RPSP females. OVX abolished both PRL surges in EB-PSP females, but not the nocturnal surge in CS-PSP animals. Plasma concentrations of P ranged from 48 to 82 nglml in all three pseudopregnant (PSP) groups, while 20a-OH-P levels ranged from 41 to 64 ng/ml in the young PSP animals. Old RPSP females showed a rise in 20o-OH-P (98 ± 15 ng/ml) at 2000-2300 h. P capsules in OVX-PSP rats maintained plasma P and 20cr-OH-P at half the concentrations seen in intact animals. These results reveal that 1) old RPSP rats show nocturnal PRL surges, but not both diurnal and nocturnal surges as seen in young PSP females; 2) the PRL surge in old rats is closely dependent on intact ovarian function, as are both surges in EB-PSP females and the diurnal surge in CS-PSP animals; 3) levels of circulating P about half those found in the PSP state are sufficient to maintain the nocturnal PRL surge in OVX, old RPSP rats and both surges in OVX EB-PSP animals.
Enhanced Roadway Geometry Data Collection Using an Effective Video Log Image-Processing Algorithm

With the advancement of information technology, video logging has become a feasible and common practice for state-level departments of transportation (DOTs) to visualize roadway conditions to support various transportation activities. A new and innovative image-processing algorithm and method using video log images to enhance the highway roadway geometry data collection is presented. The algorithm is based on Canny edge detection, slope-adaptive edge reduction, a novel recursive approximation of the vanishing point, localized color thresholding, and knowledge-based Hough transform. Experiments on real digital images indicate that the algorithm is feasible for automated road geometric data collection, especially in recognizing lane marks and shoulder edges. The algorithm was implemented with Visual C++ language and tested on a Pentium IV 3.06-GHz computer. It indicates that the average processing speed is about 280 ms for an image size of 1,300 x 1,050. The developed method can be used by state DOTs to sav...
Superior colliculus lesions and environmental experience: Nonvisual effects on problem solving and locomotor activity

Bilateral lesions of the superior colliculus were produced in rats reared in either a restricted or complex environment. Problem solving ability in a Hebb-Williams closed field and activity in an open field were subsequently observed in conditions of either bright or dim illumination. Animals with superior colliculus lesions were deficient in problem solving ability and were hyperactive in the open field. Complex environment exposure during development increased problem solving ability and initial ambulation scores in all groups. Extent of pretectal damage and behavioral measures were significantly related for animals reared in the complex, but not in the restricted environment. There were no interactions with illumination level, suggesting that the deficits resulting from collicular lesions are not dependent upon the availability of visual cues.
Temperature Sensitivity of Nanohole Array Sensors

Small, sensitive temperature sensors are required to develop chip-scale calorimeters for pharmaceutical and related industries. Laser illuminated nanohole array apertures (NHA) that produce extraordinary optical transmission (EOT) perform as temperature sensors and may be suitable for micro-calorimetry. We investigated NHA sensors by an experimental parametric study to determine the most sensitive configuration. Temperature sensitivity of EOT is discussed, and the results suggest that nanohole arrays enable thermal measurements with microscale spatial resolution. The sensing chip is a glass substrate with 105nm thick gold surface, illuminated with a helium–neon laser. 15 different designs were milled in a formation of 3×5 matrix. Each row has a different array size (3×3, 5×5 and 10×10) and each column has a different pitch size varying from 250nm to 450nm in 50nm increments. The aperture size was fixed at 150 nm, thus the overall size of the array varies from 0.65μm×0.65μm to 4.20μm×4.20μm. The highest sensitivity was achieved with 350nm and 400nm pitch sensors and a 10×10 array (up to8% intensity gain per 0.10°C). These conditions correspond to a predicted peak wavelength region with high transmission gradients, due to the transmission maxima, causing higher sensitivity. This behavior was consistent in all array sizes. Results also showed that even the smallest sensors are sensitive to temperature changes, and they suggest a means for designing future NHA sensors to accommodate different light sources and fluids.Copyright © 2012 by ASME
Hydrogen Storage In A Novel Destabilized Hydride System, Ca2SiHx: Effects of Amorphization

Crystalline Ca2Si was synthesized via the 873 K evacuation of a 2CaH2 + Si ball-milled mixture. The resulting Ca2Si readily absorbs hydrogen below 0.1 MPa within the temperature range 473-523 K, leading to the formation of crystalline Ca-Si-based hydrides as well as the reformation of crystalline CaH 2 .I n contrast, hydrogen absorption at pressures greater than 0.5 -0.7 MPa leads to an unusual amorphous metal-hydride phase, stable in a range up to 523 K as evidenced by neutron powder diffraction, neutron vibrational spectroscopy, and absorption isotherm measurements. The formation of such a phase is discussed in relation to other known amorphous intermetallic hydrides and the role of “chemical frustration.” The hydrogenation process from Ca 2Si to Ca2SiHx is completely reversible but requires high desorption temperatures.
Quantifying the energy efficiency of FFT on heterogeneous platforms

Heterogeneous computing using Graphic Processing Units (GPUs) has become an attractive computing model given the available scale of data-parallel performance and programming standards such as OpenCL. However, given the energy issues present with GPUs, some devices can exhaust power budgets quickly. Better solutions are needed to effectively exploit the power efficiency available on heterogeneous systems. In this paper we evaluate the power-performance trade-offs of different heterogeneous signal processing applications. More specifically, we compare the performance of 7 different implementations of the Fast Fourier Transform algorithms. Our study covers discrete GPUs and shared memory GPUs (APUs) from AMD (Llano APUs and the Southern Islands GPU), Nvidia (Fermi) and Intel (Ivy Bridge). For this range of platforms, we characterize the different FFTs and identify the specific architectural features that most impact power consumption. Using the 7 FFT kernels, we obtain a 48% reduction in power consumption and up to a 58% improvement in performance across these different FFT implementations. These differences are also found to be target architecture dependent. The results of this study will help the signal processing community identify which class of FFTs are most appropriate for a given platform. More important, we have demonstrated that different algorithms implementing the same fundamental function (FFT) can perform vastly different based on the target hardware and associated programming optimizations.
Axial-beam absorbance detection for capillary electrophoresis

Abstract A novel approach to absorbance detection has been demonstrated for capillary eletrophoresis utilizing an incident light beam directed along the capillary axis. The resulting absorption path length is roughly equal to the width of the sample bands present. This represents a 60-fold improvement in analytical path length over conventional on-column absorbance detectors withourt any loss of separation efficiency. The method can be used with completely aqueous buffer systems or those containing organic modifiers, and is applicable to both fused-silica and PTFE capillaries.
Excitation of the Auroral Green Line in Active Nitrogen

THE auroral green line, which is now thought to be an arc line of oxygen, has been excited with considerable intensity in active nitrogen that was produced by a condensed discharge in a mixture of nitrogen and about 4 per cent, oxygen. Under the most favourable conditions for its excitation, the line was as intense as the afterglow band at 5442 A. Eastman astronomical plates were used because of their great sensitivity in the green. The spectrum was photographed on a small Hilger visible spectrograph. Because of the small dispersion of the instrument, the wave-length of the line could be measured only to within 0.1 A. Using helium standards the wave-length was found to be 5577.5 A. The measurements of Babcock and of others give this wave-length as 5577.35 A. It was shown definitely that with decreasing amounts of oxygen the line gradually disappeared. This and the fact that the wave-lengths agree fairly well, give sufficient proof that the line in question is the auroral green line.
Diet and seasonality in the Lower Pecos: evaluating coprolite data sets with cluster analysis

Abstract This article presents an analysis of three previous coprolite studies from Hinds Cave (41VV456), Val Verde County, Texas (Edwards, 1990; Stock, 1983; Williams-Dean, 1978). Patterns of dietary consumption related to season, microhabitat exploitation and diet breadth are explored with the statistical techniques of the cluster analysis and Canonical Discriminant Function Analysis (CDA). Shafer (1988) has proposed a model of seasonal mobility for the Lower Pecos that suggests that Hinds Cave would be predominantly occupied in the late summer/early fall. The results of the current analysis support the view that the site was also occupied intermittently during the rest of the seasonal cycle, suggesting a flexible mobility strategy that responded to annual and seasonal fluctuations in resource availability.
Structure, function, and regulation of Group V phospholipase A2

Abstract The hydrolysis of membrane phospholipid by phospholipase A2 (PLA2) is a key step in the production of inflammatory eicosanoids. Recent cell studies have shown that secretory group V PLA2 (gVPLA2) is involved in agonist-induced eicosanoid biosynthesis in mouse P388D1 cell line, mast cells, and transfected HEK 293 cells. gVPLA2 is homologous to other group II PLA2 family members but has distinctive enzymatic properties, including its activity to effectively hydrolyze phosphatidylcholine (PC) vesicles and the outer plasma membrane of mammalian cells. Mutational studies showed that gVPLA2 has a unique structure that allows effective binding to PC membranes and efficient catalysis of an active-site-bound PC substrate. Thanks to this unique structure and activity, exogenously added gVPLA2 can induce the eicosanoid biosynthesis in unstimulated inflammatory cells, including human neutrophils and eosinophils, suggesting that it might be able to trigger inflammatory responses under certain physiological conditions. Extensive structure–function and cell studies showed that gVPLA2 could act directly on the outer plasma membranes of neutrophils and eosinophils. The release of fatty acids and lysophospholipids from the cell surfaces induces the translocation and activation of cytosolic PLA2 and 5-lipoxygenase, resulting in the leukotriene synthesis. In case of neutrophils, induction of leukotriene B4 synthesis by gVPLA2 leads to the phosphorylation of cytosolic PLA2 by a leukotriene B4 receptor and MAP kinase-mediated mechanism. Finally, heparan sulfate proteoglycans in neutrophils appear to play a role of internalizing and degrading the cell surface-bound gVPLA2 to protect the cells from extensive lipolytic damage.