cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Equilibrium isotopic fractionation and isotopic exchange kinetics between Cr(III) and Cr(VI)

Abstract We determined the equilibrium isotope fractionation between Cr(III) and Cr(VI), defined as Δ53CrVI-III = δ53Cr(VI) − δ53Cr(III), and the rates of isotopic exchange between the two redox species under different conditions. In high Cr concentration, low-pH experiments we determined the Δ53CrV-III between CrO42− and Cr(H2O)63+ to be 5.2 ± 0.3‰ and 5.5 ± 0.3‰ at 60 °C and 40 °C, respectively. At 25 °C, the system only progressed 25% toward isotopic equilibrium after 684 days. By extrapolating from the 60 °C and 40 °C experiments we estimated the Δ53CrVI-III between CrO42− and Cr(H2O)63+ to be 5.8 ± 0.5‰ at 25 °C. Isotope exchange rates between dissolved Cr(III) and dissolved Cr(VI) at 25 °C, 40 °C, and 60 °C were determined to be 3.13 × 10−5 M day−1, 6.83 × 10−4 M day−1, and 8.37 × 10−3 M day−1, respectively. In low concentration, neutral-pH experiments we determined the isotopic exchange rates between dissolved Cr(VI) and solid Cr(III) oxyhydroxide at 25 °C. In these experiments, significant isotopic exchange was found on time scales of months, though the magnitude of isotopic shifts was limited by the small mass of Cr(III) available for exchange on the surfaces of Cr(III) oxyhydroxide particles. Exchange rates were relatively fast, compared to rates obtained from high concentration, low-pH experiments. This faster isotopic exchange is attributed to adsorption of Cr(VI) to Cr(III) particle surfaces, which keeps Cr(III) and Cr(VI), and potentially intermediate species Cr(V), in close proximity long enough to allow multiple electron transfers. The isotopic exchange rate at neutral-pH was found to conform to the rate law R = k·[Cr(VI)]adsorbed, in which R is the isotopic exchange rate (M day−1); k is the rate constant, determined to be 0.00047 day−1; [CrO42−]adsorbed is the concentration of Cr(VI) adsorbed to Cr(III) oxyhydroxide (M). The impact of isotopic exchange on the 53Cr/52Cr ratio of the dissolved Cr(VI) depends on the relative masses and 53Cr/52Cr ratios of the starting Cr(III) and Cr(VI), as well as the fraction of Cr(III) atoms exposed to solution. In many natural settings, isotopic exchange will have little impact, because only very small amounts of Cr(VI) are adsorbed onto Cr(III) oxyhydroxide surfaces. However in certain settings with low Cr(VI) concentrations and abundant, exposed Cr(III)-bearing solids, significant isotopic exchange could happen within about 20 years.
The role of multiple dopamine receptors in apomorphine and N-n-propylnorapomorphine-induced climbing and hypothermia.

Abstract Apomorphine and N-n-propylnorapomorphine (NPA) were compared for their ability to induce stereotyped cage climbing and hypothermia in mice. Climbing behaviour was produced by similar doses of apomorphine and NPA (0.625–2.5 mg/kg s.c.), whereas NPA was 43 times more potent than apomorphine in inducing a hypothermic response. SKF38393 caused a shift to the left in the dose-response curve for NPA-induced climbing, the ED 50 changing from 0.98 to 0.014 mg/kg. SKF38393 had no effect on apomorphine-induced climbing behaviour. The climbing response produced by apomorphine was antagonised by both D-1 and D-2 antagonists. Climbing behaviour induced by NPA (2.5 mg/kg) could be antagonised by SCH23390 but not by clebopride, however climbing behaviour induced by a low dose of NPA (0.06 mg/kg) plus SKF38393 could be blocked by both D-1 and D-2 receptor antagonists. The hypothermic responses produced by either apomorphine or NPA could only be reversed by the selective D-2 antagonist, clebopride. These results demonstrate that dopamine agonist-induced stereotyped cage climbing requires both D-1 and D-2 receptor stimulation, whereas the hypothermic response is D-2-mediated. The results also show that it is possible to assess the relative activity of a dopamine agonist at D-1 or D-2 receptors in vivo by comparing the ability of the compound to induce hypothermia and climbing behaviour.
Comparisons of ice-sheet surface mass budgets from Paleoclimate Modeling Intercomparison Project (PMIP) simulations

Abstract As a contribution to the Paleoclimate Modeling Intercomparison Project (PMIP), ice-sheet surface mass budgets are computed using the meteorologic forcing from 17 GCMs for three time periods: present, 6000 and 21,000 calendar years before present. The ice-budget calculations are performed on a common and relatively fine grid (0.5°×1°), by interpolating the monthly GCM fields, making straightforward corrections for the GCMs' topographic errors, and adding synthetic diurnal cycles of air temperature and solar radiation. These fields drive a common snow-ice vertical column model (LSX) through annual cycles to predict net precipitation, melt, and ablation at each fine-grid point over Greenland, Antarctica, and the 21 k Laurentide and Eurasian ice sheets. Considerable scatter among GCMs is found in the computed budgets for all ice sheets except Antarctica, even among the higher-resolution GCMs. This is mainly due to scatter in snow and ice melt around the ice-sheet margins, which is caused by differences of several degrees in summer surface–air temperatures in these regions. Wind speed and cloudiness also vary widely among GCMs, but contribute little to the scatter in melt. Although the temperature differences are not large by GCM standards, they have a large effect on melt rate. By driving a 2-D dynamic ice-sheet model with the predicted mass balances, it is shown that the scatter would cause drastic uncertainties in coupled ice-sheet/GCM simulations of long-term ice-sheet evolution. Much the same scatter occurs with a commonly used perturbative method (using present observed temperatures and precipitation, modified by the GCMs' predicted changes from the present). Although some of the scatter may be due to local differences in ice albedos between GCMs, it is argued that most of it are due to larger-scale climatic differences. Thus, the stringent requirements of consistency in ice-sheet forcing are not met by this set of GCMs, and consistent results from ice-sheet/GCM simulations of future sea-level contributions and past ice-age evolution will require improvements in GCM performance.
Inhibitors of choline uptake and metabolism cause developmental abnormalities in neurulating mouse embryos.

Background Choline is an essential nutrient in methylation, acetylcholine and phospholipid biosynthesis, and in cell signaling. The demand by an embryo or fetus for choline may place a pregnant woman and, subsequently, the developing conceptus at risk for choline deficiency. Methods To determine whether a disruption in choline uptake and metabolism results in developmental abnormalities, early somite staged mouse embryos were exposed in vitro to either an inhibitor of choline uptake and metabolism, 2-dimethylaminoethanol (DMAE), or an inhibitor of phosphatidylcholine synthesis, 1-O-octadecyl-2-O-methyl-rac-glycero-3-phosphocholine (ET-18-OCH3). Cell death following inhibitor exposure was investigated with LysoTracker Red and histology. Results Embryos exposed to 250–750 μM DMAE for 26 hr developed craniofacial hypoplasia and open neural tube defects in the forebrain, midbrain, and hindbrain regions. Embryos exposed to 125–275 μM ET-18-OCH3 exhibited similar defects or expansion of the brain vesicles. ET-18-OCH3-affected embryos also had a distended neural tube at the posterior neuropore. Embryonic growth was reduced in embryos treated with either DMAE (375, 500, and 750 μM) or ET-18-OCH3 (200 and 275 μM). Whole mount staining with LysoTracker Red and histological sections showed increased areas of cell death in embryos treated with 275 μM ET-18-OCH3 for 6 hr, but there was no evidence of cell death in DMAE-exposed embryos. Conclusions Inhibition of choline uptake and metabolism during neurulation results in growth retardation and developmental defects that affect the neural tube and face. Teratology 64:114–122, 2001. © 2001 Wiley-Liss, Inc.
Production of Dimuons in 16-GeV/c πp Interactions and the Observation of a Low-Mass Continuum of Unfamiliar Origin

A clear, prompt dimuon signal has been observed in a low-statistics streamer-chamber experiment with 16-GeV/c $\ensuremath{\pi}p$ interactions. The good mass resolution makes it possible to identify the contributions from $\ensuremath{\rho}$ and $\ensuremath{\omega}$ decays and $\ensuremath{\eta}$ and $\ensuremath{\omega}$ Dalitz decays. An excess of events is observed in the mass region \ensuremath{\sim}400-600 MeV which is not accounted for by the above-mentioned decays.
Groundwater–lake interactions in semi-arid environments

Abstract A free-surface paleohydrologic model was developed along a cross-section across the Murray Basin in SE Australia to study the effects of groundwater flow on paleoclimate records in semi-arid environments, over millennial time scales. We demonstrate that the interaction between the groundwater table and regional topography is the primary factor controlling the location and timing of seepage fluxes within discharge zones. The groundwater system communicates regional effects between lake basins that are unconnected by surface water. This interaction can have a significant influence on the interpretation of paleoclimatic records, since lake–groundwater interactions are crucial to the formation of limnologic paleoclimatic indicators in arid environments.
Terrain-Referenced Precision Approach Guidance: Proof-of-Concept Flight Test Results

Aircraft precision approach guidance systems require accurate positioning relative to the runway with a high level of integrity. Most precision approach guidance systems in use today require ground-based elec- tronic navigation components with at least one installation at each airport, and in many cases multiple instal- lations to service approaches to all qualifying runway ends. A terrain-referenced approach guidance system is envisioned to provide precision guidance to an aircraft without the use of ground-based electronic navigation components installed at the airport. An Airborne Laser Scanner (ALS), when integrated with an Inertial Mea- surement Unit (IMU) and a Digital Elevation Model (DEM) with approximately a 1 m horizontal resolution and elevation accuracy on the order of 30 cm RMS, can provide navigation and guidance information in sup- port of aircraft precision approach and landing operations. The proof-of-concept terrain-referenced navigation system provides horizontal and vertical position estimates with accuracies on the order of one meter RMS and capitalizes on the position and integrity benefits provided by the Global Positioning System (GPS) Wide Area Augmentation System (WAAS) to reduce the terrain navigator's initial position search space size and to reduce the required size of the high accuracy/high resolution database. This paper describes the proof-of-concept air- craft approach system and presents results from flight tests where the approach system is used to provide real- time guidance cues to the pilot.
A study of air pollutants and acute asthma exacerbations in urban areas: status report

A study to try to better understand the interactions between various air contaminants and acute asthma exacerbations is described. The study evaluates temporal associations between a panel of air contaminants and acute asthmatic exacerbations as measured by emergency room visits for asthma in communities in the Bronx and Manhattan in New York City (NYC). In addition, ambient levels of various air pollutants in two NYC communities are being compared. Almost 2 years of daily data have been collected for most of the air contaminants to be investigated. The air contaminants measured include gaseous compounds (ozone, sulfur dioxide, nitrogen oxides, aldehydes, nitrous acid, nitric acid, hydrochloric acid and ammonia), particulate matter components (metals, elemental and organic carbon, sulfate, hydrogen ion, pollen, mold spores and particle mass and number).
Modified reinforcement learning for sequential action behaviors and its application to robotics

When developing a robot or other automaton, the efficacy of the agent is highly dependent on the performance of the behaviors which underpin the control system. Especially in the case of agents which must act in real world or disorganized environments, the design of robust behaviors can be both difficult and time consuming, and often requires the use of sensitive tuning. In response to this need, we present a behavioral, goal-oriented, reinforcement-based machine learning strategy which is flexible, simple to implement, and designed for application in real-world environments, but with the capability of software-based training. In this paper, we will explain our design paradigms, the formal implementation thereof, and the algorithm proper. We will show that the algorithm is able to emulate standard reinforcement learning within comparable training time, and to extend the capabilities thereof as well. We also demonstrate extension of learning beyond the scope of training examples, and present an example of a physical robot which learns a sequential action behavior by experimentation.
Performance Analysis of Cooperative Multi-hop Strip Networks

A two-dimensional strip-shaped network is analyzed where groups of nodes perform cooperative transmission and propagate the message in a multi-hop manner along the length of the network. The transmission from one group of nodes to the next is modeled as a discrete-time Markov chain and the probability transition matrix of the chain is derived. By invoking the theory of Perron---Frobenius, the eigen-decomposition of the matrix provides insightful information about the coverage of the network and the probability of making finite successful hops. It has been shown that a specific signal-to-noise ratio margin is required for obtaining a desired hop distance for different network topologies and packet delivery ratio constraints.
Base-modification mRNA editing through deamination — the good, the bad and the unregulated

Abstract RNA editing is a co- or post-transcriptional process in which select nucleotide sequences in RNA are altered from that originally encoded in the genome. The mRNAs encoding apolipoprotein B and some glutamate receptor subunits of ionotropic membrane channels are edited by site-specific base-deamination systems. Although these editing systems differ markedly in their mechanism for RNA-substrate binding and in their catalytic subunits, recent results suggest potentially common solutions to the problem of editing-site selectivity. The data suggest that there are multiple editing complexes or ‘editosomes', which manifest editing-site preferences due to their macromolecular composition.
Ichnosedimentologic evidence for a noncatastrophic origin of Cretaceous-Tertiary boundary sands in Alabama

The Clayton sands, thin discontinuous sand bodies found at or near the Cretaceous-Tertiary (K-T) boundary at various sites in Alabama, previously have been attributed to (1) catastrophic tsunami deposition associated with a K-T boundary impact or, alternatively, (2) noncatastrophic transgressive infilling of incised valleys cut during a preceding sea-level low-stand. New observations on the geometry and ichnosedimentologic character of a Clayton sand body, enveloping strata, and associated bounding surfaces exposed along Mussel Creek (central Alabama) refute the tsunami origin and support the latter mechanism. Studies of other boundary deposits in the gulf region, which may similarly benefit from ichnofossil investigations, should consider more rigorously the evidence for sea-level change near the K-T transition.
Natural selection and developmental sexual variation in the human pelvis.

This research examines ontological patterns of change in variation of the human pelvis as a means of identifying regions of differential growth, growth canalization and evidence of selection. Data were derived from pelvic radiogrammetry of 180 8-year-olds and 89 subjects at age 18 who were part of the Fels Longitudinal Growth Study. Coefficients of variation (CVs) and total growth increments were compared between sexes and between ages 8 and 18 for 14 pelvic measures. Sex-specific comparisons of mean size were tested per age using Student's t, whereas coefficients of variation were calculated and compared using the methods suggested by Sokal and Braumann ([1980] Syst. Zool. 29:50–66). The Mann-Whitney U-test was used to test median growth increments between ages 8 and 18. Results of these comparisons show significant sex differences in breadth of the ischium and acetabular regions among 8-year-olds. Most of the sexual dimorphism in the pelvis at age 18, however, develops during the adolescent growth period, during which both male and female pelves undergo growth remodeling of the pelvic cavity. Over the same time period, males show significantly greater incremental growth in the acetabulum, and females show differentially greater growth in the pelvic cavity. At age 18, the pelvis demonstrates a posterior-to-anterior gradient of increasing dimorphism within the inlet and midplane of the pelvic birth canal. As a means of interpreting the effects of natural selection on the pelvis, it is argued that appropriate comparisons are within-sample comparisons of CVs over time, rather than comparisons between sexes of adult coefficients as has been argued by others (Meindl et al. [1985] Am. J. Phys. Anthropol. 68:79–85). Analyses of change in coefficients of variation over time show evidence of concordantly reduced within-sample variation in 7 pelvic dimensions indicating canalization of growth. These results are attributed to the effects of stabilizing selection operating on both males and females and include transverse diameters of the sacrum, inlet, anterior inferior iliac spines, and breadths of the ilium and ischium. Six pelvic dimensions show evidence of increased total sample CVs and discordant change in within-sex comparisons of CVs as well as differential growth between sexes over time. This pattern is indicative of the effects of disruptive selection on the pelvis for interacetabular diameter, breadths of the anterior superior and posterior inferior iliac spines, pubic length, and ilium height. © Wiley-Liss, Inc.
Proper Orthogonal Decomposition of Turbine Rotor-Stator Interaction

Numerical simulations of the flow in a one-stage turbine are carried out to investigate the feasibility of constructing a reduced-order model via Galerkin methods. The flow in the turbine is modeled by the unsteady Reynolds-averaged Navier-Stokes equations. The governing equations are written in the strong conservation form and solved using a fully implicit, finite difference approximation. By the use of the proper orthogonal decomposition (POD), spatial dominant features, also known as POD modes or eigenfunctions, are identified and separated from the spatiotemporal dynamics of the turbine flow. The POD reconstructed solutions indicate that a significant portion of the original dynamics is captured by a few modes. The solution reconstructed using the first 40 modes captures more than 99% of the energy spectrum, whereas the error of the energy variable is less than 0.6%, and the error of skin friction is less than 1.5%. Phase-space plots further indicate the existence of low-dimensional dynamics, which supports the validity of a reduced-order model for turbine flow.
A three-dimensional crustal seismic velocity model for southern California from a composite event method

We present a new crustal seismic velocity model for southern California derived from P and S arrival times from local earthquakes and explosions. To reduce the volume of data and ensure a more uniform source distribution, we compute "composite event" picks for 2597 distributed master events that include pick information for other events within spheres of 2 km radius. The approach reduces random picking error and maximizes the number of S wave picks. To constrain absolute event locations and shallow velocity structure, we also use times from controlled sources, including both refraction shots and quarries. We implement the SIMULPS tomography algorithm to obtain three-dimensional (3-D) V_p and V_p/V_s structure and hypocenter locations of the composite events. Our new velocity model in general agrees with previous studies, resolving low-velocity features at shallow depths in the basins and some high-velocity features in the midcrust. Using our velocity model and 3-D ray tracing, we relocate about 450,000 earthquakes from 1981 to 2005. We observe a weak correlation between seismic velocities and earthquake occurrence, with shallow earthquakes mostly occurring in high P velocity regions and midcrustal earthquakes occurring in low P velocity regions. In addition, most seismicity occurs in regions with relatively low V_p/V_s ratios, although aftershock sequences following large earthquakes are often an exception to this pattern.
Poverty and probability: aspiration and aversion to compound lotteries in El Salvador and India

Some experimental participants are averse to compound lotteries: they prefer simple lotteries that depend on only one random event, even when the simple lotteries offer lower expected value. This paper proposes that many behavioral “investments” represent more compound risk for poorer people—who often face multiple dimensions of deprivation—than for richer people. As a result, identical aversion to compound lotteries can prevent investment among poorer people, but have no effect on richer people. The paper reports five studies: two initial studies that document that aversion to compound lotteries operates as an economic preference, two “laboratory experiments in the field” in El Salvador, and one Internet survey experiment in India. Poorer Salvadoran women who choose a compound lottery are 27 percentage points more likely to have found formal employment than those who chose a simple lottery, but lottery choice is unrelated to employment for richer women. Poorer students at the national Salvadoran university choose more compound lotteries than richer students, on average, implying that aversion to compound lotteries screened out poorer aspirants but not richer ones. Poorer and lower-caste Indian participants who choose compound lotteries are more likely than those who choose simple lotteries to have a different occupation than their parents, which is not the case for better-off participants. These findings suggest that the consequences of aversion to compound lotteries are different in the context of poverty and disadvantage.
Differential protection for power transformers with non-standard phase shifts

The current differential protection is the most popular protection for transformers, providing good fault sensitivity, selectivity and security. Depending on the application, the transformer size, shape, winding connections vary. Some common power system applications require installation of two- or three-winding conventional power transformers or autotransformers, while others require phase shifting transformers (PST), Scott transformers, LeBlanc transformers, Zig-Zag grounding transformers, or converter transformers. Applying differential protection to conventional type power transformers with “standard” phase shifts of 30 degrees, or multiples of 30 degrees is trivial. However, applying this protection to transformers with non-standard phase shifts is challenging for the protection engineer. Current Transformers (CTs) installed in non-common locations adds even more to the complexity of applying the protection correctly. The later is associated with special CT — relay connections, correct computation of winding currents, phase angles, and selection of protective device supporting such applications. The paper provides essential knowledge on the transformer differential protections throughout theory and application examples. Current transformers and relay connections, as well as computation of transformer setup settings with standard and non-standard phase shift are covered.
Use of anticonvulsants for treatment of neuropathic pain

Emerging evidence from animal models of neuropathic pain suggests that many pathophysiologic and biochemical changes occur in the peripheral and central nervous system. Similarities between the pathophysiologic phenomena observed in some epilepsy models and in neuropathic pain models justify the use of anticonvulsants in the symptomatic management of neuropathic pain. Positive results from laboratory and clinical trials further support such use. Carbamazepine was the first of this class of drugs to be studied in clinical trials and has been longest in use for treatment of neuropathic pain. Clinical trial data support its use in treating trigeminal neuralgia, but data for treatment of painful diabetic neuropathy are less convincing. Use of newer anticonvulsants has marked a new era in the treatment of neuropathic pain. Gabapentin has demonstrated efficacy, specifically in painful diabetic neuropathy and postherpetic neuralgia. Lamotrigine has been reported to be effective in relieving pain from trigeminal neuralgia refractory to other treatments, HIV neuropathy, and central post-stroke pain. Results from clinical trials of phenytoin are equivocal. Zonisamide's mechanisms of action suggest that it would be effective in controlling neuropathic pain symptoms. Other anticonvulsants, including lorazepam, valproate, topiramate, and tiagabine, have also been under investigation. Anecdotal experience provides support for studies with oxcarbazepine and levetiracetam for treating neuropathic pain. Evidence supporting the efficacy of anticonvulsants in treatment of such pain is evolving. Additional clinical trials should provide information that will better define their role in neuropathic pain.
The evaluation and management of patients with neuroleptic malignant syndrome

NMS is a rare but fatal syndrome that needs to be considered in the perioperative period. Although many aspects remain unexplored and controversial, with greater awareness of the condition, new concepts are coming into light. Definitive treatment guidelines remain an important issue to be addressed. Efforts have been initiated in that direction and all cases can be reported on a toll-free hotline ( 1-888-667-8367) or online (www.nmsis.org).
The influence of surface mass flux on mixed convection over horizontal plates in saturated porous media

THE FIRST attempts to study mixed convection in a porous layer were those of Wooding [I], Prats [2], Sutton [3]. and Homsy and Sherwood 141. The emohases in these studies. however, were on the stability of-the flow field and the establishment of the criterion for the onset of convection. Experimental results were very limited and were reported only by Combamous and Bia [5]. By using a boundarylayer formulation and the similarity method, Cheng [6, 71 conducted a series of investigations to study mixed convection over vertical, inclined and horizontal plates in porous media. Recently, numerical results of mixed convection in vertical and horizontal porous layers with non-uniform heating on the boundary have been reported [8, 91, while experimental results have been reported only for the latter case [IO, 111. As a continuing effort toward a complete understanding of transport phenomena in porous media, we consider in this note the influence of surface mass transfer on mixed convection over horizontal plates in saturated porous media. The approach follows that used by Cheng and co-workers [12, 131 for the study of free convection. Similarity solutions are obtained for the special case where the surface temperature, free stream velocity and injection, or withdrawal, velocity are a prescribed power function of distance. The limiting cases of free and forced convection are also examined.
Exposure of hippocampal slices to quisqualate sensitizes synaptic responses to phosphonate-containing analogues of glutamate

Abstract Exposure of transverse slices of rat hippocampus to quisqualate (Quis) resulted in a marked increase in the potency of d - and l -2-amino-4-phosphonobutanoate (APB) and d - and l -2-amino-5-phosphonopentanoate (APV) for depression of extracellular synaptic field potentials recorded from CA1 pyramidal cells. l -APB depressed the amplitude of CA1 field potentials with anIC50 = 1800 μM before exposure to Quis. After a brief (4 min) exposure to sufficient Quis (16 μM) to depress the response by 50%, l -APB depressed these responses with anIC50 = 54 μM. These phosphonate-containing glutamate analogues transiently induced population-spiking after the tissue was pretreated with Quis. This suggests that APB and APV can act as agonists at micromolar concentrations.
Zebrafish Models of Biliary Atresia and Other Infantile Cholestatic Diseases

Zebrafish are a powerful tool for the study of diseases that appear during development. Over the past decade, several zebrafish models of diseases that affect the developing liver in infants have been generated, including models of the most common identifiable cause of neonatal cholestasis, biliary atresia (BA). While none of these models exactly duplicate the disorder, studies on the zebrafish models have uncovered potentially important features of BA such as an importance of epigenetic changes and an association with specific mutations. In addition, other models replicate other cholestatic disorders, and there are zebrafish models of other pediatric liver diseases as well. Continued efforts with these models, and future models that take advantage of emerging technologies, will uncover additional facets of disease pathogenesis and may identify novel, more effective therapies.
Tomes of Travel and Travesty: The Didactic of Captivity in Susanna Rowson's Charlotte Temple and Mary Rowlandson's The Sovereignty and Goodness of God

Yea, let our tongues to song be dumb, As in a dull and voiceless dream, Till to thy courts again we come And thy redemption be the theme! —Charles Harpur, “The Babylonian Captivity” Written by Her ...
Structured illumination for the extension of imaging interferometric microscopy.

Structured illumination applied to imaging interferometric microscopy (IIM) allows extension of the resolution limit of low numerical aperture objective lenses to ultimate linear systems limits (≲λ/4 in air) without requiring a reference beam around the objective lens. Instead, the reference beam is provided by an illumination beam just at the edge of the optical system numerical aperture resulting in a shift of the recorded spatial frequencies (equivalent to an intermediate frequency). The restoration procedure is discussed. This technique is adaptable readily to existing microscopes, since extensive access to the imaging system pupil plane is not required.
The Barotropic Normal Modes in Certain Shear Flows and the Traveling Waves in the Atmosphere

It is shown analytically and numerically that in certain shear flows the linearized nondivergent barotropic vorticity equation has a limited number of neutral normal modes. The latitudinal structures of these shear flows can be expressed as polynomials of the sine of latitude. The first few such shear flows resemble the gross features of the zonal winds in the atmosphere of the earth at different times and altitudes. The spatial structures of the neutral normal modes in these shear flows are spherical harmonics, and, as a consequence, these modes are also the exact solutions of the fully nonlinear equation because the nonlinear interaction term vanishes identically. The spatial structures of the observed 5-, 4-, 2-, and 16-day free traveling waves in the atmosphere are often identified with the spherical harmonics with indices of (m, n) = ( 1, 2), (2, 3), (3, 3), and ( 1, 4), which are known previously as the neutral normal modes of the nondivergent barotropic vorticity equation in a motionless background state. Our results could explain why these free traveling waves can survive the shearing effects of zonal flows that are far different from rest because these spherical harmonics are also normal modes in certain shear flows that resemble the observations of the atmosphere.
Sex and Athletic Status as Factors in Reaction Latency and Movement Time

Abstract This study investigated the effects of sex and athletic status on reaction latencies and movement time. One hundred subjects, categorized into five groups of 20 subjects each—male athletes (MA), female athletes (FA), male nonathletes (MNA), female nonathletes (FNA), and control group (CG)—were tested over a period of five consecutive days. Several different types of incentives were used to ensure that subjects provided the fastest times possible. Two blocks of 25 trials were administered to each subject on each day. A 2 × 2 × 2 × 5 × 2 mixed factorial analysis of variance was used to test for between-subject differences of group (experimental/control), sex, and athletic status and for within-subject differences of days and blocks. The four dependent variables were reaction time (RT) mean, RT consistency, movement time (MT) mean, and MT consistency. Results did not support the classic finding of male superiority over females in RT/MT or athletes' superiority over nonathletes. Evidence of athletic ...
An experimental study of MR dampers for seismic protection

In this paper, the efficacy of magnetorheological (MR) dampers for seismic response reduction is examined. To investigate the performance of the MR damper, a series of experiments was conducted in which the MR damper is used in conjunction with a recently developed clipped-optimal control strategy to control a three-story test structure subjected to a one-dimensional ground excitation. The ability of the MR damper to reduce both peak responses, in a series of earthquake tests, and rms responses, in a series of broadband excitation tests, is shown. Additionally, because semi-active control systems are nonlinear, a variety of disturbance amplitudes are considered to investigate the performance of this control system over a variety of loading conditions. For each case, the results for three clipped-optimal control designs are presented and compared to the performance of two passive systems. The results indicate that the MR damper is quite effective for structural response reduction over a wide class of seismic excitations.
Machine Learning in Updating Predictive Models of Planning and Scheduling Transportation Projects

A method combining machine learning and regression analysis to automatically and intelligently update predictive models used in the Kansas Department of Transportation's (KDOT's) internal management system is presented. The predictive models used by KDOT consist of planning factors (mathematical functions) and base quantities (constants). The duration of a functional unit (defined as a subactivity) is determined by the product of a planning factor and its base quantity. The availability of a large data base on projects executed over the past decade provided the opportunity to develop an automated process updating predictive models based on extracting information from historical data through machine learning. To perform the entire task of updating the predictive models, the learning process consists of three stages. The first stage derives the numerical relationship between the duration of a functional unit and the project attributes recorded in the data base. The second stage finds the functional units wi...
Agree or Agree to Disagree? Assessing the Convergence between Parents and Observers on Infant Temperament

The assessment of infant temperament has been typically accomplished with parent questionnaires. When compared with temperament behaviours observed in the laboratory, parents and observers generally do not agree, leading some researchers to question the validity of parent report. This paper reports on a representative sample of infants whose families resided in non-metropolitan counties and whose temperament was measured in three ways: (1) standard parent report (Infant Behavior Questionnaire); (2) observer ratings across two lengthy home visits; and (3) observer coding of second-by-second reactions to specific emotion-eliciting tasks. In order to account for both trait and method variance, structural equation modelling was applied to a sample of 955 infants (M age = 7.3 months) using variables from the three methods that reflected the dimensions of positivity and negativity. Although models based solely on method factors and trait factors fit the data well, results indicated that a model that included method and trait factors provided the best fit. Results also indicated that parents and observers (either across the home visit or to specific tasks) converge, to a degree, on ratings of the positivity dimension but diverge on the negativity dimension.
The Spectrum and Pathogenesis of Antibody-mediated Neuropathies

Antibodies reacting with carbohydrate epitopes on neural glycoconjugates are present in several forms of neuropathy. These include monoclonal antibodies to the myelin-associated glycoprotein (MAG) and to gan gliosides in patients with neuropathy in association with IgM gammopathy, as well as polyclonal antibodies to gangliosides in inflammatory polyneuropathies, such as Guillain-Barre syndrome and multifocal motor neuropathy. There are several correlations between antibody specificity and clinical symptoms, including anti-MAG antibodies with demyelinating sensory or sensorimotor neuropathy, anti-GM1 ganglioside anti bodies with motor nerve disorders, anti-GQ1b ganglioside antibodies with Miller-Fisher syndrome, and antibodies to gangliosides containing disialosyl moieties with sensory ataxic neuropathy. This review will emphasize recent developments concerning the origins of the anti-glycoconjugate antibodies in patients, pathogenic mechanisms by which the antibodies may cause the neuropathies, and the im...
Equilibrium mineral-fluid stable isotope fractionation factors in graphitic metapelites

Abstract The stable isotopic composition (C, O, H, and S) of a fluid in equilibrium with the common metapelite assemblage graphite + sulfide has been calculated using a modified Redlich-Kwong equation of state at 500°3.5 kbar, and 700°C, 6 kbar, for a range of f O2 and f S2 conditions. The four major fluid species under these conditions are H 2 O, CO 2 , CH 4 and H 2 S. Stable isotope fractionation factors among these fluid species remain significant to large, even at temperatures as high as 700°C. At 500°C, 3.5 kbar, Δ 18 O quartz-Σfluid ranges from −3.0 to + 3.1‰, Δ 13 C graphite-Σfluid ranges from −10.1 to +4.3‰, and ΔD biotite-Σfluid ( X F, biotite = 0.25) ranges from −31 to + 74‰, depending on the values of f o2 and f S2 . At 700°C, 6 kbar, Δ 18 O quartz-Σfluid ranges from − 1.7 to + 1.6‰, Δ 13 C gaph;te-Σfluid ranges from -7.6 to +1.6‰, and Δ 34 S biotite-Σfluid ( X Fe biotite = 0.25) ranges from −17 to + 164‰, depending on the values of f o2 and f s2 . Values of Δ j34 S pyrite−Σfluid are small and independent of f O 2 and f S 2 . The results have implications for studies using stable isotopic methods to investigate interaction between a fluid and a graphitic metapelite during metamorphism, especially during devolatilization and fluid-rock interaction. Equilibrium values of Δ mineral-Σfluid during metamorphism are dependent upon the composition of the fluid, which in turn is dependent upon f o2 and f s2
Origin of honeycombs and related weathering forms in Oligocene Macigno Sandstone, Tuscan coast near Livorno, Italy

Two types of cavernous-weathering features are exposed in the Oligocene Macigno Sandstone along 5 km of the Tuscan coast south of Livorno, Italy. Honeycomb cells (type 1 features) are typical closely spaced, more or less circular pits of centimetre scale that have been eroded 2 to 6 cm below the general surface of bedding planes or joints. ‘Aberrant honeycomb’ cells (type 2 features) are highly elongate, polygonal, or irregular ﬂat depressions of decimetre scale surrounded by walls rarely higher than 2 cm, some of which pass into long, free-standing walls or tendrils. Thus, not all type 2 ‘honeycomb’ cells are fully enclosed. We measured the geometry of 551 honeycomb cells and examined various rock properties (microscopic texture and fabric, mineralogy, porosity, permeability, and chemical composition) to isolate factors that control the size, shape, distribution, and pattern of the honeycombs. Our goal was to narrow potential origins of the features and to understand their formation. The ubiquitous occurrence of sea salt in the honeycombs and scanning electron microscope evidence of physical weathering of silicates, especially micas, favours an origin for the honeycombs chieﬂy by salt weathering. Honeycombs do not form in siltstone, iron-oxide-impregnated sandstone, calcite-cemented concretions, or in case-hardened joints. Thus, salt weathering of type 1 and 2 honeycombs is not effective in very low permeability rocks. We propose for type 1 honeycombs that seawater is drawn into micropores of the sandstone and evolves into self-organized diffusion cells (Turing patterns). Selective evaporation at the stationary nodes of diffusion cells, which form at the same site over time, leads to the precipitation of salt, then grains spall off, and pits are formed. The deepest pits (>40 mm) formed where Turing patterns consistently formed at the same sites. Although the walls are more porous and weathered than the host sandstone, they become selectively case hardened by an unidentiﬁed component of low abundance. Initial honeycomb cell shape and gravity locally inﬂuenced type 1 honeycomb shapes. We suggest that type 2 honeycombs develop where diffusion-controlled Turing patterns lead to case-hardening along linear trends; gravity and rock fabric are important locally in inﬂuencing the orientation of the walls. Only type 2 cells are forming today, suggesting recent environmental changes. Gravity is not a fundamental control on honeycomb shape; in places it is a contributing factor. Pre-existing depressions (quarry tool marks) have strongly inﬂuenced honeycomb shape locally. Copyright © 2004 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Smart textiles based wireless ECG system

Advances in polymers, soft-electronics, biosensors and mobile communication, have led to a growing interest in wireless Electrocardiogram (ECG) monitors. A wide variety of textile-based wireless ECG sensors and systems have been developed [1, 2]. Typically, such wireless ECG systems rely on miniature ECG sensor/electrode that can be worn as badges, patches, or jewelry to measure and show advance reactions. Smart textile and non-contact electrodes have also been reported recently. The earlier stage of smart clothing usually tether conventional electrode sensors or devices attached to the textile. Such approaches have their limitations such as discomfort and integration with the fabric. In this paper, a wireless ECG system using smart textiles sensor is presented. Non-contact ECG electrode, developed with intelligent materials and different textile technologies, is an integral part of wireless ECG system. Such electrodes with integrated nanostructure conformal antenna can use a wireless transmitter to send data to any external device for remote health monitoring, telemedicine and health delivery. The paper will also present the design of the textile based integrated conformal patch antenna as well as system level radio design that could be integrated with the textile based conformable antenna and proposed ECG electrode
Mesenchymal stem cells induce epithelial proliferation within the inflamed stomach

Bone marrow-derived mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) sustain cancer cells by creating a microenvironment favorable for tumor growth. In particular, MSCs have been implicated in gastric cancer development. There is extensive evidence suggesting that Hedgehog signaling regulates tumor growth. However, very little is known regarding the precise roles of Hedgehog signaling and MSCs in tumor development within the stomach. The current study tests that hypothesis that Sonic Hedgehog (Shh), secreted from MSCs, provides a proliferative stimulus for the gastric epithelium in the presence of inflammation. Red fluorescent protein-expressing MSCs transformed in vitro (stMSCs) were transduced with lentiviral constructs containing a vector control (stMSCvect) or short hairpin RNA (shRNA) targeting the Shh gene (stMSCShhKO). Gastric submucosal transplantation of wild-type MSCs (wtMSCs), wild-type MSCs overexpressing Shh (wtMSCShh), stMSCvect, or stMSCShhKO cells in C57BL/6 control (BL/6) or gastrin-deficient (GKO) mice was performed and mice analyzed 30 and 60 days posttransplantation. Compared with BL/6 mice transplanted with wtMSCShh and stMSCvect cells, inflamed GKO mice developed aggressive gastric tumors. Tumor development was not observed in mouse stomachs transplanted with wtMSC or stMSCShhKO cells. Compared with stMSCShhKO-transplanted mice, within the inflamed GKO mouse stomach, Shh-expressing stMSCvect- and wtMSCShh-induced proliferation of CD44-positive cells. CD44-positive cells clustered in gland-like structures within the tumor stroma and were positive for Patched (Ptch) expression. We conclude that Shh, secreted from MSCs, provides a proliferative stimulus for the gastric epithelium that is associated with tumor development, a response that is sustained by chronic inflammation.
THE ROLE OF EDUCATORS IN COMBATTING VIOLENCE

La violence grandit sur les campus universitaires americains. Si une campagne religieuse peut sensibiliser l'ensemble de la population sur cette situation, l'A. s'interroge sur ce qui pourra encourager les professeurs a combattre les valeurs anti-sociales et les exces de violence sur les campus
More There Than Meets Their Eyes: Support for the Mere-Ownership Effect

Barone, Shimp, and Sprott (this issue) attempted to replicate and extend the mere-ownership effect (Beggan, 1992), the tendency of an owner, relative to a nonowner, to enhance the perceived attractiveness of an object merely because it is owned. They reported that five experiments failed to provide consistent evidence of the mere-ownership effect. We suggest that Barone et al. are excessively critical of their own results and, in fact, do obtain the mere-ownership effect. Our assertion is based on a meta-analysis of their data, an important limitation of their methodology, and problems with their statistical analyses.
Reduction of structural iron in selected iron‐bearing minerals by soybean root exudates grown in an in vitro geoponic system

Abstract Research on the reduction of iron (Fe) by plant‐root exudates has been conducted using hydroponic solutions containing Fe salts or chelates. These solutions, however, fail to reflect the true soil environment because plants derive their majority requirement from the solid Fe(III) sources. An in vitro Geoponic system (IVGS) is developed to study the reduction of Fe‐bearing clay minerals, i.e., Upton and SWa‐1 (smectite), and Si‐containing amorphous Fe oxide by soybean‐root exudates. Surface sterilized soybean seeds, [Glycine max (L.) Men.] cv. Williams (marginally susceptible to Fe chlorosis), were germinated in presterilized glass culture tubes containing semi‐solid agar media (sucrose free) and Fe minerals. These tubes were placed in an incubator programmed for a white‐fluorescent light cycle for 16 h and temperature setting of 25±2°C. After 15 d of plant growth, the system was analyzed for Fe2+ and total Fe. The amount of structural Fe reduction was 0.012, 0.095 and 0.182 mmol/g for Upton, SWa‐...
Aneurysm of the Distal Popliteal Artery and Its Relationship to the Arcuate Popliteal Ligament

Two cases presenting complications of popliteal aneurysm requiring amputation have been presented. Dissection of these limbs showed proximal popliteal aneurysms located immediately beyond the adductor magnus tendinous hiatus and, in addition, distal popliteal aneurysms immediately below the arcuate popliteal ligament. Another case is described in which bilateral popliteal aneurysms were located in the distal popliteal artery—that is, immediately below the arcuate popliteal ligament. These findings support the concept that post-stenotic dilation may be one of the causal factors in the pathogenesis not only of proximal but also of distal popliteal aneurysms.