cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
If Invalid PVT Scores Are Obtained, Can Valid Neuropsychological Profiles Be Believed?

Background Performance Validity Testing (PVT) decision-making rules may be indeterminate in patients with neurological disease in which PVT characteristics have not been adequately studied. We report a patient with multiple sclerosis (MS) who failed computerized PVT testing but had normal memory scores with a neuropsychological profile consistent with expected MS disease-related weaknesses. Method Neuropsychological testing was conducted on two occasions in a middle-aged woman with an established MS diagnosis to address concerns of possible memory decline. Testing was discontinued after PVT scores below recommended cut-points were obtained during the first evaluation. During the second assessment, subthreshold PVT scores on a different computerized PVT were obtained, but unlike the first assessment, the entire neuropsychological protocol was administered. Results Despite subthreshold computerized PVT scores, normal learning and memory performance was obtained providing objective data to answer the referral question. Other neuropsychological findings included decreased processing speed, poor working memory, and poor executive function consistent with her MS diagnosis. Embedded PVT scores were normal. Conclusions We speculate that poor computerized PVT scores resulted from the disease-related features of MS, although we also discuss approaches to reconcile apparently contradictory PVT versus neuropsychological results if the contributions of disease-related variables on PVTs scores are discounted. This case demonstrates the value of completing the assessment protocol despite obtaining PVT scores below publisher recommended cutoffs in clinical evaluations. If subthreshold PVT scores are considered evidence of performance invalidity, it is still necessary to have an approach for interpreting seemingly credible neuropsychological test results rather than simply dismissing them as invalid.
Geometric Control of a Quadrotor with a Load Suspended from an Offset

A quadrotor with a point-mass payload suspended with an offset from the center-of-mass of the quadrotor to the suspension point is studied in this paper. This system consists of eight degrees of freedom and four degrees of underactuation. A coordinate-free dynamic model is obtained by taking variations on manifolds. We also establish that under a mild assumption that the angular acceleration of quadrotor is small, the offset quadrotor-Ioad system is a differentially-flat system with the load position and the quadrotor yaw serving as the flat outputs. A nonlinear geometric control design based on this assumption is developed. With this controller, the following states (a) quadrotor attitude, (b) load attitude, and (c) load position can be tracked. Stability proofs for the controller design, as well as simulation of the proposed controller are presented. A comparison of a geometric controller developed for a zero offset quadrotor-Ioad model is also presented to motivate the need as well as demonstrate the advantages of our proposed geometric controller for the offset quadrotor-Ioad model.
SnapShot: The RNA Exosome.

The RNA exosome is a 3′ to 5′ ribonuclease that plays a fundamental role in maturation, quality control, and turnover of nearly all types of RNA produced in eukaryotic cells. Here, we present an overview of the structure, composition, and functions of the RNA exosome, including various cytoplasmic and nuclear exosome co-factors and associated protein complexes. To view this SnapShot, open or download the PDF.
Integrating questionnaire measures for transdiagnostic psychiatric phenotyping using word2vec.

Background Recent initiatives in psychiatry emphasize the utility of characterizing psychiatric symptoms in a multidimensional manner. However, strategies for applying standard self-report scales for multiaxial assessment have not been well-studied, particularly where the aim is to support both categorical and dimensional phenotypes. Methods We propose a method for applying natural language processing to derive dimensional measures of psychiatric symptoms from questionnaire data. We utilized nine self-report symptom measures drawn from a large cellular biobanking study that enrolled individuals with mood and psychotic disorders, as well as healthy controls. To summarize questionnaire results we used word embeddings, a technique to represent words as numeric vectors preserving semantic and syntactic meaning. A low-dimensional approximation to the embedding space was used to derive the proposed succinct summary of symptom profiles. To validate our embedding-based disease profiles, these were compared to presence or absence of axis I diagnoses derived from structured clinical interview, and to objective neurocognitive testing. Results Unsupervised and supervised classification to distinguish presence/absence of axis I disorders using survey-level embeddings remained discriminative, with area under the receiver operating characteristic curve up to 0.85, 95% confidence interval (CI) (0.74,0.91) using Gaussian mixture modeling, and cross-validated area under the receiver operating characteristic curve 0.91, 95% CI (0.88,0.94) using logistic regression. Derived symptom measures and estimated Research Domain Criteria scores also associated significantly with performance on neurocognitive tests. Conclusions Our results support the potential utility of deriving dimensional phenotypic measures in psychiatric illness through the use of word embeddings, while illustrating the challenges in identifying truly orthogonal dimensions.
High-efficiency blue photoluminescence in the Cs2NaInCl6:Sb3+ double perovskite phosphor

In this paper, the photoluminescent properties of a lead-free double perovskite Cs2NaInCl6 doped with Sb3+ are explored. The host crystal structure is a cubic double perovskite with Fmm symmetry, a = 10.53344(4) A, and rock salt ordering of Na+ and In3+. It is a wide bandgap compound (Eg ≈ 5.1 eV), and substitution with Sb3+ leads to strong absorption in the UV due to localized 5s2 → 5s15p1 transitions on Sb3+ centers. Radiative relaxation back to the 5s2 ground state, via a 3P1 → 1S0 transition, leads to intense blue luminescence, centered at 445 nm, with a photoluminescent quantum yield of 79%. The Stokes shift of 0.94 eV is roughly 33% smaller than it is in the related vacancy ordered double perovskite Cs2SnCl6. The reduction in Stokes shift is likely due to a change in coordination number of Sb3+ from 6-coordinate in Cs2NaInCl6 to 5-coordinate in Cs2SnCl6. In addition to the high quantum yield, Cs2NaInCl6:Sb3+ exhibits excellent air/moisture stability and can be prepared from solution; these characteristics make it a promising blue phosphor for applications involving near-UV excitation.
Propagating downscaled future weather file uncertainties into building energy use

Abstract In the United States, buildings consume a significant portion of total energy use and contribute to carbon emissions. Therefore, evaluating their performance for sustainable design is critical. While building standards are updated frequently to improve building efficiency, the climate is changing and classical (deterministic) approaches to quantifying building energy use may not be accurate. Significant uncertainties exist in current models of future building performance. Probabilistic approaches to evaluate whole building performance and account for climate uncertainties require large input data of climate projections with detailed spatial and temporal resolution and considerable computational resources. This paper offers a four-step process to propagate climate uncertainties from future climate projections into building energy performance. The climate uncertainty propagation method consists of a combination of regression, distribution fitting and random sampling. It has the potential to capture climate uncertainties in building simulation tools and is applicable to cases where limited future weather files can be produced. In addition, we include the use of updated design day files in future building performance analysis. Design days drive equipment modernization impacting whole building energy use under climate change. The Department of Energy office reference buildings for Philadelphia climate conditions are used as the case study. The aim of this research is to generate a probabilistic model that captures future building energy performance trends where can be applicable to regions that have limited future hourly weather files to be incorporated into building simulation tools. The results of this paper are intended to promote a probabilistic approach to account for climate uncertainties and to provide guidance in analyzing buildings projected energy consumption under climate change.
The Trump Doctrine and Conservative American Nationalism

The most fitting conceptual name for the Trump Doctrine is Conservative American Nationalism. It is a framework that we argue is composed of six essential elements: An America First premise in Trump policies; An emphasis on American National Identity as a cornerstone of America’s elemental and dual relationship with itself and the world; Highly selective involvement, with a non-exclusive emphasis on its own terms and interests in defining America’s role in the world; An emphasis on American strength in all its forms, resilience, and resolve; The use of maximum repeated pressure along a continuum of points in pursuit of key goals; and Maximum tactical and strategic flexibility. That doctrine is at least as much a reflection of Trump’s psychology as it is of his thinking and we explore its relationship with his impatience, emphasis on action, ambition, the use of force, and the future of the Trump doctrine.
Dynamic Coupling as an Indicator of Gait Robustness for Underactuated Biped Robots

This paper employs velocity decomposition of underactuated mechanical systems to determine the degree of dynamic coupling in the gaits of a two-link biped model. The degree of coupling between controlled and uncontrolled directions quantifies the control authority the system has over its unactuated degree of freedom. This paper shows that the amount of coupling is directly correlated to gait robustness, as seen through the size of the gait’s region of attraction. The analytical measure of coupling is applied in the context of trajectory optimization to generate two-link gaits that maximize or minimize coupling. Simulation studies show that gaits maximizing coupling exhibit significantly superior robustness, as measured by 1) stochastic performance on uneven terrain, 2) ability to maintain desired walking speed under non-vanishing disturbances, 3) size of the region of attraction, and 4) robustness to model uncertainties.
Temporally and spatially resolved X-ray densitometry in a shock tube

Abstract Gas densities were measured by x-ray absorption spectroscopy to examine spatial inhomogeneity in density behind incident and reflected shock waves in a miniature (12.7 mm bore) high repetition rate shock tube. Shock waves were generated in argon. The pressure and temperature behind the incident shock were P2 ~ 1.72 bar and T2 ~ 800 K, while those behind the reflected shock were P5 ~ 6.5 bar and T5 ~ 1480 K. Time-resolved line-of-sight transmission measurements using x-rays at 9 keV photon energy were made along various axial and transverse locations covering the entire shock tube cross section. The x-ray transmission at each location was converted to pathlength-integrated densities, which in some conditions could be further converted to pathlength-averaged densities. The measured gas densities were compared with those calculated by the normal shock wave relations, and good agreement was found in the pre-shock and immediately behind the incident shock regions. Similar agreement was found for reflected shock conditions very near the endwall. However, increasingly large differences between the measured and calculated gas densities were found as distance from the endwall increased. Reconstruction by Abel inversion allowed time and radially resolved densities to be obtained from the transverse measurements. While the profiles measured in this experiment are of insufficient signal-to noise level and resolution to definitively assign boundary layer thicknesses, future improvements may be able to do this. The radially resolved densities reveal growing sidewall thermal boundary layers in gases behind the reflected shock. These reconstructions were compared with a model of the thermal boundary layer and are consistent with values of the thermal boundary layer thickness being between 0.25 mm and 1 mm at 0.7 ms after shock reflection.
Influence of stitching on the fracture of stitched sandwich composites

Abstract Sandwich composites consist of two rigid outer facesheets that are bonded to a lightweight internal core. Although they have a high stiffness-to-weight ratio, these structures have low interlaminar strengths, which may lead to core-to-facesheet separation when subjected to out-of-plane stresses. In this study, sandwich composites with carbon/epoxy facesheets and a 110 kg/m3 foam core, were manufactured with through-the-thickness reinforcements, or stitches, using a vacuum-assisted resin transfer molding process. A design of experiments approach was used to investigate the influence of stitch parameters (stitch density, linear thread density, and facesheet thickness) on fracture energy. Single cantilevered beam tests were performed to obtain the mode I dominant fracture energy for each treatment combination. This study reveals and discusses the unique fracture surface morphologies associated with stitch processing parameters for a sandwich composite. For increased fracture toughness, the optimum stitch parameters for different linear thread densities are captured in the response surface model.
Peripheral Plasma Cells Associated with Mortality Benefit in Severe COVID-19: A Marker of Disease Resolution.

Abstract Background Cytokines seen in severe coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) are associated with proliferation, differentiation, and survival of plasma cells. Plasma cells are not routinely found in peripheral blood, though may produce virus-neutralizing antibodies in COVID-19 later in the course of an infection. Methods Using the Johns Hopkins COVID-19 Precision Medicine Analytics Platform Registry, we identified hospitalized adult patients with confirmed severe acute respiratory coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) infection and stratified by presence of plasma cells and World Health Organization (WHO) disease severity. To identify plasma cells, we employed a sensitive flow cytometric screening method for highly fluorescent lymphocytes and confirmed these microscopically. Cox regression models were used to evaluate time to death and time to clinical improvement by the presence of plasma cells in patients with severe disease. Results Of 2301 hospitalized patients with confirmed infection, 371 had plasma cells identified. Patients with plasma cells were more likely to have severe disease, though 86.6% developed plasma cells after onset of severe disease. In patients with severe disease, after adjusting for age, sex, body mass index, race, and other covariates associated with disease severity, patients with plasma cells had a reduced hazard of death (adjusted hazard ratio: 0.57; 95% confidence interval: 0.38-0.87; P value: .008). There was no significant association with the presence of plasma cells and time to clinical improvement. Conclusions Patients with severe disease who have detectable plasma cells in the peripheral blood have improved mortality despite adjusting for known covariates associated with disease severity in COVID-19. Further investigation is warranted to understand the role of plasma cells in the immune response to COVID-19.
Automatic Registration of Optical Aerial Imagery to a LiDAR Point Cloud for Generation of City Models

This paper presents a framework for automatic registration of both the optical and 3D structural information extracted from oblique aerial imagery to a Light Detection and Ranging (LiDAR) point cloud without prior knowledge of an initial alignment. The framework employs a coarse to fine strategy in the estimation of the registration parameters. First, a dense 3D point cloud and the associated relative camera parameters are extracted from the optical aerial imagery using a state-of-the-art 3D reconstruction algorithm. Next, a digital surface model (DSM) is generated from both the LiDAR and the optical imagery-derived point clouds. Coarse registration parameters are then computed from salient features extracted from the LiDAR and optical imagery-derived DSMs. The registration parameters are further refined using the iterative closest point (ICP) algorithm to minimize global error between the registered point clouds. The novelty of the proposed approach is in the computation of salient features from the DSMs, and the selection of matching salient features using geometric invariants coupled with Normalized Cross Correlation (NCC) match validation. The feature extraction and matching process enables the automatic estimation of the coarse registration parameters required for initializing the fine registration process. The registration framework is tested on a simulated scene and aerial datasets acquired in real urban environments. Results demonstrates the robustness of the framework for registering optical and 3D structural information extracted from aerial imagery to a LiDAR point cloud, when co-existing initial registration parameters are unavailable.
An Active Vibration Tuning Methodology for Smart Flexible Structures Incorporating Electro-Rheological Fluids: A Proof-of-Concept Investigation

This paper proposes an active vibration tuning methodology for smart flexible structures incorporating electro-rheological fluids. These fluids undergo a pseudo phase-change when subjected to an applied electrical potential and this versatile phenomenon permits the global stiffness and damping properties of the smart structure to be tailored in order to synthesize the desired elastodynamic response. And the coupling of this capability with sensors and microprocessors provides the essential ingredients for a new class of intelligent materials. A combined theoretical and experimental proof-of-concept investigation on this class of materials is presented by examining the elastodynamic response of cantilevered beam specimens.
A parametric study of the solar wind interaction with comets

The Naval Research Laboratory's magnetohydrodynamic simulation code is used to simulate the solar wind interction with comet Halley for two different outgassing rates and several different solar wind states. The magnetic field is more strongly draped for fast solar wind conditions than slow. For higher mass loading rates, the tail becomes wider and contains more magnetic flux. The visual appearance of the comet differs for the case in which the interplanetary magnetic field lies in the plane of the sky from the case when it lies along the line of sight. The ion tail appears shorter in the latter case. Thus variation in the IMF direction can cause significant changes in the appearance of comets. The comet also creates a large momentum flux deficit in the solar wind with a narrow enhanced region within it corresponding to the ion tail.
Binding of Biotinylated Peptides to MHC Class II Proteins on Cell Surfaces

This unit describes a simple, reproducible, and semiquantitative assay for measuring ligand binding to cell surface receptors. This approach is useful as a quick screen for peptide binding to MHC class II proteins that avoids the need to purify the MHC class II molecules and that uses small numbers of cells. The basic protocol describes procedures for incubating cells expressing the MHC molecule of interest with a biotinylated peptide, washing off excess peptide, and detecting the bound peptides by staining with fluorescently labeled avidin. Bound fluorescence is then quantitated by flow cytometry. An alternate protocol provides a more sensitive method of measuring the peptide-receptor complexes, and is useful when receptor density or binding site availability become limiting factors in the basic protocol. The alternate protocol uses an avidin/anti-avidin/avidin sandwich, which has been found to increase sensitivity substantially without sacrificing specificity. Support protocols are provided for biotinylation of synthetic peptides in solution and for preparation of peptide stock solutions for use in the binding assays.
Maelstrom: transparent error correction for lambda networks

The global network of datacenters is emerging as an important distributed systems paradigm--commodity clusters running high-performance applications, connected by high-speed 'lambda' networks across hundreds of milliseconds of network latency. Packet loss on long-haul networks can cripple application performance --a loss rate of 0.1% is sufficient to reduce TCP/IP throughput by an order of magnitude on a 1 Gbps link with 50ms latency. Maelstrom is an edge appliance that masks packet loss transparently and quickly from inter-cluster protocols, aggregating traffic for high-speed encoding and using a new Forward Error Correction scheme to handle bursty loss.
RESPONSE OF FLEXIBLE PAVEMENTS TO MULTIPLE LOADS

The instrumentation data obtained in the multiple-wheel heavy gear load tests conducted at the U.S. Army Engineer Waterways Experiment Station are analyzed, and the results of this analysis are presented. The nonlinear pavement response to loads is illustrated. The patterns of measured stresses, deflections, and deflection basins under different wheel assemblies and loads are delineated, and pavement performance (in terms of coverages to failure) under traffic loads is examined. The validity of the superposition principle is manifested, i.e., the stresses and deflections of multiple-wheel loads can be determined with reasonable accuracy from the actual basin of a single-wheel load by the use of the superposition principle. The application of this principle to pavement analysis is emphasized. Conclusions based on the analysis pertaining to pavement research in the area of multiple-wheel heavy gear loads are drawn.
Design of a large-scale virtual power grid for research community

Due to security and liability concerns, the research community has limited access to realistic large-scale power grid models to test and validate new operation and control methodologies. It is also difficult for industry to evaluate the relative value of competing new tools without a common platform for comparison. This paper proposes to develop a large-scale virtual power grid model that retains basic features and represents future trends of major U.S. electric interconnections. The proposed model will include realistic power flow and dynamics information as well as a relevant geospatial distribution of assets. This model will be made widely available to the research community for various power system stability and control studies and can be used as a common platform for comparing the efficacies of various new technologies.
Protean Literacy: Extending the Discourse on Empowerment.

Protean Literacy: Extending the Discourse on Empowerment. Concha Delgado-Gaitan. Washington, D.C.: Falmer Press, 1996. 151 pp.
Cavitation Behavior in Al–Si Eutectic Alloy

The accumulation of cavitation damage in an aluminum-silicon eutectic alloy (Al-13%Si) during superplastic flow has been examined as a function of strain, strain-rate and temperature. Both cavitation damage and the microstructural changes occurring during deformation have been assessed. The role of grain size and its stability in affecting the level of cavitation damage has been identified. It has been found that the percentage cavitation is primarily controlled by the level of strain and at increasing grain-size results in continuous cavity nucleation. Similar evidence has also been obtained from fracture surfaces.
Quasitriangular Structure of Myhill–Nerode Bialgebras

In computer science the Myhill–Nerode Theorem states that a set L of words in a finite alphabet is accepted by a finite automaton if and only if the equivalence relation ∼L, defined as x ∼L y if and only if xz ∈ L exactly when yz ∈ L, ∀z, has finite index. The Myhill–Nerode Theorem can be generalized to an algebraic setting giving rise to a collection of bialgebras which we call Myhill–Nerode bialgebras. In this paper we investigate the quasitriangular structure of Myhill–Nerode bialgebras.
Restaurant Table Management to Reduce Customer Waiting Times

ABSTRACT Long waiting times can be a major source of customer dissatisfaction. Restaurant table management is an effective operational strategy that can be used to reduce waiting time, improve seat turnover, and increase customer satisfaction without costly capacity expansion. This study investigated the impact of table assignment polices on waiting time performance and the effects of key demand features (party size distribution and arrival rate) on best policy selection. A restaurant simulation model with the spatial priority concern for table location and combination showed the best policy varied by party size distribution and arrival rate.
Antibiotic therapy for otitis media

The management of otitis media in this era of increasing antimicrobial resistance poses a clinical challenge to the pediatrician. Amoxicillin continues to be the drug of choice for first-line therapy. Several compounds represent second-line therapy, which must be effective against nonsusceptible Streptococcus pneumoniae , as well as β-lactamasepositive, ampicillin-resistant Haemophilus influenzae and Moraxella catarrhalis . Reevaluation of traditional therapy and chemoprophylaxis for acute otitis media (AOM) is an important aspect of judicious antimicrobial use, the focus of an overall strategy to deal with the emergence of resistance. Components of such a program include the appropriate diagnosis and management of AOM and otitis media with effusion, short-course (5–7 day) therapy for AOM, and restrictive criteria that limit continuous prophylaxis for recurrent AOM. Although the available 23-valent polysaccharide pneumococcal vaccine does not protect against otitis media, the efficacy of protein-conjugate pneumococcal vaccines in the prevention of AOM in young children is being evaluated in clinical trials.
Method to recover a lipophilic drug from hydroxypropyl methylcellulose matrix tablets

A reverse-phase high-performance liquid chromatographic (HPLC) method for recovery of the lipophilic drug, alprazolam, from matrix tablets containing the hydrophilic polymer hydroxypropyl methylcellulose (HPMC) was developed. Lipophilic drugs, such as alprazolam, are difficult to completely extract and quantitate from tablets containing HPMC polymer. The percentage of recoveries of alprazolam from placebo powder spiked with alprazolam stock solution and from placebo powder mixed with alprazolam powder were about 100% and 85% to 95%, respectively. The validated method using water to completely dissolve HPMC before the addition of a strong solvent to dissolve and extract the drug from the HPMC solution was shown to be the most reproducible method. Different molecular weight distributions of the HPMC polymer, such as HPMC-K4M and HPMC-K100LV, did not influence the dissolution results of alprazolam using this validated method. Similarly, the excipients composing the matrix tablet formulations, such as dicalcium phosphate dihydrate, dicalcium phosphate anhydrous, calcium sulfate dihydrate, sucrose, dextrose, and lactose monohydrate, did not influence the percent recovery of alprazolam. The recovery method reported herein was shown to be the most efficient to achieve complete recovery of alprazolam from powder blends and tablets containing a variety of excipients and different grades of HPMC.
Visualization of Automatic Implantable Cardioverter-Defibrillator Patches Using Electron Beam Angiography

Our patient was an 85-year-old man who had experienced an out-of-hospital cardiac arrest in September 1990 and subsequently underwent the implantation of an automatic implantable cardioverter-defibrillator as part of the Cardiac Arrest in Seattle: Conventional versus Amiodarone Drug Evaluation (CASCADE) trial, as well as bypass surgery in Seattle, Wash. The defibrillator was placed abdominally. The patient did quite well for …
Five chemically rich species of tropical marine cyanobacteria of the genus Okeania gen. nov. (Oscillatoriales, Cyanoprokaryota).

An adverse consequence of applying morphology-based taxonomic systems to catalog cyanobacteria, which generally are limited in the number of available morphological characters, is a fundamental underestimation of natural biodiversity. In this study, we further dissect the polyphyletic cyanobacterial genus Lyngbya and delineate the new genus Okeania gen. nov. Okeania is a tropical and subtropical, globally distributed marine group abundant in the shallow-water benthos. Members of Okeania are of considerable ecological and biomedical importance because specimens within this group biosynthesize biologically active secondary metabolites and are known to form blooms in coastal benthic environments. Herein, we describe five species of the genus Okeania: O. hirsuta (type species of the genus), O. plumata, O. lorea, O. erythroflocculosa, and O. comitata, under the provisions of the International Code of Nomenclature for Algae, Fungi, and Plants. All five Okeania species were morphologically, phylogenetically, and chemically distinct. This investigation provides a classification system that is able to identify Okeania spp. and predict their production of bioactive secondary metabolites.
El asco: reflexiones estéticas sobre la violencia neoliberal en Centroamérica

This essay focuses on the writing of disgust as a central aesthetic project in contemporary Central American narrative. Taking Horacio Castellanos Moya's El asco as a point of departure, I argue that an “aesthetics of disgust” can be underlined both as a recurrent trope or theme and as an aesthetic affect in works by a diverse group of authors. The article undertakes a detailed analysis of two Guatemalan novels: Diccionario esoterico (2005) by Maurice Echeverria and El leproso (2007) by Mendez Vides. Working with several theories of disgust and the transmission of affect, I argue that disgust is written in these fictions as a central thematic point and as a means to evoke a visceral reaction in the reader and that it reflects a wide-ranging literary movement that transcends genres and generations as it reflects upon the neoliberal episteme in the region.
Intravenous self-administration of amphetamine is increased in a rat model of depression.

Affective disorders and substance abuse frequently coexist, yet few previous studies have examined drug self-administration using animal models of depression. The olfactory-bulbectomized rat is a well-established model that exhibits a high degree of neurochemical similarity to depression. Olfactory bulbectomy (OBX) increases dopamine receptor densities in the ventral striatum, which may increase the reinforcing effects of drugs of abuse. Experiments were designed to test the hypotheses that acquisition and stable self-administration of amphetamine would be increased in bulbectomized rats. In the first experiment, rats underwent bilateral OBX or sham surgery and intravenous jugular catheters were implanted 12-14 days later. Acquisition was examined using a standard operant paradigm involving a nose-poke response for a very low dose of D-amphetamine sulfate (12 microg/infusion, IV). A separate group of rats received coinfusions of sulpiride. In a second experiment designed to minimize differences in acquisition and examine stable self-administration, lever pressing for a low (0.10 mg/kg, IV) or high (0.25 mg/kg, IV) dose of D-amphetamine sulfate was measured in rats pretrained to lever press for food. Bulbectomized rats acquired the self-administration of very low dose amphetamine faster than sham-operated rats and this effect was reversed by sulpiride coinfusion. Stable self-administration of the low dose of amphetamine was also markedly increased in bulbectomized rats. The findings reveal the utility of the OBX model for studying the neurobiological basis of depression and drug abuse comorbidity and support the hypothesis that neurochemical abnormalities associated with depression may enhance the addictive properties of some drugs of abuse.
Zeolite membranes for ion separations from aqueous solutions

Zeolite membranes have been recently demonstrated as a new type of ion separator for brine desalination and proton conduction in redox flow batteries. Although it is still in early stage of research and development, experimental and theoretical works have shown that ion separation by zeolite membranes relies primarily on the size exclusion (steric) effect enabled by the zeolite's uniform subnanometer pore sizes. Research has also revealed that the zeolite surface properties, for example, hydrophilicity, framework charges, and extraframework charge compensators, and operating conditions, for example, temperature, pressure and solution concentration, could play significant roles in determining the ion separation efficiency.
Partitioning the Parameter Space According to Different Behaviors During Three-Dimensional Impacts

The equations of motion that define three-dimensional rigid-body impact with finite friction and restitution cannot be solved in a closed form. Previous work has shown that for general shapes and initial conditions, the direction of sliding velocity keeps changing continuously throughout the duration of impact. The flow patterns defined by the trace of the sliding velocity can be classified into a finite number of qualitatively distinct physical behavior. We identify three dimensionless parameters that completely specify the sliding behavior and determine regions in this parameter space that correspond to each of the different flow pattems. The qualitative behavior during impact can now be determined based on the region which contains the parameters for a given impact configuration. The analysis is also used to study the sensitivity of the sliding behavior to changes in shape or configuration of the body and to rule out the occurrence of certain ambiguities in the post-sticking behavior during impact.
Inflammation in renal atherosclerotic disease

The study of renal atherosclerotic disease has conventionally focused on the diagnosis and management of renal artery stenosis. With the increased understanding of atherosclerosis as a systemic inflammatory process, there has been increased interest in vascular biology at the microvasculature level. While different organ beds share some features, the inflammation and injury in the microvasculature of the kidney has unique elements as well. Understanding of the pathogenesis yields a better understanding of the clinical manifestations of renal atherosclerotic disease, which can be very subtle. Furthermore, identifying the molecular mechanisms responsible for the progression of kidney damage can also direct clinicians and scientists toward targeted therapies. Existing therapies used to treat atherosclerotic disease in other vascular beds may also play a role in the treatment of renal atherosclerotic disease.
Additional structure in infrared excitation spectra of group-III acceptors in silicon

High-resolution infrared ${p}_{\frac{3}{2}}$ and ${p}_{\frac{1}{2}}$ excitation spectra are reported for the group-III acceptors boron, aluminum, gallium, and indium in silicon. New lines, which are believed to be due to previously unresolved excited states, are observed in the ${p}_{\frac{3}{2}}$ spectra. A $5{p}^{\ensuremath{'}}$ line is observed for the first time in the gallium spectrum. Some previously reported boron ${p}_{\frac{3}{2}}$ lines are relabeled to correspond with the other group-III spectra. A feature in each of the ${p}_{\frac{3}{2}}$ spectra is defined as ${E}_{I}$, the ground-state binding energy. Values measured for ${E}_{I}$ are 44.39, 69.03, 72.73, and 155.58 (\ifmmode\pm\else\textpm\fi{}0.02) meV for B, Al, Ga, and In, respectively. The data show more complete correspondence between all the group-III excited-state lines than any previously published. The spin-orbit splitting of the valence bands is experimentally deduced to be 44.00\ifmmode\pm\else\textpm\fi{}0.02 meV.
Waning vaccine protection against influenza A (H3N2) illness in children and older adults during a single season.

Abstract Background Recent studies have suggested that vaccine-induced protection against influenza may decline within one season. We reanalyzed data from a study of influenza vaccine effectiveness to determine if time since vaccination was an independent predictor of influenza A (H3N2). Methods Patients with acute respiratory illness were actively recruited during the 2007–2008 season. Respiratory swabs were tested for influenza, and vaccination dates were determined by a validated immunization registry. The association between influenza RT-PCR result and vaccination interval (days) was examined using multivariable logistic regression, adjusting for calendar time, age and other confounders. Results There were 629 vaccinated participants, including 177 influenza A (H3N2) cases and 452 test negative controls. The mean (SD) interval from vaccination to illness onset was 101.7 (25.9) days for influenza cases and 93.0 (29.9) days for controls. There was a significant association between vaccination interval and influenza result in the main effects model. The adjusted odds ratio (aOR) for influenza was 1.12 (CI 1.01, 1.26) for every 14 day increase in the vaccination interval. Age modified the association between vaccination interval and influenza ( p = 0.005 for interaction). Influenza was associated with increasing vaccination interval in young children and older adults, but not in adolescents or non-elderly adults. Similar results were found when calendar week of vaccine receipt was assessed as the primary exposure variable. Conclusions Identification of influenza A (H3N2) was associated with increasing time since vaccination among young children and older adults during a single influenza season.
Nymphaea tetragona and Nymphaea leibergii (Nymphaeaceae): two species of diminutive water-lilies in North America

Although all past floras of northern North America have recognized only one species of diminutive water-lily, actually two distinct species occur in the region. The circumboreal Nymphaea tetragona Georgi is largely confined to the northwestern part of the continent, extending as far east as Manitoba and occurring in the contiguous United States only in northwest Washington. A second species, N. leibergii Morong, is restricted to, but widely distributed in, northern North America, though it is absent from the extreme northwest. The two species are distinguishable from each other by several floral and foliar characters and the two species form a section, Nymphaea subg. Nymphaea sects. Chamaenymphaea, stat: nov. This is distinguished from the two other sections of subg. Nymphaea in a key, and Nymphaea subg. Nymphaea sect. Xanthantha, stat. nov., is proposed. Sect. Chamaenymphaea is described for North America, synonymy and nomenclature for both species are discussed, and a key including N. odorata Aiton is presented. A lectotype is provided for N. leibergii and the typification of N. tetragona is examined.
Deletion of the epidermal growth factor receptor in renal proximal tubule epithelial cells delays recovery from acute kidney injury

To determine the role of epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) activation in renal functional and structural recovery from acute kidney injury (AKI), we generated mice with a specific EGFR deletion in the renal proximal tubule (EGFR ptKO ). Ischemia–reperfusion injury markedly activated EGFR in control littermate mice; however, this was inhibited in either the knockout or wild-type mice given erlotinib, a specific EGFR tyrosine kinase inhibitor. Blood urea nitrogen and serum creatinine increased to a comparable level in EGFR ptKO and control mice 24h after reperfusion, but the subsequent rate of renal function recovery was markedly slowed in the knockout mice. Twenty-four hours after reperfusion, both the knockout and the inhibitor-treated mice had a similar degree of histologic renal injury as control mice, but at day 6 there was minimal evidence of injury in the control mice while both EGFR ptKO and erlotinib-treated mice still had persistent proximal tubule dilation, epithelial simplification, and cast formation. Additionally, renal cell proliferation was delayed due to decreased ERK and Akt signaling. Thus, our studies provide both genetic and pharmacologic evidence that proximal tubule EGFR activation plays an important role in the recovery phase after acute kidney injury.
Detection of homocysteine at carbon nanotube paste electrodes.

Abstract The use of a carbon-nanotube paste (CNTP) electrode provides an effective means for the determination of homocysteine. A decrease of ca. 120 mV in the overpotential for the oxidation of homocysteine compared to a traditional carbon paste electrode, is reported along with greatly enhanced signal-to-noise characteristics. The analytical parameters have been assessed with a linear range from 5 to 200 μM and a detection limit of 4.6 μM. Furthermore, the generic nature of this increased reactivity of the CNTP surface towards thiol moieties has been demonstrated with cysteine, glutathione and n-acetylcysteine, providing a greatly enhanced electrochemical response compared to the carbon paste electrode.
Use of membranes for energy efficient concentration of dilute streams

Abstract In the chemical-process industries, dilute streams containing valuable ingredients are generated in several unit operations. Mechanical vapor-recompression is the best available technology for vaporization that may be used for concentrating such dilute solutions. Energy consumption for vaporization by compression and membrane technology is 350 and 90 kJ/kg, respectively. In order to save additional energy by recycling water, this study explored the use of membranes for processing a hot feed (70–80°C) containing small amounts of food ingredients. Pilot tests report the effects of experimental parameters on membrane performance. The impact of pretreatment of the feed and membrane-cleaning procedures to maintain performance will also be discussed. Initial results indicate that the use of a membrane to pre-concentrate, prior to the final concentration with mechanical vapor recompression, has the potential to save significant amounts of energy. Furthermore, the use of membranes would increase plant capacity by reducing the load on the vapor-compression unit. In this study, it was estimated that a plant processing 15 metric tonnes of feed every day and using membrane technology for concentrating to twice the concentraiton would save about 2 GJ of energy.
X‐ray diffraction relaxation of polyethylene

The change in x-ray diffraction intensity with time following rapid stretching by various amounts is measured for a low-density polyethylene sample at several temperatures. An appreciable decrease in intensity with time at the meridian of the diffraction from the 110 and 200 planes is observed to occur within the first 5 sec following stretching. The change takes considerably longer times at lower temperatures. By use of a calibration curve, the change in crystal orientation functions for the a, b, and c crystal axes were calculated, and an increase in c-axis orientation was shown. From the results of birerringence measurements on the same sample, the crystalline and amorphous contributions to birefringence were calculated. It was shown that stretching is initially accompanied by a greater amount of amorphous than crystalline orientation, and that relaxation involves an increase in crystalline orientation accompanied by a decrease in amorphous orientation.
Ultrafast optical pulse digitization with unary spectrally encoded cross-phase modulation

A method to digitize the intensity of ultrashort laser pulses for high-speed optical signal processing is described. This digitization was based on the spectral broadening of a weak probe (carrier) pulse by a more intense pump (signal) pulse through the nonlinear optical process of cross-phase modulation (XPM). The signal pulse intensity was varied to generate different spectral widths that can be encoded into digital form. Using a 50-ps time-divided multiplexing pulse train with a waveguide splitter, combiner, and an array of fibers with variable lengths, a unary XPM encoding approach is demonstrated. The spectral encoding scheme can be used to achieve a 5-GHz sampling rate at a 16-level accuracy.
Computer simulation of flow and molecular orientation in liquid crystal polymers

Abstract The Ericksen-Leslie equations of motion for nematic liquid crystals are used to study the flow behaviour of nematic liquid crystal polymers. It is recogized that liquid crystal polymers are very viscous, and therefore the terms in governing equations which account for the director elasticity are neglected in comparison with the viscous terms. The resulting Ericksen anisotropic fluid equations are identical to those of Doi in the weak velocity gradient limit. The equations are solved using an ADI finite-difference technique, in geometries chosen to model the gross features of polymer processing equipment. The orthogonal mapping technique is used to map the irregularly shaped physical domains on a unit square computational domain. The results show that the molecular orientation is a strong function of the flow geometry. In particular, it is found that even a smal divergence in the channel profile causes the molecules to orient nearly perpendicular to the flow direction. Also, no stable orientation may exist in a channel of strongly varying shape, even a converging one.
Metrics for comparing three word-based software programs used for augmentative and alternative communication.

The purpose of this investigation was to conduct an analysis of a set of metrics developed for comparing features of software used in speech generating devices (SGD) for augmentative and alternativ...
Stents, statins, and other dumb luck.

Abstract In reflecting on the past 80 years, at least as they have affected me, it seems that fate (or nature or God -- take your choice) has dealt me an unusually good hand. For example, my father and brother both had serious coronary heart attacks in their early 50s. While I was developing the same blocked arteries, methods were being devised to treat the condition with stents and statins. Much of my good fortune has been dumb luck like this -- simply being in the right place at the right time.
The Eigenvalue Distribution of a Random Unipotent Matrix in Its Representation on Lines

Abstract The eigenvalue distribution of a uniformly chosen random finite unipotent matrix in its permutation action on lines is studied. We obtain bounds for the mean number of eigenvalues lying in a fixed arc of the unit circle and offer an approach to other asymptotics. For the case of all unipotent matrices, the proof gives a probabilistic interpretation to identities of Macdonald from symmetric function theory. For the case of upper triangular matrices over a finite field, connections between symmetric function theory and a probabilistic growth algorithm of Borodin and Kirillov emerge.
Convective Gaseous Diffusion in Steady Axisymetric Cavity Flows

The investigation starts with the formulation of a highly idealized «slug-flow» model of the process, for a quick estimate of the importance of turbulent boundary layer convection and,for a comparison of previously published experimental and analytical results which had revealed order-of-magnitude discrepancies between calculated and measured air diffusion rates. Next, an existing two-dimensional convective diffusion model is adapted to axisymmetric cavity flow.