cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Optical probes of excited states in poly(p-phenylenevinylene).

We have studied electronic excited states in films of poly(p-phenylenevinylene) using picosecond transient and cw photomodulation, photoluminescence, and their excitation spectra, as well as electroabsorption spectroscopy. We have determined all the important energy levels of singlet excitons with odd and even parity, the onset of the continuum band, the two-electron (biexciton) states, and the two relevant triplet states, and show that good agreement exists with models involving electron correlation.
A modified Melzak procedure for computing node‐weighted Steiner trees

Given a set β of points in the Euclidean plane, the standard Steiner Problem asks for a network of minimum length connecting the points of β. A solution to this problem is called a Steiner Minimal Tree and may be computed exactly, using Melzak's compass-and-straightedge methods. A Steiner Tree often contains additional nodes, called Steiner points, not belonging to β. The node-weighted Steiner problem asks for the network connecting the points of β which minimizes the energy E = length + α(number of Steiner points), where α is a fixed nonnegative weight. Solutions to this problem, here called node-weighted Steiner trees, can have different geometries than those available to standard Steiner trees. This paper presents a modified Melzak procedure which computes the node-weighted Steiner tree for a given set β. © 1996 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.
Identification of two mPPAR related receptors and evidence for the existence of five subfamily members.

Abstract Two additional forms of mouse peroxisome proliferator activated receptor have been identified from cDNA libraries derived from mouse tissues using a low stringency cross-hybridization screening method. One is mNUCI, which has 97% amino acid sequence identity with hNUCI in its DNA binding domain. The other one is mPPARγ. The full-length cDNA of mPPARγ encodes a protein of 470 amino acids in length. The overall amino acid sequence identity is 75% as compared with xPPARγ, with the highest homology in the DNA binding region and ligand binding region, 97% and 86% identity, respectively. The discovery of two new forms of mPPAR and the recent cloning of hPPAR provide evidence for the existence of at least five different forms of receptor in the peroxisome proliferator activated receptor subfamily.
Density Dependent Friction of Lipid Monolayers

We measure frictional properties of liquid-expanded and liquid-condensed phases of lipid Langmuir-Blodgett monolayers by interfacial force microscopy. We find that over a reasonably broad surface-density range, the friction shear strength of the lipid monolayer film is proportional to the surface area (42-74 A2/molecule) occupied by each molecule. The increase in frictional force (i.e., friction shear strength with molecular area can be attributed to the increased conformational freedom and the resulting increase in the number of available modes for energy dissipation.
Cerebrospinal fluid gusher during stapedectomy

Abstract Cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) otorrhea of labyrinthine origin presents through a congenital defect in the stapes footplate and is associated with repeated attacks of meningitis or as a profuse CSF flow (stapes gusher) during routine stapedectomy. These CSF leaks are thought to be due to an abnormal communication between the subarachnoid and perilymphatic spaces, either through the cochlear aqueduct or the internal auditory canal. A computerized tomographic diagnosis of X-linked congenital deafness associated with fixation of the footplate and perilymph gushers include enlarged internal auditory canal, hypoplasia of the cochlear base, absent bony modiolus, abnormal vestibular aqueduct, and enlarged labyrinthine facial nerve canal. Because there have been few reports of a successful stapedectomy with a significant gain in hearing performed in ears in which a stapes gusher is encountered, attention should be given more to the control of the catastrophic flow of perilymph rather than to the completion of the operative procedure.
Dependence of diffusional mobility of integral inner nuclear membrane proteins on A-type lamins.

Integral proteins of the nuclear envelope inner membrane have been proposed to reach their sites by diffusion after their co-translational insertion in the rough endoplasmic reticulum. They are then retained in the inner nuclear membrane by binding to nuclear structures. One such structure is the nuclear lamina, an intermediate filament meshwork composed of A-type and B-type lamin proteins. Emerin, MAN1, and LBR are three integral inner nuclear membrane proteins. We expressed these proteins fused to green fluorescent protein in embryonic fibroblasts from wild-type mice and Lmna −/− mice, which lack A-type lamins. We then studied the diffusional mobilities of emerin, MAN1, and LBR using fluorescence recovery after photobleaching. We show that emerin and MAN1, but not LBR, are more mobile in the inner nuclear membrane of cells from Lmna −/− mice than in cells from wild-type mice. In cells from Lmna −/− mice expressing exogenous lamin A, the protein mobilities were similar to those in cells from wild-type mi...
Exponential Distance Decay of Electron Transfer Rates without Tunneling: A Flickering Resonance Model for Transport

Biological electron transfer (ET) reactions are usually described in the framework of coherent two-state electron tunneling or multi-step hopping. Yet, many ET reactions involve multiple redox cofactors with vibronic broadenings on the same scale as the energy gaps among the states and the interstate electronic interactions. In this regime, excursions to electronic resonances among states are found to support coherent (ballistic) charge transfer through the structures. Importantly, ET rates arising from flickering resonance (FR) decay exponentially with distance: the probability of matching multiple energies is multiplicative. Transport arising from FR thus mimics the exponential distance decay that is well known for electron tunneling, but the rapid decay with distance is of an entirely different origin. Likely candidates for FR transport are macromolecules with ET groups in van der Waals contact: DNA, bacterial nanowires, multi-heme proteins, strongly coupled porphyrin arrays, and proteins with closely packed redox-active residues. I will develop the theory of FR transport and apply this model to problems in nucleic acid charge transfer.
Obtaining UV energy balance with 1-THz spectral bandwidth on the 60-beam OMEGA laser

Summary form only given. To obtain the high irradiation uniformity required for direct-drive inertial confinement fusion, laser beam smoothing by spectral dispersion (SSD) is used on the OMEGA laser. This technique relies on a broad spectral bandwidth about the 1054-nm Nd:glass laser wavelength that is efficiently frequency converted to the third harmonic (351 nm) by using two KDP triplet crystals in series. This paper reports the UV energy performance of OMEGA since that time and describes the method used to maintain good beam-to-beam energy balance with high frequency-conversion efficiency.
First-principles reaction site model for coverage-sensitive surface reactions: Pt(111)–O temperature programmed desorption

Abstract We describe a first-principles, non-mean-field, “reaction site” kinetic model for predicting temperature-programmed desorption (TPD) spectra and illustrate its application to oxygen desorption from the Pt(111) surface over a wide range of temperature and coverage conditions. Through use of a cluster expansion, the model explicitly accounts for interactions between adsorbates as well as the microscopic relationship between adsorption energy and desorption activation energy. Computed spectra are in excellent agreement with observation in coverage ranges below the appearance of surface oxides. We apply a traditional “complete” analysis to the simulated spectra to extract apparent activation energies and prefactors. Adsorbate interactions and ordering can cause these apparent properties to deviate significantly from the underlying model.
Nanocomposite containing CaF2 nanoparticles: Thermal cycling, wear and long-term water-aging

Objectives Fluoride (F) releasing dental restoratives are promising to promote remineralization and combat caries. The objectives of this study were to develop nanocomposite containing calcium fluoride nanoparticles (nCaF2), and to investigate the long-term mechanical durability including wear, thermal-cycling and long-term water-aging behavior.
Casimir effect in dielectrics

We reconsider the Casimir (van der Waals) forces between dielectrics with plane, parallel surfaces for arbitrary temperature, using the methods of source theory. The general results of Lifshitz are confirmed, and are shown to imply the correct forces on metal surfaces. The same phenomena give rise to contributions to the surface tension and the latent heat of an idealized liquid, contributions which, unfortunately, are not well defined since they depend upon a momentum cutoff. However, with a reasonable value for this cutoff, qualitative agreement with the experimentally observed surface tension and latent heat of liquid helium at absolute zero is obtained.
Influence of surface errors on the design of PIAA mirrors using numerical and semi-analytical propagation models

Since the radius of curvature of a mirror cannot be zero, the apodization that is created by a phase-induced amplitude apodizer (PIAA) formed by a pair of mirrors cannot be zero at the edge of the pupil. If contrasts lower than 10 -10 must be obtained, then an additional apodizer must be used with the PIAA mirrors. This has a consequence on the throughput of the system, as well as on its inner working angle (IWA). The intensity distribution in the final pupil plane computed in the ray-optics approximation is misleading, and diffraction must be taken into account to evaluate the true performance of the system. We compute the propagated electric field using two different tools: the semi-analytical model developed by Pueyo and a purely numerical model based on the Huygens integral. It is shown that for higher Fresnel numbers, the agreement between the beams computed using both propagators is stronger, and that for too low Fresnel numbers, the contrast computed using the semi-analytical model can be 2 orders of magnitude higher than the one computed by a numerical evaluation of the Huygens integral. We then study the impact of surface aberrations introduced on the mirrors of the PIAA. The surface quality of the mirrors limits the performance of the system, and the IWA increases linearly with the root-mean-square (RMS) of the aberrations. For a typical set of mirrors, errors of 10nm RMS can increase the IWA by 0.5 to 1λ/D for a contrast of 10 -10 , and, in the case of a contrast of 10 -8 , the IWA is maintained to 2 λ/D as long as the errors are smaller than 20nm RMS.
Selective assembly with components of dissimilar variance

Abstract Statistical selective assembly is a means by which high-precision assemblies may be made from relatively low-precision components. This is accomplished by partitioning components into groups prior to random assembly. However, the method has been shown to produce poor results when the components exhibit dissimilar variabilities. A technology for partially overcoming this limitation is evaluated.
Hardware/software partitioning of operating systems [SoC applications]

We present a hardware/software RTOS (real-time operating systems) generation framework for system-on-a-chip (SoC) applications. We claim that current SoC designs tend to ignore the RTOS until late in the SoC design phase. In contrast, we propose RTOS/SoC codesign where both the multiprocessor SoC architecture and a custom RTOS (with part potentially in hardware) are designed together. Thus, this paper introduces a hardware/software RTOS generation framework for customized design of an RTOS within specific predefined RTOS services and capabilities available in software and/or hardware (depending on the service or capability).
Effect of Mount Pinatubo H2SO4/H2O aerosol on ice nucleation in the upper troposphere using a global chemistry and transport model

[1] A 2-year simulation of Mount Pinatubo volcanic aerosol is performed using a global chemistry and transport model. The model is driven by meteorological fields from the NASA Goddard Data Assimilation Office (DAO) general circulation model (GCM) with a horizontal resolution of 2° latitude by 2.5° longitude and 46 vertical levels. The model reproduces the equatorial aerosol reservoir bounded between 20°S and 30°N several months after the eruption and the detrainment of sulfate aerosol from the equatorial reservoir occurring in connection with anticyclonic circulation systems. Our model results are generally consistent with the dispersal characteristics of sulfate aerosol derived from the Stratospheric Aerosol and Gas Experiment II (SAGE II) aerosol extinction observations. On the basis of global distribution of Pinatubo sulfate, the homogeneous ice nucleation rate of H2SO4/H2O aerosol (number of aerosol particles freezing per cm3 of air mass and per second) in the lower stratospheric and upper tropospheric regions is calculated and compared with those of natural and anthropogenic sulfate from sources injected near Earth's surface. Large ice nucleation rates from Pinatubo H2SO4/H2O aerosol are found in the region near the equatorial tropopause and generally in the regions along the tropopause in the bottom of the main Pinatubo aerosol layer during the first year following the eruption. Ice nucleation rates of Mount Pinatubo H2SO4/H2O aerosols are much larger than those of sulfate aerosols from the surface sources in many regions of the upper troposphere during the first year and could still be comparable to rates from these background sources during the second year after the eruption. Our results suggest that the Pinatubo sulfate aerosol could have influenced cirrus formation and evolution globally through homogeneous ice nucleation, although the exact impact also requires a more complete calculation that includes cirrus cloud dynamics and microphysics. Available satellite observations support the above assertion.
Posttranslational Modification of Oat Phytochrome A: Phosphorylation of a Specific Serine in a Multiple Serine Cluster†

Phytochrome A (phyA) is a photoreceptor of higher plants which mediates a variety of biochemical and physiological processes in response to red/far-red light. By detailed structural analysis of the peptides of the total tryptic digest of oat phyA, we found that the photoreceptor isolated from red light irradiated seedlings contains only one site of phosphate attachment, in the N-terminal Ser-rich region. The N-terminal tryptic phosphopeptide (residues 1-12) contains eight serine residues, any of which may be phosphorylated. Direct fast atom bombardment mass spectrometry (FAB MS/MS) analysis of the phosphorylated peptide as well as of its phosphate-containing fragment (residues 1-9) was not successful due to their hydrophilic nature and instability of the phosphate bond. beta-Elimination of the phosphorylated tryptic peptide in the presence of ethanethiol converted the phosphoserine residue to S-ethylcysteine that is stable under FAB MS/MS. FAB MS/MS analysis of the modified peptide clearly showed that the phosphate group was attached to Ser7. The in vivo phosphorylation site at Ser7 in oat phyA is discussed for its possible regulatory role in phyA function.
HAEMOPHILUS INFLUENZAE TYPE B (Hib) CAPSULAR ANTIGEN (PRP) CONJUGATE VACCINE INDUCES ANTI-PRP ANTIBODY (Ab) IN CHILDREN FOLLOWING Hib INFECTIONS

PRP vaccine is a poor immunogen when administered to some children following Hib infection or their sibs. To date, we have immunized 18 patients (mean age 19 mos., range 7-45 mos; 14 meningitis) with PRP-diphtheria toxoid conjugate vaccine (PRP-D) containing 20 μg PRP. Children were inoculated 1-8 mos. (15 ≤ 2 mos.) post illness with 1 or 2 doses of PRP-D. Serum was obtained for anti-PRP Ab (radioantigen binding assay at Connaught Laboratories) prior to and 1 month post vaccine. Serology is available on 13 patients, 6 of whom were Ab negative ( < 0.012 μg/ml) pre-vac (4 were ≤ 16 mos. when immunized). Anti-PRP rises developed in 11/13 patients and 5/6 pre-vac Ab negative patients. The pre- and post-geometric mean titers were 0.13 and 2.0 μg/ml, respectively (p < 0.001 for log transformed data). One patient (pre-vac Ab neg), a non-responder to routine PRP given at 24 mos., developed 0.28 ug/ml anti-PRP Ab following PRP-D at 26 mos. Anti-PRP Ab developed in 3/3 sibs, (8, 11, and 24 mos.), 2 of whom were Ab negative pre-vac. Our data indicate that young children who may not have developed anti-PRP within 1 or 2 mos. of Hib infection usually respond to 1 or more doses of PRP-D and suggest that children at increased risk for Hib disease will likely respond to PRP conjugate vaccines.
Unsustainable Home Telehealth: A Texas Qualitative Study

Purpose Telehealth has emerged as an innovative approach to aid older individuals in managing chronic diseases in their homes and avoid hospitalizations and institutionalization. However, the sustainability of home telehealth programs remains a major challenge. This qualitative study explored the reasons for the initial adoption and the eventual decline of a decade-long home telehealth program at a Texas home health agency (HHA). Barriers to and facilitators for sustaining home telehealth programs were also explored. Design and methods Semistructured interviews of 13 HHA nursing staff and administrators, 1 physician, and 9 patients aged >55 years and their informal caregivers who used telehealth were conducted in summer 2013. Interview transcripts were analyzed using conventional content analysis. Results Data analysis generated 5 themes representing the decline of the Texas home telehealth program: its impact on patient-centered outcomes, its cost-effectiveness, patient-clinician and interprofessional communication, technology usability, and home health management culture. Lack of significant impact on patient outcomes, in addition to financial, technical, management, and communication-related challenges, adversely affected the sustainability of this home telehealth program. Implications A home telehealth program that attains patient-centered outcomes, improves cost-effectiveness of managing chronic diseases, improves quality of communication among patients and clinicians, is user-friendly for older adults, and involves end users in decision making is likely to be sustainable.
Precipitation of arsenic in doped GaAs

Precipitation processes in the p-type, n-type, and intrinsic GaAs layers grown by molecular beam epitaxy at a low temperature were studied by transmission electron microscopy. The average spacing, average diameter, and volume fraction of precipitates were measured as a function of the annealing time for the annealing temperature of 700°C. Volume fractions of precipitates are nearly constant in each layer over the period of annealing, implying that the precipitation process has reached the coarsening stage in the annealing times used in the study. The volume fraction of precipitates in the n-type layer is about a half of those in the p-type and intrinsic layers, suggesting that the incorporation rate of excess As into the n-type layer during the growth is lower than those into the p-type and intrinsic layers. Despite a large difference of amounts of excess As in as-grown n-type, p-type, and intrinsic layers, the average spacings and, hence, number densities of precipitates in three layers are nearly identical for each of the annealing conditions.
A visual DNA probe for detection of enterotoxigenic Escherichia coli by colony hybridization

A colony hybridization method for visual detection of heat-labile enterotoxin (LT)-producing Escherichia coli has been developed. The interchangeability of probe DNA in the system offers the advantage of a more definitive indicator and detection procedure over current plating procedures. Preliminary studies have demonstrated complete specificity of the visual probe for target DNA. This model system has potential for use as a more definitive indicator method for the examination of foods and wastewater for LT toxin genes.
Kinetic analysis of the attachment of a biological particle to a surface by macromolecular binding

Motivated by the problem of microbial deposition, a dynamic model is developed for the attachment of a Brownian particle to a surface mediated by colloidal forces as well as macromolecular bridging. The model predicts the attachment probability of the particle to the surface based upon the free energy as a function of fluctuating bond number and separation distance from the surface. From this model, the mean first-passage time approach is used to predict the mean time required for the particle moving from the unattached state to the attached state based on the properties of the binding macromolecules. This approach provides an analytical approximation for mean transition time from the secondary energy minimum as well as the attachment rate constant for the general case where neither binding nor particle diffusion are necessarily rate-limiting.
Containment of oil spills

One of the most common forms of pollution at sea is oil. Oil spills may result from an accident at sea, a fire on an oil production platform, a collision of two tankers, or a tanker with another ship, accidental rupture of pipes carrying oil, washing of tankers at sea, etc. After an oil spill occurs at sea, it must be contained to prevent it from traveling toward the shore and being washed on beaches or entering the estuaries. Two methods of oil containment at sea are reviewed, the pneumatic and mechanical barriers.
Induction of brain natriuretic peptide and monocyte chemotactic protein-1 gene expression by oxidized low-density lipoprotein: relevance to ischemic heart failure

Brain natriuretic peptide (BNP) and monocyte chemotactic protein-1 (MCP-1) are biomarkers of heart failure (HF). The aim of the present study was to determine the role of oxidized low-density lipop...
Recurrence patterns of cervical infections in children.

Abstract Objectives (1) Elucidate the recurrence rate of pediatric cervical cellulitis and abscess (2) Evaluate the impact of pre-procedural imaging, length of stay, culture results, age and gender on readmission rate. Methods A retrospective review of all admissions to a tertiary pediatric hospital for cellulitis and abscess of the neck (ICD-9 682.1) from 2007 to 2013 including all readmissions within 91 days. Results There were a total of 178 admissions (171 patients) with the diagnosis of cellulitis and abscess of the neck between 2007 and 2013. The rate of surgical intervention was 74% ( n = 128). The overall readmission rate within 91 days was 3.5% ( n = 6). All patients requiring readmission had undergone a procedure during the initial admission and a second procedure during readmission. The readmission rate for patient who initially required a procedural intervention was 4.6%. There was no statistically significant effect of pre-procedural imaging, length of stay, culture results, age or gender on readmission rate. Patients with abscess >20 mm in diameter had a significantly longer LOS than patient with smaller abscesses (4.265 days vs 3.667 days, p 20 mm) and larger total size were more likely to need surgical drainage. Conclusions This retrospective review of patients admitted with neck cellulitis and abscess at a tertiary care pediatric hospital shows an overall readmission rate of 3.5%. All readmissions required a surgical procedure. Older children with larger abscess are more likely to require surgical drainage
Time-varying system identification and model validation using wavelets

Parametric identification of time-varying (TV) systems is possible if each TV coefficient can be expanded onto a finite set of basis sequences. The problem then becomes time invariant with respect to the parameters of the expansion. The authors address the question of selecting this set of basis sequences. They advocate the use of a wavelet basis because of its flexibility in capturing the signal's characteristics at different scales, and discuss how to choose the optimal wavelet basis for a given system trajectory. They also develop statistical tests to keep only the basis sequences that significantly contribute to the description of the system's time-variation. By formulating the problem as a regressor selection problem, they apply an P-test and an AIC based approach for multiresolution analysis of TV systems. The resulting algorithm can estimate TV AR or ARMAX models and determine their orders. They apply this algorithm to both synthetic and real speech data and compare it with the Kalman filtering TV parameter estimator. >
The Genealogy of Daisy Bates, Version 8.0

This article is a note on an “‘ongoing, public, and collective enactment’ of an individual identity.” It is meant to offer corrections in the spirit of asking, When is an identity ever fully accomplished and for whom?
Developing Benchmark Problems for Civil Structural Applications of Continuum Topology Optimization

In this paper, consideration is given to candidate benchmark problems that utilize continuum topology optimization to find long-span structural forms that maximize stability. It is posited that by beginning the structural design process with forms of optimal stability as opposed to forms that are inherently unstable, one avoids getting locked into inferior designs that will be problematic at all stages. This issue is examined here by introducing some problems in which the goal is to obtain sparse lightweight structural forms that maximize critical buckling loads computed from linearized buckling
Inhalation of Hydrocarbon Jet Fuel Suppress Central Auditory Nervous System Function

More than 800 million L/d of hydrocarbon fuels is used to power cars, boats, and jet airplanes. The weekly consumption of these fuels necessarily puts the public at risk for repeated inhalation exposure. Recent studies showed that exposure to hydrocarbon jet fuel produces lethality in presynaptic sensory cells, leading to hearing loss, especially in the presence of noise. However, the effects of hydrocarbon jet fuel on the central auditory nervous system (CANS) have not received much attention. It is important to investigate the effects of hydrocarbons on the CANS in order to complete current knowledge regarding the ototoxic profile of such exposures. The objective of the current study was to determine whether inhalation exposure to hydrocarbon jet fuel might affect the functions of the CANS. Male Fischer 344 rats were randomly divided into four groups (control, noise, fuel, and fuel + noise). The structural and functional integrity of presynaptic sensory cells was determined in each group. Neurotransmission in both peripheral and central auditory pathways was simultaneously evaluated in order to identify and differentiate between peripheral and central dysfunctions. There were no detectable effects on pre- and postsynaptic peripheral functions. However, the responsiveness of the brain was significantly depressed and neural transmission time was markedly delayed. The development of CANS dysfunctions in the general public and the military due to cumulative exposure to hydrocarbon fuels may represent a significant but currently unrecognized public health issue.
Fibrillation or neurillation: back to the future in our concepts of sudden cardiac death?

“ If the heart trembles, has little power and sinks, the disease is advancing … and death is near … .” —The Papyrus Ebers (circa 3500 BCE) Numerous concepts of cardiac electrophysiology have been advanced, enthroned, and then laid to rest. Other theories have withstood the test of time despite the restless energy of inquisitive doubt of future generations. Until recently, one such concept has been the foundation of the mechanisms of fibrillation, which was imprinted in the very name to emphasize its fibrillar or myogenic nature. It was apparently known to ancient Egyptians and Chinese that an irregular heartbeat is associated with death. However, scientifically rigorous description of a causal relationship was presented only in the middle of the 19th century. Erichsen described in 1842 that coronary artery ligation led to “tumultuous,” “tremulous,” and “irregular” behavior of the ventricles.1 First documentation of the onset of ventricular fibrillation (VF) during electrical stimulation was recorded in 1849 using Ludwig’s “kymographion” by his associate Hoffa.2 Interestingly, at the time, Hoffa was assigned to investigate autonomic nervous system effects on cardiac activity, which had been discovered a year earlier by Ludwig himself.3 Hoffa described irregular contractions induced by “faradization” (electrical stimulation), which persisted even after the termination of electrical stimulation and resulted in cardiac arrest that could not be checked by vagal stimulation. Intensive investigation of the newly described phenomenon led to the introduction of numerous terms, which aimed to capture the mechanistic and/or anatomic nature of the irregular contractions and resulting cardiac arrest.4 The main disagreement gravitated toward one question: is the phenomenon neurogenic or myogenic in nature? In other words, is irregular activity due to abnormal …
An approximation technique for nonlinear integral operations

Abstract Approximation results for J. S. Mac Nerney's theory of nonlinear integral operations are established. For the nonlinear product integral xΠy (1 + V)P, approximations of the form Πi = 1n [1 + Lq(xi−1, xi)]P are considered, where L1(u, v)P = ∝uv VP and Lq(u, v)P = ∝uvV(r, s)[1 + Lq−1(s, v)]P for q = 2, 3,…. Error bounds are obtained for the difference between the product integral and the preceding product.
p‐Version plate and curved shell element for geometrically non‐linear analysis

This paper presents a p-version geometrically non-linear formulation based on the total Lagrangian approach for a nine node three dimensional curved shell element. The element geometry is defined by the coordinates of the nodes located on its middle surface and nodal vectors describing the bottom and top surfaces of the element. The element displacement approximation can be of arbitrary and different polynomial orders in the plane of the element and in the transverse direction. The element approximation functions and the corresponding nodal variables are derived from the Lagrange family of interpolation functions. The resulting approximation functions and the nodal variables are hierarchical and the element displacement approximation ensures C° continuity. The element properties are established using the principle of virtual work and the hierarchical element approximation. In formulating the properties of the element complete three dimensional stresses and strains are considered, hence the element is equally effective for very thin as well as extremely thick shells and plates. Incremental equations of equilibrium are derived and solved using the standard Newton–Raphson method. The total load is divided into increments, and for each increment of load, equilibrium iterations are performed until each component of the residuals is within a preset tolerance. Numerical examples are presented to show the accuracy, efficiency and advantages of the present formulation. The results obtained from the present formulation are compared with those available in the literature.
Vote Trading on Farm Legislation in the U.S. House

Several farm groups do not command enough votes in the U.S. House of Representatives to pass their programs without the help of others. This study investigates the extent of vote trading by these groups. Both vote trading among these groups and between them and representatives of the poor are examined. Farm legislation from 1985–86 is studied. The results show an active coalition among tobacco, sugar, peanut, and dairy farmers, as well as the poor. Wheat, rice, and cotton farmers are much less active in the coalition, while feed grain farmers are not in it at all.
The Effectiveness of Polyvinyl Chloride Plastic Bands Impregnated with Permethrin as a Control for the Northern Fowl Mite, Ornithonyssus sylviarum (Canestrini and Fanzago), Infesting Caged Laying Chickens

Caged White Leghorn hens were used to study the effectiveness of polyvinyl chloride (PVC) bands impregnated with 10% permethrin (50 mg/active ingredient/band) for control of the northern fowl mite (NFM), Ornithonyssus sylviarum (Canestrini and Fanzago). The PVC bands were attached two ways, either to the leg of the bird or to the cage floor. Leg band treatments included one, two, three, four, and six birds banded (one band per bird) per cage of six birds. Cage band treatments included one, two, and four PVC strips attached to the cage floor. The attachment of PVC bands to cages was very effective in controlling NFM. Birds in the treatment with four bands attached to the cage floor were essentially mite free for the duration of the 19-week test. Based on this test, the leg banding technique does not seem to be as effective or practical for controlling NFM on caged layers as is attachment of the bands to the cage floor. The use of permethrin-impregnated PVC bands or strips attached to the floor of poultry cages shows promise for effective NFM control and for relieving stress on birds resulting from conventional spraying or dusting treatments.
Patients with Acute Painful TMD at High Risk for Developing a Chronic Condition Report Less Pain, Emotional Distress, and Health Care Use after a Psychological Intervention Using Cognitive-Behavioral Skills Training and Biofeedback

Article Title and Bibliographic Information Efficacy of an Early Intervention for Patients with Acute Temporomandibular Disorder-Related Pain: A One-Year Outcome Study Gatchel RJ, Stowell AW, et al. J Am Dent Assoc 2006;137(3):339-47 Level of Evidence 1b Purpose/Question To assess the ability of a 6-session intervention using cognitive-behavioral skills training and biofeedback to reduce pain, improve emotional functioning, reduce health care use, and prevent progression to chronic status in patients with acute temporomandibular disorder (TMD) pain. Source of Funding Government (National Institutes of Health) Type of Study/Design Randomized Controlled Trial
Pancreatic bicarbonate response to food-bound hydrogen ion along the gut.

Abstract Recent reports suggest most solid food enters the duodenum as small particles. Our studies showed that small particles of liver were capable of binding hydrogen ions (H + ), but there was slow equilibration of H + between particulate and aqueous phases. We wondered whether titratable acid as H + bound to meat particles could effectively stimulate pancreatic bicarbonate secretion despite slow diffusion. We studied mongrel dogs with chronic pancreatic fistulas; the intestinal lumen was washed free of endogenous pancreatic enzymes. Pancreatic bicarbonate and protein responses were measured during duodenal perfusion with pH 2 or pH 3 gels that delivered 1, 2, or 4 mEq/15 min of titratable acid (endpoint pH 4.5). Gels consisted of acidified, 0.1–0.7-mm particles of beef liver or bovine serum albumin or lactic acid suspended with 2% starch in 0.15 M NaCl. The liver, bovine serum albumin, and lactate had similar titration curves. At pH 2 or pH 3, liver particles were about as effective as bovine serum albumin in stimulating pancreatic bicarbonate secretion. Likewise, pH 3 liver particles were equipotent with pH 3 lactate on pancreatic bicarbonate secretion when both perfusates were allowed access to the whole intestine. However, when confined to the first 45 cm of proximal intestine, much less H + was dissipated from the liver versus the lactate; and, correspondingly, there was a much greater decrement in pancreatic bicarbonate secretion from whole gut responses with liver versus lactate. We conclude that titratable acid bound to solid food particles is a potent stimulus of pancreatic bicarbonate secretion despite its slow diffusion. Our studies suggest that H + slowly diffusing from particles excites pancreatic bicarbonate secretion by triggering H + receptors along more distal intestine.
Increased energy expenditure in a patient with diencephalic syndrome.

Total energy expenditure, measured in gn infant with diencephalic syndrome with doubly labeled water, was 30% to 50% higher than that reported for other healthy infants whose energy expenditure was measured by the same technique and 13% higher than the patient's energy intake. This result suggests that the weight loss and cachexia of the diencephalic syndrome are the result of abnormally increased energy expenditure.
Association of Cryptosporidium parvum with Suspended Particles: Impact on Oocyst Sedimentation

The association of Cryptosporidium parvum oocysts with suspended particles can alter the oocysts' effective physical properties and influence their transport in aquatic systems. To assess this behavior, C. parvum oocysts were mixed with various suspended sediments under a variety of water chemical conditions, and the resulting settling of the oocysts was observed. Direct microscopic observations showed that oocysts attached to suspended sediments. Settling column and batch experiments demonstrated that oocysts are removed from suspension at a much higher rate when associated with sediments. The rate of oocyst sedimentation depended primarily on the type of sediment with which the oocysts were mixed. Changes in background water conditions had a relatively small impact on the extent of oocyst-particle association and the resulting oocyst deposition. We believe that the ubiquitous association of C. parvum oocysts with suspended particles enhances the sedimentation of oocysts in natural waters and that this interaction should generally be considered when predicting the migration of pathogens in the environment.
Sphingomyelinase D from venoms of Loxosceles spiders: evolutionary insights from cDNA sequences and gene structure.

Loxosceles spider venoms cause dermonecrosis in mammalian tissues. The toxin sphingomyelinase D (SMaseD) is a sufficient causative agent in lesion formation and is only known in these spiders and a few pathogenic bacteria. Similarities between spider and bacterial SMaseD in molecular weights, pIs and N-terminal amino acid sequence suggest an evolutionary relationship between these molecules. We report three cDNA sequences from venom-expressed mRNAs, analyses of amino acid sequences, and partial characterization of gene structure of SMaseD homologs from Loxosceles arizonica with the goal of better understanding the evolution of this toxin. Sequence analyses indicate SMaseD is a single domain protein and a divergent member of the ubitiquous, broadly conserved glycerophosphoryl diester phosphodiesterase family (GDPD). Bacterial SMaseDs are not identifiable as homologs of spider SMaseD or GDPD family members. Amino acid sequence similarities do not afford clear distinction between independent origin of toxic SMaseD activity in spiders and bacteria and origin in one lineage by ancient horizontal transfer from the other. The SMaseD genes span at least 6500 bp and contain at least 5 introns. Together, these data indicate L. arizonica SMaseD has been evolving within a eukaryotic genome for a long time ruling out origin by recent transfer from bacteria.
Balancing Competing Interests: Managing And Regulating Spam While Preserving The Availability Of E-Mail For Ethical Commerical Users

A layered model composed of the legal environment, the network/service providers, the firm, and the individual is proposed for studying and managing unsolicited commercial email, i.e. spam.
Intensidad exportadora e interacción entre fortalezas del marketing mix: un análisis basado en redes neuronales artificiales // Export Intensity and Interaction between Marketing Mix: An Analysis based on Artificial Neural Networks

Entre los factores determinantes de la actuacion exportadora de las empresas, numerosos estudios han subrayado la relevancia del mix de marketing. Generalmente, la mayoria de los estudios abordan el analisis de las variables centrado en estrategias especificas, en particular fenomenos de estandarizacion-adaptacion. El presente estudio analiza si existe un efecto interactivo de fortalezas generadas en las diferentes variables del mix de marketing que pueda asociarse a diferentes perfiles exportadores.Para ello, se ha empleado el algoritmo Extreme Learning Machine (ELM) dentro de los procedimientos Perceptron Multicapa (MLP) de Redes Neuronales Artificiales (RNA). Asimismo, el analisis se combina con un novedoso procedimiento de analisis de sensibilidad desarrollado ad hoc para este estudio, el cual permite conocer los efectos individuales e interactivos de las variables predictoras sobre la variable dependiente en problemas clasificatorios de naturaleza dicotomica.Los resultados obtenidos nos permiten corroborar la existencia de los efectos interactivos postulados, poniendo al mismo tiempo de manifiesto la utilidad de las RNA y del analisis de sensibilidad propuesto para la investigacion en el area de marketing y, especificamente, para los estudios de internacionalizacion de empresas.------------------------------------ Among the determining factors in export activity, many studies have highlighted the relevance of the marketing mix. Generally, the majority of them use a variables analysis to focus on specific strategies, in particular, standardized-adaptations. This paper analyzes if there is an interactive effect of strength generated in different variables of the marketing mix that can be associated with different export profiles.The Extreme Learning Machine (ELM) algorithm has been used within the Multilayer Perceptron (MLP) of Artificial Neural Networks (ANN). In addition, the analyses combine a novel approach for sensitivity analysis developed ad hoc for this paper to determine the individual and interactive effects of predictable variables on the dependent variable in classification problems of a dichotomous nature.The results obtained allow us to confirm the existence of the postulated interactive effects, simultaneously revealing the usefulness of ANN and of the sensitivity analysis proposed for research in the area of marketing and, specifically, in firms' internationalization studies.
Effect of surface nanotopography on immunoaffinity cell capture in microfluidic devices.

Immunoaffinity microfluidic devices have recently become a popular choice to isolate specific cells for many applications. To increase cell capture efficiency, several groups have employed capture beds with nanotopography. However, no systematic study has been performed to quantitatively correlate surface nanopatterns with immunoaffinity cell immobilization. In this work, we controlled substrate topography by depositing close-packed arrays of silica nanobeads with uniform diameters ranging from 100 to 1150 nm onto flat glass. These surfaces were functionalized with a specific antibody and assembled as the base in microfluidic channels, which were then used to capture CD4+ T cells under continuous flow. It is observed that capture efficiency generally increases with nanoparticle size under low flow rate. At higher flow rates, cell capture efficiency becomes increasingly complex; it initially increases with the bead size then gradually decreases. Surprisingly, capture yield plummets atop depositions of some...
A New Aphid Genus and Species from the Southern Appalachians (Homoptera)

The new genus SATULA is closely related to Dactynotus Rafinesque. Its type-species, S. brachychaeta , was collected on Krigia montana (Michx.) Nutt. at elevations of about 4000 feet in the vicinity of Highlands, N. C.; the host plant is found only in the southern Appalachian Mountains.
Ultra-stable RF-over-fiber transport enables NASA ground-based deep space tracking antenna arrays and space-borne earth mapping radar

The Mojave Desert north of Los Angeles in Southern California is a place of rolling hills, shallow valleys, and jagged outcrop-pings of rock, which are the remains of ancient mountains. It is a land inhabited by rattlesnakes, tarantulas, giant scorpions, and poisonous hunting spiders (called vinegaroons by the locals) because their bite leaves the taste of vinegar in your mouth. The plants are mostly sagebrush, cactus, and Joshua trees. The temperature can rise above 100 deg F during daytime and drop below freezing at night. In the middle of this desert, 50 km northwest of Barstow, is Goldstone, a ghost town abandoned at the end of the gold rush era.
Outcomes of abdominal surgery in patients receiving mechanical ventilation for more than 48 hours.

Abstract Background Abdominal surgery in critically ill patients has high mortality, contributing to high US healthcare costs. This study sought to identify specific predictors of mortality in this population. Methods Using the National Surgical Quality Improvement Program database 2006 to 2012, we identified 4,901 patients who were intubated for more than 48 hours before undergoing common abdominal procedures. Mortality and predictors of mortality were determined using chi-square and/or regression analysis. Results Overall 30-day mortality was 44.2% with increasing mortality for additional procedures performed. Ventilated patients with the following preoperative risk factors were 2 to 3 times as likely to die within 30 days of surgery: age greater than 65-years old, coma, preoperative international normalized ratio greater than 3.0, esophageal varices, and disseminated cancer. Conclusions Mortality is significant in ventilated patients who undergo abdominal surgery and is especially high with advanced age, disseminated cancer, and complications of liver disease. Physicians should carefully discuss this with patients and/or family and consider palliative options when appropriate.
Survey on serological epidemiology on hepatitis B in Handan

Objective To know about the epidemic situation of virus hepatitis B in Handan and provide theoretic basis for the prevention of the hepatitis B.Methods A multi-stage cluster-randomized sampling was designed to survey 1 580 residents aged from 1-60 years old in the study.The HBsAg,HBs antibody(anti-HBs),and HBc antibody(anti-HBc) were detected with elisa method.Results The adjusted rates of HBsAg,anti-HBs and anti-HBc were 2.9%,53.7% and 13.5%,respectively.HBsAg positive rates of 1 to 5 years old group and 5 to 10 years old group were 1.2% and 1.0%,lower than those of the rest populations(P0.05),while the positive rates of 15 to 20(6.8%),50 to 55(7.7%) and 55 to 60(10.7%) years old group were significantly higher than those of the rest groups(P0.05).And there was a trend that the older the age,the lower the anti-HBs positive rate.Anti-HBs positive rates of 1 to 5 year old group(79.2%) and 5 year old group(67.0%) were higher than that the rest groups(P0.01).Anti-HBs positive rate of 25 to 30 year old(30.0%) was lower than that of the rest groups(P0.05).The anti-HBc positive rate was higher in the 1 to 5 years old group(5.4%),20 to 25 years old group(19.6%) and 45 to 50 years old group(32.4%),which were all significantly higher than that of the neigboring groups.The anti-HBs in the subjects with hepatitis B vaccination history was higher than that without hepatitis B vaccination history,69.2% vs 17.4% (P0.01).The anti-HBc positive rate of male was lower than that of the female,13.8% vs 24.9%(P0.01).The anti-HBs positive rate of the population in the city was higher than in the urban,69.8% vs 45.7%(P0.01).Conclusion The population of 1 to 10 and 15 to 20 years old group were the main population for hepatitis B vaccination work.And hepatitis B vaccine immunization should carry out in the high risk population.
Fluorescence Polarization Assay to Quantify Protein-Protein Interactions: An Update

A fluorescence polarization assay can be used to evaluate the strength of a protein-protein interaction. A green fluorescent protein variant is fused to one of the protein partners. The formation of a complex is then deduced from an increase in fluorescence polarization, and the equilibrium dissociation constant of the complex is determined in a homogeneous aqueous environment. The assay is demonstrated by using the interaction of the S-protein and S-peptide fragments of ribonuclease A as a case study.