cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Novel design of multistage integrated motor-compressor

The objective of this research is to propose a novel electric machine integrated with the multistage axial-flow compressor. The proposed integrated machine consists of a flux-switching permanent magnet (FSPM) machine with an airfoil-shaped rotor, which can produce electromagnetic torque and compression of gas flowing through it at the same time. Hence, reduced size and higher efficiency can be achieved. The airfoil-shaped rotor of the proposed integrated machine with following diffusor works as the first stage of an axial-flow compressor, which is connected to multiple stages through the same shaft. In this paper, thermodynamics characteristics of the integrated machine with a multistage axial-flow compressor are analyzed using two-dimensional cascades method. The electromagnetic performance of the integrated motor-compressor is validated by finite element analysis (FEA).
Antibiotic Resistant Genes in Soil Bacteria

The major concern of widespread antibiotic use in agriculture is not necessarily the compounds themselves, but their potential to contribute to the emergence and spread of antibiotic resistance. The rate of occurrence of multi-drug resistant pathogens, such as tuberculosis and MRSA, continues to rise at a rapid rate, leading to growing concern in the health care realm. A growing body of multi-disciplinary research, in particular in microbial ecology and environmental science, is building an understanding of the relationship between antibiotics and antibiotic resistance in the environment. One particular view is that the antibiotic resistance genes themselves are emerging contaminants for which strategies are needed to treat and contain them. At the same time, it is important to keep in mind that antibiotic resistance genes, like many antibiotics, are naturally occurring. Therefore distinguishing anthropogenic influence from the natural background is essential. This chapter will tie together research from various disciplines to shed light on how antibiotic resistance is generated and transported in the environment.
Brain and Behavioral Assessment of Executive Functions for Self-Regulating Levels of Language in Reading Brain

This brief research report examines brain-behavioral relationships specific to levels of language in the complex reading brain. The first specific aim was to examine prior findings for significant fMRI connectivity from four seeds (left precuneus, left occipital temporal, left supramarginal, left inferior frontal) for each of four levels of language-subword, word (word-specific spelling or affixed words), syntax (with and without homonym foils or affix foils), and multi-sentence text to identify significant fMRI connectivity (a) unique to the lower level of language when compared to the immediately higher adjacent level of language across subword-word, word-syntax, and syntax-text comparisons; and (b) involving a brain region associated with executive functions. The second specific aim was to correlate the magnitude of that connectivity with standard scores on tests of Focused Attention (D-K EFS Color Word Form Inhibition) and Switching Attention (Wolf & Denckla Rapid Automatic Switching). Seven correlations were significant. Focused Attention was significantly correlated with the word level (word-specific spellings of real words) fMRI task in left cingulum from left inferior frontal seed. Switching Attention was significantly correlated with the (a) subword level (grapheme-phoneme correspondence) fMRI task in left and right Cerebellum V from left supramarginal seed; (b) the word level (word-specific spelling) fMRI task in right Cerebellum V from left precuneus seed; (c) the syntax level (with and without homonym foils) fMRI task in right Cerebellum V from left precuneus seed and from left supramarginal seed; and (d) syntax level (with and without affix foils) fMRI task in right Cerebellum V from left precuneus seed. Results are discussed in reference to neuropsychological assessment of supervisory attention (focused and switching) for specific levels of language related to reading acquisition in students with and without language-related specific learning disabilities and self-regulation of the complex reading brain.
Revisiting the Phase Stability in Ni-X (X=Mo, Ti, In) Systems Using Ab Initio Calculations

In this paper, we report a theoretical prediction of the low-temperature phase diagrams for the Ni-Mo, Ni-Ti and Ni-In binary systems using ab initio evolutionary methodology. Our study uncovers two previously unreported intermetallic compounds that are thermodynamically stable at low temperatures: orthorhombic Ni2Mo with Cmcm symmetry and tetragonal NiTi2 with I4/mmm symmetry. Ni2Mo and NiTi2 will transform from their zero temperature ground state structures into their experimentally observed high temperature polymorphs above a critical temperature of 466 and 912 K, respectively. Finally, our DFT calculations with both PBE and LDA functional indicate that the experimentally observed Ni3In, Ni2In and Ni13In9 structures are all not stable at low temperature. Furthermore, no Ni3In and Ni2In structures that are stable at T = 0 K can be identified by our evolutionary search.
3.3 Fast Events in Protein Folding

A fundamental goal of biophysics is to understand how a protein folds to its native structure after it is synthesized on the ribosome. Apart from the intrinsic scientific importance of this question, there is also its practical significance, including the health consequences of protein misfolding and the ability to predict protein structure from amino acid sequence. The significance of the protein folding problem has motivated many decades of research to elucidate the molecular details, revealing that it is a complex process. The best insight into how proteins fold has emerged from close integration of experiment with theory and simulation of the folding of ultrafast folding proteins. This chapter highlights advances in understanding the folding of a model ultrafast folding protein, the B domain of protein A (BdpA), using the latest experimental and theoretical methods.
Altered Electrolyte and Fluid Balance

Every embryologist knows that there are many important fluid-filled spaces in and around the intrauterine individual, such as the ventricles of the brain, the canal of the spinal cord, the pelvis of the ureter, the lumens of various portions of the gut and glands, the entire cardiovascular system, the blastocoele, amnion, allantois, and yolk sac. Every teratologist also knows that many developmental abnormalities involve deficiencies or overenlargements of these spaces, e.g., hydronephrosis, hydroureter, hydrocephalus and hydrocephalus-like conditions, exencephaly, hydramnois, and the occlusion of various hollow organs. Less well known are details of the composition of the fluids that fill these spaces, how their volume is controlled, and their precise role in the normal and abnormal morphogenesis of the structures with which they are associated. Although the extracellular proteins (e.g., plasma proteins and some enzymes) of some developing fluids are reasonably well known, less is known of small organic molecules, inorganic constituents, and the means by which their concentrations are controlled. It is often assumed that, apart from that performed by the placenta, little or no regulation is possible on the part of the embryo and young fetus, due to physiological immaturity of organs (Howard, 1957) or cells (Widdowson, 1968). The primary aim of this chapter is to review reports which demonstrate that a study of the embryonic and fetal fluids, their composition, and the physiology of their regulation is a valuable approach to an analysis of abnormal development caused by known teratogenic agents, as well as to provide insight into the role of these fluids in normal development.
Defending a Free Society

Afin de repondre a la question de l'usage de la force dans le contexte de l'ethique militaire, l'A. determine les conditions generales de la morale que sont la volonte libre, la question ad hoc de l'action et le role specifique de l'individu au sein de la vie humaine universelle. Observant les principes ethiques et politiques de l'intervention militaire internationale, l'A. etablit un parallele entre l'ethique professionnelle et l'ethique sociale concernant les relations personnelles entre agents et les relations nationales entre communautes. Distinguant les situations internes et les situations externes, les agressions internationales et les injustices intra-nationales, l'A. affirme la responsabilite constitutionnelle de la force militaire et subordonne la legitimite de son action a la securite des citoyens.
The role of radiation in urological malignancies

Radiation therapy (RT) is a vital component of treatment for many urologic malignancies including prostate cancer, where advancements in RT technique have improved outcomes without adding toxicity. In bladder cancers, use of concurrent chemoradiation therapy and surgery for salvage has yielded survival equivalent to up-front cystectomy with preservation of the bladder. In patients with stage I–II testicular seminomas, RT utilization has been refined to limit unnecessary exposure. The role of RT is not well defined in the management of penile and urethral cancers; however, the literature supports its use as an organ-preserving treatment approach.
Juror Decision Making in the Capital Penalty Trial An Analysis of Crimes and Defense Strategies

Two factors thought to influence jurors' penalty decisions in capital trials—the nature of the crime committed and the defense's portrayal of the convicted offender's character—were examined. Mock jurors were death-qualified and exposed to one of twelve simulated penalty trials. Each “trial” was comprised of one of three capital crimes and one of four defense strategies. Jurors were least punitive in “robbery-murder” conditions and most punitive in “multiple murder” conditions. A conceptual argument against capital punishment was the most effective defense; a “mental illness” defense was the least effective. Penalty decisions were mediated by three attributional variables: (a) juror perceptions of the defendant's volition, (b) juror perceptions of the defendant's future dangerousness, and (c) juror perceptions of the relative competency of the opposing attorneys.
The 5Å resolution crystal structure of adenylosuccinate synthetase from Escherichia coli

CgHjQN502'''.Cl~, Mj. = ,243.67, monoclinic, P 2 i / c , a = 8.406(2), b = 11.490(4), c = 11.510(2)Â, g = 101.89(2)°, V = 1087.7(5)Â3, Z = 4, Dy = 1.49g cm-3, X(MoKai) = 0.70926Â, u = 3.48cm-l, T = 293K, F(OOO) = 504, final R = 0.056 for 1965 observations. Ionic/hydrogen bonds be­ tween the chloride ion and the guanidinium groups as well as stacking interactions involving the guanidinium and phenyl groups maintain the crystalline structure. The separation of planes of stacked guanidinium groups is 3.72(14)A, and of phenyl planes is 3.46(26 )A. Introduction ADP-ribosylation is an enzyme-mediated transfer of the ADP-ribose group of NAD+ to an appropriate acceptor. Reactions of ADP-ribosylation fall into two broad categories: DNA (1) Acceptor + nNAD+ (2) Acceptor + nNAD+ poly(ADP-ribose) polymerase ADP-ribosyl transferase Acceptor(ADP-ribose) + nNicotinamide + H+ Acceptor(ADP-ribose) + Nicotinamide + H+ ^Michael A. Serra and Richard B. Honzatko from the Dept. of Biochem. and Biophys., Iowa State Univ., Ames, lA. 50011. ^We thank Robert Jacobson of the Ames National Laboratory for the use of his facilities and the NIH (GM33828), CNR (N00014-84-G-0094) and FRF (1669-G4) for monetary support.
Psychometric validation of the PERMA-profiler as a well-being measure for student veterans

Objective: The current study aims to validate the PERMA-Profiler, a well-known well-being measure, among a sample of student veterans. Participants: A sample of 205 student veterans were recruited from universities across the United States. Method: Cross-sectional research design was used in this study. Measurement structure of the PERMA-Profiler was evaluated using exploratory factor analysis (EFA). Convergent, divergent, and criterion-related validity was tested using Pearson correlation coefficients and Kruskal-Wallis test. Results: The EFA results yielded a two-factor solution for student veterans. Factors are named as emotional character strengths and performance character strengths. Conclusions: The PERMA-Profiler is a multidimensional scale with good reliability and acceptable levels of convergent, divergent, and criterion-related validity. The PERMA-Profiler can help researchers and practitioners better gauge well-being in student veterans. Implications will be discussed.
Numerical dispersion in non-hydrostatic modeling of long-wave propagation

Abstract Numerical discretization with a finite-difference scheme is known to introduce frequency dispersion in depth-integrated long-wave models commonly used in tsunami research and hazard mapping. While prior studies on numerical dispersion focused on the linear shallow-water equations, we include the non-hydrostatic pressure and vertical velocity through a Keller box scheme and investigate the properties of the resulting system in relation to a hydrostatic model. Fourier analysis of the discretized governing equations gives rise to a dispersion relation in terms of the water-depth parameter as well as the time step, grid size, and wave direction. The dispersion relation is illustrated by its lead-order approximation derived from Taylor series expansions as well as numerical experiments involving standing and progressive waves with uniform water depth. Interaction between the spatial discretization and non-hydrostatic terms leads to significant reduction of numerical dispersion outside the shallow-water range. Numerical dispersion also decreases for wave propagation oblique to the computational grid due to effective increase in spatial resolution. The time step, which counteracts numerical dispersion from spatial discretization, only has secondary effects within the applicable range of Courant numbers. Since the governing equations of the non-hydrostatic model derived from the Keller box scheme tend to underestimate dispersion in shoaling water, the numerical effects are complementary in producing a solution closer to Airy wave theory. A case study of the 2011 Tohoku tsunami illustrates the grid sensitivity and convergence properties in real-world applications. A properly selected grid size can achieve an accurate description of wave propagation over a wide range of water-depth parameters across the ocean.
Evaluation of a Health Information Technology-Enabled Collective Intelligence Platform to Improve Diagnosis in Primary Care and Urgent Care Settings: Protocol for a Pragmatic Randomized Controlled Trial.

Author(s): Fontil, Valy; Khoong, Elaine C; Hoskote, Mekhala; Radcliffe, Kate; Ratanawongsa, Neda; Lyles, Courtney Rees; Sarkar, Urmimala | Abstract: BACKGROUND:Diagnostic error in ambulatory care, a frequent cause of preventable harm, may be mitigated using the collective intelligence of multiple clinicians. The National Academy of Medicine has identified enhanced clinician collaboration and digital tools as a means to improve the diagnostic process. OBJECTIVE:This study aims to assess the efficacy of a collective intelligence output to improve diagnostic confidence and accuracy in ambulatory care cases (from primary care and urgent care clinic visits) with diagnostic uncertainty. METHODS:This is a pragmatic randomized controlled trial of using collective intelligence in cases with diagnostic uncertainty from clinicians at primary care and urgent care clinics in 2 health care systems in San Francisco. Real-life cases, identified for having an element of diagnostic uncertainty, will be entered into a collective intelligence digital platform to acquire collective intelligence from at least 5 clinician contributors on the platform. Cases will be randomized to an intervention group (where clinicians will view the collective intelligence output) or control (where clinicians will not view the collective intelligence output). Clinicians will complete a postvisit questionnaire that assesses their diagnostic confidence for each case; in the intervention cases, clinicians will complete the questionnaire after reviewing the collective intelligence output for the case. Using logistic regression accounting for clinician clustering, we will compare the primary outcome of diagnostic confidence and the secondary outcome of time with diagnosis (the time it takes for a clinician to reach a diagnosis), for intervention versus control cases. We will also assess the usability and satisfaction with the digital tool using measures adapted from the Technology Acceptance Model and Net Promoter Score. RESULTS:We have recruited 32 out of our recruitment goal of 33 participants. This study is funded until May 2020 and is approved by the University of California San Francisco Institutional Review Board until January 2020. We have completed data collection as of June 2019 and will complete our proposed analysis by December 2019. CONCLUSIONS:This study will determine if the use of a digital platform for collective intelligence is acceptable, useful, and efficacious in improving diagnostic confidence and accuracy in outpatient cases with diagnostic uncertainty. If shown to be valuable in improving clinicians' diagnostic process, this type of digital tool may be one of the first innovations used for reducing diagnostic errors in outpatient care. The findings of this study may provide a path forward for improving the diagnostic process. INTERNATIONAL REGISTERED REPORT IDENTIFIER (IRRID):DERR1-10.2196/13151.
Analytically parametrized solutions for robust quantum control using smooth pulses

UG acknowledges helpful discussions with Ed Barnes and Sophia Economou. This research was sponsored by the Army Research Office (ARO) and was accomplished under Grant Number W911NF-17-1-0287.
Specialized Pro-Resolving Mediators Directs Cardiac Healing and Repair with Activation of Inflammation and Resolution Program in Heart Failure

After myocardial infarction, splenic leukocytes direct biosynthesis of specialized pro-resolving mediators (SPMs) that are essential for the resolution of inflammation and tissue repair. In a laboratory environment, after coronary ligation of healthy risk free rodents (young adult mice) leukocytes biosynthesize SPMs with induced activity of lipoxygenases and cyclooxygenases, which facilitate cardiac repair. Activated monocytes/macrophages drive the biosynthesis of SPMs following experimental myocardial infarction in mice during the acute heart failure. In the presented review, we provided the recent updates on SPMs (resolvins, lipoxins and maresins) in cardiac repair that may serve as novel therapeutics for future heart failure therapy/management. We incorporated the underlying causes of non-resolving inflammation following cardiac injury if superimposed with obesity, hypertension, diabetes, disrupted circadian rhythm, co-medication (painkillers or oncological therapeutics), and/or aging that may delay or impair the biosynthesis of SPMs, intensifying pathological remodeling in heart failure.
Transoral Endoscopic Thyroidectomy Vestibular Approach Complications and Safety: Reporting Objectives and Future Study Design

Transoral endoscopic thyroidectomy vestibular approach (TOETVA) is an emerging operation in the United States that has been met with both enthusiasm and skepticism. It has now developed beyond the very beginning phases of innovation and has entered a period in which it is reproducible and thus accessible to many surgeons throughout the world. However, it is still in some ways a developing operation, and as such, great care and responsibility are needed to ensure the operation is propagated safely and studied in a fair and unbiased manner. This chapter deals with expected complications that may arise during TOETVA, which complications should be reported, and finally what should be done with the data as it is reported.
Ultrasound-Guided Fasciotomies of the Deep and Superficial Posterior Leg Compartments for Chronic Exertional Compartment Syndrome: A Cadaveric Investigation.

Background Chronic exertional compartment syndrome (CECS) is a type of leg pain related to elevated intracompartmental pressure with activity in one or more of the four compartments of the leg. Open fasciotomy is the definitive treatment for CECS but has a reported complication rate of up to 15.7% and return to full activity reported up to 16 weeks. Ultrasound-guided (USG) fasciotomy of the anterior and lateral compartments has been translated into clinical practice. Objective To determine the safety and feasibility of a USG fasciotomy of the deep posterior compartment (DPC) and superficial compartment (SPC) of the leg in a fresh-frozen cadaveric model. Design Prospective, cadaveric laboratory investigation. Setting Procedural skills laboratory at an academic institution. Cadaveric cohort Ten fresh-frozen cadaveric knee-ankle-foot specimens from five female and five male donors aged 58 to 93 years (mean 77.4 years) with body mass indexes of 18.1 to 33.5 kg/m2 (mean 25.1 kg/m2 ). Methods or interventions One experienced operator performed 10 USG DPC and SPC fasciotomies. A clinical anatomist performed dissections of each. Main outcome measures Achievement of target length and continuity of release was recorded. Target lengths of 10 cm for the superficial posterior compartment (SPC) and 15 cm for the deep posterior compartment (DPC) were established based on previous studies. Tendinous and neurovascular structures were assessed for damage. Results No tendon or neurovascular injuries were observed. In the SPC, target length was achieved in 90% and continuous release was observed in 80%. In the DPC, target length was achieved in 60% and continuity observed in 30%. Conclusions These findings suggest that SPC USG fasciotomies using the technique described in this study are feasible, may be safe, and warrant further translational research; however, DPC USG fasciotomies are more challenging and require more technical refinement prior to clinical translation.
Pulsed Terahertz Detection with a 95 dB Signal-to-Noise Ratio using a Femtosecond Ytterbium-Doped Fiber Laser

We present a photoconductive terahertz detector that operates at ∼1 μm pump wavelengths, offering a detection bandwidth exceeding 4 THz and a 95 dB signal-to-noise ratio, a 10-dB enhancement over the state-of-the-art detectors with similar bandwidth.
Trampas cámara como herramienta para estudiar mamíferos silvestres

Like many biologists interested in monitoring or studying medium and large mammals, in the wild, I have faced the classic questions such as: How many cameras do I need ?, What camera do we buy ?, How do I install them? What protocols do I follow? And what else can I do with that data? In this short review I intend to summarize the answers to those questions and share my experience as a user of camera traps, after having tried several options. Recommendations are for before, during and after using the cameras.
TESTING THE GENERAL RELATIVISTIC NO-HAIR THEOREMS USING THE GALACTIC CENTER BLACK HOLE SAGITTARIUS A

If a class of stars orbits the central black hole in our galaxy in short-period (~0.1 yr), high-eccentricity (~0.9) orbits, they will experience precessions of their orbital planes induced by both relativistic frame dragging and the quadrupolar gravity of the hole, at levels that could be as large as 10 μas per year, if the black hole is rotating faster than half of its maximum rotation rate. Astrometric observations of the orbits of at least two such stars can in principle lead to a determination of the angular momentum vector of the black hole and its quadrupole moment Q2. This could lead to a test of the general relativistic no-hair theorems, which demand that Q2 = − J2/M. Future high-precision adaptive infrared optics instruments may make such a fundamental test of the black hole paradigm possible.
Compartmentalized GPCR Signaling from Intracellular Membranes

G protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs) are integral membrane proteins that transduce a wide array of inputs including light, ions, hormones, and neurotransmitters into intracellular signaling responses which underlie complex processes ranging from vision to learning and memory. Although traditionally thought to signal primarily from the cell surface, GPCRs are increasingly being recognized as capable of signaling from intracellular membrane compartments, including endosomes, the Golgi apparatus, and nuclear membranes. Remarkably, GPCR signaling from these membranes produces functional effects that are distinct from signaling from the plasma membrane, even though often the same G protein effectors and second messengers are activated. In this review, we will discuss the emerging idea of a "spatial bias" in signaling. We will present the evidence for GPCR signaling through G protein effectors from intracellular membranes, and the ways in which this signaling differs from canonical plasma membrane signaling with important implications for physiology and pharmacology. We also highlight the potential mechanisms underlying spatial bias of GPCR signaling, including how intracellular membranes and their associated lipids and proteins affect GPCR activity and signaling.
Advanced Base Station Concept for Wireless Connectivity in Rural Areas

In this paper, we discuss an advanced base station system with smart algorithms operating on its multiple directional antenna arrays to provide seamless full-directional wireless connectivity and present its simulation result for 5G using Matlab. The system has six-sectors for communication and a scanning array for user discovery. Based on angle-of-arrival (AoA) estimation, optimized beamforming algorithm is employed to establish communication link between respective sector with optimized beams and the identified users. This system modifies the physical layer without affecting other layers and can be installed on the existing infrastructure. All the standards for WiFi, LTE and 5G radios are kept intact. The initial results of simulation show that continued connectivity and tracking with high data rate in multiuser LTE and 5G environment can be achieved.
Cone Opponent Functional Domains in Primary Visual Cortex Combine Signals for Color Appearance Mechanisms

Studies of color perception have led to mechanistic models of how cone-opponent signals from retinal ganglion cells are integrated to generate color appearance. But it is unknown how this hypothesized integration occurs in the brain. Here we show that cone-opponent signals transmitted from retina to primary visual cortex (V1) are integrated through highly organized circuits within V1 to implement the color opponent interactions required for color appearance. Combining intrinsic signal optical imaging (ISI) and 2-photon calcium imaging (2PCI) at single cell resolution, we demonstrate cone-opponent functional domains (COFDs) that combine L/M cone opponent and S/L+M cone-opponent signals following the rules predicted from psychophysical studies of color perception. These give rise to an orderly organization of hue preferences of the neurons within the COFDs and the generation of hue "pinwheels". Thus, spatially organized neural circuits mediate an orderly transition from cone-opponency to color appearance that begins in V1.
Hypergraphs and Neural Networks

It is certainly desirable to have mathematically rigorous knowledge of the attractors of neural network models. In fact, for those models to be used in content addressable memory (static memories) or robot control, one usually seeks some assurance that the only attractors are constant trajectories built into the model and in particular that no limit cycle trajectories or chaotic trajectories occur. The goal of this chapter is to qualitatively describe in terms of hypergraphs certain models with the following property: all nonconstant trajectories asymptotically approach constant trajectories. The results contained here appeared in [JvdD].
Change vs. change: Cross-Roads of Developmental and Clinical Sciences

there are certainly traditions of conducting longitudinal/developmental analyses to trace outcomes of preventive behavior and academic interventions (i.e., traditions that collectively can be referred to as development through intervention practices), less attention has been given to combined analyses of the changes behavior interventions introduce within and across specific developmental changes. This essay considers the rationale for and the benefits of such analyses for developmental science.
Bovine monocyte-derived dendritic cell populations from animals in late gestation show altered response to E. coli (VET2P.1039)

During late gestation the bovine immune system is less capable of eliminating pathogens. Most new intra-mammary infections occur in late gestation, and the majority of these infections are caused by E. coli. Unlike non-pregnant, lactating cows, late gestation cows are unable to elicit an effective inflammatory response to intra-mammary infection caused by E. coli. During pregnancy, the immune system appears to shift to a humoral, anti-inflammatory, so called T helper 2 bias with increased tolerance. Dendritic cells are antigen presenting cells that orchestrate activation and differentiation of naive T cells, and they are hypothesized to play a key role in directing the T helper 2 bias and immune tolerance observed in gestation. We stimulated monocyte-derived dendritic cells with E. coli and compared responses from late gestation cows to those of non-pregnant cows. Results show monocyte-derived dendritic cells from late gestation cows have altered surface molecule expression and cytokine production compared to those from non-pregnant cows. Our findings support the hypothesis that late gestation bovine dendritic cells are likely to produce suboptimal T cell activation in response to E. coli antigens, and play a role in observed immune-bias in pregnancy. In addition, altered dendritic cell function in gestation may impede current, routine vaccination regiments in late gestation. Future work will identify likely pregnancy-factors that modulate bovine dendritic cell responses.
The CV-Like Short Timescale Light Variations Observed in Symbiotic Stars

The Symbiotic Stars (SS) form a relatively new and still poorly investigated class of interacting binary stars. Very little is known about the nature of their hot components. There are three types of possible models: disk accretion onto a main sequence star, disk accretion onto a white dwarf, or a very hot stellar source. Rapid light variations were first observed in a few SS several decades ago (CH Cyg, T CrB and RS Oph). Further observations revealed that the amplitude of this “flickering” increases with decreasing wavelength, which implied that it must be connected with the hot components. Flickering is commonly observed in almost all cataclysmic variables (CVs) and has come to be considered an observational proof of accretion onto a white dwarf. By analogy, flickering in SS could also be interpreted in the same way, which would provide us with a confirmation of the model of a hot component as an accretion disk surrounding a white dwarf. So far, there has been only one way of testing the hot component model (Kenyon & Webbink, 1984, ApJ, 279, 252; Murset et al., 1991, A&A, 248, 458). Unfortunately, it suffers from many difficulties, as it is based on the UV spectra not available for every SS and uncertainties due to interstellar reddening. Observations of the flickering have a chance to become a new method of determining the nature of the hot component.
A very high yield electron impact ion source for analytical mass spectrometry

Abstract A novel ion source designed for use in mass spectrometric determination of organic compounds is described. The source is designed around a low pressure, large volume, hot cathode Penning discharge. The source operates in the 10 −4 –10 −7 torr pressure domain and is capable of producing focusable current densities several orders of magnitude greater than those produced by conventional “Nier”-type sources. Mass spectra of n -butane and octafluoro-2-butene are presented. An improved signal-to-noise ratio is demonstrated with a General Electric Monopole 300 mass spectrometer.
Passive avoidance impairment in rats following cycloheximide injection into the amygdala

Cycloheximide (CHX:1, 10 or 20 microg) was injected via indwelling cannulas into various regions of the rat brain and its effects on passive avoidance training were studied. Rats with 10 or 20 microg of CHX injected into the amygdala immediately after the training footshock exhibited amnesia for the learning experience when tested after 24 h. In contrast, animals injected with 20 microg of CHX at a site either in the internal capsule only 2 mm above the amygdaloid injection site or in the frontal cortex showed no retention deficit when tested after 24 h. A quantitative examination of protein synthesis in brain halves 30 min after unilateral injection of 20 microg of CHX into the amygdala demonstrated that total protein synthesis was inhibited by less than 10%. Autoradiographic studies revealed that this inhibition resulted from a profound, highly localized inhibition of protein synthesis in areas immediately adjacent to the cannula. A comparison of the regional patterns of protein synthesis inhibition caused by injection of CHX into either the amygdala or internal capsule suggested that CHX might produce amnesia by virtue of its localized effect on the amygdala. Control experiments revealed that injection of 20 microg CHX into the amygdala had no effect on short-term retention, or short-term performance. Injection of 20 microg of CHX into the amygdala 12 h after the footshock had no effect on long-term retention. The observed impairment of retention was shown to be dose-dependent as injection of 1 microg of CHX into the amygdala was without effect. In addition, it was demonstrated that the CHX-induced amnesia did not result from induction of local seizure activity. These data show that localized injections of small amounts of CHX into the amygdala can produce deficient memory of a training experience even though total brain protein synthesis is only slightly inhibited.
Functional neural correlates of attentional deficits in amnestic mild cognitive impairment.

Although amnestic mild cognitive impairment (aMCI; often considered a prodromal phase of Alzheimer’s disease, AD) is most recognized by its implications for decline in memory function, research suggests that deficits in attention are present early in aMCI and may be predictive of progression to AD. The present study used functional magnetic resonance imaging to examine differences in the brain during the attention network test between 8 individuals with aMCI and 8 neurologically healthy, demographically matched controls. While there were no significant behavioral differences between groups for the alerting and orienting functions, patients with aMCI showed more activity in neural regions typically associated with the networks subserving these functions (e.g., temporoparietal junction and posterior parietal regions, respectively). More importantly, there were both behavioral (i.e., greater conflict effect) and corresponding neural deficits in executive control (e.g., less activation in the prefrontal and anterior cingulate cortices). Although based on a small number of patients, our findings suggest that deficits of attention, especially the executive control of attention, may significantly contribute to the behavioral and cognitive deficits of aMCI.
Cognitive Development of Teacher Candidates: An Analysis

Undergraduate majors in elementary and secondary education were com pared to non-education majors on their attainment of the Piagetian tasks of classification, conservation, propor tional reasoning, images, and relations. No significant differences were found be tween the groups, although each group scored below levels predicted by Piage tian theory. Reyes discusses the implica tions of his findings for teacher educa tion.
Rapid purification of covalently closed circular DNAs of bacterial plasmids and animal tumor viruses

Abstract A rapid and simple purification of covalently closed circular (supercoiled) DNA from both bacterial clones (plasmids) and African green monkey cells (SV40) is presented. The method involves immediate treatment of lysed cells with sodium hydroxide, followed by neutralization and phenol extraction in high salt. After the extraction mixture is centrifuged, supercoiled DNA is found in the aqueous phase, the noncovalently closed DNA molecules form a white precipitate at the interphase, and proteins pellet. Contaminating RNA is eliminated from the aqueous phase by RNAse treatment and precipitation of the supercoiled DNA with polyethylene glycol. Residual polyethylene glycol is removed from the resuspended DNA by chloroform extraction. The purified supercoiled DNA is compatible with restriction enzymes, and is efficient at transforming both χ1776 and HB101 bacterial hosts. Centrifugation in ethidium bromide-cesium chloride or sucrose gradients is not necessary. The method is virtually independent of the molecular size and gives good yields of supercoiled DNA. The technique is applicable to large-scale preparations and as a rapid “screening” procedure in which 20 to 30 samples can be easily purified within 5 to 6 h.
Vibrational relaxation in HgBr(X2∑12+)

Abstract We report a study of the net collisional removal of HgBr(X2∑ 1 2 +, v″ = 22) by O2, N2, H2, He, Ne, Ar, Kr, and Xe. Rate coefficients are large, indicating that deactivation of the lower laser levels in the HgBr(B → X) lasers proceeds efficiently.
EFFECTS OF EXCESS DIETARY CYSTEIC ACID, dl-METHIONINE, AND TAURINE ON THE RAT LIVER

1. Cysteic acid fed to albino rats as 12.5 to 15 per cent of the McCollum stock diet caused portal necrosis and cirrhosis of the liver within 2 weeks. Concentrations of cysteic acid of 6.25 per cent or less in the diet produced no liver lesions within 2 weeks. 2. dl -Methionine fed as 6.4 to 12.4 per cent of the McCollum stock diet or of a low protein, low fat diet, resulted in severe atrophy of the liver cells but no cirrhosis of the liver. 3. Taurine fed as 1 to 10 per cent of the McCollum stock diet produces no liver lesions. 4. For reasons discussed in the paper, it is concluded that the liver necrosis and cirrhosis produced by cystine and cysteic acid are not dependent upon the S-S linkage of the cystine, the oxidation of the sulfur, the formation and excretion of large amounts of urinary sulfate, or the presence of an amino group separated from a sulfur molecule by a 2 carbon chain.
The Solid State Chemistry and Spectroscopy of Substituted Cinnamic Acids and Related Materials

Abstract The room temperature solid state emission and excitation spectra of polycrystalline samples of cinnamic acids that photodimerize in the solid state have been recorded. The emissions are clearly not molecular and are likely associated with excimers. The potassium and ammonium complex salts of cinnamic acid were found to be unreactive to ultraviolet light. Room temperature emission spectra of polycrystalline samples of these salts reveal both molecular and excimeric emissions.
Teacher Evaluation Bias toward LD Children-Attenuating Effects of the Classroom Ecology:

The present study investigated whether classroom context cues in videotapes showing a nonhandicapped and an LD expectancy would attenuate teacher evaluation bias. Participants were 80 elementary-school teachers who were randomly divided between a nonhandicapped and an LD expectancy. The teachers completed a rating scale on a child's behavior before and after viewing a videotape of children engaged in individual seatwork or group instruction. Results showed that at pretest the teachers' ratings differed according to the assigned label. After viewing the videotape, the teachers rated the two expectancy groups as not differing significantly. However, the teachers rated the child's behavior during group instruction as less appropriate concurring with the child's actual behavior. The findings suggest that teachers hold initial biases about the behavior of LD and normal children, but take into account the classroom context when rating actual behavior.
Staphylococcus aureus Bacteriuria: Source, Clinical Relevance, and Management

Staphylococcus aureus bacteriuria is a common condition with still largely undetermined clinical relevance. Although S. aureus bacteriuria can be secondary to bacteremia and systemic infection in some patients, it may predispose to bacteremia and invasive disease in others. Whereas most patients with S. aureus bacteriuria do not have symptomatic urinary tract infection, it is reportedly associated with endocarditis and other types of invasive diseases, thereby resulting in major morbidity and occasional mortality. This review summarizes and analyzes the results of previous reports of S. aureus bacteriuria and assesses the clinical relevance and management of this increasingly recognized entity.
On exponential smoothing and the assumption of deterministic trend plus white noise data-generating models

Abstract The purpose of this paper is to draw attention to a segment of the literature on exponential smoothing in which a particular assumption is made about the stochastic process, generating the data. Although this assumption is both implausible and unsupported by empirical evidence, it appears to form the basis for certain methodological proposals and also for misconceptions about the properties of forecasts derived from exponential smoothing algorithms.
Reactive d.c. magnetron sputtering of the oxides of Ti, Zr, and Hf

Abstract Conventional direct current (dc) magnetron sputtering of nonconducting oxide films via reactive sputtering is extremely difficult. Without good separation of the oxygen from the target, the surface of the target rapidly becomes covered with an oxide film or “poisoned” when there is a high enough partial pressure of the reactive gas to form the desired film composition on the substrate. Breakdown of the oxide film on the target surface leads to arcing, which can damage the power supply and which can also eject droplets into the growing film. Depending on the application, these droplets can degrade performance of the oxide film. Recent advances in power supply technology with the introduction of pulsed d.c. power has overcome many of the problems in using d.c. power for the reactive sputtering of oxide films. In this study, a d.c. power supply was used along with an arc suppression unit to provide pulsed d.c. power for the reactive sputter deposition of the oxides of Ti, Zr, and Hf. As long as partial pressure control of the reactive gas was used along with the pulsed d.c. power, crystalline TiO2, ZrO2, and HfO2 and suboxides of these materials were deposited in a well-controlled manner. Arcing on the sputtering target was virtually eliminated, and there were no forbidden composition zones. Details of the deposition process are provided along with the hysteresis curves and deposition data for the oxide systems.
Fate of petroleum hydrocarbons taken up from food and water by the blue crab Callinectes sapidus

Radiolabeled paraffinic and aromatic hydrocarbons, including benzopyrene, fluorene, naphthalene, methylnaphthalene, methylcholanthrene, hexadecane, heptadecane and dotriacontane, were taken up from food and water by the blue crab Callinectes sapidus. In 2 days, approximately 10% of the benzopyrene and fluorene were taken up from the water when their concentrations were 2.5 and 30 μg/l, respectively. When given food with radiolabeled hydrocarbons, 2 to 10% of the hydrocarbons were assimilated by the carbs, with the remainder excreted. After uptake of hydrocarbon from water or food, a major pathway for the elimination of hydrocarbon and metabolites was through fecal material. All hydrocarbons used in the study were metabolized, with similar rates for both paraffinic and aromatic hydrocarbons. More than 50% of the radioactivity assimilated by the crabs was in the hepatopancreas, suggesting that the hepatopancreas was the site of hydrocarbon metabolism. Twenty-five days aftex exposure to radiolabeled hydrocarbons, radioactivity was found only in the hepatopancreas. The hepatopancreas contained highly polar hydrocarbon metabolites, including dihydroxy-compounds and their conjugates, while blood contained both monohydroxy-and dihydroxy-compounds. No evidence was found of storage of hydrocarbons by any of the crab tissues.
Trace elements in tephra as indicators of magmatic composition in the Aleutian arc

The Sr, Rb, Ti, and Zr concentrations of 16 volcanic ash samples from Leg 19 of the Deep Sea Drilling Project were determined by x-ray fluorescence. The age of each ash sample had been established previously by faunal criteria and had been confirmed by fission-track dating. Variations in the trace-element concentrations through the past 8 m.y. are clearly seen. Seven of the ashes are older than 4 m.y., have low TiO 2 contents, and have Sr concentrations of less than 200 ppm; they are thus similar to tholeiitic basalts of island arcs. Nine ashes are younger than 4 m.y. and are similar in trace-element content to andesite. Magmatic evolution of the Aleutian arc over the past 8 m.y. is clearly shown.
Experimental study of tail-span effects on a canard-controlled missile

An experimental investigation was conducted on a cruciform canard-controlled missile configuration to determine the effects of tail span/canard span ratio on controllability. The investigation was conducted at Mach numbers from 1.75 to 3.50. Reductions of tail span/canard span ratio produced lower static margins and higher trim angle of attack. Results show that canard controls can provide pitch and yaw control as well as roll control by proper selection of the tail span/canard span ratio. Nomenclature§ A = reference area, ird 2/4 bt/bc - ratio of exposed tail span to exposed canard span (body excluded) Q = rolling-moment coefficient, rolling moment/qAd Cfg = roll-control effectiveness of two canards at a - 0 deg; AC//A6roii, per degree of deflection Cm = pitching-moment coefficient, pitching moment /qA d Cmb = pitch-control effectiveness of two canards at a = 0 deg; ACw/A6pitch» per degree of deflection C/v = normal-force coefficient, normal force/qA Cn — yawing-moment coefficient, yawing moment/qAd Cn& = yaw-control effectiveness of two canards at a = 0 deg; ACw/A5yaw, per degree of deflection CY = side-force coefficient, side force/qA d = reference body diameter, 1.67 in. M = freestream Mach number q - freestream dynamic pressure a. = angle of attack, deg d = canard deflection angle Vtch = canards deflected to provide pitching moment (positive leading edge up), deg Sroii = canards differentially deflected to provide roll control, individual canards each deflected indicated amount; positive to provide clockwise model rotation when viewed from rear, deg 5yaw = canards deflected to provide yawing moment (positive leading edge right when viewed from rear), deg (f> = model roll angle; positive clockwise when viewed from rear (<p = 0 deg, canards in vertical and horizontal planes), deg
Electric-field-induced stress relaxation in α-phase poly(vinylidene fluoride) films

Abstract The relationship between elastic fatigue and electrical cyclic loading in α -phase poly(vinylidene fluoride) films has been investigated. Our experimental studies have shown that the electric-field-induced fatigue behavior can be described by a stress relaxation, which belongs to the Kohlrausch function group, and the corresponding exponent is a modified two-parameter Weibull distribution function.