cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Identification of microtearing modes below the ion gyroscale in the National Spherical Torus Experiment

Gyrokinetic calculations indicate microtearing modes below the ion gyroscale arelinearlyunstableinaNationalSphericalTorusExperiment(NSTX)plasma. The modes are robustly unstable with respect to simulation parameters, radial location and discharge time. The modes exist at higher wavenumbers and exhibit narrower electric potential mode structures than conventional microtearing modes, but both modes extend to similar normalized radial wavenumbers. Mode growth rates increase with higher electron temperature gradients and higher collisionality. Finally, microtearing modes below the ion gyroscale are the most unstable modes near the magnetic axis, but electron temperature gradient modes are the most unstable modes in the outer plasma region. (Some figures in this article are in colour only in the electronic version)
Osmotic responses of preimplantation mouse and bovine embryos and their cryobiological implications.

Cells subjected to the events occurring before, during, and after freezing and thawing are exposed to major changes in the osmotic pressure of the surrounding medium; i.e., the osmolalities can exceed 30. An important question in understanding the mechanisms of injury is whether cells respond as ideal osmometers to these strongly anisotonic solutions. Mouse and bovine embryos from eight-cell to blastocyst stage were used to investigate the question. They were found to behave as ideal osmometers at room temperature over a wide range of tonicities; i.e., from four times isotonic to almost 1/3 times isotonic, ideality being defined by a Boyle-van't Hoff equation. Embryo volumes increased from 40 to 200% of isotonic over this range and survivals of mouse embryos were unaffected. However, outside this range the membrane apparently becomes leaky and the survival of mouse embryos drops sharply. Osmolalities rise to high values during freezing and the paper develops the thermodynamic equations to show how computed cell volumes as a function of subzero temperature can be translated into the Boyle-van't Hoff format of cell volume as a function of the reciprocal of osmolality.
Theory of surface plasmon-surface optical phonon interaction in polar semiconductors

Abstract A theoretical discussion is presented of the interaction between surface optical phonons and surface plasmons in a polar semiconductor with cubic symmetry. The dispersion curves for the coupled surface modes are calculated for n -type InSb both with and without retardation. Some possibilities for the experimental observation of the interaction effects are discussed.
Type III gold alloy complete crowns cast in a phosphate-bonded investment☆☆☆

Abstract A phosphate-bonded investment and a calcium sulphate-bonded investment were evaluated for the surface smoothness and marginal fit they impart to type III gold castings. The phosphate-bonded investment was used with burnout temperatures of 900° F and 1,300° F. The results of this study lead to the following conclusions: 1. 1. The marginal fit with the phosphate-bonded investment method for superior to that obtained with the calcium sulphate-bonded investment. 2. 2. Surface roughness was greater for the castings made with the phosphate-bonded investment when meausred with SEM photographs and visual observation. 3. 3. The phosphate bonded-investment increased the incidence of nodules on the surface of the castings. 4. 4. No correlations was demonstrated between marginal fit and surface roughness or the incidence of nodules on the castings.
Still Pondering an Age-Old Question

A theory of trade-offs to explain why we age has spurred 50 years of interdisciplinary research in evolution and molecular genetics.
Discourses of diffusion and democratization

Abstract Democratization has been described not only as a historical shift, but a geographical process of diffusion. In this paper, we explore the ways in which the diffusion of democracy has been conceptualized by scholars and policy actors. While the exchange between the academy and policy circles has been continuous, there have been significant shifts over the past 50 years in how the “problem” of democratization has been understood. These shifts reflect different understandings of the internal and external conditions that enable and limit the spread of democracy. We identify three distinct approaches to the study of democracy's diffusion and argue that each approach has predominated in scholarly and policy discourses at different times since World War II. We focus special attention on the contemporary era and attempts by both academics and policy actors to frame the diffusion of democracy in terms of “democratic audits”. Democratic audits are standardized measures of a country's political institutions and civic culture. Such audits place a premium on the tangible, and ostensibly transparent, features of democratic systems, such as elections. We argue that over-reliance on these audits constrains the discourse of democracy, limiting the ability of scholars and policy-makers, alike, to adequately grasp the complex interaction between democratization and specific geographical–historical contexts.
Formation of the anti egg-white-injury factor (biotin) in the rumen of the cow.

SummaryThe anti egg-white-injury factor (biotin) was found to be formed in the rumen of a cow receiving a ration which was low in this factor.
Photochemistry of Crystalline Chlorodiazirines: The Influence of Conformational Disorder and Intermolecular Cl···NN Interactions on the Solid-State Reactivity of Singlet Chlorocarbenes†

A photochemical study was carried out with 3-substituted 3-chlorodiazirines with 4-biphenyl- (4a), (4-biphenyl)methyl- (4b), 2-(4-biphenyl)ethyl- (4c), and 1,1-dimethyl-1-(4-biphenyl)methyl (4d) substituents. The chlorodiazirines were prepared from the corresponding amidines (7) by a procedure involving oxidation with tert-butyl hypochlorite under phase-transfer catalysis. The crystalline nature of 4a−d was established by differential scanning calorimetric analysis, which revealed melting endotherms prior to thermal decomposition. Photochemical results in crystalline solids were analogous to those observed in solution, and the products were analyzed in terms of the corresponding singlet-state chlorocarbene intermediates (5a−d). Irradiation of 4a in solution and in crystals resulted in formation of azine 9a by reaction of carbene 5a with its precursor. Equally selective, diazirine 4d gave alkene 6d as the only product by a 1,2-Ph migration from carbene 5d. In contrast, irradiation of compounds 4b and 4c re...
Pathogenesis of Sarcoidosis: State of the Art

tion for intrathoracic structures, with over 90% of the patients having granulomas in the lung or intrathoracic lymphoid tissues or both. The granulomas are characterized by discrete collections of phagocytic cells in various states of activation and differentiation and are surrounded by fibro­ blasts and lymphocytes (T cells, B cells, and plasma cells). With the examination of more pathologic material, an impor­ tant pathogenetic feature of this disease has emerged: pulmo­ nary involvement probably begins as a diffuse infiltration of the interstitium by mononuclear cells. 1 These infiltrates con­ sist of large numbers of monocytes and T cells, both of which bear morphologic and phenotypic features of cell activation. The infiltrates then appear to coalesce to form discrete granulomas consisting of macrophages, multinucleated giant cells, and epithelioid cells. The inflammatory process may proceed at different rates in different regions of the lung. In most patients, resolution occurs spontaneously or with treat­ ment, but in about 10-15% of the cases, the disease may culminate with destruction of the gas-exchanging units of the lung. A technical approach that has greatly aided our under­ standing of the pathogenesis of sarcoidosis has been the use of bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL), which is usually performed with a fiberoptic bronchoscope during the diagnostic exami­ nation of the tracheobronchial tree." For sarcoidosis, the type and number of cells recovered in BAL fluid in patients with sarcoidosis are remarkably similar to what is found in lung biopsy specimens from the same patients. 3 Thus, for sar­ coidosis, lavage permits repetitive sampling of cells and secretions which validly reflect the inflammatory events occurring in the interstitium of the lung. Unfortunately, this conclusion cannot be extended or generalized for other inter­ stitial lung diseases (eg, idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis) as has been discussed elsewhere in this symposium. It has been a consistent finding from centers around the world that pa­ tients with active sarcoidosis have increased numbers of activated lymphocytes (T cells) and macrophages in lavage
Interlaboratory measurement comparison to determine the radiation angle (N.A.) of graded-index optical fibers.

A procedure for determining the radiation angle (N.A.) of graded-index optical fibers was tested by an interlaboratory measurement comparison among six fiber manufacturers and the National Bureau of Standards (NBS). Radiation angle was determined using the 5% intensity points on an exit far-field radiation pattern. Measurements on five fibers representing low-to-high N.A. values show standard deviations of 2.9, 2.4, 2.0, 1.5, and 0.9%. The overall average, 2.0%, is close to the one standard deviation measurement precision reported by most participants.
Does single-stranded DNA pass through the inner channel of the protein hexamer in the complex with the Escherichia coli DnaB Helicase? Fluorescence energy transfer studies.

Abstract The structure of the complex of theEscherichia coli primary replicative helicase DnaB protein with single-stranded (ss) DNA and replication fork substrates has been examined using the fluorescence energy transfer method. In these experiments, we used the DnaB protein variant, R14C, which has arginine 14 replaced by cysteine in the small 12-kDa domain of the protein using site-directed mutagenesis. The cysteine residues have been modified with a fluorescent marker which serves as a donor or an acceptor to another fluorescence label placed in different locations on the DNA substrates. Using the multiple fluorescence donor-acceptor approach, we provide evidence that, in the complex with the enzyme, ssDNA passes through the inner channel of the DnaB hexamer. This is the first evidence of the existence of such a structure of a hexameric helicase-ssDNA complex in solution. In the stationary complex with the 5′ arm of the replication fork, without ATP hydrolysis, the distance between the 5′ end of the arm and the 12-kDa domains of the hexamer (R = 47 A) is the same as in the complex with the isolated ssDNA oligomer (R = 47 A) having the same length as the arm of the fork. These data indicate that both ssDNA and the 5′ arm of the fork bind in the same manner to the DNA binding site. Moreover, in the complex with the helicase, the length of the ssDNA is similar to the length of the ssDNA strand in the double-stranded DNA conformation. In the stationary complex, the helicase does not invade the duplex part of the fork beyond the first 2–3 base pairs. This result corroborates the quantitative thermodynamic data which showed that the duplex part of the fork does not contribute to the free energy of binding of the enzyme to the fork. Implications of these results for the mechanism of a hexameric helicase binding to DNA are discussed.
Cooled Radial In-Flow Turbines for Advanced Gas Turbine Engines

While the radial in-flow turbine has consistently demonstrated its capability as a high-performance component for small gas turbine engines, its use has been relegated to lower turbine-inlet-temperature cycles due to insurmountable problems with respect to the manufacturing of radial turbine rotors with internal cooling passages. These cycle temperature limitations are not consistent with modern trends toward higher-performance, fuel-conservative engines. This paper presents the results of several Army-sponsored programs, the first of which addresses the performance potential for the high-temperature radial turbine. The subsequent discussion presents the results of two successful programs dedicated to developing fabrication techniques for internally cooled radial turbines, including mechanical integrity testing. Finally, future near-term capabilities are projected.Copyright © 1981 by ASME
Matrix Isolation Infrared Studies of Magnesium Chloride and Magnesium Bromide

The infrared spectra of monomeric and dimeric magnesium chloride and monomeric magnesium bromide trapped in solid argon at 4 to 10°K have been obtained. For the monomer MgCl2, two band systems were observed at 603 and 585 cm−1. The two bands appear to result from different matrix sites. For the MgBr2 monomer an intense band system was observed in the region 490 to 530 cm−1 with three strong bands at 592, 509, and 520 cm−1 and shoulders at 495 and 526 cm−1. The origin of these observed multiplets is uncertain but may also result from different matrix sites. For the dimer Mg2Cl4, bands were observed at 504, 410, and 515 cm−1. These frequencies are shown to be consistent with an assumed chlorine bridged structure.
USE of HYDROSTATIC PRESSIJRE to PRODUCE HIGH QUALITY and SAFE FRESH PORK SAUSAGE

The effects of high hydrostatic pressure (HHP) on the survival of microor ganisms and quality changes of fresh pork sausages were investigated. Pork sausage inoculated with Listeria monocytogenes at 1O7 CFU/gram was prepared and subjected to HHP at 414 and 552 MPa, at treatment temperatures of 25 and SOC. for various time intervals to examine pressure effects on inactivation of bacteria. At a pressure of 414 MPa and SOC for 2 min, the microorganisms in fresh pork sausages were completely inactivated. Partial discoloration of meat was observed after 10 min of pressurization above 414 MPa at either temperature. The effect of HHP treatment on the physical and rheological properties of sausage was also studied. the sausages increased infirinness with an increase in the pressure applied. the pressure-treated sausages were generally lighter in color as compared with the heat-treated sausages. The optimal pressure/temperature/time conditions that resulted in minimum quality changes with microbiologically safe fresh pork sausages was 414 MPa and SOC for 2 min.
A simple and inexpensive telemetry system for measuring deep body temperature in rodents

An easily constructed telemetry system for measuring deep body temperatures in rodents is described and data collected with the system is presented. The system allows continual monitoring of core temperature without interfering with concomitant behavioral or physiological measurements.
Buffering Effects of Religiosity on Crime: Testing the Invariance Hypothesis Across Gender and Developmental Period

Studies examining the protective effect of religiosity on crime are frequently rooted in the assumption that the impact of religiosity is invariant across sociodemographic differences. This study systematically examines the validity of this assumption across gender and the developmental periods of adolescence and young adulthood. Using a nationally representative sample of adolescents (n = 90,202) and young adults (n = 93,710), negative binomial regression (NBR) is employed to examine the associations between religiosity and criminal behaviors (e.g., drug selling, theft) among male and female adolescents and young adults. Results indicate that the protective relationship between religiosity and criminal behaviors such as drug selling and theft is consistent across gender as well as across the developmental periods of adolescence and young adulthood. This study provides support for the validity of the invariance hypothesis as the protective effect of religiosity on criminal behavior was consistently observ...
Patterning motor neurons in the Drosophila ventral nerve cord using latent state Conditional Random Fields

Type-specific dendritic arborization patterns dictate synaptic connectivity and are fundamental determinants of neuronal function. We exploit the morphological stereotypy and relative simplicity of the Drosophila nervous system to model the diverse neuronal morphologies of individual motor neurons (MNs) and understand underlying principles of synaptic connectivity in a motor circuit. In our analysis, we use images depicting single neurons labeled with green fluorescent protein (GFP) and serially imaged with laser scanning confocal microscopy. We model morphology with a novel formulation of Conditional Random Fields, a latent state CRF, to capture the highly varying compartment-based structure of the neurons (soma-axon-dendrites). We integrate a multi-class logistic model as the local potential function for combining compartment features. All parameters are learned in a single procedure, while L1-norm logistic model parameters are added in the maximum pseudo-likelihood model for learning with better scalability. The regularization hyper-parameters are chosen with a minimum cross-validation generalization error model.
A Self-Rated Scale for Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder†‡

The Self-Rated Scale for Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder is an objective 35-item questionnaire that measures the severity of obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD). Scale construction employed both rational and empirical item-selection procedures and utilized the responses of 127 diagnosed obsessive-compulsive subjects. A cross-validation study that used 40 obsessive-compulsive subjects found high internal consistency and significant correlations between the new scale and two clinician-rated measures of OCD. Principal components analysis of the combined subject sample (167 obsessive-compulsive subjects) identified four orthogonal components: distressing thoughts, rituals, perfection, and fear of contamination. In conclusion, the Self-Rated Scale for Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder appears to be a comprehensive, easy-to-use, and psychometrically sound instrument for measuring severity of OCD.
Evaluation of a patient-specific cost function to predict the influence of foot path on the knee adduction torque during gait

A large external knee adduction torque during gait has been correlated with the progression of knee osteoarthritis (OA). Though foot path changes (e.g. toeing out) can reduce the adduction torque, no method currently exists to predict whether an optimal foot path exists for a specific patient. This study evaluates a patient-specific optimization cost function to predict how foot path changes influence both adduction torque peaks. Video motion and ground reaction data were collected from a patient with knee OA performing normal, toe out, and wide stance gait. Joint and inertial parameters in a dynamic, 27 degree-of-freedom, full-body gait model were calibrated to the patient’s normal gait data. The model was then used in gait optimizations that predicted how the patient’s adduction torque peaks would change due to changes in foot path. The cost function tracked the patient’s normal gait data using weight factors calibrated to toe out gait and tested using wide stance gait. For both gait motions, the same cost function weights predicted the change in both adduction torque peaks to within 7% error. With further development, this approach may eventually permit the design of patient-specific rehabilitation procedures such as an optimal foot path for patients with knee OA.
Violence risk assessment in persons with mental illness

Mental health clinicians are often asked to determine an individual's risk of future violence. Dangerous assessments are required in a wide variety of situations that include involuntary commitments, emergency psychiatric evaluations, seclusion and restraint release decisions, inpatient care discharges, probation/parole decisions, death penalty evaluations, domestic violence interventions, fitness for duty evaluations, and after a threat is made. This article provides an overview regarding the assessment of dangerousness in both adults and juveniles and a summary of recent research regarding the relationship of mental illness to violence.
Coupling Of Radiation Into Thin Film Modes By Means Of Localized Plasma Resonances

The interaction between the surface plasmon mode that propagates at a metal dielectric interface and the localized plasma resonances (LPR) is investigated experimentally in Ag-island films. A stair-stepped sample geometry comprising a glass substrate, a continuous 50-nm Ag film, an LiF spacer film of thickness d = 5-60 nm, and an Ag-island film of mass thickness 3 nm is used in near-normal-reflectivity and plasmon-propagation-constant (k) determinations. The results are presented graphically and discussed. The overall shape of the reflectivity curves is found to be characteristic of Ag films, but with a dip at about 400 nm (corresponding to the absorption resonance of the island film) which is most pronounced with d = 25 nm. It is inferred that the island resonances are strongly coupled to a continuous-film dissipative mechanism at this d value. This inference is supported by the fact that the variation in k, correctd for LiF effects and plotted as a function of d, is greatest at around d = 25 nm. The implications of this finding for broad-band coupling into a thin-film mode, LPR enhancement of waveguide nonlinear effects, and new surface-enhanced-Raman-scattering geometries are indicated.
Fast galvanomagnetic switching in the semiconductor dynamic gratings

We suggest to use Lorentz force in crossed electric and magnetic fields for fast shifting of electron-hole gratings, induced by two interfering beams in semiconductors. Energy switching between coupling beams and possibility of electrical switching is described.
Hormonal control of hexokinase activity in animal tissues

Abstract 1. 1. The induction of rat liver glucokinase by glucose was investigated under conditions where (1) the secretion of insulin is blocked and (2) the normal utilization of glucose by the liver is prevented. 2. 2. The induction of hexokinase II of adipose tissue by insulin in vitro was studied in the absence of glucose, with pyruvate as a substrate. 3. 3. A double-labelling technique was used to measure directly the incorporation of amino acids into each enzyme molecule. 4. 4. Glucokinase and hexokinase II activity were studied in hypophysectomized and thyriodectomized rats and after chronic administration of thyroxine and hydrocortisone to such animals. Both these hormones had dramatic effects on the enzyme activities. 5. 5. It will be shown that insulin is necessary for the adaptive formation of both glucokinase of liver and hexokinase II of adipose tissue; that insulin has a role in addition to the of favoring glucose entry; that the hormone's effect involves de novo enzyme formation; and that the insulin-stimulated process involves intermediates of different half-lifes in liver and adipose tissue and whose formation is suppressed by actinomycin D. 6. 6. The hypothesis will be put forth that the actual role of the hormone is indirect, being an effect on levels of metabolites.
Mechanism of Activation of Caspase-9 and Caspase-3 during Hypoxia in the Cerebral Cortex of Newborn Piglets: The Role of Nuclear Ca2+-Influx

In previous studies, we have shown that cerebral hypoxia results in increased activity of caspase-9, the initiator caspase, and caspase-3, the executioner of programmed cell death. We have also shown that cerebral hypoxia results in high affinity Ca2+–ATPase-dependent increase in nuclear Ca2+-influx in the cerebral cortex of newborn piglets. The present study tests the hypothesis that inhibiting nuclear Ca2+-influx by pretreatment with clonidine, an inhibitor of high affinity Ca2+–ATPase, will prevent the hypoxia-induced increase in caspase-9 and caspase-3 activity in the cerebral cortex of newborn piglets. Thirteen newborn piglets were divided into three groups, normoxic (Nx, n = 4), hypoxic (Hx, n = 4), and hypoxic treated with clonidine (100 mg/kg) (Hx–Cl, n = 5). Anesthetized, ventilated animals were exposed to an FiO2 of 0.21 (Nx) or 0.07 (Hx) for 60 min. Cerebral tissue hypoxia was documented biochemically by determining levels of ATP and phosphocreatine (PCr). Caspase-9 and -3 activity were determined spectrofluoro-metrically using specific fluorogenic synthetic substrates. ATP (μmoles/g brain) was 4.6 ± 0.3 in Nx, 1.7±0.4 in Hx (P < 0.05 vs. Nx), and 1.5 ± 0.2 in Hx–Cl (P < 0.05 vs. Nx). PCr (μmoles/g brain) was 3.6 ± 0.4 in Nx, 1.1 ± 0.3 in Hx (P < 0.05 vs. Nx), and 1.0 ± 0.2 in Hx–Cl (P < 0.05 vs. Nx). Caspase-9 activity (nmoles/mg protein/h) was 0.548 ± 0.0642 in Nx and increased to 0.808 ± 0.080 (P < 0.05 vs. Nx and Hx–Cl) in the Hx and 0.562 ± 0.050 in the Hx–Cl group (p = NS vs. Nx). Caspase-3 activity (nmoles/mg protein/h) was 22.0 ± 1.3 in Nx and 32 ± 6.3 in Hx (P < 0.05 vs. Nx) and 18.8 ± 3.2 in the Hx–Cl group (P < 0.05 vs. Hx). The data demonstrate that clonidine administration prior to hypoxia prevents the hypoxia-induced increase in the activity of caspase-9 and caspase-3. We conclude that the high afinity Ca2+–ATPase-dependent increased nuclear Ca2+ during hypoxia results in increased caspase-9 and caspase-3 activity.
Molecular Epidemiology of Health Care–Associated Transmission of Hepatitis B and C Viruses

The term "molecular epidemiology" has been ascribed to a host of different activities that involve gene-sequence analysis. Some examples of molecular epidemiology include modeling exercises of phylogenetic trees to reconstruct epidemics; studies of the evolution of hepatitis C virus (HCV); rates of nucleotide substitution in the hepatitis B virus (HBV) surface (S) gene; variations in the core promoter/pre-core/core region of HBV genotype C from different sources; analysis of HBV surface antigen mutations; molecular clock analyses of the short-term evolution of HCV; and analyses of clades and surface antigen polymorphisms of HBV. However, for most epidemiologists molecular epidemiology of viral hepatitis usually refers to studies of gene-sequence homology in HBV or HCV recovered from people in the community or an institution that allows better characterization and assignment of related clusters of infection.
An Improved Technique for Handling Milligram Samples for Nuclear Magnetic Resonance Analysis

We have been handling milligram samples for nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy in a capillary with a technique that was developed mainly with gas–liquid chromatography (GLC) collection in mind; however, this technique can also be applied when the sample capillary is filled by a syringe or capillary action. The technique compares favorably with similar ones reported, and combines the following advantages: (1) There is greater flexibility as to the amount of sample collected by GLC. (2) No transfer of the sample from the GLC collection tube to the NMR tube is necessary. (3) Filling and positioning of the collection tube in the probe is less cumbersome than with other microcells. (4) All components are commercially available at low cost and can be assembled quickly.
Comprehensive multimodality blood conservation: 100 consecutive CABG operations without transfusion

Abstract Background . Despite the recent introduction of a number of technical and pharmacologic blood conservation measures, bleeding and allogeneic transfusion remain persistent problems in open heart surgical procedures. We hypothesized that a comprehensive multimodality blood conservation program applied algorithmically on the basis of bleeding and transfusion risk would provide a maximum, cost-effective, and safe reduction in postoperative bleeding and allogeneic blood transfusion. Methods . One hundred consecutive patients undergoing coronary artery bypass grafting were prospectively enrolled in a risk factor–based multimodality blood conservation program (MMD group). To evaluate the relative efficacy and safety of this comprehensive approach, comparison was made with a similar group of 90 patients undergoing coronary artery bypass grafting to whom the multimodality blood conservation program was not applied but in whom an identical set of transfusion guidelines was enforced (control group). To evaluate the cost effectiveness of the multimodality program, comparison was also made between patients in the MMD group and a consecutive series of contemporaneous, diagnostic-related group–matched patients. Results . One hundred consecutive patients in the MMD group underwent coronary artery bypass grafting without allogeneic transfusion. This compared favorably with the control population in whom a mean of 2.2 ± 6.7 units of allogeneic blood was transfused per patient (34 patients [38%] received transfusion). In addition, the volume of postoperative blood loss at 12 hours in the control group was almost double that of the MMD group (660 ± 270 mL versus 370 ± 180 mL [ p Conclusions . Comprehensive risk factor–based application of multiple blood conservation measures in an optimized, integrated, and algorithmic manner can significantly decrease bleeding and need of allogeneic transfusion in coronary artery bypass grafting in a safe and cost-effective manner.
Electrostatic Polarization Effects and Hydrophobic Hydration in Ethanol−Water Solutions from Molecular Dynamics Simulations

Nonadditive electrostatic force fields based on the charge equilibration formalism coupled with long time-scale molecular dynamics simulations are used to investigate the microscopic structural asp...
Twin-boundary and stacking-fault energies in Al and Pd

The (111) twin-boundary and stacking-fault energies of aluminum and palladium were investigated with use of the all-electron total-energy linear muffin-tin orbitals method based on the local-density approximation. Fault energies are determined by comparing the total energies obtained for the same-size supercells for each of two cases (with and without fault). The calculated values of the twin, intrinsic, and extrinsic fault energies, 130\ifmmode\pm\else\textpm\fi{}15 (97\ifmmode\pm\else\textpm\fi{}5), 270\ifmmode\pm\else\textpm\fi{}50, and \ensuremath{\sim}330 ergs/${\mathrm{cm}}^{2}$ for aluminum (palladium) are generally 30% larger than experiment. This discrepancy between the calculated and observed values may be attributed to the neglect of relaxation, the effect of the (finite) size of the supercell (at most 28 atoms/cell), and/or the use of the local-density approximation. Our calculated results appear to verify the correctness of the empirical relationship 2${\mathit{E}}_{\mathrm{tw}}$\ensuremath{\simeq}${\mathit{E}}_{\mathrm{SF}}$, where ${\mathit{E}}_{\mathrm{tw}}$ and ${\mathit{E}}_{\mathrm{SF}}$ are the twin and stacking-fault energies, respectively.
The Effects of Rainfall on Escherichia coli and Total Coliform Levels at 15 Lake Superior Recreational Beaches

Fifteen beaches along Lake Superior were monitored over the course of the 2003 and 2004 summer swimming seasons from mid-May through mid-September. Water samples were collected at these 15 beaches less than 24-h after a rainfall event of at least 6 mm. The effect of rainfall on bacterial concentrations along the Wisconsin shores of Lake Superior was investigated. Water samples were collected at a water depth of 24–30 inches as specified by the requirements of the WI BEACH Program. The Colisure® test was utilized for Escherichia coli (E. coli) and coliform determinations. No relationship between rainfall amount and bacterial concentrations at any of the 15 beaches tested was found. Although other researchers have observed a direct positive relationship between rainfall and E. coli levels in beach water, we found no significant relationship for Lake Superior beaches. This is an important finding given the fact that beach closures are often based upon rainfall alone, rather than on actual E. coli concentration measurements. This study reinforces the fact that the data obtained at one location should not necessarily be extrapolated to beach closure decisions at other locations.
Linear algebra computations in heterogeneous systems

One of the main challenges of using heterogeneous systems results from the need to find the computation-to-hardware assignments that maximize the overall application performance. The important computational factors that must be taken into account include algorithmic complexity, exploitable parallelism, memory bandwidth requirements, and data size. To achieve high performance, a hardware platform is chosen to satisfy the needs of a computation with corresponding architectural features such as clock speed, number of parallel computational units, and memory bandwidth. In this paper five linear algebra computations that are commonly found in compute-intensive applications are selected and evaluated in terms of performance on CPU, GPU, and FPGA platforms across a wide range of data sizes. The results are used to provide guidelines to help select the best performing hardware platform based on the computational factors. Using a cutting edge signal processing application as a case study, we demonstrate the importance of making computation assignments for improved performance. Our experimental results show that a properly implemented heterogeneous system achieves a speedup of up to 39x and 3.8x compared to CPU-only and GPU-only systems respectively.
Data aggregation strategies for aligning PMU and AMI measurements in electric power distribution networks

In this paper we study decentralized strategies to effectively integrate Advanced Metering Infrastructure (AMI) measurements with the grid infrastructure. Different communication strategies among smart meters in an AMI network are studied - relevant smart meter readings are collected in a decentralized manner and then transmitted to the substation. We show that it is possible to accurately aggregate and recover the total energy usage for households in a distribution network, both when nodes broadcast in a synchronous manner and when nodes broadcast in an asynchronous manner. Furthermore, we show that it is possible to accurately aggregate and recover all meter readings without having to sample from each node in the network. This aggregated information is then used by the substation for efficient and reliable design and planning purposes. Coordination at the meter level is also useful for load demand prediction, providing a means to identify load patterns that can be employed for optimal dispatch at the substation level and to drive incentives at the consumer level.
High energy heavy ion beam lithography in silicon

Abstract As high energy ions travel through a crystalline semiconductor materials they produce damage along the path which results in resistance to some of the wet chemical etching. A series of preliminary experiments have been performed at the Louisiana Accelerator Center (LAC) to examine the feasibility of irradiating high energy (keV–MeV) ions such as protons, xenon and gold through microscale masked structures on crystalline (n-type) Si substrates followed by wet chemical etch with KOH for attaining deep micromachining in Si. The results of these experiments are reported.
Do Lung Disease Patients Need Supplemental Oxygen at High Altitude

Abstract Luks, Andrew M. Do lung patients need supplemental oxygen at high altitude? High Alt. Med. Biol. 10:321–327, 2009.—As medical care and the quality of life for patients with lung disease improve, many of these individuals may engage in various forms of travel, including, possibly, travel to high altitude. Because the hypobaric hypoxia at high altitude may cause severe hypoxemia or impaired exercise tolerance in these patients, clinicians may be asked to assess whether they should use supplemental oxygen during their planned sojourn. This review considers this question in greater detail. After considering how the issue is approached in commercial airplane flight, we consider changes in oxygenation in lung disease patients in ambient hypoxia, the complications associated with such changes, tools for predicting the degree of hypoxemia at high altitude and important logistical issues associated with traveling with supplemental oxygen. The review concludes by providing tentative recommendations for ass...
Mechanisms of surfactant adsorption on non-polar, air-oxidized and ozone-treated carbon surfaces

Abstract Ozone treatment of fly ash carbon has recently been reported to inhibit the adsorption of commercial surfactants in concrete paste, thus mitigating the known negative effects of carbon on ash utilization. This paper examines the general mechanism of surfactant adsorption on carbon and its suppression by surface oxidation. Experimental results are presented for two carbon types (carbon black, fly ash carbon), both raw and surface oxidized (by ozone and molecular oxygen) and several commercial anionic and non-ionic surfactants (Darex II, SDS, Tergitol). The treated carbon surfaces were characterized with XPS, FT-IR, thermal desorption in N2 and H2/He, surface acidity, hygroscopic behavior, interfacial energy and its components through contact angle measurement involving standard liquid probes. Surface oxidation is found to decrease surfactant adsorption in each of the carbon/oxidant/surfactant systems examined, and its effect correlates with the amount of surface oxides by XPS. The combined results suggest that surfactant adsorption primarily occurs on non-polar carbon surface patches where it is driven by hydrophobic interactions. The main mechanism of oxidative suppression is the destruction of this non-polar surface, though micropore blockage and increased negative surface charge may also contribute for some systems.
THE REGRESSIVE EFFECTS OF LATE 18TH CENTURY BRITISH COLONIAL POLICY ON LAND DEVELOPMENT ALONG THE UPPER ST. LAWRENCE RIVER

D ~ URING the early decades of the 19th century, sharp contrasts existed in the land development of the Canadian and American sides of the upper St. Lawrence River.' Covered with extensive bush, with straggling villages and roads impossible to manage, the Canadian landscape still exhibited a backward frontier quality which was fast disappearing from the American scene. That such a divergence should have occurred was striking, considering that settlement had taken place along the Canadian bank of the river at least a decade earlier than along the American. Not only that, but the Canadian settlements fronted the main and only gateway to British North America, whereas for the American communities the river was no more than a frequently inconvenient back door. A number of early 19th century travelers who passed through the St. Lawrence lowland were impressed with the evidence that indicated slower material progress on the Canadian side, recording in their notebooks numerous examples which caught their attention. Contemporary impressions and observations are confirmed by the census materials for 1835,3 the first year for which some comparable statistical data are available. Canadian settlement and development, above all, showed a spatially uneven rate of growth. Although the population density averaged about 22 persons per square mile, it fell as low as one per square mile or less in some interior areas. In general, the average density was about 14 persons less per square mile than on the American side. It is unlikely, too, that improved land on the Canadian side reached 15 per cent of the total area, whereas across the St. Lawrence at least 20 per cent of the land had been improved. On the two sides of the river, agriculture in all its basic aspects was similiar; yet, the Canadian economy still retained many of the characteristics of subsistence while the raising of livestock for sale reached con-
Experimental Study of the Stability of Composite Plates

An experimental study of the uniaxial compressive stability of rectangular boron-epoxy laminated plates is presented. The plates are clamped on the loaded edges and either clamped or simply- supported on the sides. The buckling loads are determined by means of Southwell plots and are compared to analytical results obtained with a previously published method. Experimental results are presented for twenty composite plates and four metal plates. Good agreement between the experimental and analytical results is shown for both symmetrical and unsymmetrical plates, and for plates strongly aniso tropic as well as orthotropic and isotropic.
How some plants recover from vegetative desiccation: a repair based strategy

Desiccation-tolerant plants can be grouped into two categories: the 1) desiccation-tolerant plants whose internal water content rapidly equilibrates to the water potential of the environment and 2) the modified desiccation-tolerant plants that all employ mechanisms to retard and control the rate of water loss. Desiccation tolerance can be achieved by mechanisms that incorporate one of two alternatives, viz. cellular protection or cellular recovery (repair). The majority of plants probably utilize aspects of both. Desiccation-tolerant species, in particular the moss Tortula ruralis, appear to utilize a tolerance strategy that combines a constitutive protection system and a rehydration-inducible recovery mechanism. The rehydration-induced recovery mechanism of Tortula ruralis relies heavily upon a change in gene expression that is mediated by posttranscriptional events rather than the slower reacting transcriptional controls. Findings indicate that it takes a certain amount of prior water loss to fully activate the protein-based portion of the recovery mechanisms upon rehydration. Utilizing cDNAs representing individual hydrins (proteins whose synthesis is hydration specific) and rehydrins (proteins whose synthesis is rehydration specific), it was determined that if drying rates were slow rehydrin transcripts selectively accumulate in the dried gametophytes. Studies revealed that this storage involves the formation of mRNPs (messenger ribonucleoprotein particles). The identity and possible functions of the rehydrins of Tortula ruralis are also under investigation, in particular Tr155, a small rehydrin (24kD) appears to be involved in antioxidant production during rehydration.
Morphine Effects on Cardiac Output and Regional Blood Flow Distribution in Conscious Dogs

This study documents the changes in selected regional hemodynamics occurring in response to large doses of intravenous morphine. It was performed in normal conscious dogs. Their cardiovascular systems was unaltered by the presence of other drugs or recent surgery. The animals had been surgically prepared previously by implantation of chronic indwelling electromagnetic and Doppler ultrasonic flow probes on the aorta and the cranial mesenteric, renal and iliac arteries and placement of aortic catheters. Morphine, 1 mg/kg, produced mesenteric vascular dilation (30 per cent maximum decrease in resistance), renal vascular dilation (11 per cent maximum decrease in resistance) and nonsignificant changes in iliac vascular resistance. Morphine, 3 mg/kg, resulted in a similar amount of renal dilation (maximum 12 per cent decrease in resistance) but constricted the mesenteric vasculature (maximum 120 per cent increase in resistance) and the iliac vasculature (68 per cent maximum increase in resistance). These changes were observed despite the lack of sustained major changes in cardiac output, blood pressure, total peripheral resistance, or heart rate. It is therefore concluded that morphine has only minimal effects on systemic hemodynamics, but has significant effects when the alterations it produces in regional hemodynamics are considered. Such alterations may be physiologically significant when perfusion to these individual organs is a concern. The minimal systemic effects of high dose morphine is a phenomenon, for the most part, common to both dogs and humans. Whether similar regional hemodynamics changes as these occur in humans cannot be determined at this time since continuous flow monitoring techniques have, as yet, not been applied to humans.
Control of Synthesis and Secretion of the Bacillus subtilis Protein YqxM

The ability to respond flexibly to a varying environment is essential to bacterial survival. Bacillus subtilis can respond to environmental challenges by spore formation, the uptake of foreign DNA (competence), the production of degradative enzymes and antibiotics, or the induction of a large set of general stress proteins (4, 5, 14). In previous work, we identified an operon, expressed during early-stationary-phase growth (12), consisting of yqxM, a gene of unknown function, sipW, which encodes a signal peptidase (15, 16), and tasA, which encodes an antibiotic protein which is secreted at the beginning of sporulation and is also built into the spore (11a, 13) (Fig. ​(Fig.1A).1A). To date, TasA is the only candidate substrate for SipW in B. subtilis. FIG. 1 yqxM sipW tasA locus and Pspac-driven constructs. (A) The open boxes indicate genes, and the closed boxes at the 5′ ends of yqxM and tasA indicate potential signal peptide sequences. The directions of transcription are from left to right. Arrows ... There is no readily observable phenotype when yqxM is deleted (13), and the predicted product of yqxM does not resemble any other proteins in the databases although it possesses a potential signal peptide at its N terminus (10). To begin to determine the role of YqxM, we have investigated the conditions for YqxM synthesis and secretion.
Wave propagation in a guiding structure: one step beyond the paraxial approximation

Propagation of electromagnetic waves is considered for a medium with (x, y)-dependent locally isotropic dielectric and magnetic susceptibilities ∊ik = ∊(x, y)δik and μik = μ(x, y)δik, i.e., for a waveguide. In the paraxial approximation the polarization is disconnected from the propagation. We have developed a self-consistent theory of the postparaxial corrections. It allows, in particular, for the description of intrafiber geometrical rotation of polarization and its inverse phenomenon, the optical Magnus effect, which are both determined by the profile of refractive index n=∊μ only and constitute spin–orbit interaction of a photon. The birefringence splitting of linearly polarized modes or meridional rays on the other hand, turns out to be dependent on the gradients of impedance ρ=μ/∊, the quadrupole part of spin–orbit interaction. An important point of the theory is a transformation of field variables such that the z-propagation operator becomes Hermitian, in analogy with the transitions from a full relativistic Dirac equation to the Schrodinger–Pauli equation with spin–orbital corrections. A theoretical explanation is given for the phenomenon previously observed in experiment: preservation of circular polarization by an axially symmetric step-profile multimode fiber and depolarization of an input linearly polarized wave by the same fiber.
An IEEE-488 interface for the CRL-32A microcomputer

A general-purpose input/output (I/O) interface card, which includes an IEEE-488 bus, a parallel printer, and RS-232-C interfacing circuits, was designed and constructed. This interface card was designed to expand the present I/O communication capability of the main single-board computer CRL-32A. The design of the IEEE-488 bus interface was emphasized. The I/O support routines for the three types of interfacing were written both in assembly language and Forth. A Hazeltine terminal was used to help develop the routines for RS-232-C communication. A Centronics 737-1 printer was used to help develop the I/O routines for parallel printer communication. The HP-7470A graphics plotter and the HP-3438A digital multimeter were used to develop the routines for the IEEE-488 interface. >
Stabilization of Red Beet Pigments with Isoascorbic Acid

Isoascorbic acid was investigated as a stabilizer for red beet pigments. Sterilized samples of red beet juice containing 0.05–1.0% isoascorbic acid, with the pH adjusted to 3, 5, or 7, were stored under artificial light or in darkness at 25°C or at 5°C. The best pigment preservation was obtained with 0.1% added isoascorbic acid. After 30 days storage at 25°C, samples at pH 5 containing 0.1% isoascorbit acid retained 52% (under light) and 65% (in darkness) of the red beet pigments, whereas the controls faded to yellow within 6 days under the same conditions.