cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Fc Receptor Bearing ‘Hairy Cells’ of Leukaemic Reticuloendotheliosis Bind Soluble Antigen‐Antibody Complexes and Adhere to Immobilized Complexes, but Fail to Mediate Antibody Dependent Cellular Cytotoxicity

The majority of hairy cells from three patients with leukaemic reticuloendotheliosis were adherent cells bearing surface immunoglobulin, complement receptors, and Fc receptors. Highly purified populations of malignant hairy cells, which readily bound soluble antigen -antibody complexes in suspension and were able to adhere to immobilized antigen-antibody complexes, were examined for their ability to mediate ADCC.* Two patients with greater than 90% FcR positive cells failed to mediate ADCC. When initially examined, a third paitent, with fewer malignant cells, demonstrated a less marked impairment of cytolysis. When reexamined at a later date, this patient had an increased number of hairy cells and concomitantly demonstrated more impaired ADCC effector cell activity. Absorption of surface immunoglobulin bearing cells onto plastic surfaces coated with goat anti-human immunoglobulin resulted in a complete depletion of FcR, sIg positive, hairy cells. The remaining nonadherem fraction, containing 5.5% FcR positive, sIg negative cells, was able to mediate ADCC as effectively as the normal controls. These results indicate that although FcR bearing hairy cells readily bind soluble antigen-antibody complexes and adhere to immobilized complexes, they were unable to mediate ADCC.
Meet Sarah--a vignette of autoimmune hepatitis and pregnancy.

I first met Sarah 10 yr ago. She is now 38, the proud mother of two, an 18-yr-old girl and a 10-yr-old boy. She developed jaundice about a month or so after the delivery of her first child. She was negative for the usual viral serologies, was given a diagnosis of hepatitis, and her jaundice resolved. Her periods were a bit irregular, and the second pregnancy was slow in coming. I was called in to see her after the termination of her second pregnancy, when she again became jaundiced, developed ascites, and soon thereafter, spontaneous bacterial peritonitis. Her clinical picture was that of autoimmune hepatitis with cirrhosis, confirmed on liver biopsy. She responded promptly to immunosuppressive therapy with prednisone and azathioprine, but all attempts to lower her prednisone dose below 20 mg have been met with a flare of her hepatitis. Her portal hypertension has been unremittant. She now has massive splenomegaly with recurrent bouts of sepsis and is awaiting liver transplantation.
Land-Sail Vehicle to Generate Electricity

The sailing record was broken in the fall of 2012. The aerodynamically designed sail allowed the racing boat to skim the water at speeds higher than the prevailing wind speed. This speed sailing record was the initial inspiration of the current work to investigate the creative use of wind to generate electric power in an innovative manner. It has been known for a long time that land yachts have been able to achieve speeds over three times the speed of the prevailing wind. The uplifting message of the current work is that this amplification of the wind speed could be heralding a new breakthrough for power generation from the wind. The current work then proceeds to discuss the components required for a land-based vehicle using an aerodynamically designed sail. There is a discussion of the mechanical systems as well as the principles of the electrical generating system, and the closed loop travel system has been laid out.
On the numerical solution of a class of problems in a linear first strain-gradient theory of elasticity

Discrete models for boundary value problems analysis in first strain-gradient elasticity theory, using extended finite element method
Mechanism of cholesterol monohydrate dissolution in taurocholate—lecithin media—correlation between equilibrium dialysis results and dissolution rates

Abstract Dialysis experiments were conducted to determine the concentrations of simple bile salt micelles and mixed bile salt-lecithin micelles in taurocholate-lecithin-containing aqueous solutions. From these data, K , the molar ratio of bile salt-to-lecithin of the mixed micelles, was calculated. The K values were found to be relatively independent of NMBS, the nonmixed micelle bile salt concentration in the region investigated. The K values varied significantly, however, with the lecithin concentration. These K values were then employed in the analysis of the kinetics of cholesterol monohydrate dissolution in taurocholate-lecithin solutions and the results of the analysis confirm the previous suggestion that the simple taurocholate micelles is the principal species responsible for the interface-controlled dissolution of cholesterol monohydrate in taurocholate-lecithin solutions.
Correlation of thermal conductivities of unidirectional fibrous composites using local fractal techniques

The arrangement of fibers strongly influences heat conduction in a composite. Traditional approaches using unit cells to describe the fiber arrangements work well in the case of ordered arrays, but are not useful in the context of disordered arrays, which have been analyzed in the literature by statistical means. This work presents a unified treatment using the tool of local fractal dimensions (although, strictly speaking, a composite cross section may not be an exact fractal) to reduce the geometric complexity of the relative fiber arrangement in the composite. The local fractal dimensions of a fibrous composite cross section are the fractal dimensions that it exhibits over a certain small range of length scales. A generalized unit cell is constructed based on the fiber volume fraction and local fractal dimensions along directions parallel and transverse to the heat flow direction. The thermal model resulting from a simplified analysis of this unit cell is shown to be very effective in predicting the conductivities of composites with both ordered as well as disordered arrangement of fibers. For the case of square packing arrays, the theoretical result of the present analysis is identical to that of Springer and Tsai.
Influence of gestational age and fetal iron status on IRP activity and iron transporter protein expression in third-trimester human placenta.

Placental iron transport during the last trimester of pregnancy determines the iron endowment of the neonate. Iron transport is a function of the major iron transport proteins: transferrin receptor...
An expert system for the selection of software design patterns

Abstract: This paper describes the development of a prototype expert system for the selection of design patterns that are used in object-oriented software. Design patterns provide one method of software reuse, which supports the goal of improved software development productivity. The prototype system represents an initial step towards providing an automated solution regarding the design pattern application problem, i.e. leading a designer to a suitable design pattern which is applicable to the problem at hand. The feasibility of using expert system technology to aid in the selection problem is demonstrated.
American Indians: Working with American Indians and Historical Trauma:

This article briefly explores how American Indians can have different experiences of cultural identification as well as loss of culture. This article provides a brief overview of historical trauma,...
Chemoselective precipitation of lactose from a lactose/sucrose mixture: proof of concept for a new separation methodology

A new methodology for the facile isolation of biomolecules containing carbonyl groups has been developed. This methodology is based on tethering of 8-aminopyrene-1,3,6-trisulphonic acid (APTS) to a target molecule via amino or imino bonds, followed by treatment with cyclen–thiourea receptor (cyclen 1). This receptor forms an insoluble complex with APTS conjugates, and therefore precipitates these conjugates from the solution. A sucrose/lactose mixture has been used for proof of concept and lactose was successfully isolated using this procedure. Whereas labelling of lactose via reductive amination resulted in the permanent attachment of the dye to the disaccharide, the labelling via an imine bond was reversible. Additional protocol developed for the lactose labelled with APTS dye via imine bond allowed us to recover all components in their unaltered form. Such an additional protocol not only allows isolation of target molecules without their modification, but also allows one to use recovered cyclen 1 and t...
Effect of growth conditions on enzyme activities, intracellular kinetics and biomass yields of a new RuMP-type methylotroph (T15)

A new methylotrophic strain (T15), which employs the ribulose monophosphate (RuMP) cycle of formaldehyde assimilation, was isolated on the basis of high in vitro activities of formaldehyde and formate dehydrogenases (19 and 678 mU per mg protein, respectively). Serial subculturing of the strain in batch cultures, on 4 g/l CH3OH for 6 months, led to loss of substantial percentages of the NAD-linked formaldehyde (25%) and formate (98%) dehydrogenases. The activities of these two enzymes were partially recovered when cells were grown continuously at very low dilution rate (0.03 h−1). We found large variations (40 to 1000%) in the activities of other key enzymes of carbon-substrate oxidation (both linear and cyclic) and assimilation, in batch cultures with pure and mixed substrates, and in continuous cultures of different dilution rates. Key intracellular reaction rates, including those of the cyclic and linear substrate oxidation, were measured in vivo using a 14C-tracer technique in both continuous and batch cultures. The results indicate significant variations in these reaction rates, particularly those of linear and cyclic carbon oxidation. Overall, the cyclic oxidation appears to be employed to a larger (although not predominant) extent in strain T15 compared with another RuMP strain (L3) we have previously examined. T15 exhibits high biomass yields (up to 0.63 g cells per g CH3OH) and growth rates (up to 0.46 h−1) on CH3OH in batch cultures. CH3NH2 can also be utilized as a substrate. In continuous culture, T15 could be grown at dilution rates up to 0.36 h−1 with a corresponding biomass yield of 0.4. Examination of a large number of data on the biomass yields of strains T15 and L3 reveals that the large variations in yields derive from the variable branching of carbon flow between linear and cyclic oxidation and assimilation, rather than changes in the biosynthetic efficiency of carbon incorporation into biomass.
Aerobic fitness and the brain: increased N-acetyl-aspartate and choline concentrations in endurance-trained middle-aged adults.

Engagement in regular aerobic exercise is associated with cognitive benefits, but information on the mechanisms governing these changes in humans is limited. The goal of the current study was to compare neurometabolite concentrations relating to cellular metabolism, structure, and viability in endurance-trained and sedentary middle-aged adults. Twenty-eight endurance-trained and 27 sedentary adults, aged 40–65 years, underwent general health assessment, cardiorespiratory fitness measurement, neuropsychological testing, and proton magnetic resonance spectroscopy (1H MRS). 1H MRS was used to examine N-acetyl-aspartate (NAA), creatine (Cr), myo-inositol (mI), choline (Cho), and glutamate (Glu) concentrations in frontal and occipitoparietal grey matter. Group differences in concentrations of NAA, Cho, mI, and Glu, calculated as ratios over Cr, were explored using ANOVA. There were no significant differences in global cognitive function, memory, and executive function performance between the groups. In comparison to sedentary adults, the endurance-trained group displayed significantly higher NAA/Cr in the frontal grey matter (F(1, 53) = 5.367, p = 0.024) and higher Cho/Cr in the occipitoparietal grey matter (F(1, 53) = 5.138, p = 0.028). Within our middle-aged sample, endurance-trained adults demonstrated higher levels of NAA/Cr in the frontal grey matter and higher Cho/Cr in the occipitoparietal grey matter. Higher levels of NAA may indicate greater neuronal integrity and higher cerebral metabolic efficiency in association with cardiorespiratory fitness, whereas increased Cho may represent increased phospholipid levels secondary to neural plasticity.
Iterative learning control: a method that can improve product quality and productivity in manufacturing

As the world moves toward a fully global economy, manufacturers need to search constantly for ways to secure or maintain a competitive advantage. Iterative learning control (ILC) and its sister field, repetitive control (RC), offer software methods to improve the performance of motion control systems, without requiring purchase of expensive high-precision equipment. And these can often translate into improved product quality, or into faster operations with resulting increases in productivity. When a manufacturing operation involves following a desired trajectory, classical feedback control systems repeatedly produce a trajectory different than commanded. ILC, iteratively adjusts the command aiming for zero tracking error in hardware operation. RC instead aims for zero error following periodic commands or in the presence of periodic disturbances. Improving the precision of motion control systems can translate directly into higher product quality. But it can also improve productivity by allowing higher spee...
Heat transfer and fluid flow in plasma spraying

A mathematical model is developed to describe the plasma spray process in which particular attention is paid to the fluid flow and temperature fields in the plasma jet, the plasma/particle interaction, and the heat transfer phenomena associated with the deposition process. On the basis of the heat transfer analysis it was possible to define the limiting conditions for satisfactory operation of the deposition process in terms of basic process variables. For high deposition rates, high levels of superheat, and low thermal conductivity of the deposit, the limiting condition is set by the rate at which heat may be removed by the substrate. For large particle sizes and materials with high melting points the limiting condition is determined by the need to transfer sufficient thermal energy to the particles so that they arrive at the substrate in a fully molten state. Wherever possible, the model predictions were compared with experimental measurements and good agreement was obtained.
Rapid sample preparation method for LC-MS/MS or GC-MS analysis of acrylamide in various food matrices.

A fast and easy sample preparation procedure for analysis of acrylamide in various food matrices was developed and optimized. In its first step, deuterated acrylamide internal standard is added to 1 g of homogenized sample together with 5 mL of hexane, 10 mL of water, 10 mL of acetonitrile, 4 g of MgSO4, and 0.5 g of NaCl. Water facilitates the extraction of acrylamide; hexane serves for sample defatting; and the salt combination induces separation of water and acetonitrile layers and forces the majority of acrylamide into the acetonitrile layer. After vigorous shaking of the extraction mixture for 1 min and centrifugation, the upper hexane layer is discarded and a 1 mL aliquot of the acetonitrile extract is cleaned up by dispersive solid-phase extraction using 50 mg of primary secondary amine sorbent and 150 mg of anhydrous MgSO4. The final extract is analyzed either by liquid chromatography−tandem mass spectrometry or by gas chromatography−mass spectrometry (in positive chemical ionization mode) using t...
Psychological factors involved in maxillofacial prosthetics.

1. No significant difference existed between the MMPI means of the test group and the MMPI means of the Mayo Clinic patient group. 2. The means of the test group and the Mayo Clinic patient group deviated from the MMPI normative data. 3. No apparent change in personality of the test group was suggested by the MMPI. 4. A much larger percentage of the patients than expected failed to complete the initial MMPI. One patient refused, and four patients had a raw score of "cannot say" responses greater than 120, thus invalidating the test. 5. The changes in the means of the ACL scales of total number checked, autonomy, change, and abasement were significant (p less than .05). 6. The patient became more outgoing and optimistic, as measured by the ACL, during the immediate postoperative period. 7. Speech and mastication were problems for some patients even after prosthodontic rehabilitation. 8. Most of the rehabilitated patients resumed their normal social habits. 9. The patients in the study seemed to respond to the new situation according to their already existing personality structure.
Zero to 60 in One Semester: Using an Applied Advanced Selling Project to Build a Professional Sales Program

This paper discusses an innovative applied learning project developed to build awareness and attract students to a new academic program in professional sales. The applied nature of the project allows students enrolled in an advanced selling course to actively participate in the selling process leading to internalization of the concepts presented in class.
The evolution of contrast enhancement in granulomatous amebic encephalitis

Abstract In the literature, variable enhanced patterns in cases of granulomatous amebic encephalitis (GAE) have been reported. The reason for this variety is still unknown. We report a case of GAE in whom serial images showed different enhanced patterns as the lesions evolved. The enhanced pattern was nodular or gyriform at its early stage, became ring-like as the lesions enlarged and at its late stage, developed into a heterogeneous pattern. We concluded that the variable enhanced patterns seen in GAE might correspond to the evolution of the lesions. Realizing the serial changes may help us in the early diagnosis and treatment of this fatal disease.
Hybrid Identities and Just Being Yourself

AbstractThis paper points out a tension between Agustin Rayo’s criteria for singulartermhood and his explicit views on the status of Hybrid Identities, that is, identity statements that use singular terms from two different Systems of Representation, such as ‘7=Julius Caesar’ or more suggestively ‘I am b’ where ‘b’ is a singular term referring to my brain. It argues that non-trivial Hybrid Identities are common and important in philosophy and elsewhere, and it suggests a friendly alternative that involves treating Hybrid Identities on the model of Rayo’s ‘Just Is’ statements. The last section of the paper points out that even this friendly alternative has counterintuitive consequences when combined with the metaphysical conventionalism that Rayo finds attractive, when it comes to questions of personal identity over time.
Thermal Conductivity of Substituted Perovskite Superconductors

Measurements of the thermal conductivity of rare earth-barium-copper-oxide superconductors are presented. Heat conduction occurs principally by phonons, and increases below the transition temperature due to a decrease in electron scattering. This implies a strong electron-phonon coupling, and estimates for the coupling constant and transition temperatures are obtained within the framework of BCS theory.
GRIZZLY BEAR DIGGING: EFFECTS ON SUBALPINE MEADOW PLANTS IN RELATION TO MINERAL NITROGEN AVAILABILITY

Grizzly bears (Ursus arctos horribilis) affect plant distributions and mineral nitrogen availability when they forage by digging for the bulbs of glacier lilies (Erythronium grandiflorum) growing in subalpine meadows of Glacier National Park, Montana, United States. Our working hypothesis is that grizzly bears structure plant communities and in- fluence nitrogen availability when they selectively dig for preferred plants. In this paper, we report on differences found in recently disturbed digs (<5 yr old) when compared to adjacent, undisturbed meadow. We used ion exchange resin bags to determine the availability of mineral nitrogen in grizzly bear digs compared to undisturbed meadow. Soil in digs contained significantly more ammonium-N and nitrate-N than adjacent, intact meadow. Glacier lily bulbs reve- getating bear digs had higher tissue nitrogen and water-soluble carbohydrate concentrations than lilies in undisturbed meadow. Mature glacier lilies in digs produced twice as many seeds as did those in adjacent meadow. Glacier lily seedlings establish best on bare mineral soil, which in these meadows is found primarily in bear digs. Therefore, grizzly bear digging may benefit old, deeply seated plants that survive digging and reproduce. Digs overlapped spatially, meaning that grizzly bears were returning to dig in patches disturbed in previous years, perhaps in response to easier digging conditions and more nutritious glacier lily bulbs. To test the idea that the observed increase in mineral nitrogen was due to the physical disturbance of grizzly bear digging and not bear choice of sites already high in nitrogen or bear excretion, we created experimental digs. Ammonium-N and nitrate-N levels in- creased significantly following our digging treatment, just as we had observed in the natural bear digs. Although we do not know how a bear chooses an initial digging site, this disturbance has the potential for influencing long- and short-term plant community structure.
Rank-order filtering in analog VLSI

An analog VLSI circuit that rank-order filters an array of analog inputs is presented. To prevent the rank-order filtering elements from consuming a prohibitively large amount of space on the input plane, ranks are computed only partially in parallel. This semi-parallel implementation of rank-order filtering is based on the inhibition of winner-take-all circuit elements that have been presented previously in the literature. These rank-order filtering elements are capable of ranking an unlimited number of analog inputs.
The role of gist in scene recognition

Studies of change blindness suggest that we bring only a few attended features of a scene, plus a gist, from one visual fixation to the next. We examine the role of gist by substituting an original image with a second image in which a substitution of one object changes the gist, compared with a third image in which a substitution of that object does not change the gist. Small perceptual changes that affect gist were more rapidly detected than perceptual changes that do not affect gist. When the images were scrambled to remove meaning, this difference disappeared for seven of the nine sets, indicating that gist and not image features dominated the result. In a final experiment a natural image was masked with an 8 × 8 checker pattern, and progressively substituted by squares of a new natural image of the same gist. Spatial jitter prevented fixation on the same square for the sequence of 12 changes. Observers detected a change in an average of 2.1 out of 7 sequences, indicating strong change blindness for images of the same gist but completely different local features. We conclude that gist is automatically encoded, separately from specific features.
Learning image alignment without local minima for face detection and tracking

Active appearance models (AAMs) have been extensively used for face alignment during the last 20 years. While AAMs have numerous advantages relative to alternate approaches, they suffer from two major drawbacks: (i) AAMs are especially prone to local minima in the fitting process; (ii) few if any of the local minima of the cost function correspond to acceptable solutions. To minimize these problems, this paper proposes a method to learn the fitting cost function that explicitly optimizes that the local minima occur at and only at the places corresponding to the correct fitting parameters. The paper explores two methods to parameterize the cost function: pixel weighting and subspace learning. Experiments on synthetic and real data show the effectiveness of our approach for face alignment.
Loss of R2D2 Proteins ROPN1 and ROPN1L Causes Defects in Murine Sperm Motility, Phosphorylation, and Fibrous Sheath Integrity

The fibrous sheath (FS) is a flagellar cytoskeletal structure unique to sperm that surrounds the outer dense fibers and axoneme. Its primary components are A-kinase anchoring proteins (AKAPs) 3 and 4, which suggests that the FS affects flagellar beating via the scaffolding of signaling pathways necessary for motility. Sperm proteins ROPN1 and ROPN1L bind AKAP3. To determine the role of ROPN1 and ROPN1L in sperm function, we created mice deficient in ROPN1 (RKO), mice deficient in ROPN1L (RLKO), and double knockout mice (DKO). All three strains of mice had normal testicular morphology and spermatogenesis. Only the DKOs had obvious defects in sperm morphology (thinning and shredding of the principal piece), which was accompanied by a reduction in AKAP3 levels. RLKO mice had slightly reduced sperm motility and increased levels of ROPN1. RKO mice had moderately impaired motility and increased levels of ROPN1L. DKO sperm were immotile. We have previously determined that RKO male mice are subfertile, and DKO males are infertile. Together these data indicate that ROPN1L and ROPN1 compensate for each other in the absence of the opposing protein, possibly to maintain AKAP3 incorporation in the FS. Sperm from mice lacking ROPN1L exhibited reductions in both cAMP-dependent protein kinase (PKA) phosphorylation of a 270-kDa protein (perhaps FSCB), and in capacitation-induced tyrosine phosphorylation. Sperm from mice lacking ROPN1 had reduced levels of FSCB and increased tyrosine phosphorylation of noncapacitated sperm. These data demonstrate that mutations in ROPN1 and ROPN1L can cause defects in FS integrity, sperm motility, and PKA-dependent signaling processes, leading to male infertility.
Regional Supply of Chiropractic Care and Visits to Primary Care Physicians for Back and Neck Pain

Background: Whether availability of chiropractic care affects use of primary care physician (PCP) services is unknown. Methods: We performed a cross-sectional study of 17.7 million older adults who were enrolled in Medicare from 2010 to 2011. We examined the relationship between regional supply of chiropractic care and PCP services using Spearman correlation. Generalized linear models were used to examine the association between regional supply of chiropractic care and number of annual visits to PCPs for back and/or neck pain. Results: We found a positive association between regional supply of chiropractic care and PCP services (rs = 0.52; P Conclusions: Greater availability of chiropractic care in some areas may be offsetting PCP services for back and/or neck pain among older adults.
State of the science of mental health and substance abuse patient outcomes assessment

This chapter explores mental health and substance abuse patient outcomes assessment and makes recommendations for advancing the field.
Stability of steady flows for multi-mode Maxwell fluids

We give a rigorous condition for stability of steady flows of multi-mode nonlinear Maxwell fluids. Specifically, we prove that a flow is linearly stable if and only if the spectrum of the linearization is in the left half plane and, in addition, a certain system of ordinary differential equations associated with short wave asymptotics is stable.
Air pollution and contemporary environmental politics

In 1969, 1970, the public demonstrated support for large change in policy regarding environmental protection which led to extension of national air pollution policy. Traditional models to explain decision making do not sufficiently account for such circumstances. The background and history of air pollution legislation are described, and recent events are described in terms of a decision-making model adapted to new circumstances. Steps which should be taken to implement policy and assure reduction of pollution levels are outlined. Jurisdiction for air pollution regulation, increased interest in pollution legislation, effects of public opinion, environmental policies, and automobile and stationary source emission regulations are discussed. The proposed decision-making strategy for the new conditions is termed speculative augmentation, which results in policy beyond capability. Policy beyond capability has many risks and may be difficult to implement and enforce.
Numerical evaluation of antenna radiation characteristics through an oblique Fibonacci based sampling technique

Oblique Fibonacci samplings provide a methodology to improve the accuracy of numerical calculations for various antenna performance parameters since they are not parallel to the radiation pattern similarities. Conclusions drawn from the periodic array example illustrate how this method can reduce the amount of time required to evaluate far field radiation characteristics of antennas.
Lessons learned about technology transfer

Abstract The present paper derives lessons learned about effective technology transfer from research on the technology transfer process in New Mexico over the past several years. Technology transfer from national R&D laboratories and from research universities provides the main basis for economic growth by metropolitan regions in the United States. New Mexico is (1) technology-rich because of Sandia National Laboratories, Los Alamos National Laboratory and the University of New Mexico, and (2) entrepreneur-friendly. High-technology spin-offs are a particularly effective means of technology transfer. The process of technology transfer is a difficult type of communication, and demands trained and skilled personnel, adequate resources, and organizational and other reward/incentive structures.
Beamforming fibre optic sensor

An optical sensor using a twisted birefringent single mode fibre embedded in or cemented to the outside of a hollow cylinder is shown to exhibit an acoustic response which depends on the frequency and propagation angle of the incident wave. Experimental results verifying the predicted behaviour are reported.
HACKER'S COMPLAINT

My goal in writing ‘Philosophical Analysis in the Twentieth Century’ was to identify and explain the most important achievements of analytic philosophy which every student of the subject should be aware of, as well as those of its failures from which we have the most to learn. I attempted to do this by constructing a history that was itself apiece of analytic philosophy in its emphasis on analysis, reconstruction and criticism of arguments. In rebutting Hacker's critique of it, I explain how my goal shaped my selection of topics, with special reference to the ordinary language period. I correct his misrepresentations of my treatment of the philosophers of this period, I demonstrate his failure to grasp, or understand the significance of, the Kripkean necessary a posteriori, and I reveal the misconceptions in his criticism of my interpretation of the ‘Tractatus’.
Reactor Physics Studies of Reduced-Tantaulum-Content Control and Safety Elements for the High Flux Isotope Reactor

Some of the unirradiated High Flux Isotope Reactor (HFIR) control elements discharged during the late 1990s were observed to have cladding damage--local swelling or blistering. The cladding damage was limited to the tantalum/europium interface of the element and is thought to result from interaction of hydrogen and europium to form a compound of lower density than europium oxide, thus leading to a ''blistering'' of the control plate cladding. Reducing the tantalum loading in the control plates should help preclude this phenomena. The impact of the change to the control plates on the operation of the reactor was assessed. Regarding nominal, steady-state reactor operation, the impact of the change in the power distribution in the core due to reduced tantalum content was calculated and found to be insignificant. The magnitude and impact of the change in differential control element worth was calculated, and the differential worths of reduced tantalum elements vs the current elements from equivalent-burnup critical configurations were determined to be unchanged within the accuracy of the computational method and relevant experimental measurements. The location of the critical control elements symmetric positions for reduced tantalum elements was found to be 1/3 in. less withdrawn relative to existing control elements regardless of the value of fuel cycle burnup (time in the fuel cycle). The magnitude and impact of the change in the shutdown margin (integral rod worth) was assessed and found to be unchanged. Differential safety element worth values for the reduced-tantalum-content elements were calculated for postulated accident conditions and were found to be greater than values currently assumed in HFIR safety analyses.
How to make reactive planners risk-sensitive (Without Altering Anything)

Probabilistic planners can have various planning objectives: usually they either maximize the probability of goal achievement or minimize the expected execution cost of the plan. Researchers have largely ignored the problem how to incorporate risk-sensitive attitudes into their planning mechanisms. We discuss a risk-sensitive planning approach that is based on utility theory. Our key result is that this approach can, at least for risk-seeking attitudes, be implemented with any reactive planner that maximizes (or satisfices) the probability of goal achievement. First, the risk-sensitive planning problem is transformed into a different planning problem, that is then solved by the planner. The larger the probability of goal achievement of the resulting plan, the better its expected utility is for the original (risk-sensitive) planning problem. This approach extends the functionality of reactive planners that maximize the probability of goal achievement, since it allows one to use them (unchanged) for risk-sensitive planning.
Palaeodata-informed modelling of large carbon losses from recent burning of boreal forests

Wildfires play an important role in boreal forest carbon cycling but short records make projections difficult. Research utilizing palaeoenvironmental data now points to increasing Alaskan boreal forest fire activity in response to warming.
Low Serum Potassium Levels Associated with Disease Severity in Children with Nonalcoholic Fatty Liver Disease

PURPOSE: Recent studies have suggested that decreased serum potassium level may contribute to various metabolic disorders in adult patients including nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD). We aimed to study the correlation between serum potassium levels and the histologic severity of NAFLD in children. METHODS: Pediatric patients with biopsy-proven NAFLD were included in this study. Demographic, clinical, and histopathological data were obtained. Multivariable logistic regression analysis was used to assess whether potassium levels are associated with the presence of nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) or fibrosis after adjusting for possible confounders. A p-value <0.05 was considered statistically significant. RESULTS: Among 125 biopsies, 49.6% (62) had evidence of NASH while 66.4% (83) had some degree of fibrosis (stage 1-3). Mean serum potassium was significantly lower in NASH group as compared to non-NASH group (4.4±0.42 mmoL/L vs. 4.8±0.21, p<0.001). Higher potassium level had negative correlation with presence of steatosis, ballooning, lobular inflammation, fibrosis and NAFLD activity score (p<0.05). On multivariable analysis and after adjusting for the metabolic syndrome and insulin resistance, higher potassium level was significantly associated with lower likelihood of having a histological diagnosis of NASH on biopsy (odds ratio [OR], 0.12; 95% confidence interval [95% CI], 0.05-0.28; p<0.001). Similarly, the likelihood of having fibrosis decreases by 76% for every 0.5 mmoL/L increase in potassium (OR ,0.24; 95% CI, 0.11-0.54; p<0.001). CONCLUSION: Our study shows an inverse relationship between serum potassium levels and the presence of aggressive disease (NASH and fibrosis) in children with NAFLD.
Degree of Metathoracic Scent-Gland Development in the Trichophorous Heteroptera (Hemiptera)

An examination of the development (expressed as percent of metapleuron) of the metathoracic scent-gland reveals (1) a correlation with superfamily Pentatomoidea, well developed; Coreoidea, poorly developed; Lygaeoidea, intermediate); (2) some correlation with habitat (ground, well developed; on plants, less developed); (3) poor development in aposematic bugs; and (4) somewhat better development in grass-feeding bugs.
E-cigarette Use in Veterans Seeking Mental Health and/or Substance Use Services

abstractObjective: Individuals with mental illness and substance use disorders smoke at elevated rates and tend to have greater difficulty quitting smoking as compared to the general population. Some believe that e-cigarettes may reduce harm associated with smoking, but little is known about e-cigarette use, perceptions, and motivations for their use among individuals with mental health and/or substance use disorders. Methods: Rates and correlates of e-cigarette use, perceptions, and sources of information about e-cigarettes among smokers seeking mental health and/or substance use services (N = 188) at the VA Connecticut Healthcare System were assessed via a brief survey. The Pearson χ2 test of independence was used to compare veterans who currently used e-cigarettes with those who did not. Logistic regression was used to examine independent attitudinal differences controlling for potentially confounding variables. Results: Participants were generally male (90%), Caucasian (54%), and older than 50 (69%), ...
Evaluation of interference filters for spectral discrimination in solution-cathode glow discharge optical emission spectrometry

An inexpensive, computer-controlled wheel outfitted with several interference filters is evaluated as a spectral discrimination device for solution-cathode glow discharge (SCGD) optical emission spectrometry. Analytical performance of the instrument with wide-bandpass (10 nm) filters was critically compared to its performance with a traditional, narrow-bandpass monochromator (0.08 nm). With optimized spatial filtering, the SCGD-filter wheel (FW) instrument provided good precision (0.5–4.6% relative standard deviation), 1.5–4.9 orders of linear range, and limits of detection (LODs) that ranged from 0.5–450 ppb for the alkali and alkaline-earth metals, with both continuous sample introduction and 100 μL injections. Although the precision and upper limits of linearity of the instrument were comparable to those obtained with a traditional spectrometer, the LODs were 2–43 times higher (worse) and were strongly dependent upon the background emission accepted over the spectral bandpass of each filter. Despite the promising performance obtained during the initial analytical evaluation, application of the SCGD-FW instrument to complex samples was critically hindered by changes in background emission induced by the sample matrix, which could not be easily corrected. As a result of these interferences, the filter wheel, in its present form, seems unlikely to serve as a suitable alternative to a traditional spectrometer.
Experimental Analysis on 600MW Sub-critical Unit Boiler Coal Mill Operation Parameter Influence

A 600 MW Subcritical Units put into operation in 2006,during the operation of the unit,performance of Coal mill is slightly worse than the same type unit,In order to solve the problem,the fineness of pulverized coal,the difference of powder tube quantity,consumption of pulverizing system,resistance and other parameters of pulverizing system is tested,corresponding improvement measures and recommendations is provided for improve economic benefit of boiler.
Solar flare impact on FUV based thermospheric O/N2 estimation

Abstract During/after intense solar flares, FUV based thermospheric O/N 2 ratio decreases and recovers instantly, indicating that the decrease is not physical. Simulations with an increased solar X-ray (0–10 nm) flux and a fixed O and N 2 profiles show a significant 135.6 nm/LBHS decrease that is sufficient to explain the O/N 2 decrease. The false O/N 2 decrease is mostly due to increased differences in O 2 absorption at 135.6 nm and LBHS caused by low-altitude emissions associated with enhanced X-rays. However, the heating from solar flares may cause a weak depletion in O/N 2 .
The Basics: Charge, Energy, Time, and Distance

The concept of signal integrity begins with the basics – charge, energy, time, and distance. Electrical and computer engineering students already know a lot about these basic building blocks of electrical engineering, but a review is in order, so that the aspects relevant to signal integrity can be emphasized.
How the Founders Agreed About Religious Freedom But Disagreed About the Separation of Church and State

A broadly shared methodological commitment to originalism in church–state matters has not produced much agreement among Supreme Court justices. An underappreciated reason why is that, while the founders agreed about the existence and importance of a natural right to religious freedom, they disagreed over how to separate church from state. The aim of this chapter is to explain the founders’ shared and competing understandings of religious freedom. Part I explains the founders’ common understanding of the existence of a natural right to religious liberty. Part II considers the founders’ disagreement over how that natural right to religious liberty ought to limit the scope and exercise of governmental power in church–state matters. By better understanding how and why the founders agreed and disagreed about religious liberty, it is hoped that Americans today might more accurately and thoughtfully deliberate how best to protect our “first freedom.”
Maize Growth and Yield Response to a Biostimulant Amendment

ABSTRACTVarious companies are marketing biostimulant products with claims of higher yields and improved quality. Greenhouse and field experiments were conducted from 2010–2013 to determine the influence of Foliar Blend® (FB, Agri-Gro Marketing, Inc., Doniphan, MO), a chelated micronutrient/biostimulant amendment, on the growth and seed yield of maize (Zea mays L.). When applied pre-emergence and again at V5 growth, greenhouse-grown maize seedling heights and leaf area increased at 2.34 L FB/ha or greater and root and shoot dry matter increased at 7 L FB/ha compared with untreated plants. In field studies, maize yields increased at 2.34 L FB/ha or greater in 2011. In 2012, yields improved with FB but not significantly. Primary ear heights at 1.2 L FB/ha and 2.34 L FB/ha were greater than the control in 2011 but not in 2012. We conclude that FB can alter maize growth, but yield responses are inconsistent and possibly related to environmental interactions.
Comprehensive needs assessment of COPD patients residing in east-central Indiana and west-central Ohio

Purpose: To conduct a needs assessment and develop an action plan to implement early interventions to improve health outcomes of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) patients residing in east-central Indiana (IN) and west-central Ohio (OH). Sample: A convenience sample of 70 adult COPD patients in east-central IN and west central OH. Method : The Vulnerable Populations Conceptual Model (VCPM) was used to construct a survey that assessed available resources, relative risk, and health status of COPD patients. The thirty-item survey was distributed in two pulmonary practice sites and a rural hospital’s outpatient services. Findings: The project used descriptive analysis and t-tests. Results demonstrate resource availability mean (M) 7.06 ± 1.88 (SD) out of 0 to 11, relative risks (M) 4.16 ± 1.25 (SD) out of 0 to 9, and health status (M) 5.36 ± 1.60 (SD) out of 0 to 9. Participants who had 2 or more co-morbidities and took 5 or more daily prescriptions were more likely to have increased emergency room (ER) visits and hospital admissions. Conclusion: The results demonstrate the greatest frequencies for resource availability were education level and caregiver support. Low resource scores were found for available health programs and enrollment in them. Smoking and increased sadness were the greatest relative risks. Implications of the project support developing COPD interventions and programs that address smoking cessation, depression screening, and self-management that work to improve the health status of the population and improve their health outcomes. Keywords: COPD, rural, vulnerable populations, hospitalizations, emergency room visit. DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.14574/ojrnhc.v16i2.378
Pressure effects on real-gas laminar counterflow

Abstract Two important problems are studied: the combustion of hydrocarbons at higher pressures and the burning of hydrocarbon/water-vapor mixtures both of which are relevant to many applications including diesel combustion and hydrate fuels. To study both of these problems, a numerical analysis of a steady laminar methane-air counterflow diffusion flame at high pressure is presented. The mathematical model is based on the well-known similar solution for counterflow with special considerations given to the high density and to detailed transport and chemistry. Modifications of transport properties and associated time scales with increasing pressure are considered. Real gas behavior is examined through the use of a cubic equation of state and an enthalpy departure function. A more complete version of the energy equation is presented. The effects on flame structure, location, and peak temperature are analyzed for a range of pressure from 1 to 100 atm. Assessment of the different high-pressure corrections indicate that introduction of the cubic equation of state is the most profound adjustment, while the correction of transport properties is the least significant. The use of the enthalpy departure function is important. The flame structure and heat-release rate are confirmed to follow previously identified correlations with the pressure-weighted strain rate. Extinction occurs when the mass fraction of H2O vapor in the methane stream is greater than 67% and the mixture impinges against air. Small differences in results occur between the classical chemical equilibrium employing partial pressures versus the non-ideal formulation that uses fugacities. The Soret effect and radiative heat losses are shown to be negligible, even at the highest pressures. An order of magnitude analysis shows that turbulence generation is practically inconsequential.
Recombineering in Vibrio natriegens

Here, we show that λ-Red homologs found in the Vibrio-associated SXT mobile element potentiate allelic exchange in V. natriegens by 10,000-fold. Specifically, we show SXT-Beta (s065), SXT-Exo (s066), and λ-Gam proteins are sufficient to enable recombination of single- and double- stranded DNA with episomal and genomic loci. We characterize and optimize episomal oligonucleotide-mediated recombineering and demonstrate recombineering at genomic loci. We further show targeted genomic deletion of the extracellular nuclease gene dns using a double-stranded DNA cassette. Continued development of this recombination technology will advance high-throughput and large-scale genetic engineering efforts to domesticate V. natriegens and to investigate its rapid growth rate.
Strengthening in hybrid alumina-titanium diboride aluminum matrix composites synthesized by ultrasonic assisted reactive mechanical mixing

Abstract A novel ultrasonic assisted in-situ stir mixing method, in which the reinforcements are synthesized in liquid aluminum, has been used to fabricate surface clean nano- or submicron-sized particulates in pure aluminum matrix. An exothermic reaction was designed to synthesize Al 2 O 3 and TiB 2 nanoparticles from TiO 2 particles and elemental boron in an aluminum melt. Subsequently, the refining power of the nanoparticles in the metallic matrix has been investigated. Experimental and theoretical analysis show that the particle size and refining power of nanoparticles is controlled by the viscosity of the melt, rather than precipitation and growth. A model is proposed to describe the effect of processing variables to the refining power of nanoparticles. Subsequently, the tensile properties were measured to determine the strengthening mechanisms responsible for the change in properties of these materials. Experimental data combined with theoretical analysis suggest that both grain boundary strengthening and Orowan strengthening seem to account for the strength in the nanocomposites.