cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Parasites of the Slimy Sculpin, Cottus cognatus Richardson, 1836, from Lake Huron, U.S.A.

One hundred slimy sculpins, Cottus cognatus (Cottidae), collected from Six Fathom Bank Lake Trout Refuge in Lake Huron in June 1995 were examined for parasites. A total of 17 parasite species (3 Digenea, 2 Monogenea, 3 Cestoda, 3 Nematoda, 2 Acanthocephala, 2 Ciliophora, 1 Microspora, and 1 Myxosporea) were found to infect sculpins. Tetracotyle sp. had the highest prevalence, mean intensity, and mean abundance, followed by Diplostomum sp. The most common gastrointestinal helminth species was Echinorhynchus salmonis. Epistylis sp. occurred on the gills of 79 sculpins. The mean parasite species richness ± SD and mean helminth abundance ± SD were 5.4 ± 1.6 and 242.6 ± 264.5, respectively. The mean Brillouin's diversity and evenness values were 0.5773 ± 0.1915 and 0.5248 ± 0.1892, respectively. Although the helminth community of slimy sculpins is dominated by larval trematodes that mature in piscivorous birds, it is believed that few slimy sculpins are eaten by birds at this location.
MIN-CUT BASED SEGMENTATION OF AIRBORNE LIDAR POINT CLOUDS

Abstract. Introducing an organization to the unstructured point cloud before extracting information from airborne lidar data is common in many applications. Aggregating the points with similar features into segments in 3-D which comply with the nature of actual objects is affected by the neighborhood, scale, features and noise among other aspects. In this study, we present a min-cut based method for segmenting the point cloud. We first assess the neighborhood of each point in 3-D by investigating the local geometric and statistical properties of the candidates. Neighborhood selection is essential since point features are calculated within their local neighborhood. Following neighborhood determination, we calculate point features and determine the clusters in the feature space. We adapt a graph representation from image processing which is especially used in pixel labeling problems and establish it for the unstructured 3-D point clouds. The edges of the graph that are connecting the points with each other and nodes representing feature clusters hold the smoothness costs in the spatial domain and data costs in the feature domain. Smoothness costs ensure spatial coherence, while data costs control the consistency with the representative feature clusters. This graph representation formalizes the segmentation task as an energy minimization problem. It allows the implementation of an approximate solution by min-cuts for a global minimum of this NP hard minimization problem in low order polynomial time. We test our method with airborne lidar point cloud acquired with maximum planned post spacing of 1.4 m and a vertical accuracy 10.5 cm as RMSE. We present the effects of neighborhood and feature determination in the segmentation results and assess the accuracy and efficiency of the implemented min-cut algorithm as well as its sensitivity to the parameters of the smoothness and data cost functions. We find that smoothness cost that only considers simple distance parameter does not strongly conform to the natural structure of the points. Including shape information within the energy function by assigning costs based on the local properties may help to achieve a better representation for segmentation.
Hypophysial portal vascular infusion of TRH in the rat: An ultrastructural and radioimmunoassay study

The hypophysial portal vessels and anterior pituitary gland of adult male Wistar rats were exposed surgically. A hypophysial portal vessel was cannulated and infused for one minute with saline or thyrotrophin (TRH). Anterior pituitary glands were collected at 1, 5, 15, 30, or 60 minutes after cessation of infusion, for light and electron microscopic examination. Before and immediately after cannulation of a portal vessel, a 1-ml sample of blood was collected at 1, 5, 15, 30, or 60 minutes, from the femoral vein for radioimmunoassay (RIA) of growth hormone. Thyrotrophs from anterior pituitary glands of rats infused with TRH displayed emiocytic activity at all time-periods studied. Rough endoplasmic reticular (RER) cisternae were dilated at 15 minutes following infusion and remained dilated at 30 and 60 minutes. TRH was observed to stimulate emiocytic activity in most pituitary cell-types. Extensive dilations of RER cisternae were also observed in mammotrophs and gonadotrophs, but were not observed in somatotrophs or adrenocorticotrophs. The demonstration that thyrotrophs, mammotrophs, somatotrophs, and gonadotrophs respond to TRH suggests that some common features may be shared by these cells. Preliminary analysis of the RIA data show that TRH was potent in elevating radioimmunoassayable growth hormone levels. Significant increases (p < 0.02) in plasma GH levels were present at the earlier time periods studied (1, 5, and 15 minutes) following the infusion of TRH, but not at 30 or 60 minutes. These findings provide additional support for the non-specific action of TRH upon the various adenohypophysial cell types, and demonstrate that TRH stimulates these cells by a direct action on the adenohypophysis.
Meso- and nanophotonic devices for integrated photonic circuits

Summary Form Only given. The emergence of microresonators and photonic crystal devices as integrated photonic technologies promises to decrease the size and power dissipation of photonic integrated circuits to the point where highly integrated subsystems on a chip can be envisioned. In this talk, we will discuss the current state of nanophotonic technology and present data on the performance of integrated meso- and nanophotonic devices that support the assertion that these technologies will change the approaches envisioned in future photonic integrated circuits. Specifically, we will describe tunable filters, switches, lossless splitters, lasers and detectors fabricated from microresonators that can be integrated into wavelength division multiplexed subsystems on a chip. Further, we will describe progress in the reduction of these component sizes through the use of photonic crystal components. Nanocavity lasers, photonic crystal waveguides and optical integrated circuits, and structures for coupling to fibers will be presented. Finally we will discuss the challenges that exist in bringing these technologies to the point that integrated systems can be fabricated.
Essential Roles of S-Nitrosothiols in Vascular Homeostasis and Endotoxic Shock

The current perspective of NO biology is formulated predominantly from studies of NO synthesis. The role of S-nitrosothiol (SNO) formation and turnover in governing NO-related bioactivity remains uncertain. We generated mice with a targeted gene deletion of S-nitrosoglutathione reductase (GSNOR), and show that they exhibit substantial increases in whole-cell S-nitrosylation, tissue damage, and mortality following endotoxic or bacterial challenge. Further, GSNOR(-/-) mice have increased basal levels of SNOs in red blood cells and are hypotensive under anesthesia. Thus, SNOs regulate innate immune and vascular function, and are cleared actively to ameliorate nitrosative stress. Nitrosylation of cysteine thiols is a critical mechanism of NO function in both health and disease.
Study of non-leaky coplanar (NLC) waveguide discontinuities

The discontinuities of non-leaky coplanar (NLC) waveguide is analyzed by using the extended spectral domain approach. It is found that the SMA-to-NLC transition will cause power leakage during experiment. Except for the small leakage, the theoretical and experimental results agree well. >
Investigating multi‐polarization GPR wave transmission through thin layers: Implications for vertical fracture characterization

This is the published version. Copyright 2006 American Geophysical Union. All Rights Reserved.
Simulating a Volcanic Crisis in the Classroom

Perhaps the most urgent responsibility of volcanologists today is the management of volcanic crises. This complex process, however, is one of the most difficult to convey to students in a classroom setting. We have designed a multi-week, cooperative learning activity for our introductory, undergraduate volcanology class, which culminates in the simulation of a volcanic monitoring crisis. We provide teams of students with regularly updated information about a volcano's increasing activity. The data are drawn from existing archives and consist of seismic, gas composition, deformation, and surficial variations, as well as eyewitness reports. Students must respond in real time to the volcano's changing conditions in a highly interactive, dynamic, and energetic experience. The exercise incorporates the development of skills including interpretation of volcanic data, design of hazard maps and alert-level schemes, analysis of rapidly changing databases, consideration of the human costs of scientific decisions, a...
Triassic caldera at Tioga Pass, Yosemite National Park, California: Structural relationships and significance

A Middle or Late Triassic volcanic vent structure, named the Tioga Pass caldera, is exposed near the eastern boundary of Yosemite National Park, California. The caldera and related volcanic and plutonic rocks—part of an early Mesozoic continental-margin magmatic arc in east-central California—formed prior to or during an episode of contractional deformation in the arc. Field relationships show that a widespread 222 Ma rhyolitic ash-flow tuff was erupted as an extensive outflow sheet during the formation of the caldera. The Late Triassic Lee Vining Canyon pluton may represent the subvolcanic magma chamber that was partially evacuated during the eruption of the ash-flow tuff. The caldera wall is now exposed as a highly irregular boundary between prevolcanic basement and intracaldera rocks that formed by a combination of initial caldera collapse and subsequent intracaldera intrusive and extrusive events. Intracaldera rocks include a thick section of Triassic metasedimentary and metavolcanic rocks on Gaylor Peak, together with the Dana sequence on Mount Dana. All of the Triassic rocks of the Saddlebag Lake pendant later underwent strong deformation and metamorphism involving folding and thrusting during Middle Jurassic time. The caldera fill is now exposed in the lower plate of an east-vergent Jurassic thrust, which emplaced lower Paleozoic through Jurassic(?) metasedimentary and metavolcanic rocks structurally above the caldera fill. The results of this study indicate that caldera formation may occur in a contractional arc setting. Structural and stratigraphic relationships described here may also provide clues to recognition of other caldera and vent complexes in highly deformed metavolcanic sequences in the western United States and elsewhere.
LESSONS LEARNED: FAILURE OF A HYDROELECTRIC POWER PROJECT DAM

The case of a hydroelectric power project is presented to show how lack of understanding and poor filter design, along with insufficient control of construction quality, caused the failure of a dam. This paper summarizes the forensic investigations and attempts to explain the conditions that led to the formation of sinkholes on the embankment slope and the subsequent initiation of progressive failure of the embankment. The steps necessary to restart the power project, including the final remedial design, are then detailed. This paper also discusses how the functions of various engineering design components are integrated in the context of failure of the embankment. This case serves as a lesson for practicing engineers concerning the difficult technical, professional, and procedural issues that may arise during the design and construction of critical infrastructures.
A reduced mechanism for methane and one-step rate expressions for fuel-lean catalytic combustion of small alkanes on noble metals

A reduced mechanism and a one-step rate expression for fuel-lean methane/air catalytic combustion on an Rh catalyst are proposed. These are developed from a detailed microkinetic model using a computer-aided model reduction strategy that employs reaction path analysis, sensitivity analysis, partial equilibrium analysis, and simple algebra to deduce the most abundant reaction intermediate and the rate-determining step. The mechanism and the one-step rate expression are then tested on Pt catalyst. It is found that the reaction proceeds effectively via the same mechanistic pathway on both noble metals, but the effective reaction orders differ due to the difference in the adsorption strength of oxygen. Based on the homologous series idea, the rate expression is extended to small alkanes (ethane and propane; butane is also briefly discussed) and is found to reasonably describe experimental data. Estimation of the relevant parameters in the rate expression for various fuels and catalysts using the semiempirical bond-order conservation theory, quantum mechanical density functional theory, and/or simple experiments is discussed. Finally, it is proposed that detailed microkinetic models with coverage-dependent parameters can assist in rationalizing the apparent discrepancies between experimental data from various research groups.
The Sos (Son of sevenless) protein

The Drosophila Son of sevenless (Sos) gene functions in the signaling pathway initiated by the Sevenless receptor tyrosine kinase. It encodes the Drosophila homologue of CDC25, an activator of Ras in the yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae. Two widely expressed mammalian homologues of Sos (mSos) have now been identified and characterized. They encode for 150-kD proteins that are Ras-specific guanine nucleotide exchange factors. Genetic and biochemical studies indicate that Sos proteins bind directly to the SH2- and SH3-domain-containing adaptor protein GRB2/Drk. This interaction defines a pathway by which receptor tyrosine kinases can communicate with Ras.
Worse-than-Rayleigh fading: Experimental results and theoretical models

This article is motivated by the recent recognition that channel fading for new wireless applications is not always well described by traditional models used for mobile communication systems. In particular, fading data collected for vehicleto- vehicle and wireless sensor network applications has motivated new models for conditions in which channel fading statistics can be worse than Rayleigh. We review the use of statistical channel models, describe our example applications, and provide both measured and modeling results for these severe fading conditions.
Molecular chemotherapy of pancreatic cancer using novel mutant bacterial cytosine deaminase gene

The combination of molecular chemotherapy with radiation therapy has the potential to become a powerful approach for treatment of pancreatic cancer. We have developed an adenoviral vector (AdbCD-D314A) encoding a mutant bacterial cytosine deaminase (bCD) gene, which converts the prodrug 5-fluorocytosine (5-FC) into the active drug 5-fluorouracil. The aim of this study was to investigate AdbCD-D314A/5-FC-mediated cytotoxicity in vitro and therapeutic efficacy in vivo alone and in combination with radiation against human pancreatic cancer cells and xenografts. AdbCD-D314A/5-FC-mediated cytotoxicity alone and in combination with radiation was analyzed using crystal violet inclusion and clonogenic survival assays. CD enzyme activity was determined by measuring conversion of [3H]5-FC to [3H]5-fluorouracil after adenoviral infection of pancreatic cancer cells in vitro and pancreatic tumor xenografts by TLC. S.c. pancreatic tumor xenografts were used to evaluate the therapeutic efficacy of AdbCD-D314A/5-FC molecular chemotherapy in combination with radiation therapy. AdbCD-D314A infection resulted in increased 5-FC-mediated pancreatic cancer cell killing that correlated with significantly enhanced CD enzyme activity compared with AdbCDwt encoding wild-type of bCD. Animal studies showed significant inhibition of growth of human pancreatic tumors treated with AdbCD-D314A/5-FC in comparison with AdbCDwt/5-FC. Also, a significantly greater inhibition of growth of Panc2.03 and MIA PaCA-2 tumor xenografts was produced by the combination of AdbCD-D314A/5-FC with radiation compared with either agent alone. The results indicate that the combination of AdbCD-D314A/5-FC molecular chemotherapy with radiation therapy significantly enhanced cytotoxicity of pancreatic cancer cells in vitro and increased therapeutic efficacy against human pancreatic tumor xenografts.
Language and Bodies in Social Space: Samoan Ceremonial Greetings

Samoan ceremonial greetings both assume and reconstitute particular views of a hierarchical social order. At the same time, they also display a relatively fluid system in which negotiation of status and authority is frequent and one's ability to access the desired place in the social order is made perceptually available for public assessment. The codes (language, gestures, gaze) and channels (voice, body, sight) employed during such activities can produce meaning only inside of a cultural space that is never neutral. Eye gaze avoidance during the greetings is discussed vis-a-vis pan-Polynesian taboos surrounding individuals with extraordinary mana.
The orientation of modules based on graph decomposition

In the layout stage of VLSI and printed circuit board (PCB) design, after all circuit modules (rectangular) are placed, it is possible to flip the modules so as to reduce the total net length. The authors formulate the orientation of modules as a graph problem and prove it to be NP-complete. The orientation problem is shown to be equivalent to finding a minimum cut of a graph with some arcs of negative capacities. In many cases, the graph can be decomposed into subgraphs to reduce the search space for optimum orientation. Experiments with real cases show that module orientation reduces the total net length and improves the routability. >
Screening for Musculoskeletal Deviations—A Challenge for the Physical Therapist

We conducted an on-site examination in selected middle and junior high schools in Utah to determine the incidence of selected musculoskeletal deviations. During a regular school year, we screened 4,670 children. The students we examined represented a random sample of students in the sixth through the ninth grades from a population of 81,047 students. Among the 2,192 boys and 2,478 girls examined, we noted a total of 10,551 postural deviations. Eighteen categories of deviations of the musculoskeletal system were examined visually. Lordosis was the most common postural deviation seen (45%), and torticollis was noted least commonly (0%). Scoliosis was noted in 7% of the total population, with a girl-boy ratio of 2:1. Both the lack of body postural awareness we observed among the children and the significant findings of this study should warrant initiation of more responsible educational programs in the public schools. An apparent need for a uniform statewide screening program was demonstrated.
Hernias, Foreign Bodies, and Varices

Diaphragmatic hernias are divided into those with extension of abdominal contents through the hiatus, which is true of the common hiatal or sliding hernia and paraesophageal hernias, and those that extend through defects of the diaphragm elsewhere, frequently referred to as congenital diaphragmatic hernias.
Kimono in The Boardroom: The Invisible Evolution of Japanese Women Managers

The article reviews the book Kimono in the Boardroom: The Invisible Evolution of Japanese Women Managers, by Jean R. Renshaw.
Pan-Europa Foods S.A.

In January 1993, the senior-management committee of Pan-Europa Foods must decide which major projects to fund for that year. The board of directors has arbitrarily set a limit of ECU80 million for the projects. Various managers, however, have proposed projects totaling ECU208 million. The tasks for the student are to evaluate the completed discounted-cash-flow analyses that the case presents, together with the qualitative factors (mainly strategic considerations and company politics), and choose the projects to be approved. The main conceptual issue the case presents is capital rationing and its impact on corporate-investment behavior. Looking at many projects and the senior-management perspective, the case is a useful complement to other capital-budgeting cases that focus on single projects. An instructor worksheet file is available for use with this case and teaching note.
Teaching an Old Dog New Tricks: Operationalizing the Law of Armed Conflict in New Warfare

Current strategy in Afghanistan starkly illustrates the extraordinary challenges new warfare poses for commanders on the ground. U.S. forces fight the Taliban and al-Qaeda in Afghanistan, but must do so while above all protecting Afghan civilians from both enemy attacks and the effects of U.S. counterinsurgency operations – a difficult and complicated task. As new warfare became a prevalent – and now predominant – form of conflict, the law did not adapt appropriately to the complicated scenarios new warfare presented. The international community continued to focus on traditional visions of combatants and civilians, notwithstanding the disconnect between that framework and the reality on the ground in new warfare. Most criticisms of the law argued that the law could no longer apply, when, in fact, such critiques simply did not examine how it could apply in a more agile way. Agility means that the law can adapt to changing circumstances and meet the needs of policymakers and commanders on the ground alike; that the law must allow room for new ways of thinking that uphold the law’s goals and principles precisely when they are under fire. To maximize that agility, we operationalize the law with a new framework and guidelines for commanders. In traditional state vs. state conflict, applying the legal obligations of distinction and proportionality through on-the-ground guidelines was relatively simple; in new warfare, it is immensely complicated. The law of armed conflict does not presently provide commanders with the tools they need to fulfill their mission while simultaneously protecting their soldiers and innocent civilians alike. We re-categorize and re-define persons in the zone of combat to enable commanders to distinguish between innocent civilians and legitimate targets, and separate the latter group into several sub-categories: members of organized armed groups, permanent targets, recurring targets, transitory targets, and legitimate subjects of detention. Using these new categories, we provide commanders with effective tools to distinguish among persons in the zone of combat. Commanders can then determine who (and how) to target, who to detain and who to protect – the only way to meet the twin goals of mission success and protection of innocents.
Intracranial Pressure Monitoring in Acute Liver Failure: Institutional Case Series

Acute liver failure (ALF) has been associated with cerebral edema and elevated intracranial pressure (ICP), which may be managed utilizing an ICP monitor. The most feared complication of placement is catastrophic intracranial hemorrhage in the setting of severe coagulopathy. Previous studies reported hemorrhage rates between 3.8-22 % among various devices, with epidural catheters having lower hemorrhage rates and precision relative to subdural bolts and intraparenchymal catheters. We sought to identify institutional hemorrhagic rates of ICP monitoring in ALF and its associated factors in a modern series guided by protocol implantation. Patient records treated for ALF with ICP monitoring at Mayo Clinic in Rochester, MN from 1995 to 2014 were reviewed. Protocalized since 1995, epidural (EP) ICP monitors were first used followed by intraparenchymal (IP) for stage III-IV hepatic encephalopathy. The following variables and outcomes were collected: patient demographics, ICPs and treatment methods, laboratory data, imaging studies, number of days for ICP monitoring, radiographic and symptomatic hemorrhage rates, orthotopic liver transplantation rates, and death. A total of 20 ICP monitors were placed for ALF, 7 EP, and 13 IP. International normalized ratio (INR) at placement of an EP monitor was 2.4 (1.7-3.2) with maximum of 2.7 (2.0-3.6) over the following 2.3 (1-3) days. Mean EP ICP at placement was 36.3 (11-55) and maximum of 43.1 (20-70) mm Hg. INR at placement of an IP monitor was 1.3 (<0.8-3.0) with maximum value of 2.9 (1.6-5.4) over the following 4.2 (2-6) days. Mean IP ICP at placement was 9.9 (2-19) and maximum was 39.8 (11-100) mm Hg. There was one asymptomatic hemorrhage in the EP group (14.3 % hemorrhage rate) and two hemorrhages in the IP group (hemorrhage rate was 15.4 %), both of which were fatal. Overall mortality rate in the EP group was 71.4 % (5/7) with two patients receiving transplantation, and one death in the transplant group. Overall mortality in the IP group was 38.5 % (5/13) with nine liver transplantations; three of the transplanted patients died, including one of the fatal hemorrhages due to monitor placement. Intracranial hypertension is common in patients with ALF with severe hepatic encephalopathy. Monitored patients in both groups experienced elevations of ICP in the setting of intermittent coagulopathy. Severity of coagulopathy did not influence hemorrhage rate. Yet, hemorrhages related to IP monitoring can be catastrophic and may add to the overall mortality.
Complete Genome Sequence of Bacillus subtilis Strain CU1050, Which Is Sensitive to Phage SPβ

ABSTRACT The Gram-positive bacterium Bacillus subtilis is used as a model organism to study cellular and molecular processes. Here, we announce the complete genomic sequence of B. subtilis strain CU1050, derived from B. subtilis strain 168. CU1050 has historically been used to study suppressor mutations and phage biology, especially the lysogenic phage SPβ.
Regulation of cell proliferation by G proteins

G Proteins provide signal transduction mechanisms to seven transmembrane receptors. Recent studies have indicated that the alpha-subunits as well as the betagamma-subunits of these proteins regulate several critical signaling pathways involved in cell proliferation, differentiation and apoptosis. Of the 17 alpha-subunits that have been cloned, at least ten of them have been shown to couple mitogenic signaling in fibroblast cells. Activating mutations in G alpha(s), G alpha(i)2, and G alpha12 have been correlated with different types of tumors. In addition, the ability of the betagamma-subunits to activate mitogenic pathways in different cell-types has been defined. The present review briefly summarizes the diverse and novel signaling pathways regulated by the alpha- as well as the betagamma-subunits of G proteins in regulating cell proliferation.
SU‐F‐I‐39: In Search of Infinity: Finding the Limiting Dose for An Infinite CT Scan On a Cylinder of Finite Length

Purpose: The ICRU/TG200 phantom is a cylinder of polyethylene, 30 cm in diameter and 60 cm long. The dose h(L) in the central plane of the phantom resulting from a scan of length L increases asymptotically with increasing L to a limiting value Deq. However, even after scanning the entire length of this phantom, it is clear that the resultant dose h(60 cm) is still somewhat below the limiting value. The known behavior of h(L) provides a means for estimating the true limit. Methods: h(L) approaches its limiting but unknown value Deq exponentially. By estimating Deq as Deq* and plotting Deq* − h(L) as a function of L on a semi-log scale, a straight line will result only if Deq* = Deq. If not, there will be significant curvature at the end of the plotted data. Adjusting Deq* by trial-and-error or by an iterative scheme will, if done correctly, accurately determine Deq. Results: The log of Deq* − h(L) was plotted as a function of L using Microsoft Excel. The coefficient of determination (R-squared) was displayed and Deq* was adjusted until R-squared equaled 1. Alternatively, iteration using the Solver tool in Excel can automatically find the best estimate of Deq. The resultant values for Deq was were an increase of around 1.5% above h(60 cm) for the center and 0.8% at the periphery. Conclusion: The experiments show that a 60 cm phantom is long enough for the central dose to be within a couple of percentage points of what would be achieved with an infinite phantom. Though this small underestimation of Deq is of little consequence for dose estimates, an accurate determination of Deq allows for a better parameterization of continuous functions representing h(L).
Likeableness and meaningfulness ratings of 555 (+487) person-descriptive words

Abstract The present study renorms and expands upon a list of person descriptive words originally compiled by Anderson (1968). Anderson observed that person descriptive words had a bimodal and slightly negative distribution. Averill (1980) localized this negativity to emotion words, finding no difference for non-emotional words. Likeability ratings observed in the original study and the present study were highly correlated. Despite these similarities, significant differences in likability were observed across a large proportion of words. There was some evidence that words describing emotions and temporary states were unusually negative suggesting that either negative behavior is categorized differently or that the granularity of negative behavior differs across kinds of person descriptive words.
Femtosecond dynamics of GaAs band edge absorption

Pulses of 65-fs duration, 5-μJ energy, and 8-kHz repetition rate are generated from a copper vapor laser amplified CPM dye laser. A small fraction of the pulse is split off as a pump beam (hν = 1.99 eV), and the remainder is used to generate a white light continuum which is filtered to provide a probe beam at the selected photon energy. The two GaAs samples (0.34 and 0.3 μm thick) are obtained using the lift-off procedure of Yablonovitch et al.1 and mounted on glass and sapphire windows. The time-resolved transmission T and reflection R at room temperature are measured at various probe photon energies, especially from 1.46 to 1.38 eV and at carrier densities N from 1017 to 1019 cm−3. Typical time-resolved changes of the absorption coefficient derived from T and R are shown in Fig. 1.
Bell’s Palsy and Review of Steroid Therapy

The effect of corticosteroids in the treament of Bell’s palsy in children (<16 years old) was evaluated by review of published trials and reported from the Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, Canada.
A G3 PowerPC/sup TM/ superscalar low-power microprocessor

This microprocessor is a third-generation PowerPC microprocessor and is a member of the the G3 family of PowerPC processor products. Although its high performance (estimated at 10.0 SPECint95) makes it suited for high-end desktop systems, its low typical power dissipation of 5W and size of 66.5 mm/sup 2/ make it very attractive for portable systems as well. This microprocessor is a dual-issue superscalar machine with a four-stage pipeline, separate instruction- and data-side L1 caches (32 kBytes each), and full tags and support for up to 1 MByte of back-side L2. A thermal assist unit and I-cache throttling feature are included in the microprocessor as additional tools for thermal management. This microprocessor was designed in a 0.25-/spl mu/m CMOS process (0.18-/spl mu/m Leff) to operate at a frequency of 250 MHz.
The Capture of π-Mesons in Deuterium

Panofsky, Aamodt, and Hadley find that the capture of $\ensuremath{\pi}$-mesons in deuterium leads to two neutron emission in 70 percent of the cases, and to two neutrons and a $\ensuremath{\gamma}$-ray in the other 30 percent. The former process is forbidden for capture of scalar mesons from the $K$ shell. A detailed balancing argument, based on the observed cross section for $2p\ensuremath{\rightarrow}D+{\ensuremath{\pi}}^{+}$, permits calculation of the non-radiative capture rate from orbits of higher angular momentum. It is shown that this is too small to account for the observation, and the possibility that the meson is a scalar is thus ruled out. This conclusion could only be avoided by postulating the existence of an interaction between meson and nucleons sufficiently large to alter radically the magnitude of the $p$-wave functions near the nucleons. For pseudoscalar mesons, non-radiative capture from the $K$ shell is permitted, and the ratio of radiative to non-radiative transitions can be related to the ratio of meson photoproduction cross section to the cross section for $2p\ensuremath{\rightarrow}D+{\ensuremath{\pi}}^{+}$. The result is compatible with the type of meson-nucleon coupling which might be expected for pseudoscalar mesons, but uncertainties in the measured quantities are too large to permit a sharper conclusion.
Mycotoxins - Their Biosynthesis in Fungi: Aflatoxins and other Bisfuranoids

Aflatoxins are a family of highly toxic and carcinogenic secondary metabolites produced by certain strains of Aspergillus flavus and Aspergillus parasiticus . Biosynthetically, the aflatoxins are produced by a polyketide pathway. Most of the experimental data on aflatoxin biosynthesis are derived from 14C- and 13C-labeling experiments and use of blocked mutants. These data indicate that the general steps in aflatoxin biosynthesis are acetate → anthraquinones → sterigmatocystin → aflatoxin B1. Many details of the pathway remain unresolved; it is hoped that further research, particularly with cell-free systems, will improve our understanding of the mechanism of formation of these important fungal metabolites.
Folding of Disordered Proteins: Single Molecules to Mesoscales

Intrinsic protein disorder is increasingly being recognized as prevalent in proteomes and important in a number of cellular functions. Many intrinsically disordered proteins (IDPs) display coupled folding and binding to partners, a functionally important aspect of their biophysics that is often difficult to study using standard ensemble methods. By avoiding the averaging out of information over an ensemble, single-molecule experiments can shed mechanistic light on such binding-folding reactions, with layers of complexity emerging due to multicomponent interactions. Overall, the results will highlight the strengths of single-molecule methods to reveal functionally important complexity at the molecular and mesoscale levels in IDP binding-folding landscapes.
Modeling, analysis and design of differential mode active EMI filters with feedforward and feedback configurations for AC-DC converters

This paper developed models for DM electromagnetic interference (EMI) input filters in AC-DC converters. The models are developed based on the circuit structures and control configurations. The models are developed for feedback, feedforward, feedforward-feedback and feedback-feedforward configurations. The closed loop gains are derived respectively. Based on the closed loop gain models, the open loop characteristics required for high performance active filters are determined. A passive filter topology which enhances the performance of the active filter is identified. The stability of active filters is analyzed and compared based on the developed models. The analysis is validated with both simulations and experiments. It is shown that the developed models can predict stability and help compensation design for active filters.
NTEP Perennial Ryegrass Study

The National Turfgrass Evaluation Program (NTEP) conducts trials throughout the United States on turfgrass adaptation. This trial was established in September 2016 as part of the NTEP program. It contains 114 perennial ryegrass cultivars.
The effect of illumination on the depth profile of thermally annealed MEH‐PPV/dPS blends

Due to its simplicity and cost-effectiveness, single solution casting of organic optoelectronics has grown in popularity for device fabrication to produce technologies such as organic photovoltaics and thin film transistors. In order to explore the structural evolution that occurs in the film formation of a blend composed of polystyrene and the benchmark conjugated polymer MEH-PPV, we have performed a series of neutron reflectivity experiments focused on studying the film structure as it changes through the thermal annealing process both in the presence and absence of white light. Results indicate the formation of a nonhomogeneous blend upon casting, which becomes stratified with thermal annealing. More importantly, the extent of stratification varies with illumination, where exposure to white light increases stratification. This data suggests in situ illumination is a potential novel tool to manipulate device-relevant morphologies of optoelectronic active layers throughout the fabrication process, offering a cheap nondestructive tool to effectively tune desired structural parameters. © 2017 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Polym. Sci., Part B: Polym. Phys. 2017
Application of QMU to the design of a nuclear waste storage tank

Abstract Defining the reliability of complex physical systems is crucial for system certification and guaranteeing safety, but is often complicated by the presence of many uncertainties and system sub-components. One such example is the certification of the Hanford Waste Treatment Plant, where radioactive and toxic chemical waste that spontaneously generates flammable gases is stored in large tanks. We introduce the QMU methodology to quantify the system safety of waste storage tanks in the event of a loss of tank ventilation, which poses a safety risk to workers. We also show how QMU can be used as a design tool to find operating regimes that maintain a desired confidence level. A simplified physical model is used to analyze the build-up of hydrogen gas in storage tanks and conduct an uncertainty propagation study to quantify the operating margin with respect to the flammability conditions. A demonstration problem is shown in which the radiation loading in a waste tank is iteratively modified until a desired confidence ratio is achieved. The results show that the resulting designs are sensitive to the use of interval or full QMU to achieve a confidence ratio, and it is not always possible to realize a design at a particular confidence ratio.
Pediatric Botulism and Use of Equine Botulinum Antitoxin in Children: A Systematic Review.

Background Botulism manifests with cranial nerve palsies and flaccid paralysis in children and adults. Botulism must be rapidly identified and treated; however, clinical presentation and treatment outcomes of noninfant botulism in children are not well described. Methods We searched 12 databases for peer-reviewed and non-peer-reviewed reports with primary data on botulism in children (persons <18 years of age) or botulinum antitoxin administration to children. Reports underwent title and abstract screening and full text review. For each case, patient demographic, clinical, and outcome data were abstracted. Results Of 7065 reports identified, 184 met inclusion criteria and described 360 pediatric botulism cases (79% confirmed, 21% probable) that occurred during 1929-2015 in 34 countries. Fifty-three percent were male; age ranged from 4 months to 17 years (median, 10 years). The most commonly reported signs and symptoms were dysphagia (53%), dysarthria (39%), and generalized weakness (37%). Inpatient length of stay ranged from 1 to 425 days (median, 24 days); 14% of cases required intensive care unit admission; 25% reported mechanical ventilation. Eighty-three (23%) children died. Median interval from illness onset to death was 1 day (range, 0-260 days). Among patients who received antitoxin (n = 193), 23 (12%) reported an adverse event, including rash, fever, serum sickness, and anaphylaxis. Relative risk of death among patients treated with antitoxin compared with patients not treated with antitoxin was 0.24 (95% confidence interval, .14-.40; P < .0001). Conclusions Dysphagia and dysarthria were the most commonly reported cranial nerve symptoms in children with botulism; generalized weakness was described more than paralysis. Children who received antitoxin had better survival; serious adverse events were rare. Most deaths occurred early in the clinical course; therefore, botulism in children should be identified and treated rapidly.
A salinity module for SWAT to simulate salt ion fate and transport at the watershed scale

Abstract. Salinity is one of the most common water quality threats in river basins and irrigated regions worldwide. However, no available numerical models simulate all major processes affecting salt ion fate and transport at the watershed scale. This study presents a new salinity module for the SWAT model that simulates the fate and transport of eight major salt ions ( SO 4 2 - , Ca2+ , Mg2+ , Na+ , K+ , Cl− , CO 3 2 - , HCO 3 - ) in a watershed system. The module accounts for salt transport in surface runoff, soil percolation, lateral flow, groundwater, and streams, and equilibrium chemistry reactions in soil layers and the aquifer. The module consists of several new subroutines that are imbedded within the SWAT modelling code and one input file containing soil salinity and aquifer salinity data for the watershed. The model is applied to a 732 km 2 salinity-impaired irrigated region within the Arkansas River Valley in southeastern Colorado and tested against root zone soil salinity, groundwater salt ion concentration, groundwater salt loadings to the river network, and in-stream salt ion concentration. The model can be a useful tool in simulating baseline salinity transport and investigating salinity best management practices in watersheds of varying spatial scales.
A Deviation Analysis Framework for ECG Signals Using Controlled Spatial Transformation

Current automated heart monitoring tools use supervised learning methods to recognize heart disorders based on ECG signal morphology. We develop a new ECG processing algorithm that enables early prediction of disorders through a novel deviation analysis. The idea is developing a patient-specific ECG baseline and characterizing the deviation of signal morphology towards any of the abnormality classes with specific morphological features. To enable this feature, a novel controlled non-linear transformation is designed to achieve maximal symmetry in the feature space. Our results using benchmark MIT-BIH database show that the proposed method achieves a classification accuracy of 96% and can be used to trigger yellow alarms to warn patients from increased risk of upcoming heart abnormalities (5% to 10% increase with respect to normal conditions). This feature can be used in health monitoring devices to advise patients to take preventive and precaution actions before critical situations11This material is based upon work supported by the National Science Foundation under Grant Number 1657260. Research reported in this publication was also supported by the National Institute On Minority Health And Health Disparities of the National Institutes of Health under Award Number U54MD012388..
Using fuzzy measures for modeling human perception of uncertainty in artificial intelligence

Abstract We observe the importance of modeling human perceptions of various types of information for the construction of A. I. systems and highlight the need for modeling human perceptions of uncertainty. We introduce the concept of a fuzzy measure, μ , and discuss its use as a general structure for the representation of knowledge about an uncertain variable. We note the ability of the fuzzy measure to model various formulations of uncertain information in a unified format. We look at various properties of fuzzy, particularly the ability to fuse multiple fuzzy measures to form new measures. We introduce various operations on fuzzy measures motivated from probability theory such as the determination of expected values and variances. We emphasize the importance of the Choquet integral in these operations. We discuss two characterizing features of a fuzzy measure, its entropy and attitudinal character, and note their usefulness in helping select an appropriate measure. We finally look at the issue of answering questions about variables having information about its value modeled by a fuzzy measure. Here we must come to grips with the fact that for most measures a fundamental property of the probability measure, Prob(A) + Prob( A ¯ ) = 1, does not hold.
Gaps of care in patients with venous thrombotic embolism: a qualitative study.

Background Venous thromboembolism (VTE) includes pulmonary embolism (PE) and deep vein thrombosis (DVT), and results in 100,000 deaths annually in the United States. There is low global VTE awareness, including limited data regarding difficulties patients encounter during their management. This study aims to identify a patient's perspective on VTE gaps of care. Methods This is a qualitative study using semi-structured interviews with VTE patients, who had been previously diagnosed and treated for at least one VTE event in their lifetime. Participants were separated in five focused groups; sample size was defined by data saturation. Interviews were audio recorded, transcribed verbatim, and analyzed thematically using framework analysis based on data saturation evaluation. The study was approved by a local institutional review board. We used inductive framework analysis to interpret the data. Results Twenty participants were included in the analysis. Ten participants (50%) were men. Three major themes were identified: 1) concerned about limited disease knowledge; 2) VTE awareness in healthcare system; 3) incomplete communication during transitional and follow-up care. Conclusions Findings suggest that gaps of VTE care extend in different levels of the medical system, including: the patient, physicians, and medical teams. Patients were sensitive to a lack of disease awareness among healthcare providers. There was appreciation for subspecialty care recommended for VTE. In a qualitative study, using the patient perspective, we have detected frustrations and perceived areas of improvement of the care of the patient with VTE. These gaps are anchored in perceived lack of disease awareness and difficult transitional care.
Delayed gastric emptying after pancreaticoduodenectomy: A study of the national surgical quality improvement program.

Abstract Background Delayed gastric emptying (DGE) remains common after pancreaticoduodenectomy (PD). Risk factors for DGE have been difficult to identify due to a lack of a standard definition. The purpose of this study was to identify factors associated with DGE using a standard definition across a national cohort of patients. Methods A retrospective cohort study of patients who underwent PD from 2014 to 2016 within the ACS-NSQIP pancreatectomy-specific module was performed. Multivariable (MV) regression was used to determine perioperative risk factors for DGE. Results Of 10,249 patients undergoing PD, 16.6% developed DGE and were older (65.3 vs. 64.3 years), more often male (62.5% vs. 51.9%), overweight/obese (66.7% vs. 61.3%), and American Society of Anesthesiologist (ASA) class 3 (80.0% vs. 76.0%). Rates of pylorus preservation (41.4% vs. 38.7%) were higher, and median operative time (373 vs. 354 min) longer. On MV analysis, age≥65 years [OR 1.26 (95%CI 1.13–1.41)], male sex [OR 1.54 (95%CI 1.38–1.72), body mass index (BMI) > 30 [OR 1.22 (95%CI 1.06–1.40)], ASA class≥3 [OR 1.24 (95%CI 1.08–1.42)], pylorus preservation [OR 1.08 (95%CI 1.02–1.14)], and longer operative time [OR 1.26 (95%CI 1.13–1.40)] remained associated with DGE. Preoperative chemotherapy was associated with decreased risk of DGE [OR 0.77 (95%CI 0.64–0.93)]. Conclusion In this national, multicenter cohort of patients undergoing PD, 16.6% of patients developed DGE based on a standardized definition. Perioperative factors including age, BMI, ASA class, pylorus preservation, and operative time were associated with increased risk of DGE. Further research is warranted to identify opportunities for prevention via preoperative rehabilitation strategies and treatment.
Linking Thermoelectric Effect and Adsorption of Film Forming Amine as a Corrosion Inhibitor for Industrial Systems

Film-forming amines, and, more specifically, Z-N-9-octadecenylpropane-1,3-diamine (OLDA), are efficient corrosion inhibitors that are widely used in industrial closed-loop water systems. The active...
Religious Politics in Turkey: From the Birth of the Republic to the AKP: by Ceren Lord, United Kingdom, Cambridge, 2018, 302 pp., $32.99 (paperback), ISBN 9781108458924

Ceren Lord’s Religious Politics in Turkey: From the Birth of the Republic to the AKP is valuable for the light it casts on the intertwined and often complex relationship between state, religion and...