cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
An Evaluation of Scatterometer-Derived Oceanic Surface Pressure Fields

Abstract Oceanic surface pressure fields are derived from the NASA Quick Scatterometer (QuikSCAT) surface wind vector measurements using a two-layer similarity planetary boundary layer model in the midlatitudes and a mixed layer planetary boundary layer model in the tropics. These swath-based surface pressure fields are evaluated using the following three methods: 1) a comparison of bulk pressure gradients with buoy pressure measurements in the North Pacific and North Atlantic Oceans, 2) a least squares difference comparison with the European Centre for Medium-Range Weather Forecasts (ECMWF) surface pressure analyses, and 3) a parallel spectral analysis of the QuikSCAT and ECMWF surface pressure fields. The correlation coefficient squared between scatterometer-derived pressure fields and buoys is found to be R2 = 0.936. The average root-mean-square difference between the scatterometer-derived and the ECMWF pressure fields ranges from 1 to 3 hPa, depending on the latitude and season, and decreases after th...
Do stimulants protect against psychiatric disorders in youth with ADHD? A 10-year follow-up study.

OBJECTIVE: Little is known about the effect of stimulant treatment in youth with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) on the subsequent development of comorbid psychiatric disorders. We tested the association between stimulant treatment and the subsequent development of psychiatric comorbidity in a longitudinal sample of patients with ADHD. METHODS: We conducted a case-control, 10-year prospective follow-up study into young-adult years of youth with ADHD. At baseline, we assessed consecutively referred white male children with (n = 140) and without (n = 120) ADHD, aged 6 to 18 years. At the 10-year follow-up, 112 (80%) and 105 (88%) of the children in the ADHD and control groups, respectively, were reassessed (mean age: 22 years). We examined the association between stimulant treatment in childhood and adolescence and subsequent comorbid disorders and grade retention by using proportional hazards survival models. RESULTS: Of the 112 participants with ADHD, 82 (73%) were previously treated with stimulants. Participants with ADHD who were treated with stimulants were significantly less likely to subsequently develop depressive and anxiety disorders and disruptive behavior and less likely to repeat a grade compared with participants with ADHD who were not treated. CONCLUSIONS: We found evidence that stimulant treatment decreases the risk for subsequent comorbid psychiatric disorders and academic failure in youth with ADHD.
Correlation of C‐reactive protein with clinical, endoscopic, histologic, and radiographic activity in inflammatory bowel disease

Introduction: We sought to examine the relationship between C-reactive protein (CRP) and clinical, endoscopic, histologic, and radiographic activity in inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). Methods: All IBD patients at our institution between January 2002 and August 2003 who had a CRP, colonoscopy, and either small bowel follow-through (SBFT) or CT enterography (CTE) performed within 14 days were identified. Clinical activity was assessed retrospectively through review of the medical record. Logistic regression was used in Crohn's disease (CD) patients to estimate the odds ratio (OR) with 95% confidence intervals for an elevated CRP. Associations were assessed using Fisher exact test in ulcerative colitis (UC) patients due to small sample size. Results: One-hundred four CD patients (46% males) and 43 UC and indeterminate colitis patients (44% males) were identified. In CD patients, moderate-severe clinical activity (OR, 4.5; 95% CI, 1.1-18.3), active disease at colonoscopy (OR, 3.5; 95% CI, 1.4-8.9), and histologically severe inflammation (OR, 10.6; 95% CI; 1.1-104) were all significantly associated with CRP elevation. Abnormal small bowel radiographic imaging was not significantly associated with CRP elevation. In UC patients, CRP elevation was significantly associated with severe clinical activity, elevation in sedimentation rate, anemia, hypoalbuminemia, and active disease at ileocolonoscopy, but not with histologic inflammation. Conclusions: CRP elevation in IBD patients is associated with clinical disease activity, endoscopic inflammation, severely active histologic inflammation (in CD patients), and several other biomarkers of inflammation, but not with radiographic activity.
Detection of RF devices based on their unintended electromagnetic emissions using Principal Components Analysis

Radio Frequency devices produce Unintended Electromagnetic Emissions (UEEs). These emissions have been found to be unique from device to device due to small differences in the physical components that make up the device. The property of uniqueness of UEE has been used to detect and identify the device producing the emission. However, UEEs are low power signals often buried within the noise band, which makes them difficult to detect. In this paper, we present a novel approach of the application of Principal Component Analysis (PCA) in detecting UEEs. UEE samples are collected from two RF devices at three different distances of 3 feet, 6 feet and 10 feet using spectrum analyzer. Our approach can detect if these low power signals are UEEs or noise. A decision table based on PCA parameters to detect UEE signals is also proposed.
Cluster computing on the fly : P2P scheduling of idle cycles in the internet

Peer-to-peer computing, the harnessing of idle compute cycles throughout the Internet, offers exciting new research challenges in the converging domains of networking and distributed computing. Our system, Cluster Computing on the Fly, seeks to harvest cycles from ordinary users in an open access, non-institutional environment. CCOF encompasses all activities involved in the management of idle cycles: overlay construction for hosts donating cycles, resource discovery within the overlay, application-based scheduling, local scheduling on the host node, and meta-level scheduling among a community of application-level schedulers. In this paper, we identify four important classes of cycle-sharing applications, each requiring its own scheduling strategy: workpile, workpile with deadlines, tree-based search, and point-of-presence. We describe a Wave Scheduler for workpile tasks that exploits idle night-time cycles using a geographic-based overlay. The scheduler incorporates a quizzing mechanism to check the correctness of results and determine trust ratings for the hosts. We also propose a Point-of-Presence Scheduler to discover and schedule hosts that meet application-specific requirements for location, topological distribution, and available resources.
Materials Characterization and Synthesis of Conductive Aromatic-Bis(Benzothiazoles)

Functionalized aromatic-bis(benzothiazoles) have been synthesized by our group and have shown promise as conductive n-dopable polymers and oligomers. When reduced (n-doped) these materials typically exhibit conductivity on the order of tens of S/cm. Here we examine the material properties of this family of derivatized, conductive aromatic-bis(benzothiazoles). A variety of synthetic approaches have been examined to produce these polymers and oligomers, and will be discussed. Material characterization has been accomplished by spectro-electrochemistry, nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR), electron spin resonance (ESR), Fourier Transform Infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy, and direct current (DC) conductivity.
Dynamic imaging of vocal fold oscillation with four-dimensional optical coherence tomography.

Objectives/Hypothesis: Optical coherence tomography (OCT) can provide high-resolution (! 10‐15 lm/pixel) images of vocal fold microanatomy, as demonstrated previously. We explored physiologically triggered Fourier-domain OCT for imaging vocal folds during phonation. The goal is to visualize dynamic histological cross sections and four-dimensional data sets where multiple planes are displayed in synchronized motion. If feasible, this approach could be a useful research tool and spur development of new clinical instrumentation. Study Design: A Fourier-domain, triggered OCT system was created and tested in experiments on excised calf larynges to obtain preliminary observations and characterize important factors affecting image quality. Methods: Larynges were imaged during phonation driven by warm, humidified air. A subglottal pressure signal was used to synchronize the OCT system with the phonatory cycle. Image sequences were recorded as functions of anatomical location or subglottal pressure. Implant materials were also imaged during vibration, both in isolation and after injection into a vocal fold. Results: Oscillations of epithelium and lamina propria were observed, and parameters such as shape, amplitude, and velocity of the vocal fold mucosal waves were found to be measurable. Ripples of mucosal wave as small as 100 lm in vertical height were clearly visible. Internal strain was also observed in normal and implanted vocal folds. Conclusions: Four-dimensional OCT of the vocal fold may help to more directly relate biomechanics to anatomy and disease. It may also be useful for assaying the functional rheology of implants in the context of real tissue. With further development, this technology has potential for clinical endoscopic application.
Effect of Injected Longitudinal Vorticity on Particle Dispersion in a Swirling, Coaxial Jet

A passive particle dispersion control technique was investigated in which longitudinal vortices were injected into a developing coaxial swirling jet with sufficient annular swir for flow recirculation to occur. Four vortex generators, separated by 90 degrees and placed along the outside of the annular nozzle, injected vorticity opposite in sign to the mean swirl, significantly altering the structure of the swirling jet. The injected vorticity competed with the mean swirl to reduce azimuthal particle flinging and to disrupt the development of the vortex rings in the outer shear layer. Axial flow visualization showed the formation of axial structures at the forcing frequency but considerable azimuthal asymmetry. Horizontal cross sections showed a four-lobed structure which persisted in the natural jet for at least eight inner jet diameters. The particle concentration field was measured using digital processing of pulsed laser sheet images. Outward radial particle dispersion reduced while inward dispersion toward the jet centerline increased indicating that the injected vorticity sufficiently reduced particle flinging by large-scale vortices
The MMR vaccine controversy — winners, losers, impact and challenges

One of the biggest challenges to professionals involved in immunisation delivery in recent years has been the controversy surrounding the safety of the measles, mumps and rubella (MMR) vaccine. Thi...
PROPERTIES OF BOVINE Ac-GLOBULIN CONCENTRATES AND METHODS OF PREPARATION

A procedure is described for retaining bovine plasma Ac-globulin activity as one part of the protein from plasma for every 1000 parts removed. The yields averaged 15%. The procedure involves remova...
Conical intersection control of heterocyclic photochemical bond scission

The photochemistry of the heterocycle 5,6-dihydro-1-methyl-5,5-diphenylpyridin-2(1H)-one (compound 1 in the text) leads to two competitive reactions (the reactions are depicted in the Introduction to the article). These arise from fission of bond a, between the nitrogen (N-6) and C-1, and bond b, between C-4, with the two phenyl substituents, and C-5, adjacent to the nitrogen. Scission of bond a alone leads to a zwitterionic intermediate which can be trapped by nucleophiles, while cleavage of bonds a and b together affords two fragments--a ketene and an imine. The ketene could be intercepted with nucleophiles and the imine trimerized. Computation reveals little weakening of bonds a and b. But as stretching begins, conical intersections are encountered, leading to ground-state products.
Exceptional sensitivity of Rubisco activase to thermal denaturation in vitro and in vivo.

Heat stress inhibits photosynthesis by reducing the activation of Rubisco by Rubisco activase. To determine if loss of activase function is caused by protein denaturation, the thermal stability of activase was examined in vitro and in vivo and compared with the stabilities of two other soluble chloroplast proteins. Isolated activase exhibited a temperature optimum for ATP hydrolysis of 44°C compared with ≥60°C for carboxylation by Rubisco. Light scattering showed that unfolding/aggregation occurred at 45°C and 37°C for activase in the presence and absence of ATPγS, respectively, and at 65°C for Rubisco. Addition of chemically denatured rhodanese to heat-treated activase trapped partially folded activase in an insoluble complex at treatment temperatures that were similar to those that caused increased light scattering and loss of activity. To examine thermal stability in vivo, heat-treated tobacco (Nicotiana rustica cv Pulmila) protoplasts and chloroplasts were lysed with detergent in the presence of rhodanese and the amount of target protein that aggregated was determined by immunoblotting. The results of these experiments showed that thermal denaturation of activase in vivo occurred at temperatures similar to those that denatured isolated activase and far below those required to denature Rubisco or phosphoribulokinase. Edman degradation analysis of aggregated proteins from tobacco and pea (Pisum sativum cv “Little Marvel”) chloroplasts showed that activase was the major protein that denatured in response to heat stress. Thus, loss of activase activity during heat stress is caused by an exceptional sensitivity of the protein to thermal denaturation and is responsible, in part, for deactivation of Rubisco.
CMT X in Women: Electrodiagnostic Findings (S42.003)

Background: Females with CMT X have been reported to have different phenotypes than males. The variability between females and males with CMT X is attributed to X-inactivation in females, who have normal expression of Cx32 from the normal X chromosome. Although phenotypic data has been consistent, electrophysiologic evidence regarding CMT X in females is uncertain as the clinical and electrophysiological features of females with CMT X are not similar to those in males. The objective of our study was to determine the electrophysiologic characteristics of women with CMT X. Methods: We retrospectively reviewed the electrodiagnostic findings of 45 women with CMT X at Wayne State University and at University of Iowa from 1994 to 2014. Results: Motor nerve conduction velocities (NCV9s) showed greater degrees of heterogeneity ranging from 0-59 m/s in the median nerve, 25-64m/s in the ulnar nerve, and 0-61 m/s in the peroneal nerve. The peroneal CMAP (compound muscle action potential) response off the EDB and the tibialis anterior was more severely affected than either the ulnar CMAP or the median CMAP (p<0.01). All the lower extremity response parameters (CMAP, SNAP, DSL, DML, and CV) were more frequently abnormal than the upper extremity response parameters. Conclusion: Our results demonstrate the previous findings of heterogenous motor NCV9s and the asymmetric nature with the median nerve more affected than the ulnar nerve. The lower extremity nerve conduction studies were also more frequently abnormal than the upper extremity nerve conduction studies. The heterogeneity of nerve conduction studies and motor NCV’s in CMT X females could be explained by lyonization or X-inactivation. Study Supported by: MDA Clinical Research Training Grant Disclosure: Dr. Jerath has nothing to disclose.
Connecting the brain of the child from synapses to screen‐based activity

The connectome of the brain is constructed during foetal life by neurogenesis, arborisation of the neurons and synaptogenesis. The optimal neuronal connections are selected by endogenous spontaneous neuronal activity and sensory input from the external world, particularly after birth. The development of the social brain depends on interaction, particularly with the parents. Infants start to imitate adults from birth and soon learn to recognise faces. They also absorb phonemes like magnets, particularly if they are sitting on their mother's lap and she is speaking motherese. External coupling of the brain to TV, DVDs, iPads and smartphones cannot replace this direct multisensory interaction and does not seem to have the same advantageous effects for children under two years of age that it may have for older children.
Evolved Non-Keplerian Spacecraft Trajectories for Near-Earth Orbital Maneuvers

In this paper we use Differential Evolution (DE), with best-evolved results refined using a Nelder-Mead optimization, to solve complex problems in orbital mechanics relevant to low Earth orbits (LEO) and within the Earth-Moon system. A class of Lambert problems is examined to evaluate the performance and robustness of this evolutionary approach to orbit optimization. We evolve impulsive initial velocity vectors giving rise to intercept trajectories that take a spacecraft from given initial positions to specified target positions. We seek to minimize final positional error subject to time-of-flight and/or energy (fuel) constraints. We first validate that the method can recover known analytical solutions obtainable with the assumption of Keplerian motion. We then apply the method to more complex and realistic non-Keplerian problems incorporating trajectory perturbations arising in LEO due to the Earth’s oblateness and rarefied atmospheric drag. Finally, a rendezvous trajectory from LEO to the L4 Lagrange point is computed. The viable trajectories obtained for these challenging problems suggest the robustness of our computational approach for real-world orbital trajectory design in LEO situations where no analytical solution exists.
Psittacosis in the Native Australian Budgerigars.

Soon after the discovery of latent psittacosis in the breeding establishments of California the sanitation of the aviaries became a paramount problem. A proposal was made to destroy the flocks which were proven to be infected and to resume breeding in the disinfected pens with a native stock imported from Australia. Such a plan might be feasible only provided the native birds should be free from disease. According to reliable reports no psittacosis has been observed or reported from the Australian continent. It was thus anticipated that the budgerigars would possess a high susceptibility to the virus and would therefore lend themselves for exposure and immunity tests.Permission was obtained to export 200 shell parrakeets through the port of Sydney. The birds had been trapped during the month of June in the vicinity of Adelaide a few days before they left the country. They had no contact with other birds either on land or at sea. On their arrival in 8 large cages, in July, 1933, the green, partly mature an...
Identifying signatures of normal and disease in freshly excised non-neoplastic kidney tissue with multiphoton microscopy

Background Multiphoton microscopy (MPM) generates subcellular resolution images in real-time from unprocessed tissue by exciting intrinsic tissue signals [autofluorescence and second harmonic generation (SHG)]. We explored the ability of MPM to identify histo-morphological features in non-neoplastic kidney tissue. Methods Renal tissue sections obtained from nephrectomy specimens (n = 18) of patients with kidney tumors were imaged fresh with Olympus FV1000MPE system and submitted for histopathological diagnosis. Results All the normal components of kidney were identified based on their unique signatures captured in different channels. Glomerular and tubular basement membrane (type IV collagen), tubular epithelial cells, lymphocytes, elastic lamina and media of the blood vessels had autoflourescence in short wavelength channel. Interstitial collagen (type I; normal and fibrotic), sclerosed glomeruli, tubular basement membrane thickening had unique SHG signal. Atrophic tubules with luminal cast, i.e., thyroidization of end-stage kidney had autofluorescence predominantly in long wavelength channel. MPM images were comparable histo-morphologically to their corresponding H&E images. Virtual sectioning while imaging allows three-dimensional reconstruction of the tissue to assess architectural details. Conclusion MPM can identify normal and abnormal histo-morphological features associated with glomeruli and tubulo-interstitium. MPM could serve as a quick real-time imaging tool for evaluation of ex vivo kidney tissue both qualitatively and semiquantitatively.
Thermocapillary Flow and Evaporation Near Contact Lines in Micro Heat Pipes

We develop a mathematical model for heat transfer and fluid flow near a contact line on a heated surface in the presence of thermocapillary flow and evaporation. The coupled heat transfer and flow problem is reduced to an equation for local thickness, which is then solved numerically. The steady-state results indicate that thermocapillary stresses act to reduce the rate of liquid flow towards the contact line and increase interfacial curvature there. We also discuss solutions than involve moving contact lines, applicable to studies of start-up and shut-down operations of heat pipes. The velocity of the contact line and the apparent contact angle are found as functions of the Marangoni number. Thermocapillary effect is shown to reduce contact line speed and increase the apparent contact angle. Finally, the local solution is incorporated into global solutions for curvature variations of an evaporating three-dimensional meniscus in a corner. This configuration is typically encountered in proposed designs of micro heat pipes. Interface curvature is found as a function of the axial coordinate for the case of linear axial temperature variation in the corner.Copyright © 2004 by ASME
Selfhood and the three R’s: Reference, Repetition, and Refiguration

This paper examines the problem of the self in time, and the role that writing plays therein. Because the self is a temporal phenomenon, questions arise regarding its continuity in time: Does personal identity endure over time? What sort of integrity might the self have if it is always changing? This raises the further problem of reference, particularly if one rejects the notion of a substantial self: what resources do we have to refer to the self? Soren Kierkegaard and Paul Ricoeur both situate this discussion within the boundaries of writing. While recognizing the limitations of thought, reference, and writing, both authors push these boundaries in the hope that new possibilities of meaning might emerge through creative modes of discourse. For Ricoeur, the semantic innovations of metaphor and narrative exemplify this possibility. For Kierkegaard, I propose, the indirect communication of his pseudonymous writings comprises another type of semantic innovation. In comparing the pseudonymous writings with Ricoeur's treatment of metaphor and narrative, I show how these forms of discourse create an indirect, second-order reference to those realities that do not permit direct, first-order reference in this case, the self and its possibilities. Further, these innovations mark the intersection of reference to the self with the constitution of the self. That is, these semantic innovations are essential to the dynamic identity of the temporal self. We see this in Ricoeur's discussion of narrative, the main features of which illuminate the narrative dimension of Kierkegaard's pseudonymous authorship, whose task is to assist the reader in coming to selfhood. Kierkegaard and Ricoeur share many convictions regarding the nature of this self, and while I highlight some of these, I do not propose an identity between their positions.
Performance of 2- and 3-year-old children and prediction of 4-year from 1-year performance.

Objective: To examine whether children perform better when they receive cochlear implants when they are 2 to 4 years of age than when they are older, and to determine whether 4-year performance can be predicted from I-year results. Method: Children in two age groups (2 to 4, 4 to 9 years) were tested for performance, and the age groups were compared. Children were also tested I and 4 years after implantation. Results: The results suggest that the implanted young group scored higher than the implanted old group after 36 months, and that 1-year performance is helpful in predicting 4-year performance. Conclusion: It may be desirable for children to undergo implantation when they are under 2 years of age, provided that appropriate selection criteria can be determined.
Variations in the fate of triamterene

Triamterene is a pteridine used therapeutically as a diuretic. In order to better understand variations in effect and toxicity of triamterence in individuals, the fate of the drug in man was investigated. Both nonradioactive and 14C-labeled forms of the drug were administered, and specific methods of analysis were used to separate the parent compound from its metabolite. Individual variation in absorption, binding, and elimination was noted. The drug was excreted in bile as well as urine. Rapid and extensive metabolism of the agent occurred after oral and intravenous doses in healthy adult men. The peak plasma levels of the drug after an oral dose (200 mg) were under 0.3 microng/ml, but the concentration of the primary metabolite. (2,4,7-triamino-6-p-hydroxyphenylpteridine) was higher. The urinary excretion of the metabolite was at least three times that of the parent drug.
Use of Inertial Sensors for Quantifying the Pivot Shift Maneuver

There is emerging interest in the use of inertial sensors such as gyroscopes and accelerometers in evaluating rotational instability of the knee. In particular, a number of groups have recently investigated the use of microelectromechanical systems (MEMS) sensors in instrumenting the pivot shift examination. Using such sensors, it has been demonstrated that an injured knee subjected to the exam tends to undergo larger accelerations than its normal counterpart. Further, higher pivot shift scores (Benjaminse et al. Orthop Phys Ther 36(5):267–288, 2006; Berruto et al. Knee Surg Sports Traumatol Arthrosc 21(4):981–985, 2013) are typically associated with elevated accelerations. Diagnosis of ACL rupture or other quantifications of ACL state based on thresholding of such sensor data does not provide sufficient accuracy for clinical use. However, application of advanced classification techniques to such data has yielded large improvements in diagnostic accuracy.
Study on non-destructive estimation of nitrogen concentration of water hyacinth by hyperspectral data

This study researched the estimation methods of nitrogen concentration of water hyacinth by hyperspectral remote sensing data. The spectral reflectance characteristics were analyzed based on field experiments consisting of different nitrogen levels in three growing seasons. This study investigated the bands and hyperspectral characteristics parameters sensitive to nitrogen concentration through correlative analysis and established estimation models of water hyacinth nitrogen concentration. The results showed that some hyperspectral parameters had the significant correlation with nitrogen concentration of water hyacinth which were the reflectance of green peak (R g ), the amplitude of blue edge (D b ), the amplitude of yellow edge (D y ), the amplitude of red edge (D r ), the area of blue edge (S Db ), the area of yellow edge (S Dy ) and the area of red edge (S Dr ) respectively. The D y had the best correlative relationship with water hyacinth nitrogen concentration and the correlative coefficient (R) was −0.85. The estimation models build by sensitive hyperspectral parameters had been verified the precision respectively and the linear regression model based on Dy were highly significant with the (RMSE) as 0.21% and (MAPE) as 3.29% The results of this study provided theoretical basis and technology approach for monitoring nitrogen concentration of water hyacinth by hyperspectral remote sensing.
PRISM: Platform for Remote Sensing using Mobile Smartphones

To realize the potential of opportunistic and participatory sensing using mobile smartphones, a key challenge is ensuring the ease of developing and deploying such applications, without the need for the application writer to reinvent the wheel each time. To this end, we present a Platform for Remote Sensing using Smartphones (PRISM) that balances the interconnected goals of generality, security, and scalability. PRISM allows application writers to package their applications as executable binaries, which offers efficiency and also the flexibility of reusing existing code modules. PRISM then pushes the application out automatically to an appropriate set of phones based on a specified set of predicates. This push model enables timely and scalable application deployment while still ensuring a good degree of privacy. To safely execute untrusted applications on the smartphones, while allowing them controlled access to sensitive sensor data, we augment standard software sandboxing with several PRISM-specific elements like resource metering and forced amnesia. We present three applications built on our implementation of PRISM on Windows Mobile: citizen journalist, party thermometer, and road bump monitor. These applications vary in the set of sensors they use and in their mode of operation (depending on human input vs. automatic). We report on our experience from a small-scale deployment of these applications. We also present a large-scale simulation-based analysis of the scalability of PRISM’s push model.
Nuclear Blackmail in International Politics

In the early hours of July 16, 1945, in New Mexico's Jornada del Muerto desert, the United States detonated the world's first nuclear device: a single test bomb with the explosive power of more than 18,000 tons of TNT. The shock wave from the explosion was felt over 100 miles away, but its effects reverberated around the world. Over the next several decades, the United States spent trillions of dollars building and maintaining a vast nuclear arsenal. At its peak in the mid-1960s, America's stockpile consisted of more than 30,000 atomic warheads. Seventy years into the nuclear age, it is time to ask: what exactly has the United States gained from its investment in the bomb? What has it been able to do with nuclear weapons that it could not have done without them? The United States is not the only country interested in the answers to these questions. Nine other countries have built nuclear weapons since 1945 (see Table 1.1). All of these states made tremendous sacrifices in order to acquire atomic weaponry. Zulfikar Ali Bhutto, the former prime minister of Pakistan, famously boasted that his countrymen would “eat grass” in order to produce the Pakistani bomb. Pakistan ultimately built a nuclear arsenal – but only at a tremendous financial cost. The production of China's atomic bomb likewise required a significant readjustment of national priorities. Beijing's official guidelines for building the bomb indicated that all “other projects for our country's reconstruction will have to take second place to the development of nuclear weapons.” More recently, North Korea endured years of crippling economic sanctions and international isolation in order to join the nuclear club. Are the benefits that stem from possessing nuclear weapons sufficient to justify these kinds of sacrifices? What have Pakistan, China, and other nuclear powers gained from privileging nuclear weapons programs at the expense of their economic development and other national priorities? Scholars and politicians have puzzled over the political effects of nuclear weapons for decades. Yet most thinking about nuclear weapons has been devoted to a single idea: the ability of nuclear weapons to deter aggression.
An infant smart-mobile system to encourage kicking movements in infants at-risk of cerebral palsy

Observations of spontaneous kicking patterns in infants have presented valuable insights into their development. At times, these kicking patterns can detect potential developmental delays in at-risk infants to help support diagnosis and intervention. However, the prevalence of developmental disabilities has increased and a protocol for early diagnosis is still not widely available outside of direct clinical observations. This paper presents a mobile system that aims at providing a prompt method for detecting atypical kicking patterns in at-risk infants. The Infant Smart-Mobile uses a robotic mobile coupled with wearable sensors for monitoring infant leg movements. We test the feasibility of the Infant Smart-Mobile by evaluating it with respect to data collected from a robotic humanoid designed to simulate kicking in a manner similar to that of infants with typical or atypical motor behavior.
ODS Coating Development Using DED Additive Manufacturing for High Temperature Turbine Components

New generation of turbine blade coating using additive manufacturing (AM) technique to coat a layer of oxide dispersion strengthening (ODS) alloy on superalloy substrate is presented. A novel combined mechanochemical bonding (MCB) plus ball milling process is utilized to produce near spherical and uniform alloyed ODS powders. AM-assisted ODS coating by direct energy deposition (DED) method on MAR-247 substrate, with laser powers of 100 W, 150 W and 200 W were carried out. The ODS coated samples were then subjected to cyclic thermal loadings for over 1280 cycles. Corresponding Young’s modulus measurements of ODS coating at various thermal loading cycles were conducted using a unique non-destructive micro-indentation testing method. Correlation of the measured Young’s modulus with evolution of the ODS microstructures are studied. In particular, the presence of secondary gamma prime phase in the ODS coating after thermal cycles is noted. Test results revealed a thin steady durable alpha alumina oxide layer on the 200 W ODS sample. After 1280 thermal cycles, strong bonding at ODS/substrate interface is maintained for the 200 W ODS coated sample. Test results also showed stable substrate microstructures due to the protective ODS coating.
Quantifying the mechanical effects of He, W and He + W ion irradiation on tungsten with spherical nanoindentation

Recent advances in spherical nanoindentation protocols have proven very useful for capturing the grain-scale mechanical response of different metals. This is achieved by converting the load–displacement response into an effective indentation stress–strain response which reveals latent information such as the elastic–plastic transition or indentation yield strength and work-hardening behavior and subsequently correlating the response with the material structure (e.g., crystal orientation) at the indentation site. Using these protocols, we systematically study and quantify the microscale mechanical effects of He, W, and He + W ion irradiation on commercially pure, polycrystalline tungsten. The indentation stress–strain response is correlated with the crystal orientation from electron backscatter diffraction, the defect structure from transmission electron microscopy micrographs, and the stopping range of ions in matter calculations of displacement damage and He concentration. He-implanted grains show a much higher indentation yield strength and saturation stress compared to W-ion-irradiated grains for the same displacement damage. There is also good agreement between the dispersed barrier hardening model with a barrier strength of 0.5–0.8 and void models (Bacon–Kochs–Scattergood and Osetsky–Bacon models) with the experimentally observed changes in indentation strength due to the presence of He bubbles. This finding indicates that a high density (~ 9 × 1023 m−3) and concentration (~ 1.5 at.%) of small (~ 1 nm diameter) He bubbles can be moderate to strong barriers to dislocation slip in tungsten.
Immunologic phenotype of hosts orally immunized with corneal alloantigens.

PURPOSE To evaluate the immunologic phenotype of hosts tolerized by oral administration of corneal alloantigens. METHODS CB6F1 mice were tolerized by oral administration of allogeneic C3H/Hej corneal epithelial and endothelial cells before receiving heterotopic C3H/Hej corneal allografts. C3H-specific cytotoxic T-lymphocyte (CTL), delayed-type hypersensitivity (DTH), and mixed-lymphocyte responses were evaluated in orally tolerized and control mice. Cytokine profiles of Peyer's patch cells from orally tolerized mice were determined by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay and mink lung cell culture bioassay. RESULTS Oral administration of corneal cells produced a profound inhibition of allospecific CTL, DTH, and mixed-lymphocyte responses. Conjugation with the B subunit of cholera toxin markedly increased the tolerizing activity of corneal endothelial cells, so that a single dose of cholera toxin-conjugated corneal cells inhibited alloimmune responses to the same degree as 10 doses of corneal cells unconjugated with cholera toxin. Peyer's patch cells from orally tolerized mice produced reduced quantities of interferon-gamma and interleukin-2 but produced increased amounts of transforming growth factor-beta and interleukin-10 compared with concentrations in normal control animals. CONCLUSIONS Oral administration of cholera toxin-conjugated corneal cells produces a dose-dependent inhibition of allospecific CTL, DTH, and mixed-lymphocyte responses. Orally induced inhibition of cell-mediated immune responses to corneal alloantigens is correlated with a sharp increase in the secretion of transforming growth factor-beta and interleukin-10 and a concomitant suppression of interleukin-2 and interferon-gamma. The well-recognized immunosuppressive characteristics of transforming growth factor-beta and interleukin-10 are suggestive that orally induced tolerance to corneal alloantigens is mediated by these cytokines.
Continuous Non-Invasive Arterial Pressure Monitoring To Detect Autonomic Dysfunction in Parkinson's Disease (P06.101)

OBJECTIVE: To measure blood pressure and heart rate variation in Parkinson9s Disease (PD) patients who experience orthostatic lightheadedness without orthostatic hypotension (OH). BACKGROUND: PD patients commonly experience orthostatic lightheadedness as a result of dysautonomia. Traditional measurement of OH can be insensitive, and alternative methods of measuring CD are costly, requiring specialized equipment or invasive procedures. Clinicians may be unwilling to treat orthostatic lightheadedness in the absence of objectively documented dysautonomia. A reliable, inexpensive, non-invasive tool to measure dysautonomia is needed. Continuous beat-to-beat changes in blood pressure and heart rate can be measured non-invasively using a continuous non-invasive arterial pressure (CNAP) monitoring device, the CNAP TM 500. DESIGN/METHODS: Participants first undergo traditional blood pressure (BP) and heart rate (HR) measurement at rest and after standing. CNAP TM is then used to measure beat-to-beat BP and HR changes at rest, with standing and during valsalva maneuver. Subjective symptoms are measured using cardiovascular questions of the Non-Motor Symptoms Scale for PD. RESULTS: Thirteen subjects have been enrolled, all Caucasian males. There is no significant difference in age, disease duration, or disease severity between subjects with and without OH. Preliminary results show trends toward greater variation in systolic BP, diastolic BP, and mean arterial pressure during valsalva in subjects with versus without OH, though differences are not statistically significant likely due to the small sample size. There was additional trend toward greater variation in the same measurements in subjects without OH with orthostatic symptoms versus those without OH and without symptoms. One (of two) subjects with symptoms of lightheadedness on standing but without OH by traditional BP measurement was found to lack normal orthostatic response of HR and systolic BP measured by CNAP™, suggesting this may be more sensitive measure of dyautonomia than traditional measures. CONCLUSIONS: CNAP™ may be a reliable, inexpensive, non-invasive way to sensitively measure dysautonomia in PD. Disclosure: Dr. Hellman has nothing to disclose. Dr. Duda has received personal compensation for activities with the Delaware Media Group. Dr. Duda holds stock and/or stock options in Celgene Corporation. Dr. Morley has nothing to disclose.
Quantification of organic materials by ion implantation

Secondary ion mass spectrometry was initially considered to be a semiquantitative technique because of as much as 5 orders of magnitude variation in secondary ion yields over the periodic table for oxygen and cesium bombardment. The use of ion implantation to create standards has made it possible to accurately quantify elements and isotopes in a wide range of inorganic materials. The development of new ion sources has extended depth profiling to organic materials. It is of interest to explore ion implantation to quantify elements and molecular species in organic substrates. It is unrealistic to ion implant an organic molecule. Even if the molecular species was formed into a charged beam, the species will disintegrate upon impact with the substrate. However, if the species of interest contains an element not present in the substrate, then it should be possible to implant that element into the substrate and make a quantitative determination. In recent work, the authors demonstrated quantification of the ins...
Language as a Means of Constructing and Conveying Cognitive Maps

We frequently rely on language, in conjunction with or in the absence of perceptual experience, to convey spatial information. Production of such descriptions involves a host of processes, including selection of important elements to communicate, temporal structuring of the elements, selection of frames of reference and perspectives, and verbal regularization of spatial relations. The addressee is then faced with the challenge of forming a spatial model from linearly ordered simple expressions. The literature shows that memory representations for these described configurations bear some functional resemblance to perceptually derived representations. However, their construction is not guaranteed, and even when mental models are created, they do not always appear to have perception-like properties. How we organize memory for described spatial information appears to depend not only on the structure of the described space itself, but also on cues from the text, characteristics of our typical interactions with space, and the nature of the expected task.
Approximation Methods in Transcendental Function Computations and Some Physical Applications

High precision solution of extremal and complex analytic approximations problems that can be represented in terms of multiple integrals or integral equations involving hypergeometric functions are examined. Fast algorithms of computations of (approximate) solutions are presented that are well suited for parallelization. Among problems considered are: WKB and adelic asymptotics of multidimensional hypergeometric Pade approximations to classical functions, and high accuracy computations of high order eigenvalues and eigenstates for 2D and 3D domains of complex geometry. Methods based on boundary integrals, Galerkin techniques for various eigenfunction expansions and singularity analysis are examined.
Today’s Public Schools

Christopher officially stopped going to school when he was sixteen years old. He basically thought that school was a huge waste of time. It was also demoralizing. After-all Chris cannot remember a time when he even enjoyed going to school. His mom will tell you that Chris was eager to attend school when he was little, but that enthusiasm diminished with each year of attendance.
The Respiratory Burst of Neutrophilic Granulocytes and Its Influence on Infected Tissues

The respiratory burst of neutrophilic granulocytes is a metabolic response of these cells to signals of infection. This metabolic pathway starts with markedly increased oxygen uptake,1,2 resulting in production of primary and secondary products, harmful to invaders.3,4
Vitamin E in biological systems.

Since the discovery of vitamin E over 50 years ago, its role in human health and its biological effectiveness have been under extensive research. It has been established that vitamin E deficiency states exist in humans in specific clinical situations. It is well accepted that vitamin E is the major 1ipid~soluble antioxidant in biological systems, protecting structures and functions of cell membranes from free radical damage. The impact of free radicals on the aging process and development of damage or disease and the protective role of vitamin E and other biological antioxidants in pre venting or delaying these processes is an area of active research.
Thermal stability and energy harvesting characteristics of Au nanorods: harsh environment chemical sensing

Monitoring the levels of polluting gases such as CO and NO x from high temperature (500°C and higher) combustion environments requires materials with high thermal stability and resilience that can withstand harsh oxidizing and reducing environments. Au nanorods (AuNRs) have shown potential in plasmonic gas sensing due to their catalytic activity, high oxidation stability, and absorbance sensitivity to changes in the surrounding environment. By using electron beam lithography, AuNR geometries can be patterned with tight control of the rod dimensions and spacings, allowing tunability of their optical properties. Methods such as NR encapsulation within an yttria-stabilized zirconia overcoat layer with subsequent annealing procedures will be shown to improve temperature stability within a simulated harsh environment. Since light sources and spectrometers are typically required to obtain optical measurements, integration is a major barrier for harsh environment sensing. Plasmonic sensing results will be presented where thermal energy is harvested by the AuNRs, which replaces the need for an external incident light source. Results from gas sensing experiments that utilize thermal energy harvesting are in good agreement with experiments which use an external incident light source. Principal component analysis results demonstrate that by selecting the most “active” wavelengths in a plasmonic band, the wavelength space can be reduced from hundreds of monitored wavelengths to just four, without loss of information about selectivity of the AuNRs. By combining thermal stability, the thermal energy harvesting capability, and the selectivity in gas detection (achieved through multivariate analysis), integration of plasmonic sensors into combustion environments can be greatly simplified.
Divine Materiality: Peoples Temple and Messianic Theologies of Incarnation and Reincarnation

This article uses archival research and personal interviews with former Peoples Temple members to explore the related ideas of incarnation and reincarnation—divine materiality—as developed and taught by Jim Jones in the late 1960s and early 1970s in Peoples Temple. Jones was combinative in his understanding of his own incarnation and belief in reincarnation. He borrowed from faith healers, incorporated ideas from both New Thought and Asian religions, and found biblical justifications for his theology. Peoples Temple members accepted a variety of theological options, in what I have termed “experiential pluralism,” to indicate the lack of a monolithic belief system. Despite this experiential pluralism, however, reincarnation theology knit Peoples Temple members together into a community.
Exploring neighborhoods in large metagenome assembly graphs reveals hidden sequence diversity

Genomes computationally inferred from large metagenomic data sets are often incomplete and may be missing functionally important content and strain variation. We introduce an information retrieval system for large metagenomic data sets that exploits the sparsity of DNA assembly graphs to efficiently extract subgraphs surround- ing an inferred genome. We apply this system to recover missing content from genome bins and show that substantial genomic se- quence variation is present in a real metagenome. Our software implementation is available at https://github.com/spacegraphcats/ spacegraphcats under the 3-Clause BSD License.