cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
A study of shear banding in polymer solutions

In a recent letter [M. Cromer, M. C. Villet, G. H. Fredrickson, and L. G. Leal, “Shear banding in polymer solutions,” Phys. Fluids25, 051703 (2013)], we showed the existence of a steady shear-banded velocity profile for a model polymer solution with an underlying monotonic constitutive curve. The driving mechanism is the coupling of the polymer stress to an inhomogeneous concentration profile. To further understand this phenomenon, in this paper we investigate the underlying linear instability as well as probe the model parameters and their effect on transient and steady state solutions. The linear stability analysis of the steady, base homogeneous model shows that, in opposition to diffusion, the polymer concentration moves up stress gradients in a shear flow creating a critical balance such that, for a range of parameters, an instability occurs that drives the system away from homogeneity. The simulation of the full nonlinear equations in planar one-dimensional shear reveals a window within which the linear instability manifests itself as a shear-banded flow. Unlike the case for a nonmonotonic constitutive curve for which two bands are predicted, there is no apparent selection process for a monotonic curve that sets the number of bands in planar shear. Thus, we find the possibility of greater than two bands, the number of which is determined by the ratio of the polymer correlation length to the channel width. In addition to steady shear banding, transient phenomena are also probed revealing a complicated band transition (i.e., number of bands changing in time) as well as elastic recoil in a Taylor-Couette cell, each of which have been observed in experiment. Finally, as we showed in our letter, a nonlinear subcritical instability exists resulting in multiple steady states depending upon the wall ramp speed. Here, we show that this phenomenon can occur for realistic parameter values, in particular those obtained for a particular polymer solution that has shown this multiple steady state behavior experimentally.
Howling detection in hearing aids based on generalized Teager-Kaiser operator

With the ongoing miniaturization in the hearing aid industry, acoustical coupling between the loudspeaker and the microphone(s) of the hearing aid causes a major problem to users. Howling is one of the most severe and annoying consequences of this acoustical coupling. This study presents a howling detection method using the Generalized Teager-Kaiser Operator (GTKO). Since the GTKO is both time and frequency sensitive, its resolution parameter must be assigned properly to ensure satisfactory performance of this operator in the frequency range of the input signal for the hearing aid. In order to cover the entire band of the input signal with appropriate resolution parameters, the input signal is decomposed into a filterbank (i.e., uniform and nonuniform filterbanks). GTKO is applied to the output of each band to detect the howling, and the resolution parameter of the GTKO block is selected depending on the central frequency of that particular band. Experimental results compare the performance of each proposed method with two known howling detection approaches, Peak-to-harmonic power ratio (PHPR) approach and a multiple-feature approach. The proposed method has high detection probability and short detection time. It is also shown that considering a hybrid algorithm which includes the PHPR approach with each of the proposed methods (i.e. combination of GTKO blocks with different types of filterbanks) results in lower false alarm probability.
Detection of agar, by analysis of sugar markers, associated with Bacillus anthracis spores, after culture.

Abstract Detection of small quantities of agar associated with spores of Bacillus anthracis could provide key information regarding its source or growth characteristics. Agar, widely used in growth of bacteria on solid surfaces, consists primarily of repeating polysaccharide units of 3,6-anhydro- l -galactose (AGal) and galactose (Gal) with sulfated and O -methylated galactoses present as minor constituents. Two variants of the alditol acetate procedure were evaluated for detection of potential agar markers associated with spores. The first method employed a reductive hydrolysis step, to stabilize labile anhydrogalactose, by converting to anhydrogalactitol. The second eliminated the reductive hydrolysis step simplifying the procedure. Anhydrogalactitol, derived from agar, was detected using both derivatization methods followed by gas chromatography–mass spectrometry (GC–MS) analysis. However, challenges with artifactual background (reductive hydrolysis) or marker destruction (hydrolysis) respectively lead to the use of an alternative agar marker. A minor agar component, 6- O -methyl galactose (6-O-M gal), was readily detected in agar-grown but not broth-grown bacteria. Detection was optimized by the use of gas chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (GC–MS–MS). With appropriate choice of sugar marker and analytical procedure, detection of sugar markers for agar has considerable potential in microbial forensics.
A Method to Evaluate Upper Airway Mechanics Following Intervention in Snorers

Purpose: To describe a method that measures multisegment upper airway changes following intervention for snoring and obstructive apnea that controls for physiological fluctuations during sleep. Patients and Methods: Retropalatal, retroglossal, and retrohyoid airway segments were evaluated before and after application of an oral appliance (OA) in four snoring subjects. Twelve airway segments were evaluated. Physiological fluctuations during sleep were controlled with variably applied nasal continuous positive applied pressure (CPAP), benzodiazepam-induced sleep, and obtaining measures at zero flow on the first test breath. Airway area was measured endoscopically. Results: The methodology identified that following intervention with an OA, maximum retroglossal airway size increased 23.3% ± 7.5% (P < .05) and retrohyoid size decreased −63.5% ± 16.0% (P < .05). No changes in retropalatal area (−2.5% ± 3.0%) or closing pressure were observed. The level of primary obstruction shifted inferiorly in one patient. Airway measures prior to intervention showed small alterations of applied pressure (1 cm H2O) changed retropalatal and retroglossal area an average of 10% ± 0.9%/cm H2O. Conclusion: The mechanical effects of limited airway intervention can be measured with a hypotonic, pressure-controlled methodology. At small airway areas, the airway is highly collapsible and airway size fluctuates. Small changes in applied or physiological forces may alter the airway as significantly as the effects of the intervention being evaluated. The hypotonic upper airway method provides a method to control airway collapse and evaluate interventions, such as OA or surgery, for snoring and obstructive sleep apnea syndrome.
Silver nanoparticle-induced oxidative stress-dependent toxicity in Sprague-Dawley rats

Due to the intensive commercial application of silver nanoparticles (Ag-NPs), their health risk assessment is of great importance. For acute toxicity evaluation of orally administered Ag-NPs, induction of reactive oxygen species (ROS), activity of liver function enzymes [(alanine (ALT/GPT), aspartate (AST/GOT), alkaline phosphatase (ALP)], concentration of lipid hydroperoxide (LHP), comet assay, and histopathology of liver in the rat model were performed. Four groups of five male rats were orally administered Ag-NPs, once a day for five days with doses of 5, 25, 50, 100 mg/kg, body weight. A control group was also made of five rats. Blood and liver were collected 24 h after the last treatment following standard protocols. Ag-NPs exposure increased the induction of ROS, activities of the liver enzymes (ALT, AST, ALP), concentration of lipid hydroperoxide (LHP), tail migration, and morphological alterations of the liver tissue in exposed groups compared to control. The highest two doses, 50 and 100 mg/kg showed statistically significant (p < 0.05) increases in ROS induction, ALT, AST, ALP activity, LHP concentration, DNA damage, and morphological alterations of liver compared to control. Based on these results, it is suggested that short-term administration of high doses of Ag-NP may cause organ toxicity and oxidative stress.
Retaining Productive Units: A Dynamic Programming Model with a Steady State Solution

We consider a system consisting of productive units which age the units could be men. As these units age, they tend to leave the system and must be replaced. We can retard this by spending more money on them. The system is required to maintain a constant production rate. The latter is a linear function of the number of units in the different age groups. The desideratum is an optimal retention policy. We formulate an infinite-horizon deterministic dynamic programming model and find a steady state policy a policy under which the system moves directly to a target state whose cost differs from the optimal cost by an amount whose bound is independent of the interest rate. We also find optimal policies for some special cases.
Regulation of calcitriol receptor and its mRNA in normal and renal failure rats

Regulation of calcitriol receptor and its mRNA in normal and renal failure rats. Homologous up-regulation of calcitriol receptor (VDR) by calcitriol is believed to be a transcriptional event. In this experiment, we studied the effect of calcitriol on VDR in normal and renal failure rats. The time course of the effect of calcitriol on VDR mRNA showed a biphasic change in VDR mRNA in response to calcitriol. The concentration of intestinal VDR mRNA increased at six hours and reached peak levels approximately 15 hours after calcitriol injection. Thereafter, the mRNA began to decrease and by 48 hours the level had declined to below the control values. The VDR levels also increased, though they lagged behind the VDR mRNA, and nearly plateaued at 24 hours after calcitriol treatment. In renal failure, the concentrations of VDR were lower and the levels of VDR mRNA were higher than the respective values of normal rats, suggesting that VDR synthesis was inhibited at post-transcriptional sites. Chronic administration of calcitriol increased the VDR but lowered the VDR mRNA levels in both normal and renal failure rats. Infusion of uremic ultrafiltrate to normal rats resulted in lower VDR and higher VDR mRNA levels similar to those found in rats with renal failure. The results indicate that uremic toxins are responsible for the low VDR and high VDR mRNA in renal failure.
Venous Air Embolism: Echocardiographic Diagnosis of Air Bubbles in the Left Side of the Heart in a Patient With a Previously Diagnosed Intrapulmonary Shunt

This case report demonstrates the utility of echocardiography to definitively diagnose venous air embolism in a patient with a known intrapulmonary shunt by visualization of spontaneous air bubbles in chambers of the left side of the heart.
An IETS study of surface reactions applicable to adhesion

Inelastic electron tunneling spectroscopy (IETS) has been used to study two classes of adhesion promoting compounds adsorbed on alumina: trialkoxysilanes and phosphonic acids. It has been shown that both types of compounds can condense directly with hydroxyl groups on the surface. Condensation is through the alkoxy groups in the case of the silanes and through the hydroxyl groups in the case of the acids. The silanes can further condense to form surface siloxanes. The absence of bands characteristic of the phosphoryl group in the spectra of the acids is indicative of resonance bond formation followed by ionic bonding to the surface.
Labor Supervision and Institutional Conditions: Evidence from Bicol Rice Farms

This article analyzes labor supervision activities reported in a survey of rice farmers in the Bicol region of the Philippines. We present a theoretical model that relates supervision intensity to institutional conditions. We estimate a supervision intensity equation and control for the decision to hire labor, the decision to supervise hired labor, and the type of the labor contract. The empirical estimates use different village-level spatial and demographic indicators as proxies for institutional conditions. The results are consistent with the prediction of the theoretical model that supervision increases with weaker institutional conditions.
Why the Far-Distant Future Should Be Discounted at Its Lowest Possible Rate*

Abstract A critical feature of the distant future is currently unresolvable uncertainty about what will then be the appropriate rate of return on capital to use for discounting. This paper shows that there is a well-defined sense in which the “lowest possible” interest rate should be used for discounting the far-distant future part of any investment project. Some implications are discussed for evaluating long-term environmental projects or activities, like measures to mitigate the possible effects of global climate change.
Novel Multitarget Real-Time PCR Assay for Rapid Detection of Bordetella Species in Clinical Specimens

A novel multitarget real-time PCR (RT-PCR) assay for the rapid identification of Bordetella pertussis, B. parapertussis, and B. holmesii was developed using multicopy insertion sequences (ISs) in combination with the pertussis toxin subunit S1 (ptxS1) singleplex assay. The RT-PCR targets for the multiplex assay include IS481, commonly found in B. pertussis and B. holmesii; IS1001 of B. parapertussis; and the IS1001-like sequence of B. holmesii. Overall, 402 Bordetella species and 66 non-Bordetella species isolates were tested in the multitarget assay. Cross-reactivity was found only with 5 B. bronchiseptica isolates, which were positive with IS1001 of B. parapertussis. The lower limit of detection (LLOD) of the multiplex assay was similar to the LLOD of each target in an individual assay format, which was approximately 1 genomic equivalent per reaction for all targets. A total of 197 human clinical specimens obtained during cough-illness outbreak investigations were used to evaluate the multitarget RT-PCR assay. The multiplex assay results from 87 clinical specimens were compared to the individual RT-PCR assay and culture results. The multitarget assay is useful as a diagnostic tool to confirm B. pertussis infections and to rapidly identify other Bordetella species. In conclusion, the use of this multitarget RT-PCR approach increases specificity, while it decreases the amount of time, reagents, and specimen necessary for RT-PCRs used for accurate diagnosis of pertussis-like illness.
Nicotinamide metabolism in a nicotinamide-requiring yeast, Saccharomyces fragilis C351

Abstract Saccharomyces fragilis C 351 was grown on Difco vitamin-free yeast base that had been supplemented with inositol, biotin, calcium pantothenate, and nicotinamide. It would not grow when nicotinamide was omitted from the medium. The metabolic fate of nicotinamide in this organism has been traced using nicotinamide-7- 14 C. Nicotinamide was rapidly taken up by the cells and converted to DPN. No intermediates were detected. The appearance of TPN in the cells lagged behind that of DPN. During the period of maximum formation of TPN, the level of DPN in the cells decreased in what appeared to be a direct relationship to the increase in the level of TPN. Both DPN and TPN leaked out of the cells when one or more factors present in the vitamin-free yeast base were exhausted. The singular fate of nicotinamide in S. fragilis C 351 offered a simple means for the preparation of DPN labeled with 14 C in its nicotinamide moiety. A procedure has been worked out that employs S. fragilis C 351 for the synthesis of small quantities of DPN- 14 C of high specific activity. TPN- 14 C was an important by-product of the method. The nucleotides were isolated and separated by DEAE-cellulose chromatography.
Research Fundamentals: Statistical Considerations in Research Design: A Simple Person's Approach

Abstract. A basic understanding of statistical methodology is essential, both for designing quality research projects and for evaluating the medical literature. Careful statistical planning, including the selection of study endpoints, the determination of the required sample size, and the selection of statistical tests to be used in the data analysis, is important to ensure a successful research project. The purpose of this article is to provide a basic review of statistical terms and methods for both the researcher and the clinician, as well as to clarify questions that need to be answered prior to embarking on an experimental study. The advantages of collaborating with stastical consultants, and some guidelines for such collaborations, are discussed as well.
Comparison of pregnancy diagnosis by milk progesterone on day 21 and day 24 postbreeding: field study in dairy cattle.

Abstract Milk samples collected at 21 and 24 d after breeding were used to diagnose cows as pregnant, questionable, or not pregnant with high, intermediate, or low progesterone in the milk. Total agreement of pregnancy diagnosis in cows by milk progesterone at 21 d postbreeding and diagnosis by return to estrus or palpation of reproductive organs was 85.8% (77.4% on pregnant progesterone diagnosis and 97.2% on not pregnant progesterone diagnosis). Total agreement of diagnosis by progesterone at 24 d postbreeding and diagnosis by estrus or palpation was 88.4% (83.5% on pregnant progesterone diagnosis and 95.3% on not pregnant progesterone diagnosis). Although total accuracy of cows diagnosed both pregnant and not pregnant by milk progesterone on d 24 postbreeding was greater than diagnosis on d 21 postbreeding when cows in estrus by d 24 were deleted from the data, other comparisons for effect of day on accuracy of diagnosis were not different. Total accuracy of diagnosis on d 24 was not increased by using milk progesterone on both d 21 and 24 Samples collecteds on the day of breeding indicated that 18 of 190 (1.9%) had intermediate or high progesterone. Fourteen (1.5) additional cows had progesterone above levels expected for a cow in estrus.
Ubicomp assistant: an omnipresent customizable service using MARKS (middleware adaptability for resource discovery, knowledge usability and self-healing)

Due to the pervasive nature of current short range, low-power wireless connectivity and easy availability of low-cost light weight mobile devices, it is necessary to have an omnipresent customizable service. It can be used by different types of users different fields such as education, healthcare, marketing, or business, at any time, and at any place. These devices can reach ubiquitously to neighboring devices using a free short range ad hoc network. Unfortunately, to the best of our knowledge, no one has designed such a service. In this paper, we present the details of the Ubicomp Assistant (UA), which is designed to accomplish the above objectives. To evaluate the design, we have developed an application which uses UA as a service. It uses MARKS (Middleware Adaptability for Resource Discovery, Knowledge Usability and Self-healing) as an underlying core service provider.
A new 1H15N13C triple-resonance experiment for sequential assignments and measuring homonuclear HαHN vicinal coupling constants in polypeptides

We have developed a ‘H“N13C triple-resonance experiment that provides accurate measurements of homonuclear H *-H N coupling constants in polypeptides. The pulse sequence also results in sequential and intraresidue cross peaks that can be distinguished from their different cross-peak structures. The experiment yields in part patterns similar to those of a technique we had developed earlier (1, 2). The previously described technique uses successive one-bond coherence transfers from HP to CT( w1 ), Ni, and Hr( wz). Simultaneously two-bond coherence transfer occurs from HE, to C; 1 ( w , ) , Ni, and H y ( w2) (2). This sequence provides, at the w2 frequency of each HN, two cross peaks, an intraresidue CT( w1 )-Hr( w2) cross peak, and a sequential C ;, ( w , ) -H r ( w2) cross peak. The intraresidue cross peak consists of two components at
Dynamic system-wide reconfiguration of grid deployments in response to intrusion detections

As Grids become increasingly relied upon as critical infrastructure, it is imperative to ensure the highly-available and secure day-to-day operation of the Grid infrastructure. The current approach for Grid management is generally to have geographically-distributed system administrators contact each other by phone or email to debug Grid behavior and subsequently modify or reconfigure the deployed Grid software. For security-related events such as the required patching of vulnerable Grid software, this ad hoc process can take too much time, is error-prone and tedious, and thus is unlikely to completely solve the problems. In this paper, we present the application of the ANDREA management system to control Grid service functionality in near-real-time at scales of thousands of services with minimal human involvement. We show how ANDREA can be used to better ensure the security of the Grid: In experiments using 11,394 Globus Toolkit v4 deployments we show the performance of ANDREA for three increasingly-sophisticated reactions to an intruder detection: shutting down the entire Grid; incrementally eliminating Grid service for different classes of users; and issuing and applying a patch to the vulnerability exploited by the attacker. We believe that this work is an important first step toward automating the general day-to-day monitoring and reconfiguration of all aspects of Grid deployments.
Circulating 25-Hydroxyvitamin D and Risk of Esophageal and Gastric Cancer: Cohort Consortium Vitamin D Pooling Project of Rarer Cancers

Upper gastrointestinal (GI) cancers of the stomach and esophagus have high incidence and mortality worldwide, but they are uncommon in Western countries. Little information exists on the association between vitamin D and risk of upper GI cancers. This study examined the association between circulating 25-hydroxyvitamin D (25(OH)D) and upper GI cancer risk in the Cohort Consortium Vitamin D Pooling Project of Rarer Cancers. Concentrations of 25(OH)D were measured from 1,065 upper GI cancer cases and 1,066 age-, sex-, race-, and season-of blood draw-matched controls from 8 prospective cohort studies. In multivariate-adjusted models, circulating 25(OH)D concentration was not significantly associated with upper GI cancer risk. Subgroup analysis by race showed that among Asians, but not Caucasians, lower concentrations of 25(OH)D (<25 nmol/L) were associated with a statistically significant decreased risk of upper GI cancer (reference: 50-<75 nmol/L) (odds ratio = 0.53, 95% confidence interval: 0.31, 0.91; P trend = 0.003). Never smokers with concentrations of <25 nmol/L showed a lower risk of upper GI cancers (odds ratio = 0.55, 95% confidence interval: 0.31, 0.96). Subgroup analyses by alcohol consumption produced opposing trends. Results do not support the hypothesis that interventions aimed at increasing vitamin D status would lead to a lower risk of these highly fatal cancers.
Wavefield and AVO modeling using elastic thin-slab method

We propose a dual-domain, one-way, elastic thin-slab method for fast and accurate amplitude variation with offset AVOmodeling.Inthismethod,thewavefieldpropagatesin the wavenumber domain and interacts with heterogeneity in the space domain. The approach requires much less memory andistwotothreeordersofmagnitudefasterthanafull-wave methodusingfinitedifferenceorfiniteelement.Thethin-bed AVO and AVOs with lateral parameter variations have been conducted using the thin-slab method and compared with reflectivity and finite-difference methods, respectively. It is shown that the thin-slab method can be used to accurately modelreflectionsformostsedimentaryrocksthathaveintermediateparameterperturbations20%forP-wavevelocity and 40% for S-wave velocity. The combined effects of overburdenstructureandthescatteringassociatedwithheterogeneitiesonAVOhavebeeninvestigatedusingthethin-slab method. Properties of the target zone and overburden structure control the AVO trends at overall offsets. Scattering associated with heterogeneities increases local variance in the reflected amplitudes and becomes significant for the sedimentarymodelswithweakreflections.InterpretationofAVO observations based on homogeneous elastic models would therefore bias the estimated properties of the target. Furthermore, these effects can produce different apparent AVO trendsindifferentoffsetranges.
“Grandma, What Big Teeth You Have!” The Social Construction of Grandparenting in American Business and Academe

Business interest in grandparenting is growing as the baby boom generation becomes eligible for grandparenthood. Although only about 10% of grandparents have primary caregiving responsibilities for their grandchildren, academic research today focuses disproportionately on problems and policies of grandparent caregivers. This article examines the social construction of grandparenting by business and academe. Evidence for the construction of grandparent roles is provided from two sources: a case study of strategic business philanthropy targeting grandparents and a review of academic research on grandparenting. Data from three focus groups and a survey of 180 grandparents are provided. Four types of business involvement are discussed.
Solar Geoengineering’s Brave New World: Thoughts on the Governance of an Unprecedented Technology

AbstractDue to the failure of international efforts to limit atmospheric concentrations of greenhouse gases, consideration is now being given to solar geoengineering—a deliberate intervention to li...
A potassium thiocyanate extract vaccine prepared from Pasteurella multocida 3:A protects rabbits against homologous challenge

Potassium thiocyanate extracts of a virulent Pasteurella multocida 3:A rabbit isolate were prepared and used as a vaccine in rabbits. The extract contained protein, carbohydrate, hyaluronic acid, lipopolysaccharide, DNA, and RNA. The protein and lipopolysaccharide profiles of the extract were similar to those of the P. multocida cell membrane. Rabbits were vaccinated intranasally (i.n.) or intramuscularly (i.m.) four times at 1- or 3-week intervals and challenged i.n. with the homologous P. multocida 2 weeks after the last vaccination. Rabbits vaccinated with the extract by the i.n. route developed persisting serum immunoglobulin G (IgG) and nasal IgA antibodies, whereas rabbits immunized by the i.m. route produced persisting serum IgG and transient nasal IgA antibodies. The extract prevents the death of rabbits which were vaccinated by either route and challenged. Vaccination by the i.n. route in rabbits reduced the numbers of virulent P. multocida in nasal cavities and lungs and the prevalence and severity of rhinitis and pneumonia. These i.n.-vaccinated rabbits were also resistant to virulent P. multocida colonization in liver, spleen, uterus, and tympanic bullae. Similarly, i.m. vaccination in rabbits resulted in a reduction in the severity of rhinitis; the numbers of virulent P. multocida in lungs; and the prevalence of colonization in liver, spleen, uterus, and tympanic bullae. Vaccination by the i.n. route was superior to that by the i.m. route in that there was a significant reduction in the severity of pneumonia and numbers of virulent P. multocida in nasal cavities and lungs. Rabbits vaccinated with the extract without challenge showed no lesions.
Almost periodicity and B -equicontinuity in topological dynamics

In the previous paper(8), we considered a property of families of functions we termed. ‘ B -equicontinuity’. It was shown that B -equicontinuity is stronger than the usual equicontinuity, and is weaker than the equicontinuity defined by Bartle (3). In this paper we consider the concept of B -equicontinuity on topological transformation groups. The net characterization of equicontinuity obtained in (8) is used in discussion. It is proved in (1) that if ( X, T , π) is almost periodic, the transition group {π t | t ∈ T } is equicontinuous. One might wonder whether this conclusion can be strengthened to say that {π t | t ∈ T } is B -equicontinuous; we show here by an example that this is not true and a partial solution to this problem is given. Some relations between almost periodicity and B -equicontinuity are also discussed.
Effects of Sodium Bicarbonate Administration on the Exercise Tolerance of Normal Subjects Breathing Through Dead Space

Study objective The purpose of this study was to determine whether the administration of sodium bicarbonate to normal individuals would increase their Pa co 2 and thereby decrease the ventilatory requirements at a given workload. Design In this double-blind crossover study, six normal men ingested either 3 mEq/kg NaHCO 3 or 1 mEq/kg NaCl once a day for 5 days, in addition to 40 mg of furosemide and 40 mEq KCl. After each 5-day treatment, the subjects underwent a symptom-limited maximal bicycle ergometer exercise test while breathing through external dead space (with a volume of approximately 50% of their FEV 1 ), a second exercise test without any external dead space, and an assessment of their respiratory response to hypercapnia. Results The administration of the NaHCO 3 resulted in a significant increase in the arterial HCO 3 − from 20.8 to 24.0 mEq/L and a significant increase in the Pa co 2 from 31.7 to 36.9 mm Hg at rest that persisted during exercise. During exercise periods with the added dead space, the Borg scores were significantly lower at each workload after the subjects received bicarbonate, but the maximal exercise level did not increase. The mean (± SD) slope of the mouth occlusion pressure response to hypercapnia was significantly lower after the administration of NaHCO 3 than after NaCl, respectively: 0.73 ± 0.41 vs 1.27 ± 0.97 cm H 2 O/mm Hg. Conclusion From this study we conclude that the administration of NaHCO 3 results in a significant increase in the Pa co 2 , decreases the ventilation and the Borg score at equivalent workloads, and decreases the hypercapnic response in normal individuals.
Photopolymerizable acrylic resin: Effect of curing time and temperature

A photopolymerizable resin was closely examined for its capacity as an adhesive via cure advancement in submerged water at cold temperatures. The effects of curing time and temperature were studied by bond strength measurements and extracted monomer quantification with high pressure liquid chromatography. In both cases the cure was performed under water, and there was one wet interface. Both methods showed the progression of the photopolymerization with time and had similar characteristic times. The adhesion strength was measured by lap shear and remained nearly constant over the entire temperature range studied (around 2 MPa for a 2-min cure), while a slight increase in the extracted uncured monomer quantity of one of the resin components was obtained for increasing temperatures.
Action selection in teleautonomous systems

Numerous generalized architectures for telerobotic systems have been proposed. Most are hard-wired instantiations of a specific approach, which rarely address the interactions between human and autonomous elements of teleautonomous systems. The work described here provides a more general, easily extensible and modifiable architecture. Specific issues addressed include methods that fuse decisions from multiple sources (such as human, reactive, or deliberative), integrate multiple command sources, and accommodate multipurpose event recognizers to change operating modes. These methods may be dynamically altered to generate a variety of control modes. A result of the research described in this paper is a modifiable, extensible framework for the unification of the many modes of control, such as shared, teleoperative, and supervisory, which are described in the telerobotics literature.
Particle Contamination of High Voltage DC Insulators below Corona Threshold

A scaled dc transmission line insulator string has been implemented in sub-corona experiments to identify parameters important to the particle contamination process. Simple trajectory analysis of particle motion yields good agreement between predicted contamination features and observed phenomena, and suggests a model for the quantitative prediction of contamination of dc insulators on actual transmission lines in the field. The deposition rate on surfaces that become contaminated is experimentally shown to be given by the average product of particle mobility, particle mass density in the ambient air, and normal electric field on the insulator surface.
Influence of Red Imported Fire Ants on Greenhouse Gas Emissions from a Piedmont Plateau Pasture

Researchers have previously attempted to relate the influences of many ant species to the nitrogen (N) and carbon (C) cycles. However, the gaseous phases of these cycles have been neglected. A field study was conducted near Auburn University (32°52′N, 85°30′W) in a bermudagrass [Cynedon dactylon (L.) Pers] pasture to determine the influence of the red imported fire ant [Solenopsis invicta (L.) Buren] on soil emission of three greenhouse gases from April 1999 to April 2000. A completely random design was used with three replications. Treatments consisted of ant influenced soil (mounds) and non-ant influenced control soil. Surface emission rates of N2O-N, CH4-C, and CO2-C were measured bi-weekly using a closed chamber technique. Soil collection to a depth of 100 cm was used to determine soil moisture, pH, and status of soil N and C. While the red imported fire ant significantly influenced greenhouse gas fluxes from mound soil, it was concluded that for a bermudagrass pasture in Alabama, the increase of annu...
Advances in high efficiency diode laser pump sources suitable for pumping Nd:YAG systems

Nd:YAG systems are conventionally pumped at 808-nm. Direct upper-level pumping at 885-nm leads to lower heat. Diode laser pumps sources now provide power with efficiency close to 70% at both wavelengths, offering significant system benefits.
Necrotic enteritis: Applications for the poultry industry

Abstract Considering market demands concerning the decreased use of growth promoters and anticoccidial drugs in feed formulations, the poultry industry has been trying to reduce or eliminate the inclusion of subtherapeutic doses of antimicrobials into feed. Formulating diets not only to meet birds’ nutrient requirements for growth but also for gastrointestinal health parameters is increasingly important. Maintenance and enhancement of intestinal integrity is essential for bird performance when antimicrobials are not included in feed, as commercial poultry face numerous enteric pathogen challenges. Necrotic enteritis has reemerged as an important disease of poultry in recent years. The reduction in the use of antimicrobials in poultry feeds has been attributed as one of the main contributing factors for the increasing incidence of necrotic enteritis (NE) in commercial poultry. Mortality due to NE is extremely high (1% daily mortality), which results in great economic losses. Economic losses due to NE are not only associated with high mortality, but also associated with decreases in bird performance and FE, particularly in subclinical cases of NE. Birds that survive NE outbreaks usually have a reduced ability to digest and absorb nutrients due to extensive damage to the mucosal lining, which ultimately results in reduced profitability.
Determining the non-ideal parallel-plate capacitance of a split-ring resonator gap

Metamaterials in the terahertz range or higher typically have gaps that are far from an ideal parallel plate due to microfabrication limitations on feature size. This work examines the exact solution to the square parallel plate capacitor and finds a valid approximation for capacitance in non-ideal geometries, when the gap size is comparable or larger than the dimensions of the plates.
Optics and nonlinear buckling mechanics in large-area, highly stretchable arrays of plasmonic nanostructures (Presentation Recording)

Large scale, dense arrays of plasmonic nanodisks (Au) on low modulus, high elongation elastomeric substrates (PDMS) represent a class of tunable optical system, with reversible ability to shift plasmon resonances, originating from array deformation, over a range of nearly 600nm in the visible region. At the most extreme levels of mechanical deformation (strains <100%), non-linear buckling processes transform initially planar arrays into three dimensional configurations, in which the nanodisks rotate out of the plane, giving rise to an increase of transition rate, to form linear arrays with ‘wavy’ geometries. Analytical and finite element models capture not only the physics of these buckling processes, including all of distinct modes that occur, but also the quantitative effects of these deformations on the plasmonic responses. The results have relevance to mechanically tunable optical systems, with potential relevance to soft optical sensors that integrate on or in the human body.
Designing a National Service Academy

The mission of a National Service Academy is to: Recognize, acknowledge, and build on our veterans’ valuable military training and service experience; Recruit veterans into higher education as undergraduate and graduate students; Support student veterans’ reintegration from “combat to campus;” assist student veterans with mitigation of psychological health issues, physical disabilities, and family reintegration needs; Assist female student veterans with mitigation of their unique psychological health issues, e.g., issues caused by sexual trauma experienced during military service; and Prepare student-veteran graduates for and help place them in meaningful employment in the public and private sectors,
The Logic of Indigenous Voice

I analyze the logic of certain arguments from the aboriginal rights movement (“aboriginalism”) directed against the Western academy. Some emphasis is placed on the New Zealand Maori who drove many megafauna species into extinction well before the advent of European colonialism in the islands. I argue that the efforts of the indigenous oppressed there and elsewhere to preserve and advance indigenous culture are hindered by the idealization of native life ways, particularly as they existed prehistorically. Further damage to the aboriginal rights movement, I maintain, is done by the representation of Westerners as monolithic and inhuman oppressors. While grievous errors of both thought and deed have been committed by the West, I caution against confusing these errors for a present incapacity for clear, objective study. I argue that in fact efforts of the indigenous oppressed to preserve and advance their cultures stand to gain valuable assistance from the Western academy. At the same time, following Mill, I repeat the call to ensure that the voices of oppressed indigenous peoples are heard. Lastly, I urge all concerned parties to observe a principle of good faith. Academics and activists alike should recognize the humanity in each other and work to promote and preserve it in both.
Cholecystokinin-induced protection against gastric injury is independent of endogenous somatostatin

Cholecystokinin (CCK) prevents macroscopic injury to the stomach from luminal irritants by an unknown mechanism. The present study was undertaken in conscious rats to ascertain what role gastric mucosal blood flow, sensory neurons, and endogenous somatostatin play in CCK-induced gastric protection. Subcutaneous administration of CCK (10-100 micrograms/kg) significantly reduced macroscopic injury to the acid-secreting portion of the stomach caused by 1 ml of orally administered acidified ethanol (150 mM HCl, 50% ethanol) and augmented gastric mucosal blood flow (fluorescent microspheres) in a dose-dependent fashion. However, although the protective response to CCK (100 micrograms/kg) was still present at 2 h, the blood flow response had returned to baseline by 45 min. Ablation of capsaicin-sensitive afferent neurons with capsaicin (125 mg/kg sc) did not negate CCK-induced protection. Pretreatment with exogenous somatostatin (1 pmol-1 nmol/kg sc) failed to prevent the damaging effects of acidified ethanol to gastric mucosa. Immunoneutralization of endogenous somatostatin with somatostatin monoclonal antibody (2 mg ip) did not reverse the protective actions of CCK. Thus the data suggest that although CCK may prepare the gastric mucosa to withstand a damaging insult by augmenting gastric mucosal blood flow, its protective mechanism is independent of intact sensory neurons and endogenous somatostatin.
Jaspers Meets Confucius

I place Jaspers’ discussion of Confucius in the context of his project of writing a universal history of philosophy. But I say that Jaspers meets Confucius because he acknowledges the critical scholarship about dating and the authenticity of the texts attributed to Confucius and then goes on to form a picture of his subject that he claims has all its original freshness. Philosopher meets philosopher. I consider to what extent Confucius is a representative of the Axial Age. Jaspers emphasizes how Confucius gives priority to existential enactment over mere form. I suggest that the role of custom and ritual for Confucius is played for Jaspers by philosophical communication. Finally, I compare them as public figures.
3D Joint Inversion of Magnetotelluric and Magnetovariational Data to Image Conductive Anomalies in Southern Alberta, Canada

It is well known that magnetotelluric (MT) impedance can be distorted by near-surface inhomogeneities (NSI), which complicates the interpretation of MT data and the correct imaging of deep geoelectrical structures. This paper demonstrates that the inclusion of magnetovariational (MV) tipper data in a three-dimensional (3D) inversion jointly with MT impedance provides better resolution of deep conductive anomalies than stand-alone MT impedance. This is significant because MV data can be collected alongside the MT impedance data for virtually no additional cost. Electric and magnetic fields in forward modeling are determined using the integral equation (IE) method. The inverse problem is solved with the reweighted regularized conjugate gradient (RRCG) method with limited sensitivity domain. We present the results of both a synthetic model and case study using EarthScope data gathered in Southern Alberta, Canada. In both cases, the joint inversion provides more accurate information about deep conductive anomalies than the inversion of impedance stand-alone data.
Kidney function estimating equations: where do we stand?

Purpose of review Estimation of the glomerular filtration rate (GFR) is central to the diagnosis, evaluation and management of chronic kidney disease. This review summarizes recent data on the performance of equations using serum creatinine to estimate the GFR, particularly the Modification of Diet in Renal Disease (MDRD) Study equation. Recent findings During 2005 GFR estimation has received substantial attention with a focus on comparing the MDRD Study equation with the Cockcroft–Gault equation. Several large studies (n > 500) have appeared. Most studies discuss creatinine calibration but few were able to standardize measurements. Studies that did calibrate the creatinine had improved performance. Overall, the MDRD Study equation performed well in populations with a low range of GFR and often outperformed the Cockcroft–Gault equation. Both equations have lower precision in high GFR populations, and the MDRD equation under-estimated the GFR in a number of studies. Efforts are underway to develop improved prediction equations by pooling data across many study populations. Summary Equations for estimating the GFR from serum creatinine are useful for systematic staging of chronic kidney disease. The MDRD Study equation and systematic creatinine assay calibration improve the level of precision and accuracy in many settings. GFR estimates are less useful in the normal range of GFR, however, and are sensitive to the population under study.
Interstage somatic growth in children with hypoplastic left heart syndrome after initial palliation with the hybrid procedure.

Introduction The hybrid procedure is one mode of initial palliation for hypoplastic left heart syndrome. Subsequently, patients proceed with either the "three-stage" pathway - comprehensive second stage followed by Fontan completion - or the "four-stage" pathway - Norwood procedure, hemi-Fontan, or Fontan completion. In this study, we describe somatic growth patterns observed in the hybrid groups and a comparison primary Norwood group. METHODS A retrospective analysis of patients who have undergone hybrid procedure and Fontan completion was performed. Weight-for-age and height-for-age z-scores were recorded at each operation. RESULTS We identified 13 hybrid patients - eight in the three-stage pathway and five in the four-stage pathway - and 49 Norwood patients. Weight: three stage: weight decreased from hybrid procedure to comprehensive second stage (-0.4±1.3 versus -2.3±1.4, p<0.01) and then increased to Fontan completion (-0.4±1.5 versus -0.6±1.4, p<0.01); four stage: weight decreased from hybrid procedure to Norwood (-2.0±1.4 versus -3.3±0.9, p=0.06), then stabilised to hemi-Fontan. Weight increased from hemi-Fontan to Fontan completion (-2.7±0.6 versus -1.0±0.7, p=0.01); primary Norwood group: weight decreased from Norwood to hemi-Fontan (p<0.001) and then increased to Fontan completion (p<0.001). Height: height declined from hybrid procedure to Fontan completion in the three-stage group. In the four-stage group, height decreased from hybrid to hemi-Fontan, and then increased to Fontan completion. The Norwood group decreased in height from Norwood to hemi-Fontan, followed by an increase to Fontan completion. CONCLUSION In this study, we show that patients undergoing the hybrid procedure have poor weight gain before superior cavopulmonary connection, before returning to baseline by Fontan completion. This study identifies key periods to target poor somatic growth, a risk factor of morbidity and worse neurodevelopmental outcomes.
Updraft Buoyancy within and Moistening by Cumulonimbi prior to MJO Convective Onset in a Regional Model

AbstractProcesses responsible for widespread development of moderately deep cumulonimbi during a transition period before onset of two large-scale convective events associated with the Madden–Julian oscillation in late 2011 are investigated. A regional model (WRF) is capable of rapidly producing an approximately 3-day-long transition period prior to MJO convective onset similar to observed transition periods, during which moderately deep cumulonimbi were prevalent. During transition periods, evaporation in precipitating elements and horizontal advection of moisture away from the clouds in the nearby clear-air environment contributed to humidification below 400 hPa. Nonprecipitating clouds were present in the model mostly between 900 and 950 hPa and had no major impact on tropospheric moistening. Whether nonprecipitating cumuli grew into moderately deep cumulonimbi largely depended on the buoyancy of updrafts that extended into the 700–850-hPa layer. As mean environmental temperatures decreased, the mean c...
A study on methods of feature selection based on the correlation analysis

The connection between the correlation and the classify ability of feature is studied. A method of feature automatic selection based on the criterion of correlation coefficient is proposed. And the feature subclass selected by using this method is proved to have powerful classification ability by the good results of experiments to automatic discriminate the underground nuclear explosion and natural earthquake.