cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
H 0 ( n = 3 , 4 ) Stark states produced in the interaction of 800-MeV H − ions with thin foils

The interaction of 800-MeV ${\mathrm{H}}^{\mathrm{\ensuremath{-}}}$ ions with a thin foil produces protons, the ground state and excited states of neutral ${\mathrm{H}}^{0}$ atoms, and unstripped ${\mathrm{H}}^{\mathrm{\ensuremath{-}}}$ ions. We investigated the distributions of individual ${\mathrm{H}}^{0}$ Stark states within the $n=3$ and 4 levels produced by C and ${\mathrm{Al}}_{2}{\mathrm{O}}_{3}$ foil stripping of ${\mathrm{H}}^{\mathrm{\ensuremath{-}}}$ ions. Foils of various thicknesses were placed upstream of a magnet with a linearly increasing transverse field along the beam direction producing a motional electric field strong enough to ionize ${\mathrm{H}}^{0}$ states with $ng~3.$ We consider three questions: (i) What are the populations of individual ${\mathrm{H}}^{0}$ Stark states produced in the interaction of 800-MeV ${\mathrm{H}}^{\mathrm{\ensuremath{-}}}$ ions with thin C and ${\mathrm{Al}}_{2}{\mathrm{O}}_{3}$ foils, (ii) how do the relative population distributions change with foil thickness, and (iii) how is the population distribution produced in an ${\mathrm{Al}}_{2}{\mathrm{O}}_{3}$ foil modified when the foil is placed in a magnetic field? A simple qualitative model is presented to explain the major trends.
A penny-dreadful house for Chinese talkies: notes toward a history of Chinese-language film exhibition in interwar New York

AbstractChinese-language films were a small but significant segment of the foreign-language films shown in New York City between the late 1930s and the end of World War II. These films and the theatres in which they were shown were discussed in the New York daily press and in many cases the location of the theatre and its implied audience dictated to reporters and critics the quality of the film. Chinese-language films shown in Lower East Side neighbourhood theatres were summarily dismissed as crude oddities largely because of their immigrant clientele. While there may have been little difference between them, Chinese-language films shown in midtown art theatres were received as cultural artefacts, which while still perceived as ‘exotic’, were nonetheless critiqued for their value as works of art.
Successful Management of Plastic Bronchitis in a Child Post Fontan: Case Report and Literature Review

Purpose Plastic bronchitis is the occlusion of the major bronchial airways by a firm, gelatinous mucoid cast. It is a rare condition, which while classically described in asthma and sickle cell disease has greater mortality in patients with congenital heart disease. The management of this disease is obscure given the lack of clinical data regarding treatment therapies.
Sulforhodamine 101 induces long-term potentiation of intrinsic excitability and synaptic efficacy in hippocampal CA1 pyramidal neurons

Sulforhodamine 101 (SR101) has been extensively used for investigation as a specific marker for astroglia in vivo and activity-dependent dye for monitoring regulated exocytosis. Here, we report that SR101 has bioactive effects on neuronal activity. Perfusion of slices with SR101 (1 μM) for 10 min induced long-term potentiation of intrinsic neuronal excitability (LTP-IE) and a long-lasting increase in evoked EPSCs (eEPSCs) in CA1 pyramidal neurons in hippocampal slices. The increase in intrinsic neuronal excitability was a result of negative shifts in the action potential (AP) threshold. The N-methyl D-aspartate receptor (NMDAR) antagonist, AP-5 (50 μM), blocked SR101-induced LTP-IE, but glutamate receptor blockers, AP-5 (50 μM), MCPG (200 μM), and MSOP (100 μM), only partially blocked SR101-induced potentiation of eEPSCs. SR101 induced an enhancement of evoked synaptic NMDAR currents, suggesting that SR101 enhances activation of synaptic NMDARs. SR101-induced LTP-IE and potentiation of synaptic transmission triggered spontaneous neuronal firing in slices and in vivo epileptic seizures. Our results suggest that SR101 is an epileptogenic agent that long-lastingly lowers the AP threshold to increase intrinsic neuronal excitability and enhances the synaptic efficacy to increase synaptic inputs. As such, SR101 can be used as an experimental tool to induce epileptic seizures.
Mexican-American caregivers’ perceptions about asthma management: a photovoice study

AbstractObjective: The purpose of this study is to report how photovoice was used to (1) ascertain Mexican-American caregiver perspectives about asthma management, and (2) engage caregivers in dissemination. Methods: Eleven Mexican-American caregivers of children with asthma were recruited and given cameras to photograph what helped or hindered their ability to care for their child. Participants prioritized which images to share, discussed the images with the group, and wrote accompanying titles and captions in four photovoice sessions. Sessions were in Spanish and occurred in a community setting. Participants presented their work to peers and community members. Identified issues were subsequently categorized by investigators according to the four components of asthma care. Results: Participants prioritized 32 phototexts, the majority of which (n = 20, 63%) reflected activities associated with environmental control. Caregivers highlighted asthma triggers, and suggested ways to maintain indoor air quality ...
Cultural and Institutional Factors Affecting Political Contention over Moral Issues

Abortion and same-sex marriage are moral issues that remain highly contentious in the political life of the United States compared to other countries. This level of contention is explained through comparison with Canada. Contrasts in culture and institutions shaping issues and the political avenues that allow their enactment account for differences in the tenor of politics in the two countries.
Constitutional environments and the contractual state: The cases of South Africa and Hong Kong

Abstract An efficient constitutional environment, one that is conducive to the emergence of an optimal, self-enforcing contract, requires that the contracting parties possess good alternatives to the constitutional agreement toward which they are negotiating. Such an environment is crucial to ensure that the resulting constitution effectively constrains rent dissipation and regulation in the post-contractual society. The existing constitutional environments in both South Africa and Hong Kong are not favorable to the formation of an efficient contract. We suggest how the current constitutional processes in these countries might be altered to increase the likelihood of an efficient outcome.
A model for motivating PharmD students to pursue a PhD degree

Abstract Objective To evaluate a mechanism designed to encourage pharmacy students to purse a PhD degree. Design A model in use at Ohio Northern University (ONU)'s College of Pharmacy is described and provides research experiences and motivation for pharmacy students to pursue a PhD degree. The model described establishes a method for the recruitment and funding of undergraduate and pharmacy research students in a pharmacology laboratory. Assessment Since 1997, the pharmacology laboratory has trained approximately 30 undergraduate and pharmacy students. These students have participated in research projects that led to more than 20 peer-reviewed publications. Former students from the laboratory were asked to fill out a web-based questionnaire of their research experience and its impact on career decisions. All respondents overwhelmingly agreed that the research experience aided in the learning of lecture material and in obtaining critical thinking skills in the practice of pharmacy. Furthermore, four of the students have earned a PhD degree and 10 students have other advanced degrees (e.g., MD, MSc). Conclusions Although this model has been successfully used to encourage PharmD students to pursue a PhD degree in biomedical research, it can also be applied to any pharmacy discipline that offers a PhD degree program. Moreover, this model provides a template for encouraging pharmacy students to participate in biomedical research at liberal arts institutions with a primarily teaching focus.
Democracy, Governance, and Emigration Intentions in Latin America and the Caribbean

It is now clear that the global shift toward democracy in recent decades has resulted in a highly uneven democratic landscape in which the quality and performance of democracies around the world vary greatly. In an era characterized by increasingly open borders to goods, services, information, and, at times, labor, we argue that poorly performing, uneven democracies have become an important, yet underexplored, component in one’s emigration calculus. We test this argument through analysis of survey data across 22 Latin American countries and find strong and consistent evidence that both the quality of a democratic system and its ability to fulfill basic governance responsibilities influence the degree to which an individual considers emigration as a viable life strategy. These findings in turn have implications for the subsequent impact emigration may have on the democratic development of high migration communities.
Minimization of Non-Uniform Ion-Thinning Effects in Thin Film Transverse Specimens for Transmission Electron Microscopy

A computer-controlled, specimen rotation attachment was developed and installed on a commercial ion-milling system for TEM specimen preparation. This rotation method produced relatively large thin areas on a variety of thin film transverse specimens with a difference in the ion-milling rates between the film and the substrate. The results were generally comparable to those obtained by a newly developed low-angle ion-thinning procedure and the overall processing time was considerably shortened.
Genomic characterization provides new insight into Salmonella phage diversity.

Salmonella is a widely distributed foodborne pathogen that causes tens of millions of salmonellosis cases globally every year. While the genomic diversity of Salmonella is increasingly well studied, our knowledge of Salmonella phage genomic diversity is still rather limited, despite the contributions of both lysogenic and lytic phages to Salmonella virulence, diversity and ecology (e.g., through horizontal gene transfer and Salmonella lysis). To gain a better understanding of phage diversity in a specific ecological niche, we sequenced 22 Salmonella phages isolated from a number of dairy farms from New York State (United States) and analyzed them using a comparative genomics approach. Classification of the 22 phages according to the presence/absence of orthologous genes allowed for classification into 8 well supported clusters. In addition to two phage clusters that represent novel virulent Salmonella phages, we also identified four phage clusters that each contained previously characterized phages from multiple continents. Our analyses also identified two clusters of phages that carry putative virulence (e.g., adhesins) and antimicrobial resistance (tellurite and bicyclomycin) genes as well as virulent and temperate transducing phages. Insights into phage evolution from our analyses include (i) identification of DNA metabolism genes that may facilitate nucleotide synthesis in phages with a G+C % distinct from Salmonella, and (ii) evidence of Salmonella phage tailspike and fiber diversity due to both single nucleotide polymorphisms and major re-arrangements, which may affect the host specificity of Salmonella phages. Genomics-based characterization of 22 Salmonella phages isolated from dairy farms allowed for identification of a number of novel Salmonella phages. While the comparative genomics analyses of these phages provide a number of new insights in the evolution and diversity of Salmonella phages, they only represent a first glimpse into the diversity of Salmonella phages that is likely to be discovered when phages from different environments are characterized.
Electrocardiographic Score and Short-Term Outcomes of Acute Pulmonary Embolism

Risk stratification of patients with a diagnosis of acute pulmonary embolism (PE) is crucial in deciding appropriate management. An electrocardiographic (ECG) scoring system may potentially be useful in identifying patients at high risk of increased hospital morbidity and mortality from acute PE. Electrocardiography and echocardiography of 159 patients with a diagnosis of acute PE using ventilation/perfusion scan or spiral computed tomographic scan at 2 Emory-affiliated hospitals were reviewed. The 21-ECG score was compared with the presence or absence of right ventricular (RV) dysfunction and the 2 major end points of complicated in-hospital course or death. ECG score was significantly higher in patients with RV dysfunction (p
2,4-Dinitrophenol: Lack of Interaction with High-Energy Intermediates of Oxidative Phosphorylation

If the uncoupling agent 2,4-dinitrophenol is added just prior to addition of the phosphate acceptor adenosine diphosphate to rat liver mitochondria previously incubated with substrate, orthophosphate, and oxygen, steady-state phosphorylation is abolished, whereas the initial phase of rapid phosphorylation, the so-called "adenosine triphosphate jump," is undisturbed. This leads to the conclusion that uncoupling agents operate by interfering with the synthesis of high-energy intermediates, not by hydrolyzing or otherwise inactivating them.
Gating and regulation of the cytochrome c oxidase proton pump.

Abstract As a consumer of 95% of the oxygen we breathe, cytochrome c oxidase plays a major role in the energy balance of the cell. Regulation of its oxygen reduction and proton pumping activity is therefore critical to physiological function in health and disease. The location and structure of pathways for protons that are required to support cytochrome c oxidase activity are still under debate, with respect to their requirements for key residues and fixed waters, and how they are gated to prevent (or allow) proton backflow. Recent high resolution structures of bacterial and mammalian forms reveal conserved lipid and steroid binding sites as well as redox-linked conformational changes that provide new insights into potential regulatory ligands and gating modes. Mechanistic interpretation of these findings and their significance for understanding energy regulation is discussed. This article is part of a Special Issue entitled: Respiratory Oxidases.
Trapping of a reaction intermediate by cyclodextrins

Abstract The formation and decomposition of an intermediate is observed spectrophotometrically in the coupling reaction between p -nitrophenyldiazonium chloride and N , N -dimethylaniline in the presence of β-cyclodextrin. A kinetic analysis of this process is reported.
Cartilage proliferation in response to metacercarial infections of fish gills

The pathology observed in a metacercarial (species not yet identified) infection of pond-raised, aquarium fish is described. In natural infections, there was extensive proliferation of cartilage resulting in loss of respiratory epithelium and occasionally in fusion of primary lamellae. Grossly, the most consistent sign of infection was flared opercula with protruding gills. Although haemorrhage was produced in early infections as the cercariae migrated, it was not macroscopically evident. A few heavily infected fish did have grossly observable signs of haemorrhage but this was not a consistent finding. Cercariae were collected from snails (Pleurocera sp.) and fish were experimentally infected to study the response. Over a 6-day-period, a progression from fibroblast to chondroblast occurred, indicating that piscine fibroblasts are able to differentiate into chondroblasts. This differentiation may be dependent on environmental conditions or may be stimulated by the parasite itself.
Somatosensory cortex of the neonatal pig: II. Topographic organization of the secondary somatosensory cortex (SII).

The cerebral cortex of adult mammals contains several somatotopic representations of the body surface. Although the organization of the various somatosensory cortices of numerous species of adult animals has been elucidated, data on the somatosensory representations of fetal and neonatal animals are limited. As part of an investigation into the perinatal development of the somatosensory cortices, it was necessary to delineate the organization of the somatosensory cortices of the perinatal pig. This study presents the topographical organization of the primary somatosensory cortex (SI) of the perinatal pig. Multiunit microelectrode mapping methods were used to produce topographic maps of SI from barbiturate anesthetized pigs ranging in age from 7 days preterm to 2 months postpartum. It was demonstrated that the overall organization of this region of cortex was similar to that of other mammals: a somatotopic projection of predominantly the contralateral body surface was delineated in which the hindlimb is represented medially and the face laterally across the cortex. A disproportionately enlarged rostrum representation was mapped in detail, and multiple representations of the rostrum, face, and mouth were found. Several of these representations exhibited bilateral and ipsilateral input. The SI trunk and hindlimb representations were located on the medial wall of the hemisphere; these representations were small but their presence refutes speculation that ungulates do not have a complete body representation in SI.
Treatment of tic douloureux and hemifacial spasm by posterior fossa exploration: therapeutic implications of various neurovascular relationships.

A series of 152 posterior fossa explorations for tic douloureux and hemifacial spasm has been reviewed with assessment of outcome at the last follow-up examination. Among 103 cases of tic followed for an average of 48.3 months. 79 patients (77%) obtained good or excellent symptomatic relief, and the
Physical layer network coding for information exchange over a relay node

An information exchange problem between two source nodes over a network relay hub is considered where the downlink wireless broadcast channels from the hub to each node are asymmetrical, with different received SNRs. Conventional XOR network coding uses a single downlink FEC with a code rate that protects the node with the smaller received SNR, thereby penalizing the achievable information throughput to the node with larger received SNR. This paper presents an alternative physical network coding scheme that allows different downlink FECs from the hub to each node with different code rates and different data encoding lengths to achieve optimum capacity and information throughput results.
High-power RF-pulsed modulators for the Los Alamos free electron laser

Abstract In the rf-driven free electron laser (FEL) at the Los Alamos National Laboratory, there are two pulsed-power rf modulators as sources for two tandem, side-coupled 20 MeV linear accelerators. The rf power used to control the cavity fields is supplied by two 5.5 MW modulating anode klystrons operating at a center frequency of 1300.2 MHz. The modulation of the 125 kV klystron is achieved by using a triode switch tube that provides a pulse width up to 300 μs and a pulse repetition rate up to 10 Hz. This paper describes the present configuration of these two duplicate systems and presents plans for meeting the requirements of future rf FEL experiments at Los Alamos.
Epoxy matrix for solid-state dye laser applications.

The preparation and performance of an epoxy-based matrix impregnated with Pyrromethene 580 for solid-state dye laser applications are discussed. The matrix proved to be stable and efficient as a laser medium when pumped by a frequency-doubled, Q-switched Nd:YAG laser with a 10-ns pulse width. Stability measurements were performed on a 1-mm-thick epoxy sample, doped with Pyrromethene 580 at a concentration of 4 × 10-3 M. When the sample was pumped at millijoule energy levels, the stability was measured to be ∼55,000 pulses from a single spot on the sample before the power dropped by a factor of half.
Modeling and Demonstration of Thermally Stable High-Sensitivity Reproducible Acoustic Sensors

A thermally stable high-sensitivity compact fiber acoustic sensor with a large bandwidth and a high dynamic range is introduced. The device is based on a photonic crystal fabricated on a compliant single-crystal silicon diaphragm, which is placed near the metalized end of a single-mode fiber to form a Fabry-Perot (FP) cavity. High reproducibility in operating wavelength (±1 nm) is enabled by assembling the sensor in a SiO2 chip using room-temperature sodium silicate oxide bonding. We demonstrate ten FP sensors with measured displacement sensitivities within ±0.6 dB. The response is shown to be polarization independent and thermally stable, with a thermal coefficient of the operating wavelength of 2.9pm/°C over more than 50 °C. An experimental sensor is shown to measure acoustic pressures down to a record low of 5.6 μPa/√Hz at 12.5 kHz with a flatband response greater than 8 kHz and a sensitivity extending down to at least 100 Hz. The dynamic range in pressure is greater than 100 dB. An electromechanical model of the device response is presented and shown to be in good agreement with experimental results.
Brightness induction and the Café Wall illusion.

The Cafe Wall illusion is a distortion illusion in which the parallel lines of a chessboard-like figure consisting solely of parallel and perpendicular line elements appear to converge in alternating rows, creating a wedge distortion similar to that of the well-known Zollner illusion. Gregory and Heard have formulated an explanation for the Cafe Wall illusion which relies upon the operation of a 'border-locking mechanism' in the visual system. The results of the present experiment suggest an alternative explanation in which the operation of brightness induction within the mortar regions of the Cafe Wall produces a series of 'twisted cords' or slanted line elements akin to those of the Fraser or Zollner figures. A series of such 'twisted cords' is shown to be capable of itself to produce an illusory convergence like that of the Cafe Wall. Manipulations of the luminance of discrete regions in the mortar lines of the Cafe Wall, designed either to augment or cancel the effects of brightness induction in the production of these slanted line elements, are successful in enhancing or reducing, respectively, the wedge distortion of this visual illusion.
Dynamic spectra of interplanetary scintillations

Interplanetary scintillations (IPS) are fluctuations in the apparent intensity of radio sources caused by fluctuations in the electron density of the solar wind1. Observations at a single wavelength provide information on the spatial spectrum of electron density at scales of the order of the radius of the first Fresnel zone. However, dynamic spectra covering a wide range of wavelengths show evidence of fluctuations on a much larger scale2. Unfortunately, the problem of estimation of the spatial spectrum at this larger scale is analytically intractable. Here we compare the observations2 with a numerical simulation of the diffraction of plane waves by a two-dimensional random phase screen. The frequency–time structure of the simulated IPS shows good qualitative agreement with the observations when the turbulence spectrum in the phase screen is a simple power law with the Kolmogorov exponent. No ad hoc large-scale structure is necessary to account for the observations.
The role of atmospheric deposition in an eastern U.S. deciduous forest

Atmospheric sources contributed significantly to the annual flux of trace metals and sulfate to the forest floor of Walker Branch Watershed, a forested catchment in the southeastern United States. Atmospheric deposition supplied from 14% (Mn) to≈40% (Zn, Cd, So 4 = ) to 99% (Pb) of the annual flux to the forest floor; the remainder was attributable to internal element cycling. The measured water solubility of these metals in suspended and deposited particles indicates that they may be readily mobilized following deposition. Dry deposition constituted a major fraction of the total annual atmospheric input of Cd and Zn (≈20%), SO=(≈35%), Pb(≈55%), and Mn (≈90%); however, wet deposition rates for single events exceeded dry deposition rates by one to four orders of magnitude. Interception of rain by the canopy resulted in loss of Cd, Mn, Pb, Zn, and SO= from the canopy, but uptake of H+ which increased with increasing free acidity of the incoming rain, and with increasing residence time of the rain on the leaf surface.
Focusing neutron guides for VULCAN—Design aspects, estimated performance, and detector deployment

Abstract The neutron optics design and performance for VULCAN—the SNS engineering diffractometer—is presented. A gradually tapered focusing neutron guide is used to deliver desired beam divergence at sample position. Selection of instrument resolution is achieved with an interchangeable guide–collimator system in the last 3 m of the neutron guide system. The effect of focusing on instrument resolution was evaluated and the strategy for detector deployment is discussed.
A tunable universal THz filter using artificial dielectrics

Using parallel-plate waveguides that mimic artificial dielectrics, we demonstrate a universal filter that provides tunable, low-pass, high-pass, band-pass, and band-stop filtering functionalities in the THz region.
Preparation of glass capillary columns for gas chromatography

Abstract This review critically summarizes the various procedures for the preparation of wall-coated open tubular columns for gas chromatography. The methods described are rationalized in terms of the chemistry of the glass surface and the factors which influence the nature and chromatographic performance of the stationary phase film.
Crystal and molecular structure of (π-cyclopentadienyl)-(π-cyclobutadiene)cobalt

Abstract The crystal and molecularn structure of (π-cyclopentadienyl)(π-cyclobutadiene)- cobalt (C 5 H 5 )(C 4 H 4 ) has been determined by single crystal X-ray diffraction techniques using three-dimensional data gathered at ca.-35 C by counter methods. Crystals are yellow-orange of irregular shape and og orthorhombic space group Pnma with lattice parameters (at ca.-35 C) α = 10.462(2), b = 9..044(2), and c = 7.672(2) A for a unit cell with four molecules of (C 5 H 5 )(C 4 H 4 )Co. The molecule consist of a Co atom sandwich between the π-bondung cyclopentadienyl and cyclobutadiene ligands. A crystallographic mirror plane passes through the molecule and contains two carbons of the C 4 H 4 moiety resulting in an ordered structure with ? symmetry. Full-matrix least-squares refinement has converged with a R index (on F ) of 0.025 for all 681 symmetry-independent reflections examined within the Mo- K α shell defined by 4 ????.
An analysis of the portfolio of sites to characterize for selecting a nuclear repository.

The U.S. Department of Energy has selected three sites, from five nominated, to characterize for a nuclear repository to permanently dispose of nuclear waste. This decision was made without the benefit of an analysis of this “portfolio” problem. This paper analyzes different portfolios of three sites for simultaneous characterization and strategies for sequential characterization. Characterization of each site, which involves significant subsurface excavation, is now estimated to cost $1 billion. Mainly because of the high characterization costs, sequential characterization strategies are identified which are the equivalent of $1.7–2.0 billion less expensive than the selected DOE simultaneous characterization of the three sites. If three sites are simultaneously characterized, one portfolio is estimated to be the equivalent of $100–400 million better than the selected DOE portfolio. Because of these potential savings and several other complicating factors that may influence the relative desirability of characterization strategies, a thorough analysis of characterization strategies that addresses the likelihood of finding disqualifying conditions during site characterization, uncertainties, and dependencies in forecast site repository costs, preclosure and postclosure health and safety impacts, potential delays of both sequential and simultaneous characterization strategies, and the environmental, socioeconomic, and health and safety impacts of characterization activities is recommended.
COBRA GEMINI radar

With the end of the cold war, measurement and signature intelligence (MASINT) data collection requirements have changed. Formerly, the primary MASINT task was to collect information on foreign strategic missile systems. Today's data collection problem is to collect information on proliferating and emerging tactical ballistic missile capabilities in a number of rest-of-world (RoW) countries. The optimum solution to this data collection problem is an airborne phased array radar. However, this solution is expensive and time-intensive to implement. Therefore, key and consistent recommendation of studies addressing the RoW data collection problem has been to develop a small, transportable imaging radar. This paper presents details of a transportable dual (S and X) band radar development program, named COBRA GEMINI, to provide this collection capability. The program is being managed by the Air Force's Electronic Systems Center (ESC), with support from MIT/Lincoln Laboratory and the MITRE Corporation.
Significance of Unsteady Thickness Noise Sources

The broadband noise from rotors is often considered to be dominated by unsteady lift and trailing edge noise, but the predicted levels from these source mechanisms have been found to underestimate the observed noise levels in the plane of the rotor. This paper considers the application of Hawkings' "unsteady thickness noise" theory to account for this discrepancy. A generalized formulation for the sound radiation from a blade passing through homogeneous turbulence is derived and the theoretical results are compared with the measurements of noise from a model scale rotor presented by Paterson and Amiet. al ,a2 b Nomenclature coefficients of blade thickness distribution blade span, bQ coefficient of blade thickness function blade chord speed of sound energy spectrum of turbulence unsteady lift response function surf ace of airfoil ^3 = ±H(y) blade thickness = 2H c c0 E(k) g( ) H(y) h K = fc = wavenumber of gust k2 = l/2 (k2 + cojt2 /ro co)^
Enhanced Interleukin-1 Activity Contributes to Exercise Intolerance in Patients with Systolic Heart Failure

BACKGROUND: Heart failure (HF) is a complex clinical syndrome characterized by impaired cardiac function and poor exercise tolerance. Enhanced inflammation is associated with worsening outcomes in HF patients and may play a direct role in disease progression. Interleukin-1beta (IL-1beta) is a pro-inflammatory cytokine that becomes chronically elevated in HF and exerts putative negative inotropic effects. METHODS AND RESULTS: We developed a model of IL-1beta-induced left ventricular (LV) dysfunction in healthy mice that exhibited a 32% reduction in LV fractional shortening (P<0.001) and a 76% reduction in isoproterenol response (P<0.01) at 4 hours following a single dose of IL-1beta 3 mcg/kg. This phenotype was reproducible in mice injected with plasma from HF patients and fully preventable by pretreatment with IL-1 receptor antagonist (anakinra). This led to the design and conduct of a pilot clinical to test the effect of anakinra on cardiopulmonary exercise performance in patients with HF and evidence of elevated inflammatory signaling (n = 7). The median peak oxygen consumption (VO(2)) improved from 12.3 [10.0, 15.2] to 15.1 [13.7, 19.3] mL . kg(-1) . min(-1) (P = 0.016 vs. baseline) and median ventilator efficiency (V(E)/VCO(2) slope) improved from 28.1 [22.8, 31.7] to 24.9 [22.9, 28.3] (P = 0.031 vs. baseline). CONCLUSIONS: These findings suggest that IL-1beta activity contributes to poor exercise tolerance in patients with systolic HF and identifies IL-1beta blockade as a novel strategy for pharmacologic intervention. TRIAL REGISTRATION: ClinicalTrials.gov NCT01300650.
Pressure)volume relationships in pediatric systolic and diastolic heart failure

Abstract The left ventricular pressure–volume relationship has been used to examine ventricular systolic and diastolic function as well as to evaluate myocardial energetics and ventricular–vascular coupling. Preload, afterload and contractility can be separately examined using indices derived from simultaneous pressure and volume measurement. Due to the development of new instrumentation and diagnostic tools, these techniques now can be more readily applied to the evaluation of patients in heart failure. Indices of function can be examined on-line during diagnostic cardiac catheterization. Pharmacologic interventions can be evaluated using these methods, allowing for assessment of therapeutic interventions. Medical therapy can be optimized during these studies, allowing more effective and individualized treatment.
Selective Attention in Cross-Situational Statistical Learning: Evidence From Eye Tracking

A growing set of data show that adults are quite good at accumulating statistical evidence across individually ambiguous learning contexts with multiple novel words and multiple novel objects (Fitneva & Christiansen, 2011; Kachergis, Yu, & Shiffrin, 2012; Yu & Smith, 2007; Yurovsky, Fricker, Yu, & Smith, under resubmission); experimental studies also indicate that infants and young children do this kind of learning as well (Smith & Yu, 2008; Vouloumanos & Werker, 2009). The present study provides evidence for the operation of selective attention in the course of cross-situational learning with two main goals. The first was to show that selective attention is critical for the underlying mechanisms that support successful cross-situational learning. The second one was to test whether an associative mechanism with selective attention can explain momentary gaze data in cross-situational learning. Toward these goals, we collected eye movement data from participants when they engaged in a cross-situational statistical learning task. Various gaze patterns were extracted, analyzed and compared between strong learners who acquired more word-referent pairs through training, and average and weak learners who learned fewer pairs. Fine-grained behavioural patterns from gaze data reveal how learners control their attention after hearing a word, how they selectively attend to individual objects which compete for attention within a learning trial, and how statistical evidence is accumulated trial by trial, and integrated across words, across objects, and across word-object mappings. Taken together, those findings from eye movements provide new evidence on the real-time statistical learning mechanisms operating in the human cognitive system.
High-aspect-ratio plasma target for Raman backscattering in Exawatt laser development

We design a scalable plasma target with uniform density and sharp boundaries for Raman backscattering for Exawatt laser development.
Biomechanical stability of a supra-acetabular pedicle screw Internal Fixation device (INFIX) vs External Fixation and plates for vertically unstable pelvic fractures

Background We have recently developed a subcutaneous anterior pelvic fixation technique (INFIX). This internal fixator permits patients to sit, roll over in bed and lie on their sides without the cumbersome external appliances or their complications. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the biomechanical stability of this novel supraacetabular pedicle screw internal fixation construct (INFIX) and compare it to standard internal fixation and external fixation techniques in a single stance pelvic fracture model.
Developing mobile learning applications for electrical engineering courses

With the shift from desktop/laptop computers to multi-touch mobile devices (e.g. iPad, Smartphone, Tablet handheld), these mobile devices have become a part of everyday life and have potentials to promote in-class activities between teachers and students. In this paper, we have developed mobile learning applications for the Google's Android and Apple's iOS platforms to be used in electrical engineering courses at the University of Tennessee at Martin and have investigated their effects on student performance. These applications are quiz-style and touch based applications that ask students questions relevant to electrical engineering subjects. There are several different problems to choose from, including digital logic gate analysis, discrete signal convolution, and digital filter design. Once students complete the work, the score results can be sent to the instructor's email automatically. While students play with this mobile software, they are actually learning the subjects and getting to compete with classmates. Students also can learn anytime or anywhere, in or outside of the classroom.
Phylogenetic diversity of the enteric pathogen Salmonella enterica subsp. enterica inferred from genome-wide reference-free SNP characters.

The enteric pathogen Salmonella enterica is one of the leading causes of foodborne illness in the world. The species is extremely diverse, containing more than 2,500 named serovars that are designated for their unique antigen characters and pathogenicity profiles—some are known to be virulent pathogens, while others are not. Questions regarding the evolution of pathogenicity, significance of antigen characters, diversity of clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeat (CRISPR) loci, among others, will remain elusive until a strong evolutionary framework is established. We present the first large-scale S. enterica subsp. enterica phylogeny inferred from a new reference-free k-mer approach of gathering single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) from whole genomes. The phylogeny of 156 isolates representing 78 serovars (102 were newly sequenced) reveals two major lineages, each with many strongly supported sublineages. One of these lineages is the S. Typhi group; well nested within the phylogeny. Lineage-throughtime analyses suggest there have been two instances of accelerated rates of diversification within the subspecies. We also found that antigen characters and CRISPR loci reveal different evolutionary patterns than that of the phylogeny, suggesting that a horizontal gene transfer or possibly a shared environmental acquisition might have influenced the present character distribution. Our study also shows the ability to extract reference-free SNPs from a large set of genomes and then to use these SNPs for phylogenetic reconstruction. This automated, annotation-free approach is an important step forward for bacterial disease tracking and in efficiently elucidating the evolutionary history of highly clonal organisms.
PLASMA BETA ABOVE A SOLAR ACTIVE REGION: RETHINKING THE PARADIGM

In this paper, we present a model of the plasma beta above an active region and discuss its consequences in terms of coronal magnetic field modeling. The β-plasma model is representative and derived from a collection of sources. The resulting β variation with height in the solar atmosphere is used to emphasize that the assumption that the magnetic pressure dominates over the plasma pressure must be carefully employed when extrapolating the magnetic field. This paper points out (1) that the paradigm that the coronal magnetic field can be constructed from a force-free magnetic field must be used in the correct context, since the force-free region is sandwiched between two regions which have β>1, (2) that the chromospheric Mg ii–C iv magnetic measurements occur near the β-minimum, and (3) that, moving from the photosphere upwards, β can return to ∼1 at relatively low coronal heights, e.g., R∼1.2 R s.
Effect of solution chemistry on assimilable organic carbon removal by nanofiltration: full and bench scale evaluation

The effectiveness of nanofiltration (NF) to control assimilable organic carbon (AOC) and biodegradable dissolved organic carbon (BDOC), the main indicators of biological stability of finished potable water, was systematically investigated at the 30,000 m3/day NF membrane plant located in Southern Florida. One year of full-scale operation showed that nanofiltration effectively reduced BDOC, but was not able to reject AOC. The insignificant AOC rejection observed was probably due to the low pH, high hardness, and high ionic strength (TDS) of the processing water. In order to verify this hypothesis, a series of well-controlled bench-scale experiments were conducted at simulated solution chemistries. The bench-scale study clearly demonstrated that AOC removal by NF membranes decreased markedly with decreasing pH (a 25% decrease in pH led to a 20% decrease in AOC removal), and increasing hardness (10-fold increase led to a 90% decrease in AOC removal) and ionic strength (a 25-fold increase led to a 50% decrease in AOC removal). These solution environments repress the electrostatic repulsion between charged AOC compounds and membranes, resulting in low AOC rejection. Lastly, an empirical model was statistically developed based on bench-scale data and utilized to estimate full-scale performance. AOC removal predicted by the model showed good agreement with values observed in full-scale operation (R2=0.98).
Morphology of Nylon‐6 blends with styrenic polymers

The morphology of blends of styrenic polymers in a matrix of 75% Nylon-6 prepared in a Brabender Plasti-Corder was examined by scanning electron microscopy. Styrene/acrylonitrile copolymers (SAN) form smaller particles as the AN level increases owing to the corresponding decrease in the SAN–polyamide interfacial tension. Various styrenic polymers containing functional groups, maleic anhydride or oxazoline type, that can react with Nylon-6 during melt processing were added to the SAN phase which also led to a decrease in the particle size owing to the graft copolymer formed in situ. The effects of functional group type, amount of functional groups per chain, amount of functional polymer added, and the miscibility of the styrene/maleic anhydride (SMA) and SAN copolymers on the morphology of the styrenic phase in the Nylon-6 matrix are described. © 1992 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.
Examining How Media Coverage Impacts the Regulatory Notice and Comment Process

This study examines how media coverage impacts the interaction between industries and regulatory agencies in the United States. We examine Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) rulemaking and airli...
Characterization of Uptake of the New PET Imaging Compound 18F-Fluorobenzyl Triphenyl Phosphonium in Dog Myocardium

18F-Labeled p-fluorobenzyl triphenyl phosphonium cation (18F-FBnTP) is a member of a new class of positron-emitting lipophilic cations that may act as myocardial perfusion PET tracers. Here, we characterize the 18F-FBnTP uptake and retention kinetics, in vitro and in vivo, as well as the myocardial and whole-body biodistribution in healthy dogs, using PET. Methods: Time-dependent accumulation and retention of 18F-FBnTP in myocytes in vitro was studied. Seven anesthetized, mongrel dogs underwent dynamic PET scans of the heart after intravenous administration of 126−240 MBq 18F-FBnTP. In 4 of the 7 dogs, at the completion of a 60-min dynamic scan, whole-body scans (4 bed positions, 5-min emission and 3-min transmission per bed) were acquired. Arterial blood samples were collected at 0, 5, 10, 20, 30, and 60 min after administration, plasma activity was counted, and high-performance liquid chromatographic analyses for metabolites were performed. The extent of defluorination was assessed by measuring 18F-FBnTP bone uptake in mice, compared with 18F-fluoride. Results: The metabolite fraction comprised
A binding rule for Government-binding parsing

In this paper I propose a Binding rule for the identification of pronoun and anaphor referents in phrase-structure tress, assuming the general framework of the Government-binding theory outlined by Chomsky (1981). The Binding rule, specified by means of an attribute grammar, is a particular instantiation of the Free Indexing rule and binding axioms in Chomsky's Binding theory, with certain empirical and practical advantages. The complexities of the Binding rule proposed, as well as that inherent in Chomsky's Binding theory, are studied, and it is shown that the new rule is more psychologically plausible and computationally efficient than the original theory on which it is based. The fragment of the attribute grammar shown here is part of an English grammar and parser being developed in the Prolog and PLNLP languages.
Scanning electron microscopy imaging of hydraulic cement microstructure

Use of the scanning electron microscope (SEM) with X-ray microanalysis allows study of clinker and cements; permitting measuring bulk phase abundance and surface areas of the phases, as well as bulk chemistry of constituent phases can be carried out. Direct imaging of hydraulic cements by SEM yields a more complete picture of both bulk and surface phase compositions. Mass percentages obtained by SEM imaging are in good agreement with percentages based upon QXRD and may differ significantly from those estimated by the Bogue calculations. The finer-grained phases (gypsum, tricalcium aluminate, and ferrite) show much higher surface areas per unit mass than the coarser-grained phases such as alite and belite. Such data are being applied to develop better relationships between the cement material properties and performance properties and to provide starting images for a cement hydration simulation model being developed at NIST.
Paleomagnetism of Ordovician alkalic intrusives and host rocks from the Pedernal Hills, New Mexico: positive contact test in remagnetized rocks?

Jackson, M,, Van der Voo, R. and Geissman, J.W., 1988. Paleoma~etism of Ordovician alkalic intrusives and host rocks from the Pedemal Hills, New Mexico: positive contact test in remagnetized rocks? Tectonophysics, 147: 313-323. A set of thin dikes from central New Mexico, dated at 469& 7 Ma (Rb-Sr; Loring and Armstrong, 1980), have yielded a virtual geomagnetic pole which lies on the Late Paleozoic segment of the North American apparent polar wander path. The remanence of the dikes appears to be a product of Late Paleozoic hydrothermal alteration. Paradoxically, however, the magnetization of the host rocks is most simply explained in terms of a positive contact test. Samples collected between 0.2 and 0.5 dike-widths from the contact contain a component of remanence parallel to the magnetization in the dikes, with unblocking temperatures which decrease with distance from the dikes. Host rocks from a distance of more than 1 dike-width show no evidence of the characteristic dike magnetization. There are two possible resolutions of this paradox: (1) the magnetization of the host rocks is secondary, despite the apparent positive contact test, and is a product of hydrothe~al fluid migration through the dikes or along the contact zones; or (2) the magnetization of the dikes is primary, but not representative of the Ordovician paleofield for North America. Possible reasons for inaccurate representation include: (a) incomplete averaging of secular variation; (b) tectonic rotation with respect to the stable craton; or (c) erroneous age determination for the rocks. We argue that explanation (1) is the most likely.
Antimicrobial biomaterials based on carbon nanotubes dispersed in poly(lactic-co-glycolic acid)

Biomaterials that inactivate microbes are needed to eliminate medical device infections. We investigate here the antimicrobial nature of single-walled carbon nanotubes (SWNTs) incorporated within the biomedical polymer poly(lactic-co-glycolic acid) (PLGA). We find Escherichia coli and Staphylococcus epidermidis viability and metabolic activity to be significantly diminished in the presence of SWNT-PLGA, and to correlate with SWNT length and concentration (<2% by weight). Up to 98% of bacteria die within one hour on SWNT-PLGA versus 15-20% on pure PLGA. Shorter SWNTs are more toxic, possibly due to increased density of open tube ends. This study demonstrates the potential usefulness of SWNT-PLGA as an antimicrobial biomaterial.