cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Recent results on the gettering of tritium from molten lithium

Recent sorption experiments confirm that the mass transfer resistance in the yttrium solid phase controls the rate of tritium uptake from liquid lithium. Physical and chemical characteristics of different yttrium sorbers were measured to identify those properties that have the greatest effect on the tritium recovery rate. The BET surface areas of the five samples tested ranged from 0.005 to 0.4 m/sup 2//g; concentrations of carbon, hydrogen, nitrogen, and oxygen impurities in the sample lots increased with increasing surface area. The sample showing the highest effective sorption rate had the largest surface area but also contained the highest concentration of impurities.
Quenching of a primary resonance by a combination resonance of the additive or difference type

Abstract An investigation is presented of the interaction of primary resonances and combination resonances of the additive and difference types in single-degree-of-freedom systems with quadratic and cubic non-linearities. The method of multiple scales is used to derive two coupled first order ordinary differential equations that describe the evolution of the amplitude and phase with damping, non-linearity and both primary and combination resonances. These equations are used to determine the conditions for steady state solutions and their corresponding frequency response equation. The latter is used to determine the conditions for quenching or enhancing the response of the system to a primary resonance by the addition of a combination resonance. The analytical results are verified by numerically integrating the original equation.
Superconducting transition temperatures in pseudobinary A15 compounds

Results of previous experimental studies on superconducting transition temperatures in A15 pseudobinary compounds are compared with rigid-band extensions of recent band-structure calculations. The comparisons indicate that the electron-phonon interaction parameter eta is reasonably well approximated by the rigid-band model if the third constituent is a 3d (4d) transition metal substitution for vanadium (niobium). On the basis of this model we predict that (V/sub 1-x/Ti/sub x/)/sub 3/Ge compounds should have superconducting temperatures exceeding 15 K.
Analysis of terrain map matching using multisensing techniques for applications to autonomous vehicle navigation

This paper describes skyline-based terrain matching, a new method for locating the vantage point of laser range-finding measurements on a global map previously prepared by satellite or aerial mapping. Skylines can be extracted from the range-finding measurements and modelled from the global map, and are represented in parametric, cylindrical form with azimuth angle as the independent variable. The three translational parameters of the vantage point are determined with a three-dimensional matching of these two sets of skylines.
Auditory spectral integration in nontraditional speech cues in diotic and dichotic listening.

Summary.—Underlying auditory processes in speech perception were explored. Specifically of interest were the stages of auditory processing involved in the integration of dynamic information in nontraditional speech cues such as the virtual formant transitions. These signals utilize intensity ratio cues and changes in spectral center-of-gravity (instead of the actual formant frequency transitions) to produce perceived F3 glides. 6 men and 8 women (M age = 24.2 yr., SD = 2.1), recruited through posted materials from graduate students at The Ohio State Univer sity, participated in two experiments. The results for frequency-based formant tran sitions (Exp. 1) indicated that spectral cues to syllable identification are combined at more central levels of auditory processing. However, when the components of the virtual formant stimuli were divided between the ears in a dichotic listening task (Exp. 2), the results indicated that auditory spectral integration may occur above the auditory periphery but at stages more intermediate rather than central. The dynamic time-varying acoustic events in speech have been a fo cus of speech perception research for several decades. The fact that speech is inherently dynamic poses demands on the auditory system to process efficiently both the segmental and prosodic structures of an utterance. De spite overall progress in understanding the acoustic properties of these complex structures, work still needs to be done to explore the basic under lying auditory processes involved in extracting the relevant information from speech signals. The present study focuses on the perception of dynamic formant tran sitions in the syllables /da/-/ga/. Vowel formants represent vowel-specific concentrations of acoustic energy in vowel sounds due to the resonance properties of the vocal tract. The frequencies of these formants are deter mined by the shape and length of the vocal tract. Because vowels occur in syllables and words and not in isolation, configurations of the vocal tract change appropriately to produce the consonant-vowel-consonant se quences. When moving out of a consonant and into a vowel (or vice ver sa), vowel formants change, since the vocal tract configuration is chang 1
Magneto-Optic Kerr Effect Studies of Two-Dimensional Magnetism

The Magneto-optic Kerr effect (MOKE) is used to investigate novel magnetic properties of epitaxial Fe films grown on Ag(100). Variable parameters of the study include temperature, film thickness, strength of the applied magnetic field (parallel to the surface) and photon energy. Two layer films (n=2) exhibit a linear dependence of magnetic moment and coersive force with temperature, and an (extrapolated) Curie temperature of 670°C, approximately 35% lower than the Curie temperature of bulk Fe (1043°C). Kerr effect signals scale linearly with film thickness for 3≤n≤10 atomic layers when the film is magnetized parallel to the surface, but for n<3, the Kerr effect signal departs significantly from linear behavior, and appears to vanish for n=1.
Barnard's Merope Nebula Revisited: New Observational Results

IC 349 is a small, fan-shaped reflection nebula located only 30'' from 23 Tau; its nucleus is, by a factor 15, the brightest area of the Pleiades nebulosity. We propose that IC 349 is a fragment of the Taurus-Auriga molecular cloud that has been encountered by the Pleiades in that cluster's southward motion and is being illuminated and shaped by the radiation field of 23 Tau. New Hubble Space Telescope multicolor imagery and the structure, colors, and surface brightness of IC 349 are discussed in terms of that hypothesis. What is known of the proper motion of the nebula, what can be inferred of the properties of the nebula from its color, and what is expected from radiation pressure theory appear to be compatible with this cloudlet-encounter hypothesis.
Experience with a medical education research group at the Mayo Clinic.

Background: Clinician-educators are encouraged to engage in scholarly activity despite numerous barriers to conducting educational research. We found no reports of formal educational research groups among general internists.Aim: To evaluate a Scholarship in Medical Education Group (SIMEG) for general internists.Methods: The setting is a Division of General Internal Medicine at a large academic medical center. In 2005 twenty-two faculty members formed SIMEG to collaborate on educational research and award protected days for scholarly education projects. Through monthly dialogue and literature review, standards for critiquing educational research were created.Results: A total of 63 protected days were awarded to successful applicants. SIMEG members’ curriculum vitae were monitored over two years. From 2005 to 2006, SIMEG members’ presentations (15 to 29; p = 0.125), peer-reviewed publications (8 to 27; p = 0.016) and collaborative projects (19 to 42; p = 0.047) increased.Conclusions: Our educational researc...
Evaluation of a vessel-mounted acoustic doppler current profiler for use in rivers and estuaries

A shallow water, 1.2 Megahertz Acoustic Doppler Current Profiler (ADCP) specifically designed to provide earth-referenced water velocity profiles from a moving vessel was evaluated. The ADCP is a four transducer system with a 1-m depth cell resolution and a depth range of 4 to 29 m. Velocity data are recorded and processed using a microcomputer based data-acquisition system. Lake and river tests indicate that the ADCP provides a good measure of velocity during low- to medium-flow conditions (15 to 100 cm/s), providing that an averaging interval of 20 s or more is maintained. The ADCP short-term random error using a 1-s averaging period was determined to be 6.5 cm/s, but was reduced to 2.3 cm/s by using a 20-s averaging period. The ADCP system should be usable for making moving-boat discharge measurements. Some ADCP velocity bias with depth was detected during some river tests which indicate that further tests at higher river flows and in temperature and salinity stratified water are needed to completely evaluate this ADCP.
Heat flow into subsurface openings

Heat is emitted into subsurface ventilation systems from a variety of sources. In the majority of the world’s coal mines, the airstream itself is sufficient to remove the heat that is produced. In deep metal mines, heat is usually the dominant environmental problem and may necessitate the use of large-scale refrigeration plant. Conversely, in cold climates, the intake air may require artificial heating in order to create conditions that are tolerable for both personnel and equipment.
Tactile sensing and stiffness control with multifingered hands

In this paper we analyze and experimentally measure the benefits of tactile sensing for stiffness control in the presence of uncertainty. There are two parts of the manipulation process where tactile information is helpful: determining the initial object pose as the fingers close to grasp, and tracking the object as it rolls and slides against the fingers during manipulation. The paper begins with an analysis of uncertainty associated with the initial orientation of a grasped object. We then review the object stiffness control algorithm (Salisbury, 1985), and derive an expression for the errors in the commanded stiffness based on object orientation uncertainty. Experimental execution of a peg insertion task demonstrates that tactile sensing can effectively determine the initial orientation of the object. Tactile sensing can also be used to track object rolling, but update rates are slow which can limit the maximum stiffness.
Blogging: An Introductory Look at an Old Pastime in a New Medium

Purpose – This article was written to offer an introduction to blogging.Design/methodology/approach – The initial research was undertaken as a project stemming from a request to present on blogging at the Virginia Library Association Paraprofessional Annual Conference in May of 2006.Findings – The article covers a range of topics from history, to a description of what a blog is, and why to create or use one (personally and professionally).Originality/value – Libraries have only just begun to think about blogging and this introductory piece may help novices.
High-Speed Transistorized Adder for a Digital Computer

An adder is described that has been developed for the Floating Indexed Point Arithmetic Unit, FLIP, to be used in conjunction with GEORGE, the existing computer built at Argonne National Laboratory. The logic of the high-speed adder and the special circuits required are presented. The adder is parallel and its high speed is made possible by reducing the carry propagation time. Each bit of the adder contributes one transistor to make up a tall AND gate which reduces the carry propagation time to 0.2 ?sec. Using this high-speed carry propagation and rather common RCTL transistor circuitry, it is possible to complete an addition in less than 0.25 ?sec.
Connecting School and Community with Science Learning: Real World Problems and School-Community Partnerships as Contextual Scaffolds.

A challenge facing many schools, especially those in urban settings that serve culturally and linguistically diverse populations, is a disconnection between schools and students' home communities, which can have both cognitive and affective implications for students. In this article we explore a form of “connected science,” in which real-world problems and school-community partnerships are used as contextual scaffolds for bridging students' community-based knowledge and school-based knowledge, as a way to provide all students opportunities for meaningful and intellectually challenging science learning. The potential of these scaffolds for connected science is examined through a case study in which a team of fifth-grade teachers used the student-identified problem of pollution along a nearby river as an interdisciplinary anchor for teaching science, math, language arts, and civics. Our analysis makes visible how diverse forms of knowledge were able to support project activities, examines the consequences for student learning, and identifies the features of real-world problems and school–community partnerships that created these bridging opportunities. © 2001 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. J Res Sci Teach 38: 878–898, 2001
A novel clock recovery scheme with improved jitter tolerance for PAM4 signaling

This paper introduces a novel clock recovery scheme for multilevel high speed serial data transmission. The system extracts the clock from a 10 Gb/s pulse amplitude modulated (PAM)-4 input signal. The output is non-return-to-zero (NRZ) data synchronized with the clock. Conventional methods recover the clock by over-sampling the received signal, which requires complicated circuit to implement. In contrast, the proposed method aligns the data with clock using three different transition levels of PAM4 signal. It is implemented with only a few additional blocks. We propose the scheme phase-loop-lock based CDR block with jitter reduction block in which the PAM4 signal is detected by each transition and converted to a binary signal. The proposed jitter reduction block consists of a differentiator, three comparators, monostable multivibrators and a decision block, while CDR part incorporates a phase and frequency detector, a loop filter and a voltage controlled oscillator (VCO). Due to the acquisition of each transition data, jitter is reduced and locking time for CDR is also reduced. We evaluate the system level architecture with PAM4 10 Gb/s signal and behavioral simulation.
Can aerobic exercise protect against dementia

There are more than 36 million people in the US over the age of 65, and all of them are impacted by the cognitive decline and brain atrophy associated with normal aging and dementia-causing conditions like Alzheimer's disease, Lewy body disease, and vascular dementia. Recently, moderate exercise and improved fitness have been shown to enhance cognition in cognitively normal older persons as well as in individuals who complain of memory difficulty. Additionally, fitness correlates with brain volume in persons who are cognitively normal and those with Alzheimer's disease. Exercise in mouse models causes neurogenesis in the dentate gyrus. This review will discuss animal experiments, epidemiology, limited prospective studies, and biomarker data that make the case that prospective blinded studies are urgently needed to evaluate the role of aerobic exercise in protecting against dementia.
SERS signals at the anti Stokes side of the excitation laser in extremely high local optical fields of silver and gold nanoclusters

Surface-enhanced anti-Stokes Raman scattering from pumped excited vibrational levels and surface-enhanced hyper Raman scattering show a quadratic dependence on the excitation intensity and are discussed as incoherent two-photon excited Raman processes performed in strongly enhanced local optical fields of silver- or gold nanoclusters, where both effects can experience very similar electromagnetic enhancement conditions.
Genetic Studies of the Oriental Fruit Fly, Dacus dorsalis (Diptera: Tephritidae): the First Eye Color Mutant

The first reported eye color mutant allele is described in the oriental fruit fly, Dacus dorsalis Hendel. Mandarin red ( ma ) is inherited as an autosomal, recessive gene.
Contraction-induced injury: recovery of skeletal muscles in young and old mice.

We tested the hypothesis that after the same amount of contraction-induced injury, skeletal muscles in old mice regenerate less well than muscles in young mice. Extensor digitorum longus (EDL) musc...
Unconjugated estriol and 15α-hydroxyestriol in complicated pregnancies

Abstract Simultaneous determinations of unconjugated estriol and 15α-hydroxyestriol (E 4 ) levels in maternal serum were studied serially to ascertain the relative usefulness of these estrogens as indicators of fetal welfare. Complicated pregnancies included 16 patients with pre-eclampsia and/or hypertension, six patients with severe Rh-isoimmunization, 12 patients with diabetes mellitus, of which four had vascular disease, three patients with fetal death in utero, and three twin pregnancies. Retrospective analysis failed to indicate a clinically useful role for serum E 4 determinations in the evaluation of fetal welfare during high-risk pregnancies.
Novel engineered cationic antimicrobial peptides display broad-spectrum activity against Francisella tularensis, Yersinia pestis and Burkholderia pseudomallei

Broad-spectrum antimicrobials are needed to effectively treat patients infected in the event of a pandemic or intentional release of a pathogen prior to confirmation of the pathogen's identity. Engineered cationic antimicrobial peptides (eCAPs) display activity against a number of bacterial pathogens including multi-drug-resistant strains. Two lead eCAPs, WLBU2 and WR12, were compared with human cathelicidin (LL-37) against three highly pathogenic bacteria: Francisella tularensis, Yersinia pestis and Burkholderia pseudomallei. Both WLBU2 and WR12 demonstrated bactericidal activity greater than that of LL-37, particularly against F. tularensis and Y. pestis. Only WLBU2 had bactericidal activity against B. pseudomallei. WLBU2, WR12 and LL-37 were all able to inhibit the growth of the three bacteria in vitro. Because these bacteria can be facultative intracellular pathogens, preferentially infecting macrophages and dendritic cells, we evaluated the activity of WLBU2 against F. tularensis in an ex vivo infection model with J774 cells, a mouse macrophage cell line. In that model WLBU2 was able to achieve greater than 50% killing of F. tularensis at a concentration of 12.5 μM. These data show the therapeutic potential of eCAPs, particularly WLBU2, as a broad-spectrum antimicrobial for treating highly pathogenic bacterial infections.
Transnational Perspective on Human Genetics and Property Rights Mobilizations of Indigenous Peoples

The political, economic, and cultural tensions associated with patenting biological material are problematic. This chapter looks at indigenous opposition to various biotech and genetics research initiatives in the context of a political environment highly inspired by neoliberal ideals. Indigenous peoples’ mobilization and resistance against assignment of IPRs offers a remarkable opportunity to uncover some of the contradictions in neoliberalism, particularly of the way patent law rubs against communal understandings of ownership. In particular, the book chapter discusses the following questions: What form of resistance did indigenous people use to mobilize against neoliberal intellectual property rights (IPRs) regimes? In what ways did the colonial context shape these mobilizations, particularly with regard to DNA sampling? What is the significance and impact of indigenous mobilization against biotech initiatives?
Stone Tool Research at the End of the Millennium: Classification, Function, and Behavior

This is the second of the two papers that review the literature of archaeological lithic analysis over the last decade. This paper concentrates on aspects of stone tool research that are not directly related to the production or procurement of the tools themselves. It is divided into classification, functional analyses, behavioral processes, and approaches to the subject currently popular among analysts. As with the previous paper, an attempt has been made to be as comprehensive as is reasonable, though availability of sources has resulted in an emphasis on North American literature.
Out of Sight, Out of Mind: How the Lack of Post Disposition Advocacy in Juvenile Court Increases the Risk of Recidivism and Institutional Abuse

This article identifies the national standards that recognize the critical role of post disposition representation and describes how mandatory review hearings drive the existence and quality of post disposition representation. This article also describes the connection between post disposition representation and institutional abuse.
Athletic Taping and Bracing, ed 2

Perrin DH. Champaign, IL 61825, Human Kinetics, 2005, paperback, 123 pp, illus, ISBN: 0-7360-4811-1, $39. This text is an excellent teaching reference for athletic training students or any person interested in the taping intervention. The author establishes a foundation for the reader, beginning with the basic knowledge of anatomical structures and the biomechanics of the joints and then discussing the appropriate application of tape and braces for treatment or prevention of injuries. There are numerous color illustrations of step-by-step instructions for each taping procedure described; the tape in the illustrations is outlined in black, making it easier for the reader to follow along. The anatomy pictures, published by Primal Pictures, are used to enhance the discussion of the bony, muscular, and surface anatomy for each joint. The text is augmented by palpation landmarks that are highlighted in a table, while new terms are bolded throughout the text and defined in a separate block …
Communications: “Interface and Interorganizational Coordination” — Some Comments

The article presents a letter to the editor in response to the March 1967 article “Interface and Interorganizational Coordination,” by Daniel A. Wren.
Seasonality and Distribution of Immature Amblyomma maculatum (Acari: Ixodidae) in Mississippi, USA: A Review and New Records

Abstract The Gulf Coast tick (Amblyomma maculatum Koch), a known vector of medical and veterinary concern, is well established in Mississippi. Although seasonality and distribution patterns of this species of adults have been documented, those of immatures (larvae and nymphs) have not. In this study, a review of literature was combined with new and unpublished data to identify trends in immature A. maculatum activity. Compiled data from dates ranging from 1920–2014 consisted of 2,368 total specimens of A. maculatum collected in Mississippi, some published and some not. Of those, 2,295 (96.92%) were adults while only 27 (1.14%) were nymphs and 46 (1.94%) were larvae. Only four larval collections have been recorded (one each in June and November and two in October). Seventeen nymphal collections were recorded with peaks in March and August, roughly corresponding to the bimodal distribution observed in larval records. This bimodal distribution suggests that there may be two cohorts of A. maculatum per year ...
Case management for injured workers. A descriptive study using a record review.

A record review was used to examine case management services provided to 36 workers who sustained a catastrophic or medically complex injury, and who were referred to a case management program. The aims of this phase of the evaluation were to identify and describe: Workers' demographics and personal attributes, The structures and processes that affected the course of these cases, and The role of the nurse case manager (NCM). A data collection instrument was developed to collect quantitative and qualitative information. Structural factors that emerged as most consequential included the quality and quantity of the injured worker's social support and the employment situation, including the availability of a job post-injury, employer support, and worker motivation. Process variables identified included the interactions of service providers including communication, and collaboration. The NCM was described as a monitor, coordinator, supporter, and advocate for the worker. Additionally, the NCM served as a consultant to other service providers and played a key role in the implementation of cost containment strategies. Language: en
Evaluation of Four Diagnostic Tests for Insulin Dysregulation in Adult Light‐Breed Horses

Background Several tests have been evaluated in horses for quantifying insulin dysregulation to support a diagnosis of equine metabolic syndrome. Comparing the performance of these tests in the same horses will provide clarification of their accuracy in the diagnosis of equine insulin dysregulation. Objectives The aim of this study was to evaluate the agreement between basal serum insulin concentrations (BIC), the oral sugar test (OST), the combined glucose-insulin test (CGIT), and the frequently sampled insulin-modified intravenous glucose tolerance test (FSIGTT). Animals Twelve healthy, light-breed horses. Methods Randomized, prospective study. Each of the above tests was performed on 12 horses. Results Minimal model analysis of the FSIGTT was considered the reference standard and classified 7 horses as insulin resistant (IR) and 5 as insulin sensitive (IS). In contrast, BIC and OST assessment using conventional cut-off values classified all horses as IS. Kappa coefficients, measuring agreement among BIC, OST, CGIT, and FSIGTT were poor to fair. Sensitivity of the CGIT (positive phase duration of the glucose curve >45 minutes) was 85.7% and specificity was 40%, whereas CGIT ([insulin]45 >100 μIU/mL) sensitivity and specificity were 28.5% and 100%, respectively. Area under the glucose curve (AUCg0-120) was significantly correlated among the OST, CGIT, and FSIGTT, but Bland–Altman method and Lin's concordance coefficient showed a lack of agreement. Conclusions Current criteria for diagnosis of insulin resistance using BIC and the OST are highly specific but lack sensitivity. The CGIT displayed better sensitivity and specificity, but modifications may be necessary to improve agreement with minimal model analysis.
Graphene-Supported, Iron-Based Nanoparticles for Catalytic Production of Liquid Hydrocarbons from Synthesis Gas: The Role of the Graphene Support in Comparison with Carbon Nanotubes

Fischer–Tropsch synthesis (FTS) is a potentially attractive technology for the production of clean liquid fuels from synthesis gas. The efficiency and selectivity of FTS can be enhanced by the design of new active catalyst systems with improved selectivity for long-chain hydrocarbons and low methane production. In this paper, we introduce a new class of FT catalysts supported on the high surface area graphene nanosheets and report on their high activity and selectivity for the production of long-chain hydrocarbons. The chemical reduction of graphene oxide in water in the presence of the metal salts under microwave irradiation allows the deposition of well-dispersed surface-oxidized metal nanoparticles on the defect sites of the graphene nanosheets. The Fe–K-nanoparticle catalyst supported on graphene exhibits high activity and selectivity toward C8 and higher hydrocarbons with excellent stability and recyclability. In comparison with other carbon supports, such as carbon nanotubes, the graphene support sh...
Paramecium calkinsi sp. n

There are at present four well-established species of Paramecium (P. aurelia, P. caudatum, P. bursaria, and P. putrinum) which fall naturally into two quite clearly defined groups. One group comprises Paramecium aurelia and Paramecium caudatum which are characterized by a relatively long spindle-shaped body. The other group includes Paramecium bursaria and Paramecium putrinum which exhibit a somewhat shorter and broader form, with a tendency toward a dorso-ventral flattening. All the species have a single micronucleus except Paramecium aurelia, which has two micronuclei each showing characteristic ‘endosome’ structure.1The purpose of the present paper is to record the discovery in January, 1920, of a hitherto undescribed form of Paramecium. It has now been extensively studied in pedigree cultures for more than a year and during this time it has bred true. I therefore definitely designate it a new species, Paramecium calkinsi, in recognition of the fact that Professor G. N. Calkins of Columbia University i...
Repeated matings with individual ewes by rams differing in sexual performance.

Twenty-four sexually mature rams were individually exposed to 10 estrous ewes on three occasions to determine the relationship between levels of sexual performance (ejaculation rate or serving capacity) and the incidence of repeated matings (ejaculations) with individual ewes. Rams that at- tained six ejaculations in a relatively short period of time (HP rams) mated fewer times with individual ewes than low-performing (LP) rams ( P < .01). As a consequence, HP rams tended to mate with a greater number of different ewes than did LP rams ( P < .06). In addition, time required to attain six ejaculations was inversely correlated with the number of different ewes mated ( P < .03). The HP rams did not differ from LP rams in the number of different ewes investigated and courted. These findings highlight the value of using rams with relatively rapid ejaculation rates when breeding large groups of naturally cycling or synchronized ewes.
Molecular genetic approaches for the diagnosis of clonality in lymphoid neoplasms.

The isolation of human DNA sequences that encode immunoglobulin genes, T cell receptor genes, and protooncogenes involved in the pathogenesis of lymphoid neoplasms has provided highly sensitive molecular probes to determine clonality and lineage in lymphopro-liferative lesions. The application of these probes to diagnostic problems in pathology has enhanced greatly the ability of the pathologist to determine clonality and lineage in lymphoid neoplasms, distinguish lymphoid from non-lymphoid tumors, monitor minimal residual disease, and identify early relapse.
Theory and modeling of photodarkening-induced quasi static degradation in fiber amplifiers

A theory of photodarkening-induced quasi-static degradation in fiber amplifiers is presented. As the doped core of a fiber photodarkens and continues to absorb more power converting it to heat, the intensity grating created by higher order mode interference with the fundamental mode moves toward the input end. This creates a persistent absorption grating that remains phase-shifted from the modal interference pattern. This leads to power transfer from the fundamental mode to a higher order mode with a very small frequency offset that occurs on a time scale of minutes to hours. This process is modeled in large mode area step index and photonic crystal fibers and is found to produce reasonable threshold values.
Assessing Ion–Water Interactions in the AMOEBA Force Field Using Energy Decomposition Analysis of Electronic Structure Calculations

AMOEBA is a molecular mechanics force field that addresses some of the shortcomings of a fixed partial charge model, by including permanent atomic point multipoles through quadrupoles, as well as many-body polarization through the use of point inducible dipoles. In this work, we investigate how well AMOEBA formulates its non-bonded interactions, and how it implicitly incorporates quantum mechanical effects such as charge penetration (CP) and charge transfer (CT), for water–water and water–ion interactions. We find that AMOEBA’s total interaction energies, as a function of distance and over angular scans for the water dimer and for a range of water-monovalent cations, agree well with an advanced density functional theory (DFT) model, whereas the water-halides and water-divalent cations show significant disagreement with the DFT result, especially in the compressed region when the two fragments overlap. We use a second-generation energy decomposition analysis (EDA) scheme based on absolutely localized molec...
Three-dimensional delayed-enhanced cardiac MRI reconstructions to guide ventricular tachycardia ablations and assess ablation lesions.

Voltage mapping is the primary tool for identifying sites for substrate-guided ventricular tachycardia (VT) ablation, but there are limitations in its application. Delayed-enhanced cardiac MRI (DE-CMRI) can facilitate VT ablations by providing complementary detail about myocardial scar location and geometry. We present the case of a patient with recurrent VT with left bundle branch block (LBBB)-right-side inferior axis morphology and a challenging voltage map. The patient was a 76-year-old man with a history of hypertension, type 2 diabetes mellitus, atrial fibrillation, and newly diagnosed dilated nonischemic cardiomyopathy (ejection fraction, 30%). He was transferred to our facility because of multiple episodes of monomorphic VT with a heart rate of 160 beats/min and an LBBB-right-side inferior axis morphology (Figure 1) consistent with an origin in the right ventricular outflow tract (RVOT). He required 2 episodes of electric cardioversion and amiodarone therapy, but the VT was refractory to amiodarone, so the patient underwent a VT ablation procedure. Figure 1. Clinical ventricular tachycardia with left bundle branch block-right-side inferior axis morphology. CMRI with a 1.5-T Siemens Avanto scanner was performed in multiple anatomic planes using T1-weighted and cine steady-state free precision sequences. Gadolinium-enhanced sequences to evaluate early myocardial perfusion and delayed myocardial enhancement were also performed, using 0.1 mL/kg gadobenate dimeglumine. DE-CMRI demonstrated midmyocardial scar in the anteroseptal region of the RVOT (Figure 2), which raised the possibility of a substrate-mediated VT. Figure 2. Preablation 2D delayed-enhanced cardiac MRI. Preablation short-axis views from base to apex, showing delayed gadolinium enhancement corresponding to midseptal scar in the anteroseptal area of the right ventricular outflow tract (arrows). Reformatted 2D slices using Amira software allowed the reconstruction of 3D models of the right ventricle (RV) and left ventricle (LV) anatomy with embedded myocardial scar. These were exported as 3D Carto-readable mesh files …
Secure authentication using the ultrafast response of chaotic silicon photonic microcavities

We demonstrate a cryptographic primitive and authentication system based on the ultrafast response of reverberant integrated photonic cavities formed in silicon, which leverage the unpredictability of leaky chaotic systems.
Effect of rotational speed of an electromagnetic stirrer on neodymium-doped yttrium aluminum garnet nanoparticle size during co-precipitation

The rotational speeds of an electromagnetic stirrer was varied to control the growth of particle size of neodymium-doped yttrium aluminum garnet (Nd:YAG) precursors into calcined powder. First, the Nd:YAG precursors were prepared using a chemical co-precipitation technique with different electromagnetic stirrer's rotational speeds, and then the precursors were calcined at different temperatures to obtain Nd:YAG nanoparticles. The precursors obtained from different co-precipitation conditions were heated from room temperature to 1000C, and then the phase evolution was analyzed through differential scanning calorimetry. The formation of YAG phase at different calcination temperatures was analyzed through X-ray diffraction. The size of Nd:YAG nanoparticles prepared at different electromagnetic stirrer's rotational speeds were analyzed using by particle size analyzer and scanning electron microscope. The experimental results indicated that the size of Nd:YAG nanoparticles could be controlled at approximately 300nm when the Nd:YAG precursors were prepared from an electromagnetic stirrer rotational speed at 400rpm and then calcined at 1300C. The obtained smaller particles size can be attributed to a homogeneous flow field within the mixing solution. Display Omitted Nd:YAG nano-powders prepared by co-precipitated methodParticle size of nano-powders is measured by SDL and SEM.Effect of flow field within mixing solutions was discussed.Particle size of Nd:YAG is affected by rotational speed of electromagnetics stirrer.
Advancing personalized medicine: Has genomic testing enhanced pharmacovigilance to improve drug efficacy?

Abstract Pharmacological interventions with prescription medications have rapidly advanced over the last sixty years. Prescribing medication without harmful adverse reactions remains a relentless challenge for all stakeholders in the healthcare industry. These challenges serve as a catalyst in an effort to prescribe medication without harmful adverse effects. Scientists, researchers, pharmaceutical companies, and healthcare providers have centered their confidences on a dynamic new dais. This discovery is the key to enhance pharmacovigilance, improve drug efficacy and personalize medicine. Pharmacogenomics is an advanced method of testing an individual's unique genetic code to prevent adverse medication outcomes. Adverse drug reactions (ADRs) account for nearly $130 billion dollars annually (Ama et al., 2012; Black & Hocum, 2014; Thompson & Sharp, 2010). This is 13% of the annual healthcare spending and is greater than the combined cost of care for diabetes and cardiovascular diseases (Black & Hocum, 2014). Every year, almost $635 billion spent on loss of productivity and medical treatment due to ADRs (Chianta & Guevara, 2014). 12 In addition, ADRs are a leading cause of death in hospitalized patients and is responsible for higher mortalities than motor vehicle accidents (Ama et al., 2010; CDC, 2014). This paper is from a review of articles within the MEDLINE, CINAHL, PsychINFO, PubMed databases. The initial search resulted in 13, 326 articles. After implementing inclusion and exclusion criteria, 29 articles discussed the current practice of pharmacogenomics, inconsistencies in testing, and recommendations for future studies. Highlights amongst specific articles are included in within this article.
Tutorial on Evolutionary Computation Techniques for Power System Optimization

Abstract A half-day tutorial session was given on evolutionary computation techniques and their applications to power system optimisation. The purpose of this course is to provide participants with basic knowledge of evolutionary computation techniques, and how they are combined with knowledge elements in computational intelligence systems. Applications to power problems are stressed, and example applications are presented. The tutorial is composed of two parts: The first part gives an overview of evolutionary computation techniques, including fundamentals of genetic algorithms, evolutionary programming and strategies, particle swarm optimization, and ant colony search algorithm, and the hybrid system of evolutionary computation. It also gives an overview of power system applications.
Intact piRNA pathway prevents L1 mobilization in male meiosis

The PIWI-interacting RNA (piRNA) pathway is essential for retrotransposon silencing. In piRNA-deficient mice, L1-overexpressing male germ cells exhibit excessive DNA damage and meiotic defects. It remains unknown whether L1 expression simply highlights piRNA deficiency or actually drives the germ-cell demise. Specifically, the sheer abundance of genomic L1 copies prevents reliable quantification of new insertions. Here, we developed a codon-optimized L1 transgene that is controlled by an endogenous mouse L1 promoter. Importantly, DNA methylation dynamics of a single-copy transgene were indistinguishable from those of endogenous L1s. Analysis of Mov10l1-/- testes established that de novo methylation of the L1 transgene required the intact piRNA pathway. Consistent with loss of DNA methylation and programmed reduction of H3K9me2 at meiotic onset, the transgene showed 1,400-fold increase in RNA expression and consequently 70-fold increase in retrotransposition in postnatal day 14 Mov10l1-/- germ cells compared with the wild-type. Analysis of adult Mov10l1-/- germ-cell fractions indicated a stage-specific increase of retrotransposition in the early meiotic prophase. However, extrapolation of the transgene data to endogenous L1s suggests that it is unlikely insertional mutagenesis alone accounts for the Mov10l1-/- phenotype. Indeed, pharmacological inhibition of reverse transcription did not rescue the meiotic defect. Cumulatively, these results establish the occurrence of productive L1 mobilization in the absence of an intact piRNA pathway but leave open the possibility of processes preceding L1 integration in triggering meiotic checkpoints and germ-cell death. Additionally, our data suggest that many heritable L1 insertions originate from individuals with partially compromised piRNA defense.
Monte Carlo simulations of disorder in ZnSn N 2 and the effects on the electronic structure

In multinary compound semiconductors, cation disorder can decisively alter the electronic properties and impact potential applications. $\mathrm{ZnSn}{\mathrm{N}}_{2}$ is a ternary nitride of interest for photovoltaics, which forms in a wurtzite-derived crystal structure. In the ground state, every N anion is coordinated by two Zn and two Sn cations, thereby observing the octet rule locally. Using a motif-based model Hamiltonian, we performed Monte Carlo simulations that provide atomistic representations of $\mathrm{ZnSn}{\mathrm{N}}_{2}$ with varying degrees of cation disorder. Subsequent electronic structure calculations describe the evolution of band gaps, optical properties, and carrier localization effects as a function of the disorder. We find that octet-rule conserving disorder is practically impossible to avoid but perfectly benign, with hardly any effects on the electronic structure. In contrast, a fully random cation distribution would be very detrimental, but fortunately it is energetically highly unfavorable. A degree of disorder that can realistically be expected for nonequilibrium thin-film deposition leads to a moderate band-gap reduction and to moderate carrier localization effects. Comparing the simulated structures with experimental samples grown by sputtering, we find evidence that these samples indeed incorporate a certain degree of octet-rule violating disorder, which is reflected in the x-ray diffraction and in the optical absorption spectra. This study demonstrates that the electronic properties of $\mathrm{ZnSn}{\mathrm{N}}_{2}$ are dominated by changes of the local coordination environments rather than long-range ordering effects.
Palliative Radiation Therapy for Recurrent Ovarian Cancer: Efficacy and Predictors of Clinical Response.

Objective This study aimed to report response rates and predictors of response to palliative radiotherapy (RT) for recurrent ovarian cancer. Methods/Materials Database review identified 64 patients with symptomatic ovarian cancer recurrence who received a total of 76 courses of RT for 103 indications from March 2003 to August 2014. Radiotherapy indications were pain (44%), bleeding (32%), obstruction (15%), and other (9%). Responses were categorized as complete, partial, or none; all response (AR) was the sum of complete and partial responses. Response rates were compared using a χ2 test. Multivariate analysis was performed using logistic regression. Patients were followed up for symptom recurrence and death. Results Response rates were significantly higher for pain (AR, 87%) and bleeding (93%) than for obstruction (62%) and other (60%; P Conclusions Palliative RT provides relief of pain and bleeding in most patients with ovarian cancer recurrence. Patients with symptomatic obstruction, bony involvement, and clear cell histology may experience lower clinical response rates.
Determining corn nitrogen rates using multiple prediction models

Weather uncertainty and soil spatial variability impact nitrogen (N) cycling and corn (Zea mays L.) growth, making accurate N predictions a challenge. Field studies were conducted in Lansing, Michi...
Does CSF1R Blockade Turn into Friendly Fire

In this issue of Cancer Cell, Kumar et al. describe how CSF1R blockade induces not only an expected deprivation of tumor-associated macrophages, but also an accumulation of tumor-infiltrating polymorphonuclear mononuclear cells caused by Cxcl-1 released from cancer-associated fibroblasts.
Comprehensive transcriptome analyses correlated with untargeted metabolome reveal differentially expressed pathways in response to cell wall alterations

This research provides new insights into plant response to cell wall perturbations through correlation of transcriptome and metabolome datasets obtained from transgenic plants expressing cell wall-modifying enzymes. Plants respond to changes in their cell walls in order to protect themselves from pathogens and other stresses. Cell wall modifications in Arabidopsis thaliana have profound effects on gene expression and defense response, but the cell signaling mechanisms underlying these responses are not well understood. Three transgenic Arabidopsis lines, two with reduced cell wall acetylation (AnAXE and AnRAE) and one with reduced feruloylation (AnFAE), were used in this study to investigate the plant responses to cell wall modifications. RNA-Seq in combination with untargeted metabolome was employed to assess differential gene expression and metabolite abundance. RNA-Seq results were correlated with metabolite abundances to determine the pathways involved in response to cell wall modifications introduced in each line. The resulting pathway enrichments revealed the deacetylation events in AnAXE and AnRAE plants induced similar responses, notably, upregulation of aromatic amino acid biosynthesis and changes in regulation of primary metabolic pathways that supply substrates to specialized metabolism, particularly those related to defense responses. In contrast, genes and metabolites of lipid biosynthetic pathways and peroxidases involved in lignin polymerization were downregulated in AnFAE plants. These results elucidate how primary metabolism responds to extracellular stimuli. Combining the transcriptomics and metabolomics datasets increased the power of pathway prediction, and demonstrated the complexity of pathways involved in cell wall-mediated signaling.
Spectrophotometry of Hot White Dwarfs from the Palomar-Green Survey

The Palomar-Green Survey (1977) contains a list of some 3000 spectroscopically classified stellar objects, chosen on the basis of ultraviolet excess. The survey covers 10,000 square degrees of the sky above |b|=30° with δ≥10° down to an average limiting B=16.2. A significant subset of this sample is a new catalogue of over 700 newly discovered hot degenerates (Green 1979). The combination of selection by color only without regard to motion and the large area covered resulted in the discovery of some rare, luminous degenerates and pre-degenerate objects. We report here on the first observations in a program of more detailed spectroscopic study of these objects, and display representative groups of common spectral or physical properties. These scans at 1.5-2.5 A resolution were obtained with either the KPNO 2.1-m and intensified image dissector scanner or the Palomar 1.5-m with SIT spectrograph.