cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Bio-treatment of poplar via amino acid for interface control in biocomposites

Abstract Advanced biocomposites reinforced by abundant biomass-derived fillers can add a revenue stream to enhance the economic viability of biofuel production chains and the energy efficiency of the composite industry. However, the low stiffness of biopolymers limits their use in structural applications. Poplar fibers (mesh size: l -lysine). As a benefit of the amino acid treatment, the tensile Young's moduli of the lysine/poplar/PLA composites increased by up to 68% with the addition of a small amount of lysine, compared with neat PLA. At the same time, the tensile strength, failure strain, and Young's modulus of the poplar/PLA composites all increased after adding only 0.1 wt % of lysine. It has been observed that the lysine content has a significant effect on the decomposition temperature, complex viscosity, storage modulus, crystallization temperature, and crystallinity of composites. The fracture surfaces of the composites with an optimum lysine content had fewer voids and were more compact compared with composites without any lysine. The pores on the surfaces of poplar fibers became more available for the penetration of PLA molecules as a result of lysine addition. Therefore, this study presents a facile method for reinforcing biocomposites with extremely low-cost and environmentally friendly biofillers.
A Multi-Application Energy Management of Behind-the-Meter Battery Energy Storage System

Over the past few years, there has been a dramatic growth in penetration of the behind-the-meter (BTM) distributed energy resources (DERs), including small-scale renewable energy sources (RES), interfaced with battery energy storage systems (BESS) deployed at the customer premises and behind the customers' meters. The BESS is yet costly and a single-application usage of them may not cover the storage installation costs, whereas a combination of BESS applications is more likely to justify the expenses. This paper presents a multi-objective optimization approach to schedule the charging and discharging power of the BTM BESS aiming at minimizing the prosumer's daily operation costs based on time-of-use (TOU) energy price and on-peak demand charges. A linear model of the prosumer's optimization problem is presented and solved through mixed-integer linear programming (MILP). The proposed approach is applied to a case study defined in the IEEE 123-bus distribution network. The results show a promising reduction in prosumer's daily operation costs. Application synergy of the proposed approach and several grid services is also investigated through measuring the peak reduction and energy time-shift for the entire network.
The dynamics of firm industry-switching decision: learning from peers

We run logistic regressions on US firms from 1987 to 2015 to investigate the industry-switching decisions under four industry classifications. Our findings show firms enter new industries following positive abnormal returns in those industries. Managers assign greater weights to peer valuation when the information content in peer prices is larger and vice versa. Matching sample analysis also confirms our finding. The evidence is consistent with the learning from peer hypothesis. Higher peer valuation in the new industry signals better outlook in that market. Managers incorporate peer valuation into their information set, and it increases the probability of an industry-switching decision.
A Kernel Method for Dissecting Genetic Signals in Tests of High-Dimensional Phenotypes

Genomewide association studies increasingly employ multivariate tests of multiple correlated phenotypes to exploit likely pleiotropy to improve power. Typical multivariate methods produce a global p-value of association between a variant (or set of variants) and multiple phenotypes. When the global test is significant, subsequent interest then focuses on dissecting the signal and, in particular, delineating the set of phenotypes where the genetic variant(s) have a direct effect from the remaining phenotypes where the genetic variant(s) possess either indirect or no effect. While existing techniques like mediation models can be utilized for this purpose, they generally cannot handle high-dimensional phenotypic and genotypic data. To assist in filling this important gap, we propose a modification of a kernel distance-covariance framework for gene mapping of multiple variants with multiple phenotypes to test instead whether the association between the variants and a group of phenotypes is driven through a direct association with just a subset of the phenotypes. We use simulated data to show that our new method controls for type I error and is powerful to detect a variety of models demonstrating different patterns of direct and indirect effects. We further illustrate our method using GWAS data from the Grady Trauma Project and show that an existing signal between genetic variants in the ZHX2 gene and 21 items within the Beck Depression Inventory appears to be due to a direct effect of these variants on only 3 of these items. Our approach scales to genomewide analysis, and is applicable to high-dimensional correlated phenotypes.
Neurobehavioral Biomarkers: An EEG Family Reunion.

SUMMARY The field of clinical EEG has had an uneasy relationship with the use of this technology for clinical cognitive applications and often for good reason. However, apart from its clinical use, EEG has had a tradition as a major tool in cognitive psychology and cognitive neuroscience dating back at least to the 1960s. Based on accumulated knowledge from its research application, EEG-based biomarkers are beginning to see applications in clinical trials and may eventually enter clinical care. We address concerns surrounding quality control, the treatment of artifact, and normal variants and how developments in engineering, biomarker validation, and implementation science rigorously applied to these tools can lead to well-justified approaches.
Discrete emotions effects on electronic word-of-mouth helpfulness: The moderating role of reviewer gender and contextual emotional tone

Using frameworks from the literature on emotion, cognitive processing and gender stereotypes, we extend existing research on online product review helpfulness by demonstrating that reviewer gender moderates the relationship between emotional content and review helpfulness and that readers' perceptions of reviewer credibility explain this effect. In the first study, experimental methods were used to demonstrate that the differential effect of angry vs. non-emotional reviews on review helpfulness was moderated by reviewer gender. Further, findings showed that the negative effect of anger on review helpfulness for female (but not male) reviewers was explained by lower reviewer credibility. In the second study, by analyzing product reviews from the Amazon web site, we found supportive evidence for the results of the first study on the relationship between female-expressed anger and review helpfulness. In addition, we explored the influence of gender stereotypes in terms of the relationship between anxiety and review helpfulness and compared it to anger. Study 2 also allowed us to explore the moderation effect of the contextual emotional tone of other reviews on the target product. Our findings highlight limitations in perceived helpfulness ratings due to gender stereotype biases and offer insights for various decision makers to better understand and manage review helpfulness.
A Hyperspherical Description of N-Electron Atoms

General features of the hyperspherical adiabatic representation of atomic structure and spectra are illustrated by means of a pair of simple thought experiments. The thought experiments describe how correlated atomic wavefunctions evolve under independent variations of the nuclear charge and of the number density of electrons. Consequences of the theory include systematic patterns of configuration mixing in both ground state channels and multiply-excited states.
Response of One-Degree-of-Freedom System to Harmonic Loading

In this chapter, we will study the motion of structures idealized as single degree-of-freedom systems excited harmonically, that is, structures subjected to forces or displacements whose magnitudes may be represented by a sine or cosine function of time. This type of excitation results in one of the most important motions in the study of mechanical vibrations as well as in applications to structural dynamics. Structures are very often subjected to the dynamic action of rotating machinery which produces harmonic excitations due to the unavoidable presence of mass eccentricities in the rotating parts of such machinery. Furthermore, even in those cases when the excitation is not a harmonic function, the response of the structure may be obtained using the Fourier Method, as the superposition of individual responses to the harmonic components of the external excitation. This approach will be dealt with in Chapter 5.
The gerbil as a model for the study of the epilepsies. Seizure patterns and ontogenesis.

Summary A new strain of selectively bred seizure-sensitive Mongolian gerbils is described. These WJL/UC gerbils exhibit stereotyped seizures in response to increased stimulus input that can be rated on a seven-point scale of severity. Integrated motor activity during seizures and latency and duration of seizures are related to severity. Susceptibility to seizures starts at 9 weeks and reaches 97% at 6 months. The severity increases from a mean of 1.2 at 2 months to 4.1 at 6 months of age. Death in seizure is rare. These attributes make the WJL/UC seizure-sensitive Mongolian gerbil suitable for testing as an animal model valid for study of the epilepsies. Resume On decrit une nouvelle lignee de gerbilles mongoliennes selectionnees qui presentent des crises epileptiques. Ces WJL/UC gerbilles presentent des crises stereotypies, dont L'intensite peut etre elassee suivant L'echelle de 0 a 7 points, lors d'un augmentation des stimulations afferentielles. L'activite motrice globale pendant les crises ainsi que la latence et la duree des crises sont en relation avec leur intensityes. La susceptibilitye aux crises apparait a 9 semaines et atteint les 97%a 6 mois. La severite augmente d'une moyenne de 1.2 a 2 mois a 4.1 a 6 mois d'âge. La mort pendant la crise est rare. Ces proprietes font de la gerbille mongolienne WJL/UC susceptible de faire des crises, un model souhaitable et valable dans 1'etude des epilepsies. Zusammenfassung Ein neuer Stamm selektiv anfallsempfindlicher mongoloider Gerbils* wird beschrieben. Diese WJL/UC Gerbils zeigen als Antwort auf vermehrte Reize stereotype Krampfe, deren Schwere nach einer 7-Punkte Skala bestimmt werden kann. Die integrierte motorische Aktivitat wahrend der Krampfe, ihre Latenz und Dauer sind abhangig von der Schwere der Krampfe. Die Fahigkeit zu krampfen beginnt mit 9 Wochen und ist mit 6 Monaten bei 97% det Tiere ausgepragt. Der Schweregrad der Anfalie steigt im Durchschnitt von 1.2 im Alter von 2 Monaten auf 4.1 im Alter von 6 Monaten. Ein Exitus wahrend der Anfalie ist selten. Diese Eigenschaften machen das WJL/UC anfallsempfindiche mongoloide Gerbil zu einem geeigneten Testobjekt fur das Studium der Epilepsien. RESUMEN Se describe una nueva raza de gerbiles mongolicos (roedor) selectivamente cultivados para hacerlos mas sensibles a ataques convulsivos. Estos WJL/UC roedores presentan ataques estereotipados ante estimulos que pueden clasificarse en una escala de siete puntos segun la severidad del ataque. La actividad motora integrada durante los episodios convulsivos asi como la latencia y'duracion de los ataques estan relacionados con su severidad. La susceptibilidad para dichos ataques comienza a las nuevo semanas y alcanza un 97% a los 6 meses. La severidad de las convulsiones aumenta de un promedio de 1.2 a los 2 meses a 4.1 a los 6 meses de edad. La muerte en pleno ataque es rara. Todas estas characteristicas hacen que el gerbil monogolico WJL/UC, sensible a las convulsiones sea adecuado como animal testigo para el estudio de las epilepsias.
Cardiac-resynchronization therapy in patients with systolic heart failure and QRS interval ≤130 ms: insights from a meta-analysis

Aims Cardiac-resynchronization therapy (CRT) reduces morbidity and mortality in patients with chronic systolic heart failure (SHF) and a wide QRS complex. It is unclear whether the same benefit extends to patients with QRS duration (QRSd) <130 ms. Methods and results Our aim was to perform a meta-analysis of all randomized controlled trial (RCTs) and to evaluate the effect of implantable CRT defibrillator(CRTD) on all-cause mortality, HF mortality, and HF hospitalization in patients with QRSd <130 ms. We performed a systematic literature search to identify all RCTs, comparing CRTD therapy with implantable cardiac defibrillator (ICD) therapy in patients with SHF (ejection fraction <35%) and QRS ≤130 ms, published in Pubmed, Medline, EMBASE, Cochrane library, and Google scholar from June 1980 through June 2013. The search terms included CRT, QRS duration, narrow QRS, clinical trial, RCT, biventricular pacing, heart failure, systolic dysfunction, dyssynchrony, left ventricular remodelling, readmission, mortality, survival, and various combinations of these terms. We studied the trends of overall mortality, SHF mortality, and hospitalizations due to SHF between the two groups. Heterogeneity of the studies was analysed by Q statistic. A fixed-effect model was used to compute the relative risk (RR) of mortality due to SHF, while a random-effects model was used to compare hospitalization due to SHF. Out of a total of 12 100 citations, four RCTs comparing CRTD vs. ICD therapy in patients with SHF and QRS ≤130 ms fulfilled the inclusion criteria. The median follow-up was 12 months and the cumulative number of patients was 1177. Relative Risk for all-cause mortality in patients treated with CRTD was 1.66 with a 95% CI of 1.096–2.515 (P = 0.017) while for SHF mortality was 1.29 with 95% CI of 0.68–2.45 (P = 0.42). Relative risk for HF hospitalization in patients treated with CRTD was 0.94 with 95% CI of 0.50–1.74 (P = 0.84) in comparison to the ICD group. Conclusion Cardiac-resynchronization therapy defibrillator has no impact on SHF mortality and SHF hospitalization in patients with systolic HF with QRS duration ≤130 ms and is associated with higher all-cause mortality in comparison with ICD therapy.
Antigone and Addison's Cato: Redeeming Exemplarity in Political Thought.

What does political theory gain from tragedy? Recent work by Bonnie Honig, Patchen Markell, Richard Halpern, and Tracy Strong (to name a few) pushes back against instrumentalist claims for art that reduce literary texts into moral lessons in how to be sympathetic to the experience of people unlike oneself. Honig and the rest appeal to Hannah Arendt’s suggestions in The Human Condition and elsewhere that the spectacularity, ephemerality, and unpredictability of dramatic performance—and the tragic tendency to showcase human finitude—transform the theater into “a space of freedom pursued for its own sake” (Richard Halpern, “Theater and democratic thought: Arendt to Ranciere,” Critical Inquiry 27.3 (2011) 545–7, quotation from 571). Embedded in Honig’s arguments is the notion that tragedy is exemplary, and experienced as such, in that the characters in tragedy stand for a particular class or political values or problems. She sets the reading of critics who see in Antigone “a model of dissident politics” against her own interpretation of Antigone performing “Homeric/elite objections” to Athenian democracy: “the play airs through its two main characters…concerns about the costs of a particular democratic form of life.” In this paper I read Addison’s Cato as a hero who accomplishes an exemplary evasion of his own exemplary history by dodging his own legacy in history and literature.
Proteolytic enzymes and blood digestion in the mosquito, Culex nigripalpus

The synthesis of proteolytic enzymes in the fat body and midgut of female Culex nigripalpus was followed. The effects of brain factor(s) and RNA levels in the fat body were correlated with the synthesis of proteolytic enzymes. Trypsinlike activity in the midgut of C. nigripalpus accounted for 80% of total proteolytic activity, whereas chymotrypsinlike activity accounted for 5–7% of total proteolytic activity. Synthesis of porteases in the midgut and fat body reached a peak at 35 h and 22 h after the blood meal, respectively. In the fat body, proteolytic enzyme activity fell to a low level 30 h after the blood meal, but activity in the midgut reached a low level 58 h after the blood meal. The presence of low protease activity in the fat body at the time of peak vitellogenin synthesis indicated that processing of vitellogenin was not done in this tissue. Fat bodies incubated in vitro in the presence of [14C]valine synthesized a [14C]labeled trypsinlike molecule identified as such with antitrypsin antibodies and specific substrate p-toluene-sulphonyl-L-arginine methylester (TAME) and on disc gel electrophoresis in the presence of dodecyl sulfate. The sizes of the proteins found inside and outside the peritrophic membrane were determined by gel-chromatography and disc gel electrophoresis in the presence of dodecyl sulfate. The molecular weight (± SEM) of the largest polypeptide that migrated through the peritrophic membrane into the ectoperitrophic space was found to be 23,000 ± 2,000 daltons. Based on these results, a model is proposed to account for blood digestion in the mosquito midgut, along with the role of the peritrophic membrane.
Sizing the Holin Lesion with an Endolysin-β-Galactosidase Fusion

Double-stranded DNA phages require two proteins for efficient host lysis: the endolysin, a muralytic enzyme, and the holin, a small membrane protein. In an event that defines the end of the vegetative cycle, the λ holin S acts suddenly to permeabilize the membrane. This permeabilization enables the R endolysin to attack the cell wall, after which cell lysis occurs within seconds. A C-terminal fusion of the R endolysin with full-length β-galactosidase (β-Gal) was tested for lytic competence in the context of the late-gene expression system of an induced λ lysogen. Under these conditions, the hybrid R-β-Gal product, an active tetrameric β-Gal greater than 480 kDa in mass, was fully functional in lysis mediated by the S holin. Western blot analysis demonstrated that the lytic competence was not due to the proteolytic release of the endolysin domain of the R-β-Gal fusion protein. The ability of this massive complex to be released by the S holin suggests that S causes a generalized membrane disruption rather than a regular oligomeric membrane pore. Similar results were obtained with an early lysis variant of the S holin and also in parallel experiments with the T4 holin, T, in an identical lambda context. However, premature holin lesions triggered by depolarization of the membrane were nonpermissive for the hybrid endolysin, indicating that these premature lesions constituted less-profound damage to the membrane. Finally, a truncated T holin functional in lysis with the endolysin is completely incompetent for lysis with the hybrid endolysin. A model for the formation of the membrane lesion within homo-oligomeric rafts of holin proteins is discussed.
A 160-kilodalton Photosystem-I reaction-center complex. Low-temperature fluorescence spectroscopy

Abstract Fluorescence changes following sequential reduction of the electron acceptors in the 160 kDa Photosystem-I reaction-center complex (Ikegami, I. and Ke, B. (1984) Biochim. Biophys. Acta 764, 70–79, accompanying paper) were studied. Three major fluorescence bands, designated as F 675 , F 655 and F 705 according to their peak wavelength positions, were observed depending on the redox conditions. F 675 is essentially constant under all redox conditions, suggesting that it originates from the remaining antenna chlorophyll molecules in the complex. In the oxidized sample containing 0.5 mM ferricyanide, little F 705 appeared, but it became prominent after the addition of 10 mM dithionite to the complex at pH 10 under anaerobic condition. Maximum F 705 developed upon a brief intense illumination of the dithionite-treated sample, prior to freezing. On the other hand, F 705 almost disappeared after extended illumination (20 min) of the sample at a lower temperature (approx. −40°C), in which A 1 , the primary electron acceptor of Photosystem I, is assumed to be reduced. F 705 could be completely restored when the above sample was briefly thawed and refrozen. The excitation spectrum of F 705 indicates that its emitter had an absorption peak near 455 nm, which changed little in its shape through the above-mentioned changes of F 705 . We have interpreted these results by proposing the charge recombination between P700 + and A − 1 as the origin of F 705 . In the oxidized complex containing 0.5 mM ferricyanide, 470 nm excitation brought out an additional emission band at 655 nm ( F 655 ), which almost disappeared after intense illumination of the complex in the presence of 10 mM dithionite at pH 10 under anaerobic condition, either for a brief period near 0°C or for an extended period at approx. −40°C. F 655 was partially restored after extended thawing in the dark of the complex in which A 2 was reduced. The excitation spectrum of F 655 has a major band at 468 nm, which is attributed to the chlorophyll b molecule remaining in the complex. Both emission and excitation spectra showed that the chlorophyll b molecule is still capable of transferring its excitation energy to the emitters of both F 675 and F 705 .
Robust confidence interval for the variance

In this paper six confidence intervals for the variance of a distribution are proposed. Extensive simulation study is performed to evaluate the performance of the intervals. A confidence interval based on an L-estimate of scale is found to be robust; in otherwords, regardless of the sample size and the distribution considered in the study, its actual probability of coverage is quite close to the specified confidence coefficient 1 — α.
Atp2b2, encoding plasma membrane Ca2+-ATPase type 2, (PMCA2) exhibits tissue-specific first exon usage in hair cells, neurons, and mammary glands of mice

Atp2b2 encodes the plasma membrane Ca(2+)-ATPase type 2 (PMCA2) expressed in various tissues, including stereocilia of cochlear and vestibular hair cells, cerebellar Purkinje cells, and lactating mammary epithelia. Mutations of the gene lead to deafness, ataxia, and reduced Ca(2+) levels in milk. Heterozygous mutants also have abnormal hearing, suggesting that precise regulation of Atp2b2 is required for normal function. In this study, we describe Atp2b2 5'-untranslated region genomic structure and transcript usage in mice. Using 5'-rapid amplification of cDNA ends, we observed four transcripts: types alpha, beta, mu and delta, each splicing into a common ATG-containing exon. Types alpha and beta correspond to previously published mammalian cDNA sequences. Types mu and delta constitute novel 5'-untranslated region sequences, and were observed at high levels only in lactating mammary gland. Using real-time reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction, we quantified relative transcript usage across several tissues. We show that alpha and beta are abundant throughout the CNS, as well as the cochlea. When we microdissected the cochlea into hair cell and spiral ganglion containing fractions, we found that cochlear hair cell expression is mediated through the type alpha transcript. In situ hybridization studies in cerebellum using exon-specific probes revealed that alpha dominates in Purkinje neurons, while beta is enriched in cerebellar granule neurons. We compared 5'-untranslated region sequence across multiple species, and found high conservation around the first exons for alpha and beta in mammals, but not other species. The regions around the mu and delta first exons are highly conserved between rat and mouse, but less so with other species. Our results show that expression of Atp2b2 is highly regulated, using four different transcriptional start regions, two of which are differentially expressed in neuronal tissue. This suggests that unique regulatory mechanisms are used to control Atp2b2 expression in different types of cells.
Parameters affecting the rate of synthesis of ribosomes and RNA polymerase in bacteria

Abstract Ribosome synthesis in bacteria is linked to RNA polymerase synthesis; both synthesis rates depend upon the values of six parameters: (1) fraction of total ribosomes that is functioning, (2) fraction of total RNA polymerase that is functioning, (3) fraction of functioning RNA polymerase engaged in rRNA synthesis, (4) fraction of total protein that is RNA polymerase protein, (5) peptide chain elongation rate, (6) rRNA chain elongation rate. If these parameters are constant in time, then the numbers of both ribosomes and RNA polymerase molecules increase exponentially. It is shown how the rate constant (fractional increase per unit of time) relates to these parameters and how the kinetics of ribosome and RNA polymerase synthesis respond to a change in any of these parameters.
Microbial lipids from renewable resources: production and characterization

A number of microorganisms belonging to the genera of algae, yeast, bacteria, and fungi have ability to accumulate neutral lipids under specific cultivation conditions. The microbial lipids contain high fractions of polyunsaturated fatty acids and have the potential to serve as a source of significant quantities of transportation fuels. This paper reviews the current state of the art of this field. It summarizes the various microorganism used, feed stocks available, environmental factors that influence growth of cells and accumulation of lipids, major fatty acid composition of lipids, and the technology.
Graft survival and endothelial outcomes in the new era of endothelial keratoplasty

Corneal endothelial cells do not proliferative in vivo sufficiently to enable endothelial regeneration, and thus diseases of the corneal endothelium, which cause poor vision and discomfort, require treatment by transplantation of cadaveric donor corneal endothelial cells. The two major goals of any corneal transplant procedure are to restore vision and to promote longevity of the donor cornea by maintaining a healthy donor endothelial cell density. Over the last decade, the surgical treatment for endothelial disease has rapidly evolved toward endothelial keratoplasty, or selective tissue transplantation, and away from full-thickness penetrating keratoplasty (PK). While endothelial keratoplasty offers distinct advantages over PK in terms of visual outcomes and a smaller incision, the new surgical manipulations of the fragile donor tissue cause significant donor endothelial cell trauma. As a result, donor endothelial cell loss is much higher during the first month after Descemet stripping endothelial keratoplasty (DSEK) compared to after PK, and the primary (or more appropriately, iatrogenic) graft failure rate of 5% remains unacceptably high. Nevertheless, the rate of endothelial cell loss rapidly decreases beyond 6 months after DSEK, and thus endothelial cell loss at 5 years after DSEK appears to be lower than that at 5 years after PK. In the absence of primary (iatrogenic) graft failure, graft survival through 5 years after DSEK is similar to that after PK. Given the promising longer-term endothelial outcomes of DSEK, the quest for optimizing the visual outcomes has spurred interest in Descemet membrane endothelial keratoplasty (DMEK). While early results after DMEK suggest better visual outcomes than after DSEK, the technique needs to be simplified, and longer-term outcomes must show an advantage over DSEK with respect to vision, endothelial cell loss, and graft survival. DMEK also has a high rate of primary (iatrogenic) graft failure, and additional donor tissue wastage occurs when preparation of DMEK grafts is unsuccessful. This review discusses endothelial keratoplasty techniques and the associated endothelial outcomes.
Worth the Hassles: The Impact of Social Action Projects on Teachers' Beliefs and Practices

This goal of this mixed-methods study was to examine teachers' beliefs about citizenship and citizenship education in a social studies methods course that emphasized social action. Nineteen graduate students participated in the study and completed two pre- and posttest surveys that measured three citizenship worldviews and self-reported civic knowledge. Qualitative data sources included document collection and individual interviews. Results showed increased scores on indices of justice-oriented citizenship and civic knowledge, and that the implementation of a social action project changed beliefs and practices. The participants overcame initial concerns and constraints and recognized the value of a social action project in terms of student learning and their own teaching practices.
Simulation and observation of infrared piezobirefringent images in diametrically compressed semiconductor disks.

Stress-induced birefringence images of diametrically compressed semiconductor disks are examined here. The experimentally observed images are compared with computer-simulated images for (100) and (111) orientation silicon disks. For a (100) oriented sample, the stress-optic coefficient C is found to depend on the position and on the orientation of the load axis with respect to the crystal principal axes. Computed values of C for the (100) orientation silicon varied from 2.0 × 10−12 to 3.0 × 10−12 cm2/dyn for a diametrically compressed disk with the load being applied at angles of 45° and 75° with respect to one of the crystal principal axes. As expected from the crystal symmetry, C was observed to be a constant for the (111) oriented silicon sample having a value of 2.33 × 10−12 cm2/dyn.
Changes in the lens related to the reduction of transparency.

Abstract Changes in the lens will cause fluctuations in refractive index which, in turn, will increase the scattering of light. Such alterations were studied by quantitative microradiography, electron microscopy, and a light scattering technique. Certain types of opacities of the human cortical cataract were shown to start as an enlargement of the intercellular spaces, followed by the breakage of lens cell membranes, loss of some of the protein matrix and the creation of large refractive interfaces between zones with different protein concentrations. The human nuclear cataract differed completely from the various types of cortical opacities. Here, the only change detected was an aggregation of the protein molecules into dense clusters of about 500–1000 A in diameter. Aggregates of some similarity were also found in the cold cataracts within the nucleus of calf lenses. In these two kinds of nuclear cataracts the reduced transparency can be explained by the presence of these aggregates which are visible under electron microscope.
A Reduced 1&1D Model for Optimization Analysis of a PEM Fuel Cell

An application-oriented steady-state PEMFC model is presented. The model is computationally fast enough to allow for applied investigations such as optimizations and sensitivity analyses but is detailed enough to observe local flow phenomena such as membrane flooding. The model resolves parameters along the flow channel and incorporates a separate membrane model. Contrary to other existing 1-D models of PEMFCs, water content within the membrane is not assumed to follow a linear profile between anode and cathode, but is resolved across membrane thickness and solved off-line for the entire domain of possible water-content boundary conditions. Co-flow and counter-flow topologies have been investigated from a end-user perspective. In addition, the model has been extended with hydrogen recirculation as well as air humidification with an electro-chemically passive cell. The effects of the anode and cathode humidification are investigated based on a sensitivity analysis. Systematic optimizations on operating conditions are also carried out for the different topologies to maximize efficiency such that no flooding occurs.© 2005 ASME
Reduced reflection from roughened hyperbolic metamaterial

We show that roughened surfaces of hyperbolic metamaterials scatter light preferentially inside the media, resulting in a very low reflectance. This phenomenon of fundamental importance, demonstrated experimentally in arrays of silver nanowires grown in alumina membranes, is consistent with a broad-band singularity in the density of photonic states. It paves the road to a variety of applications ranging from the stealth technology to high-efficiency solar cells and photodetectors.
Hemodynamic evidence of painless myocardial ischemia with acute pulmonary edema in coronary disease

Patients with acute pulmonary edema and coronary artery disease are typically elderly and have both extensive three-vessel coronary artery disease and left ventricular dysfunction. 1-4 The authors of a recent report 4 speculated that pulmonary edema may be a manifestation of silent ischemia in these patients. Because acute myocardial ischemia causes abrupt elevation of the pulmonary capillary wedge pressure and subsequently pulmonary artery pressure, continuous recording of pulmonary artery pressure allows the detection of episodic ischemia. 51° In addition, this measurement provides an assessment of the physiologic consequence of the ischemic episodes. We report detailed continuous hemodynamic observations from five elderly patients hospitalized with acute pulmonary edema. Each patient demonstrated multiple episodes of painless pulmonary artery hypertension. Treatment directed at myocardial ischemia resulted in the resolution of the radiographic pulmonary edema. Detailed hemodynamic and electrocardiographic data were collected from five patients hospitalized in the cardiac care unit at Hennepin County Medical Center with acute pulmonary edema requiring mechanical ventilation. The pulmonary edema persisted despite conventional heart failure treatment with vasodilators and diuretics. The patients' ages ranged from 67 to 85 years, and two were females. Four patients had acute dyspnea, and one patient had unstable angina. The patient with unstable angina had acute pulmonary edema after a failed angioplasty of the obtuse marginal coronary artery. The initial electrocardiogram showed nonspecific ST-segment and T-wave changes or left ventricular hypertrophy in all patients. None had ST-segment elevation. A serial rise and fall of total creatine kinase and percentage of creatine kinase-MB consistent with a small myocardial infarction occurred in four patients. The peak creatine kinase range was 115 to 494 IU/L (normal, 0 to 200 IU/L). A baseline echocardiogram showed left ventricular dysfunction: mild (2 patients), moderately
Cosmological distances from supernova photospheres

Abstract At the foundation of the quest to discover the properties of our universe are reliable measurements of distance. We focus on the expanding photosphere method as applied to type II supernovae, indicating how its independent observational tests strengthen our understanding of and confidence in this probe. In keeping with the spirit of this conference, we illustrate some analogies between “freeze-out” of abundances in cosmological or explosive nucleosynthesis and the formation of the spectral luminosity of the supernova. The results of the first critical test of this method, measurement of the distance to supernova 1987A in the Large Magellanic Cloud, are summarized. Plans for use of the Hubble Space Telescope to contribute to an independent direct determination of the Hubble constant are outlined, and prospects for extensions to higher redshifts are discussed.
Development of an Intense, Warm-Core Mesoscale Vortex Associated with the 8 May 2009 “Super Derecho” Convective Event*

AbstractIn this study, the dynamical processes contributing to warm-core meso-β-scale vortex formation associated with the 8 May 2009 “super derecho” are examined utilizing two complementary quasi-Lagrangian approaches—a circulation budget and backward trajectory analyses—applied to a fortuitous numerical simulation of the event. Warm-core meso-β-scale vortex formation occurs in a deeply moist, potentially stable environment that is conducive to the development of near-surface rotation and is somewhat atypical compared to known derecho-supporting environments.Air parcels in the vicinity of the developing vortex primarily originate near the surface in the streamwise vorticity-rich environment, associated with the vertical wind shear of the low-level jet, immediately to the east of the eastward-moving system. Cyclonic vertical vorticity is generated along inflowing air parcels primarily by the ascent-induced tilting of streamwise vorticity and amplified primarily by ascent-induced vortex tube stretching. De...
Evolution of hazardous material spills regulations in the United States

Abstract After seven years in the preparation stage, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency published, on August 29, 1979, its hazardous substances regulation This paper reviews the basis of the regulations (the Federal Water Pollution Control Act), the various drafts issued and withdrawn by EPA, the philosop
High-cycle fatigue of micron-scale polycrystalline silicon films: fracture mechanics analyses of the role of the silica/silicon interface

It is known that micron-scale polycrystalline silicon thin films can fail in room air under high frequency (40kHz) cyclic loading at fully-reversed stress amplitudes as low as half the fracture strength, with fatigue lives in excess of 1011 cycles. This behavior has been attributed to the sequential oxidation of the silicon and environmentally-assisted crack growth solely within the SiO2 surface layer. This ‘reaction-layer fatigue’ mechanism is only significant in thin films where the critical crack size for catastrophic failure can be reached by a crack growing within the oxide layer. In this study, the importance of the bimaterial (e.g., Si/SiO2) interface to reaction-layer fatigue is investigated, and the critical geometry and stress ranges where the mechanism is a viable failure mode are established.
The trifurcated endograft technique for hypogastric preservation during endovascular aneurysm repair

Bilateral common iliac artery involvement remains a significant challenge for endovascular aneurysm repair. We describe a technique to overcome this obstacle that we have termed the trifurcated endograft. The technique involves the deployment of a second bifurcated endoprosthesis into an iliac limb to create a three-limbed graft. The third limb is then used as the origin for an extension into one hypogastric artery.
A solid-state device for presenting moving shadows

The use of luminescent panels controlled by solid-state circuitry to produce moving shadows is described. Advantages include lack of vibration, noise, and heat.
Development of pavement deterioration models by combining experimental and field data sets

This paper presents the development of a pavement rutting model by combining experimental and field data. The experimental data came from the AASHO road test, while the field data was obtained from the Mn Roads Test site. Using joint estimation in this context allows us to improve the efficiency of the statistical estimates, quantify the values of the bias parameters in the experimental data, and identify some parameters that cannot be identified by using field data alone. The results of our research show that the pooling of experimental and field data yields better models than can be achieved by using a single data source.
Intraoperative Fluid Management—What and How Much?

An approach to intraoperative fluid management based on a monitored physiologic application of the Starling principles of cardiac function is recommended to individualize therapy to optimize hemodynamic function and tissue perfusion. The complexity of intraoperative fluid administration, beginning with preoperative cardiovascular function followed by innumerable intraoperative considerations, including anesthetic pharmacology, positive pressure ventilation, operative site, and surgical technique may lead to serious intraoperative and postoperative complications. Emphasis must be given to intraoperative fluid shifts resulting in hidden fluid loss and intravascular hypovolemia that must be replaced. Explanations for this fluid redistribution have included tissue trauma, endotoxemia, and proinflammatory cytokines with resultant increased capillary permeability.
The Black Population in Urbanized Areas, 1960.

The purpose of this paper is to analyze the socioeconomic profile of blacks residing in the central cities and the urban fringes of the 213 urbanized areas during 1960. The tremendous growth of the population in urbanized areas since 1945 has resulted in an increased need for statistical descriptions of the demographic characteristics of their populations. The urbanized areas have increased in population to a much greater extent than has the national population. From 1950 to 1960, the American civilian population increased 19%. By contrast, the population in urbanized areas increased 38% (U.S. Bureau of the Census, 1961a, 1961b). During the same period, the urban fringes increased 82% and the central cities 20%. In contrast to the urban fringes, the central cities nevertheless contain a higher proportion of the black population. Of the employed black population in the urbanized areas, 86% lived in the central cities. Unfortunately, little work has been conducted using all urbanized areas as unit of analysis on a national level (for a summary of the works dealing with the suburban phenomenon, see Pinkerton, 1969). One reason for this omission is that data are available for Standard Metropolitan Statistical
A method for multivariate ordinal data generation given marginal distributions and correlations

A method is described for simulating multivariate ordinal variates with specified marginal distributions and correlation structure. The method relies on simulating correlated binary variates as an intermediate step. After collapsing the ordinal levels to the binary ones, it is straightforward to obtain binary means. Corresponding binary correlations are computed via simulation in a way to ensure that re-conversion to the ordinal scale delivers the original distributional properties. Employing binary data generation is shown to be an effective method for simulating ordinal variates for a broad range of given marginals and pairwise associations.
Is it time for a metagenomic basis of therapeutics

The trillions of microbes associated with the human body are a key part of a comprehensive view of pharmacology. A mechanistic understanding of how the gut microbiota directly and indirectly affects drug metabolism is beginning to emerge.
What Kindergarten Students Learn in Inquiry-Based Science Classrooms

The purpose of this study was to examine how participation in an inquiry-based science program impacts kindergarten students’ science learning and motivation. The study was implemented as part of a larger, federally funded research project, the Scientific Literacy Project or SLP (Mantzicopoulos, Patrick, & Samarapungavan, 2005). The study provides descriptive data on the science learning and motivation of public kindergarten students who participated in a year-long implementation of a series of inquiry-based science units as part of SLP. The students who learned science through guided-inquiry (the INQ group) completed six inquiry-based science units over the course of the school year. Data were also collected from a group of kindergarten students (the COMP group) who received regular science instruction on a similar set of topics to the INQ group but did not use the inquiry-based SLP approach to science. Data from this latter group helped us better understand the extent to which the patterns of conceptual...
Hepatic artery chemoinfusion with chemoembolization for neuroendocrine cancer with progressive hepatic metastases despite octreotide therapy.

Background Hepatic metastases from neuroendocrine cancer dramatically reduce survival, introducing an important opportunity for intervention. Several treatment modalities have been examined, but an optimal treatment approach has been difficult to define. We evaluated a regimen combining hepatic artery chemoinfusion with chemoembolization. Methods Patients with neuroendocrine cancer and diffuse hepatic metastases were treated with hepatic artery chemoinfusion and chemoembolization when they demonstrated disease progression despite octreotide therapy. Four monthly cycles of 5-fluorouracil were administered via hepatic artery infusion with chemoembolization after the final 2 cycles. Response was defined by radiologic response or symptomatic improvement. Results Seventy-seven patients were treated; 18 received chemoinfusion only. The treatment-related mortality rate was 7%. The overall response rate was 80% for patients with carcinoid or islet cell neoplasms. Median progression-free survival was 19 months. Median disease-specific survival was 39 months from the first treatment; 1- and 5-year survival rates were 78% and 27%, respectively. Conclusion Survival after initiating this regimen was over 3 years for the majority of patients exhibiting progression of extensive, unresectable hepatic disease despite octreotide therapy. The addition of hepatic artery chemoinfusion to chemoembolization offers a high probability of clinical benefit to patients who, otherwise, have severely limited therapeutic options and a dismal survival.
Quality of care in evaluating the doctor-patient relationship.

In their discussion of the value of the doctor–patient relationship (DPR) in the post–managed care era, Alexander and Lantos (2006) review recent research that examines patients' (and doctors') pre...
Monte Carlo studies of correlation length and hyperscaling in the three-dimensional Ising model.

We report extensive Monte Carlo simulations and finite-size scaling analysis of the correlation length (${\ensuremath{\xi}}_{\mathrm{L}}$) for the spin-spin correlation function and the renormalized coupling (${\mathrm{g}}_{\mathrm{L}}$) of the simple-cubic Ising model with a wide range of lattice sizes (L\ensuremath{\le}96). New methods of analysis which avoid assumptions related to the correlation length were introduced. The exponents \ensuremath{\nu} and 2-\ensuremath{\alpha} were estimated from separate analysis of ${\ensuremath{\xi}}_{\mathrm{L}}$ and ${\mathrm{g}}_{\mathrm{L}}$, respectively. A value of ${\mathrm{\ensuremath{\omega}}}^{\mathrm{*}}$\ensuremath{\approxeq}0.001\ifmmode\pm\else\textpm\fi{}0.07 for the Fisher exponent is obtained. This is consistent with a very small or no violations of hyperscalings.
Mentoring Gifted Children and Prodigies: Personological Concerns.

Monitoring has begun to be seen as a most viable option for the growth of gifted, talented children.This paper addresses personality issues and personological variables salient to the process of mentoring gifted children.
A Comparison of Live Instruction and Interactive Televised Teaching: A 2-Year Assessment of Teaching an MSW Research Methods Course

Objective: This study evaluated the performance and experiences of distance learning students enrolled in a graduate-level foundation social work research methods course. Method: Students who recei...
Oral hairy leukoplakia as an early indicator of Epstein-Barr virus-associated post-transplant lymphoproliferative disorder.

Oral hairy leukoplakia (OHL) was first identified in 1984 in homosexual males infected with the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV).1 The condition is characterized by adherent, white, corrugated plaques, appearing most often on the lateral borders of the tongue. Although the lesions are usually asymptomatic and require no treatment, they may be superinfected by Candida albicans and produce burning symptoms.2 OHL is a result of infection with EpsteinBarr virus (EBV), a member of the herpesvirus family. Although originally thought to be specific to those with HIV infection, the lesions have also been seen in patients with other forms of immunosuppression. These include those who have undergone solid organ3 and bone marrow transplantation4 and patients treated with steroids.5 The lesions have also been documented on rare occasions in immunocompetent individuals.5,6 Presented here is a case where OHL was an early indication of EBV-associated posttransplant lymphoproliferative disorder (PTLD).