cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Data encryption over an inline-amplified 200km-long WDM line using coherent-state quantum cryptography

We demonstrate quantum-noise protected data encryption over a 200km-long inline optically-amplified fiber line at 650Mbps rate using off-the-shelf components. In contrast to our previous implementation, this demonstration uses phase-encoded coherent states, resulting in a polarization independent system that is compatible with the existing WDM infrastructure. Security calculations are presented for individual attacks on both the encrypted data as well as the secret key. This demonstration paves the way for widespread deployment of quantum cryptography in WDM networks.
Tidal volume and respiratory rate changes during CO2 rebreathing after lung transplantation.

Abstract To evaluate the contribution of the respiratory pattern to the ventilatory response after lung transplantation, we studied the changes in minute ventilation, tidal volume, and respiratory rate during CO 2 rebreathing in 14 patients with severe obstructive pulmonary disease, and compared them with 10 normal subjects. Seven patients underwent a bilateral lung transplantation and 7 patients had single-lung transplantation. Single-lung transplant recipients increased their respiratory rate by the last postoperative test compared with either preoperative or initial test periods (0.38 ± 0.13 versus 0.027 ± 0.24 or 0.12 ± 0.08 breaths · min −1 · mm Hg −1 ; P −1 · mm Hg −1 ; p 2 rebreathing, single-lung transplant recipients have a respiratory pattern similar to normal; whereas the bilateral lung transplant recipients show the effects of total pulmonary denervation. We conclude that the preserved ventilatory response in lung transplant recipients is composed of a respiratory pattern that is influenced by the presence or absence of vagal inputs.
Microcomputer interfaced stopped-flow spectrometer with interactive graphics

Abstract One problem in the use of stopped-flow rapid-mixing systems is that data can be collected much more rapidly than they can be digitized and analyzed. Microprocessor based systems can overcome this problem, but until now they have been expensive and have required experts to assemble the appropriate components.
A structure–reactivity relationship driven approach to the identification of a color test protocol for the presumptive indication of synthetic cannabimimetic drugs of abuse

The number of analyses of synthetic cannabimimetic drugs of abuse by forensic laboratories in the United States grew rapidly from 2010 to 2012 and then declined somewhat in 2013. In 2010, according to the National Forensic Laboratory Information System (NFLIS), 3,287 reports by federal, state and local forensic laboratories were identified as containing synthetic cannabinoids. In 2011 and 2012, the numbers increased to 23,693 and 42,503, respectively. 27,119 reports were identified in 2013. Several commonly encountered structural sub-classes of these synthetic designer drugs, namely the naphthoylindoles, benzoylindoles, phenylacetylindoles, and cyclopropoylindoles contain a ketone functional group. The Duquenois-Levine color test for the presumptive identification of classical cannabinoids such as Δ9-tetrahydrocannabinol is negative for the synthetic cannabimimetics. The van Urk color test for the presumptive identification of indole containing drugs of abuse is also negative for these compounds. The use of 2,4-dinitrophenylhydrazine as an alternative color test reagent (targeting the keto moiety rather than the indole) for presumptive identification of these classes of drugs was investigated.
Runtime hardware/software task transition scheduling for data-adaptable embedded systems

Data-adaptable reconfigurable embedded systems enable a flexible runtime implementation in which a system can transition the execution of tasks between hardware and software while simultaneously continuing to process data during the transition. Efficient runtime scheduling of task transitions is needed to optimize system throughput and latency of the reconfiguration and transition periods. In this paper, we present and analyze several runtime transition scheduling algorithms and highlight the latency and throughput tradeoffs for an example system.
Respiration-induced hypoalgesia: exploration of potential mechanisms.

Slow breathing is used as a means to reduce pain, yet the mechanisms responsible for respiration-induced hypoalgesia are poorly understood. The present study asked 30 healthy partici- pants (Mage = 21 years, Meducation = 15 years, 80% white non-Hispanic) to breathe at normal, slow (50% normal), and fast (125% normal) rates while constant-intensity, suprathreshold electric stimu- lations were delivered to the sural nerve to elicit pain and the nociceptive flexion reflex (NFR, a mea- sure of spinal nociception). Stimulations were equally balanced across inhalations and exhalations to determine whether parasympathetic activation during exhalations contributes to hypoalgesia. Respi- ration rate, heart rate variability (HRV, a measure of parasympathetic activity), heart rate, and subjec- tive arousal were assessed as manipulation checks. Slow breathing reduced pain relative to normal breathing and fast breathing, but NFR was not influenced by breathing. Further, pain and NFR did not differ between exhalations and inhalations, and changes in HRV did not correlate with changes in pain or NFR. Together, these findings suggest that respiration-induced hypoalgesia does not re- quire gating of spinal nociception or changes in parasympathetic activity. Perspective: Slow breathing reduced pain relative to normal and fast breathing. This respiration- induced hypoalgesia does not appear to be due to gating of spinal nociception or changes in para- sympathetic activity.
The influence of pyrolysis conditions on yield and microporosity of lignocellulosic chars

Abstract Chars were prepared from lignocellulosic precursors (plant tissues) by pyrolysis under argon at varying heating rates to final temperatures of 500–900°C. Char yield was found to depend on precursor composition, heating rate below 500°C, and the final temperature attained. Char microporosity, determined by adsorption of CO 2 at 298 K, was found to be relatively independent of the precursor composition and pyrolysis heating rate. The basic microstructure defining the micropore system appeared to be formed by 500°C, although access to the pore volume was restricted at such low temperatures by mass that would be volatilized at higher temperatures.
Free-edge singularities meet the microstructure: Important considerations

Abstract The significance of the free-edge singularities in angle–ply laminates and due to fiber terminations is explored and results are compared to that of a singularity due to the presence of a crack in the same region. A new dimensionless ratio, Δ is defined to compare the intensity of the singularities and the ratio shows that the stress field due to a crack of finite size is approximately twice that generated by free-edge singularities and 1.5 times as intense as the field generated by fiber terminations. For a range of material properties studied, it was found that the free-edge singularity was shown to effectively disappear as the ply angles decrease below ±15° or increase above ±85° and the fiber termination singularity was surprisingly insensitive to material properties. The results of this study suggest that singularities due to cracks dominate the stress field in the free-edge as compared to singularities at lamina discontinuities in equivalent media and fiber terminations.
Extracellular matrix remodeling in children with airway foreign-body aspiration.

The purpose of this study was to observe extracellular matrix remodeling in children with airway foreign-body aspiration (FBA) by detecting the expression of matrix metalloproteinase-9 (MMP-9), tissue inhibitor of matrix metalloproteinase-1 (TIMP-1), and hydroxyproline (HYP) in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF). Forty-six children with FBA and 12 control subjects from 2002–2003 were enrolled in this study. The former were divided into three subgroups according to duration of foreign-body (FB) retention (subgroup 1, 30 days). Cell count, and levels of MMP-9, TIMP-1, and HYP in BALF were measured. The total number of cells and differential counts detected in BALF did not differ significantly between patients and controls (P > 0.05), while mast cells were found only in the BALF of patients. The positive rates of MMP-9 in controls, subgroup 1, subgroup 2, and subgroup 3 were 33.3%, 62.5%, 80.0%, and 93.3%, respectively, with a significant difference (P = 0.006). The positive rate of TIMP-1 in controls and subgroups 1, 2, and 3 were 33.3%, 62.5%, 80.0%, and 93.3%, respectively, with a significant difference (P 0.05), while HYP levels decreased significantly after FB were removed (P = 0.001). Our findings support the hypothesis that FBA may contribute not only to mechanical airway obstruction, but also possibly to eventual airway remodeling by generation of MMPs and TIMPs. Pediatr Pulmonol. 2004; 38:140–145. © 2004 Wiley-Liss, Inc.
Effects of fibroblast growth factor-2 on longitudinal bone growth

In vivo, fibroblast growth factor-2 (FGF-2) inhibits longitudinal bone growth. Similarly, activating FGF receptor 3 mutations impair growth in achondroplasia and thanatophoric dysplasia. To investigate the underlying mechanisms, we chose a fetal rat metatarsal organ culture system that would maintain growth plate histological architecture. Addition of FGF-2 to the serum-free medium inhibited longitudinal growth. We next assessed each major component of longitudinal growth: proliferation, cellular hypertrophy, and cartilage matrix synthesis. Surprisingly, FGF-2 stimulated proliferation, as assessed by [3H]thymidine incorporation. However, autoradiographic studies demonstrated that this increased proliferation occurred only in the perichondrium, whereas decreased labeling was seen in the proliferative and epiphyseal chondrocytes. FGF-2 also caused a marked decrease in the number of hypertrophic chondrocytes. To assess cartilage matrix synthesis, we measured 35SO4 incorporation into newly synthesized glycosa...
Air-coupled detection of nonlinear Rayleigh surface waves in concrete—Application to microcracking detection

This paper proposes a new technique for the application of the second harmonic generation (SHG) in Rayleigh surface waves to nondestructively quantify microstructural changes and microcracks in heterogeneous cement-based materials (mortar and concrete). The effect of shrinkage reducing admixture (SRA), as it influences microcrack formation in these materials, is considered as an example. A 50 kHz wedge transmitter and a 100 kHz air-coupled receiver are implemented for the generation and detection of nonlinear Rayleigh waves; the non-contact receiver has the advantage of eliminating the inconsistencies associated with coupling and can be used for inspections of in-service concrete components. The experimental results show that the SRA plays a crucial role in reducing shrinkage microcracks and the addition of the SRA to cement-based materials influences the material nonlinearity. These results demonstrate that the proposed SHG technique is capable of evaluating the relative nonlinearity parameter, βre and can be a reliable method to characterize microstructural changes in cement-based materials.
Impulse Voltage Testing

EQUIPMENT and methods used for the surge testing of distribution transformers at the engineering experiment station at Purdue University are described in this paper. The surge generator of 1,000 kv maximum and the cathode ray oscillograph used in these tests are described. Curves are presented to show the desirability of ultra-violet illumination of the sphere gaps, especially for the smaller gaps and shorter spacings.
Polycrystalline diamond electrodes: basic properties and applications as amperometric detectors in flow injection analysis and liquid chromatography

Abstract Diamond films, fabricated by chemical vapor deposition, provide electrochemists with an entirely new type of carbon electrode that meets the requirements of activity, conductivity, and stability for a wide range of applications. In this manuscript, the basic electrochemical properties of high quality diamond thin-films (3-6 μm thick) are highlighted. The films are polycrystalline, hydrogen terminated and doped with boron (ca. 10 19 –10 20 cm −3 ). Some preliminary results using diamond in amperometric detection schemes, coupled with flow injection analysis and liquid chromatography, are presented for azide and nitrite, chlorpromazine, ascorbic acid and catecholamines. The use of diamond for the voltammetric detection of trace metal ions is also illustrated. The detector figures of merit (e.g., dynamic range, sensitivity, detection limit, response variability and response stability) for diamond are compared with freshly polished glassy carbon. Diamond exhibits as good or superior detector performance for each of these analytes. For example, the detection limit ( S / N = 3) for chlorpromazine at diamond is 4 nM or 26 pg, and the response variability is 0.3%, while for glassy carbon the detection limit ( S / N = 3) is 40 nM or 260 pg, and the response variability is 1%. The properties of diamond electrochemical interfaces are far from being fully understood, but the results reported herein portend the favorable possibilities for applications of diamond in electroanalysis.
Parallel computation of molecular energy gradients on the loosely coupled array of processors (LCAP)

The implementation of the HONDO program on the Loosely Coupled Array of Processors (LCAP) parallel computer system assembled in our laboratory is presented. We discuss a general strategy used to maintain a high level of compatibility between the serial version and the parallel version of the code. We report the implementation of energy-gradient calculation for SCF wavefunctions. The integral and integral derivative programs display high parallel efficiency, and so does the SCF part in the case of very large basis sets.
BEHAVIORAL OBJECTIVES AND THE QUANTITATIVE METHODS COURSE

The topic of behavioral objectives has recently received considerable attention in the academic community. This paper contains a comprehensive overview of issues and explores the relevance of using the behavioral objective framework for teaching quantitative methods (QM) to undergraduate business administration students. Included in the paper are (1) a discussion of the nature and meaning of behavioral objectives, (2) arguments for and against their use, (3) a rationale for their use in a QM course, and (4) a series of examples demonstrating the use of behavioral objectives in a quantitative course. The evidence-consisting of expert opinion from professionals who have successfully used behavioral objectives for teaching quantitative material, the logic of the arguments for behavioral objectives, consideration of arguments against objectives along with rebuttal to these arguments, and the available empirical studies-indicates that behavioral objectives do appear to offer considerable potential for improving QM teaching. The use of behavioral objectives is worthy of thoughtful consideration by QM teachers.
Favorable outcomes in high-risk congenital pulmonary airway malformations treated with multiple courses of maternal betamethasone.

Background/purpose Congenital pulmonary airway malformations (CPAMs) are rare congenital lung lesions often diagnosed by prenatal ultrasound. High-risk cases can result in hydrops and prenatal or postnatal demise. Antenatal betamethasone has resulted in improved survival but it is unclear how to manage patients who do not respond to a single course. Methods We present a bi-institutional retrospective review of patients treated with multiple courses of prenatal steroids for high-risk CPAMs between 2007 and 2013. Results Nine patients met inclusion criteria. All but one either had an increased CPAM volume ratio (CVR) or number of fluid-containing compartments involved after a single course of antenatal betamethasone, prompting additional courses. Four patients stabilized, three improved and two progressed after the second course. The two cases with disease progression underwent an in utero resection. There were one in utero fetal demise and two deaths within the delivery room. Both fetuses that underwent a fetal resection died. All but one mother who delivered a viable fetus had complications of pregnancy. Conclusions Multiple courses of antenatal betamethasone for high-risk fetal CPAMs often result in favorable short-term outcomes without the need for open fetal resection. Pregnancy complications are common and women within this cohort should be monitored closely.
Limit theorems for sums of dependent random variables

In Lai and Stout [7] the upper half of the law of the iterated logarithm (LIL) is established for sums of strongly dependent stationary Gaussian random variables. Herein, the upper half of the LIL is established for strongly dependent random variables {X i} which are however not necessarily Gaussian. Applications are made to multiplicative random variables and to ∑f(Z i ) where the Z i are strongly dependent Gaussian. A maximal inequality and a Marcinkiewicz-Zygmund type strong law are established for sums of strongly dependent random variables X i satisfying a moment condition of the form E¦S a,n ¦p≦g(n), where $$S_{a,n} = \sum\limits_{a + 1}^{a + n} {X_i }$$ , generalizing the work of Serfling [13, 14].
Online methods for radio signal mapping with mobile robots

In this paper we explore methods for the online mapping of received radio signal strength with mobile robots and localizing the source of the radio signal. By utilizing Gaussian processes, we are able to build an online model of the signal-strength map that can, in turn, be used to provide the current maximum likelihood estimate of the source location. Furthermore, using the estimate of the source location, the Gaussian process model allows for prediction of received signal strength with confidence bounds in regions of the environment that have not been explored. Finally, we develop a control law for collecting samples of the signal strength with mobile robots that allows for online estimation of the radio signal source.
Observation of Blueshifted Ultralong-Range Cs 2 Rydberg Molecules

We observe ultralong-range blueshifted ${\mathrm{Cs}}_{2}$ molecular states near $n{s}_{1/2}$ Rydberg states in an optical dipole trap, where $31\ensuremath{\le}n\ensuremath{\le}34$. The accidental near degeneracy of $(n\ensuremath{-}4)l$ and $ns$ Rydberg states for $lg2$ in Cs, due to the small fractional $ns$ quantum defect, leads to nonadiabatic coupling among these states, producing potential wells above the $ns$ thresholds. Two important consequences of admixing high angular momentum states with $ns$ states are the formation of large permanent dipole moments, $\ensuremath{\sim}15--100$ Debye, and accessibility of these states via two-photon association. The observed states are in excellent agreement with theory.
Strategies for catheter ablation of scar-related ventricular tachycardia

Ventricular tachycardia (VT) due to reentry in and around regions of ventricular scar from an old myocardial infarction or cardiomyopathic process is often a difficult management problem. Radiofrequency catheter ablation is an option for controlling frequent VT episodes. Patient and VT characteristics determine the mapping and ablation approach and efficacy. In patients with a VT that is hemodynamically tolerated to allow mapping, prevention of recurrent VT is achieved in 54% to 66% of patients with a procedure related mortality of 1% to 2.7%. Multiple morphologies of monomorphic VT and circuits that are located deep to the endocardium are common problems that reduce efficacy. Mapping to identify target regions for ablation can be difficult if VT is rapid and not tolerated, or not inducible. Ablation of these "unmappable VTs" by designing ablation lines or areas based on the characteristics of the scar as assessed during sinus rhythm, and using approaches to assess global activation from a limited number of beats has been shown to be feasible. Ablation of multiple VTs, epicardial VTs, and poorly tolerated VTs are feasible. Future studies defining efficacy and risks are needed.
Serum high-density lipoproteins in the crab Cancer antennarius—IV. Electrophoretic and immunological analyses of apolipoproteins and a question of female-specific lipoproteins

Abstract Apolipoproteins (APO) were analyzed for molecular mass and specificity of occurrence in hemolymph and eggs. Hemolymph donors were males and both ovigerous and non-ovigerous females. Total lipoprotein (LP; exclusively high-density LP) was fractionated into subclasses by density-gradient centrifugation; selected subclasses were delipidated and the APO subjected to electrophoresis under denaturing conditions. Antisera were raised against the isolated APO of both males and females and used for tests of cross-reactivity in Western biots. Principally three protein units were identified (molecular masses: 185, 100 and 84 kDa). Each occurred in the APO of each HDL subclass, in the hemolymphs of males and all females and in eggs. The antisera cross-reacted between all groups. Similar findings were obtained in a less complete study of APO in the blue crab, Callinectes sapidus. Thus, in analyses of isolated APO from two crab species, no evidence could be found for occurrence of a “female-specific protein” (FSP). FSP has been defined as a protein (vitellogenin, more accurately an LP) that is generated only by females active in production of egg yolk LP (vitellin); it is presumed to specialize in transporting yolk lipids. The crustacean literature is surveyed to compare data on APO molecular mass and critically reviewed with regard to FSP.
Clinical features, evaluation, and treatment of patients with polyneuropathy associated with monoclonal gammopathy of undetermined significance (MGUS).

A number of common disorders of the peripheral nervous system are closely linked to a monoclonal gammopathy. In a minority of patients, the neuropathy represents the sentinel feature of a malignant plasma cell dyscrasia, such as multiple myeloma or its osteosclerotic variant, Waldenstrom's disease, amyloidosis, cryoglobulinemia or lymphoma; the vast majority have so-called "monoclonal gammopathy of undetermined significance" (MGUS). Sensory symptoms predominate with paresthesias, numbness, imbalance, and gait ataxia. Electrodiagnostic studies show mixed demyelinating and axonal features and often may be indistinguishable from findings in chronic inflammatory demyelinating polyneuropathy. Some have a pure axonal polyneuropathy, and in these patients the relationship to the paraprotein is less certain. With limited success, correlations have been made between the immunoglobulin type (IgM, IgG, or IgA) and the clinical and electromyographic characteristics of the neuropathy. The treatment of MGUS neuropathies poses a considerable challenge. Patients with IgG/IgA-MGUS have improved with corticosteroids or intravenous immune globulin. Only the benefit of plasma exchange has been substantiated in a controlled trial. The IgM neuropathies tend to be more refractory but often improve with similar regimens, particularly if cytotoxic agents are added in doses sufficient to reduce the amount of the M-protein. In addition to plasma exchange, chlorambucil, and cyclophosphamide, interferon-alpha is a novel therapy that holds promise for patients with IgM neuropathies associated with anti-myelin associated antibodies.
Protecting health care workers from tuberculosis: A 10-year experience

Background Cook County Hospital (CCH) is an inner-city, large public hospital. Twenty-five percent of Chicago's tuberculosis (TB) cases are diagnosed at CCH. We wanted to review and analyze interventions implemented over a 10-year period at CCH to prevent TB infection in health care workers. Methods We performed a retrospective review of interventions to prevent health care-associated tuberculosis. We collated and analyzed tuberculin skin test conversions in our employees for the same time period. Results From 1990 to 2002, we cared for over 1800 in-patients with tuberculosis. During 1992-1997, multiple interventions to eliminate health care-associated spread of tuberculosis were implemented. Tuberculin skin test conversions in our employees decreased markedly from January 1994 through December 2002. Two drops in tuberculin skin test conversion rates occurred: one after introduction of basic administrative and engineering controls and a second after we experienced a decrease in missed TB cases and the introduction of N-95 personal respirators with 1-time qualitative fit testing. Conclusion Our annual health care worker skin test conversion rate fell significantly when our primary interventions were relatively simple administrative and engineering controls. Educating health care workers to promptly recognize patients with TB and placing exhaust fans to create negative-pressure respiratory isolation rooms were probably our 2 most potent infection control measures.
Medicine and the nature of vertical reasoning.

During any commencement season, it is likely that at least one medical school graduating class will be favored with an address on "The Art and Science of Medicine." No wonder, since this serves as ...
Binding of DDT to Lecithin

An interaction between DDT and lecithin is indicated by the reciprocal effects of each compound on the proton magnetic resonance spectrum of the other. The phosphoryl choline moiety of the lecithin and the benzylic proton of the DDT seem to be involved. The most pronounced response in the proton magnetic resonance spectrum of the lecithin produced by increasing concentration s of DDT was a change in the chemical shift of the resonance peak due to the protons of the choline methyl groups. Increasing concentrations of lecithin produced changes in the chemical shift of the resonance peaks of the benzylic proton and adjacent ring protons of the DDT. Equilibrium constant of 0.597 ±0.015 molal-1 was obtained for this interaction.
Electrochemical and column investigation of iron-mediated reductive dechlorination of trichloroethylene and perchloroethylene

This research investigated the long-term performance of zero-valent iron aggregates for reductive dechlorination of trichloroethylene (TCE) and perchloroethylene (PCE). The effects of elapsed time, mass transfer limitations, and influent halocarbon concentration on reductive dechlorination rates were investigated using groundwater obtained from a field site contaminated with chlorinated organic compounds. Over the first 300 days of operation, reaction rates for TCE and PCE gradually increased due to increasing porosity of the iron aggregates. Although there was microbial growth in the column, biological activity did not measurably contribute to reductive dechlorination. Dechlorination rates were pseudo-first-order in reactant concentration for submillimolar halocarbon concentrations. TCE concentrations near aqueous saturation resulted in passivation of the iron surfaces and deviation from first-order reaction kinetics. However, this passivation was slowly reversible upon lowering the influent TCE concentr...
Perceptions and influencers affecting engineering and computer science student persistence

In the 2012-2013 academic year, a survey to investigate why engineering and computer science students persist in their major was conducted at Michigan Technological University. This paper discusses the results of the survey and ties the findings to the literature. It focuses on: (1) who influenced students' decisions on picking a major or on changing a major (for example, friends, family, academic advisors, faculty, upper-division or graduate students, co-workers, and supervisors), and how did they affect students' persistence and (2) what is the impact of role models on student persistence. The analysis compares students who reported not having considered changing majors to students who considered switching to another major. The findings show that the students who did not consider changing majors reported having a stronger support system including faculty, academic advisors, and engineers who serve as role models. The data suggest that university faculty and staff need to reach out to the students who are deliberating about their initial choice of major and support the decision making process.
Full-wave reversible-polarity half-cycle-response magnetic amplifiers

MAGNETIC amplifiers for servo control applications are becoming widely used and seemingly have a greater future ahead because of their inherent reliability and promise of small weight and volume.
Dynamic compression of materials: metallization of fluid hydrogen at high pressures

Dynamic high pressure is 1 GPa (10 kbar) or greater with a rise time and a duration ranging from 1 ps (10−12 s) to 1 µs (10−6 s). Today it is possible in a laboratory to achieve pressures dynamically up to ~500 GPa (5 Mbar) and greater, compressions as much as ~15-fold greater than initial density in the case of hydrogen and temperatures from ~0.1 up to several electronvolts (11 600 K). At these conditions materials are extremely condensed semiconductors or degenerate metals. Temperature can be tuned independently of pressure by a combination of shock and isentropic compression. As a result, new opportunities are now available in condensed matter physics at extreme conditions. The basic physics of the dynamic process, experimental methods of generating and diagnosing matter at these extreme conditions and a technique to recover metastable materials intact from ~100 GPa shock pressures are discussed.Results include (i) generation of pressure standards at static pressures up to ~200 GPa (2 Mbar) at 300 K, (ii) single-shock compression of small-molecular fluids, including resolution of the recent controversy over the correct shock-compression curve of liquid D2 at 100 GPa pressures, (iii) the first observations of metallization of fluid hydrogen, nitrogen and oxygen compressed quasi-isentropically at 100 GPa pressures, (iv) implications for the interiors of giant planets within our solar system, extrasolar giant planets and brown dwarfs discovered recently and the equation of state of deuterium–tritium in inertial confinement fusion (ICF) and (v) prospects of recovering novel materials from extreme conditions, such as metastable solid metallic hydrogen. Future research is suggested.
RISK AND PROTECTIVE FACTORS FOR CHILDREN'S SUBSTANCE USE AND ANTISOCIAL BEHAVIOR FOLLOWING PARENTAL DIVORCE

Social networks and personal resources were examined as risk or protective factors for substance use and antisocial behavior in children five years after parental divorce. Children of divorce reported significantly more substance-using friends and less use of coping and social skills than children whose parents had not divorced. Findings suggest the importance of focusing on substance use as well as mental health outcomes in preventive interventions for children of divorce.
Pancreatic homeodomain transcription factor IDX1/IPF1 expressed in developing brain regulates somatostatin gene transcription in embryonic neural cells.

Hox-like homeodomain proteins play a critical role during embryonic development by regulating the transcription of genes that are important for the generation of specific organs or cell types. The homeodomain transcription factor IDX1/IPF1, the expression of which was thought until recently to be restricted to the pancreas and foregut, is required for pancreas development and for the expression of genes controlling glucose homeostasis. We report that IDX1/IPF1 is also expressed in embryonic rat brain at a time coincident with active neurogenesis. Electrophoretic mobility shift assays with nuclear extracts of embryonic brains indicated that IDX1/IPF1 binds to two somatostatin promoter elements, SMS-UE-B and the recently discovered SMS-TAAT3. The requirement of these elements for IDX1/IPF1 transactivation of the somatostatin gene in neural cells was confirmed in transfection studies using embryonic cerebral cortex-derived RC2.E10 cells. Immunohistochemical staining of rat embryos showed IDX1/IPF1-positive cells located near the ventricular surface in germinative areas of the developing central nervous system. Cellular colocalization of IDX1/IPF1 and somatostatin was found in several areas of the developing brain, including cortex, ganglionic eminence, hypothalamus, and inferior colliculus. These results support the notion that IDX1/IPF1 regulates gene expression during development of the central nervous system independent of its role on pancreas development and function.
DNA linking number change induced by sequence-specific DNA-binding proteins

Sequence-specific DNA-binding proteins play a key role in many fundamental biological processes, such as transcription, DNA replication and recombination. Very often, these DNA-binding proteins introduce structural changes to the target DNA-binding sites including DNA bending, twisting or untwisting and wrapping, which in many cases induce a linking number change (Delta Lk) to the DNA-binding site. Due to the lack of a feasible approach, Delta Lk induced by sequence-specific DNA-binding proteins has not been fully explored. In this paper we successfully constructed a series of DNA plasmids that carry many tandem copies of a DNA-binding site for one sequence-specific DNA-binding protein, such as lambda O, LacI, GalR, CRP and AraC. In this case, the protein-induced Delta Lk was greatly amplified and can be measured experimentally. Indeed, not only were we able to simultaneously determine the protein-induced Delta Lk and the DNA-binding constant for lambda O and GalR, but also we demonstrated that the protein-induced Delta Lk is an intrinsic property for these sequence-specific DNA-binding proteins. Our results also showed that protein-mediated DNA looping by AraC and LacI can induce a Delta Lk to the plasmid DNA templates. Furthermore, we demonstrated that the protein-induced Delta Lk does not correlate with the protein-induced DNA bending by the DNA-binding proteins.
Breastfeeding protection, promotion, and support in the United States: a time to nudge, a time to measure.

Background: Strong evidence-based advocacy efforts have now translated into high level political support and concrete goals for improving breastfeeding outcomes among women in the United States. In spite of this, major challenge remain for promoting, supporting and especially for protecting breastfeeding in the country.Objectives: The goals of this commentary are to argue in favor of: A) Changes in the default social and environmental systems, that would allow women to implement their right to breastfeed their infants, B) A multi-level and comprehensive monitoring system to measure process and outcomes indicators in the country.Methods: Evidence-based commentary.Results: Breastfeeding rates in the United States can improve based on a well coordinated social marketing framework. This approach calls for innovative promotion through mass media, appropriate facility based and community based support (e.g., Baby Friendly Hospital Initiative, WIC-coordinated community based peer counseling), and adequate protec...
Thermochemical investigations of nearly idial binary solvents. 6. Solubilities of iodine and benzil in systems of nonspecific interactions

Solubilities have been determined at 25°C for iodine in binary mixtures of carbon tetrachloride with cyclohexane, n-hexane, n-heptane, and octamethylcyclotetrasiloxane (OMCTS) and in mixtures of cyclohexane with n-hexane and OMCTS; and for benzil in binary mixtures of carbon tetrachloride with cyclohexane, n-hexane, and n-heptane, mixtures of n-hexane with cyclohexane and n-heptane, and mixtures of benzene with cyclohexane and toluene. With the exception of the benzene+cyclohexane system, the nearly ideal binary solvent model predicts these solubilities with a maximum deviation of 6% and an overall standard deviation of 2.4%. The model correctly predicts minima for solubility (mole fraction) of iodine in the OMCTS systems, and predicts solubilities within 4% for benzil in the carbon tetrachloride+n-hexane system, in which the solubility changes by a factor of 14. The failure of the model for predicting solubilities of benzil in mixtures of benzene and cyclohexane (maximum error of 25% for and 18-fold range of solubilities) is possibly due to specific interactions between benzil and benzene.
Comparison of Microscale Rapid Prototyping Techniques for Microfluidic Applications

Recent developments in microfluidics have opened up new interest in rapid prototyping with features on the microscale. Microfluidic devices are traditionally fabricated using photolithography, however this process can be time consuming and challenging. Laser ablation has emerged as the preferred solution for rapid prototyping of these devices. This paper explores the state of rapid prototyping for microfluidic devices by comparing laser ablation to micromilling and 3D printing. A microfluidic sample part was fabricated using these three methods. Accuracy of the features and surface roughness were measured using a surface profilometer, scanning electron microscope, and optical microscope. Micromilling was found to produce the most accurate features and best surface finish down to ∼100 μm, however it did not achieve the small feature sizes produced by laser ablation. 3D printed parts, though easily manufactured, were inadequate for most microfluidics applications. While laser ablation created somewhat rough and erratic channels, the process was within typical dimensions for microfluidic channels and should remain the default for microfluidic rapid prototyping.Copyright © 2014 by ASME
Shuttle near-field environmental impacts - Conclusions and observations for launching at other locations

Near field and far field environmental monitoring activities extending from the first launch of the Space Shuttle at the Kennedy Space Center have provided a database from which conclusions can now be drawn for short term, acute effects of launch and, to a lesser degree, long term cumulative effects on the natural environment. Data for the first 15 launches of the Space Shuttle from Kennedy Space Center Pad 39A are analyzed for statistical significance and reduced to graphical presentations of individual and collective disposition isopleths, summarization of observed environmental impacts (e.g., vegetation damage, fish kills), and supporting data from specialized experiments and laboratory analyses. Conclusions are drawn with regard to the near field environment at Pad A, the effects on the lagoonal complex, and the relationships of these data and conclusions to upcoming operations at Complex 39 Pad B where the environment is significantly different. The paper concludes with a subjective evaluation of the likely impacts at Vandenberg Space Launch Complex 6 for the first Shuttle launch next year.
Distributed channel probing for efficient transmission scheduling over wireless fading channels

It is energy-consuming and operationally cumbersome for all users to continuously estimate the channel quality before each data transmission decision in opportunistic scheduling over wireless fading channels. This observation motivates us to understand whether and how opportunistic gains can still be achieved with significant reductions in channel probing requirements and without centralized coordination amongst the competing users. In this work, we first provide an optimal centralized probing and transmission algorithm under the probing constraints. Noting the difficulties in the implementation of the centralized solution, we develop a novel Sequential Greedy Probing (SGP) algorithm by using the maximum-minimums identity, which is naturally well-suited for physical implementation and distributed operation. We show that the SGP algorithm is optimal in the important scenario of symmetric and independent ON-OFF fading channels. Then, we study a variant of the SGP algorithm in general fading channels to obtain its efficiency ratio as an explicit function of the channel statistics and rates, and note its tightness in the symmetric and independent ON-OFF fading scenario. We further expand on the distributed implementation of these greedy solutions by using the Fast-CSMA technique.
What is so Magical About a Theory of Intrinsic Intensionality

Abstract Curiously missing in the vast literature on Hilary Putnam's so-called model-theoretic argument against semantic realism is any response from would-be proponents of what Putnam would call magical theories of reference. Such silence is surprising in light of the fact that such theories have occupied a significant position in the history of philosophy and the fact that there are still several prominent thinkers who would, no doubt, favor such a theory. This paper develops and examines various responses to Putnam's argument on behalf of the proponent of a magical theory of reference. While Putnam's explicit replies to such responses to his argument seem to involve little more than name calling, I develop arguments that show that there are significant problems facing any would-be proponent of such a view. While magical theories of reference are far from the strawmen Putnam seems to take them to be, there are, I argue, genuine reasons for a semantic realist to prefer a non-magical theory of reference.
Deliberation: Integrating analytical results into environmental decisions involving multiple stakeholders

The National Research Council has recommended the use of an analytic/deliberative decision-making process in environmental restoration decisions that involve multiple stakeholders. This work investigates the use of the results of risk assessment and multiattribute utility analysis (the “analysis”) in guiding the deliberation. These results include the ranking of proposed remedial action alternatives according to each stakeholder's preferences, as well as the identification of the major reasons for these rankings. The stakeholder preferences are over a number of performance measures that include the traditional risk assessment metrics, e.g., individual worker risk, as well as programmatic, cultural, and cost-related impacts. Based on these results, a number of proposals are prepared for consideration by the stakeholders during the deliberation. These proposals are the starting point for the formulation of actual recommendations by the group. In our case study, these recommendations included new remedial action alternatives that were created by the stakeholders after an extensive discussion of the detailed analytical results.
The inhibition of mitochondrial energized processes by fluorescein mercuric acetate

Fluorescein mercuric acetate (FMA) has been shown to be a potent inhibitor of energized processes in both beef heart mitochondria and ETPH particles. FMA reacts preferentially with a small number of specific sulfur atoms and inhibits the phosphate-dependent configurational transition. FMA enhances the anaerobic to aerobic pH changes observed in intact mitochondria and submitochondrial particles, and also enhances nonenergized swelling in 0·15 M sodium or potassium chloride. The results are interpreted in terms of a model whereby FMA, in reacting with the mitochondrion, modifies its conformation. The resulting conformational changes which occur upon energization are therefore different from those conformational changes which would occur in the absence of FMA. The net result of this process is the inhibition of some processes (e.g., oxidative phosphorylation, ATP-32Pi exchange, etc.) and the enhancement of other processes (the proton shift and nonenergized swelling in chloride salts).
Baseline Differences, Attention, and Age Differences in Time-Sharing Performance.

Abstract The purpose of this experiment was to determine whether age differences noted when two tasks are performed concurrently can be accounted for in terms of age differences in single task baseline performance. Two groups of 12 8-year-olds and one group of 12 13-year-olds performed a compensatory tracking task and an auditory matching task, first alone and then time shared. The 8- and 13-year-old baseline groups performed baseline trials on each task prior to time-sharing trials. Each training group 8-year-old was randomly paired with a 13-year-old and given sufficient single task practice before time sharing to equate the 8- and 13-year-old pair members' baselines on both tasks. Results showed trained 8-year-olds to be indistinguishable from 13-year-olds in time sharing, whereas the 8-year-old baseline group showed significantly greater decrements in time-sharing and higher baseline scores on both tasks. These data provide support for the hypothesis that time-shared performance is directly related to level of baseline performance.
Renal Sympathetic Denervation and Systemic Hypertension

Hypertension represents a major health problem, with an appalling annual toll. Despite the plethora of antihypertensive drugs, hypertension remains resistant in a considerable number of patients, thus creating the need for alternative strategies, including interventional approaches. Recently, renal sympathetic denervation (RSD) using a very elegant, state-of-the-art technique (percutaneous, catheter-based radiofrequency ablation) was shown to be beneficial in patients with resistant hypertension. The pathophysiology of kidney function justifies the use of RSD in the treatment of hypertension. Data from older studies have shown that sympathectomy has efficiently lowered blood pressure and prolonged the life expectancy of patients with hypertension, but at considerable cost. RSD is devoid of the adverse effects of sympathectomy because of its localized nature, is minimally invasive, and provides short procedural and recovery times. In conclusion, this review outlines the pathophysiologic background of RSD, describes the past and the present of this interventional approach, and considers several future potential applications.
Dimensional Analysis of Thermal Fields Surrounding Friction Stir Welding Process

A dimensionless correlation is developed based on Buckingham’s Pi-Theorem to estimate the temperature fields generated by the movement of a tool during the Friction Stir Welding of an aluminum alloy (6061-T6). Symmetrical thermocouple measurements are taken during a statistically designed experiment using different factor levels (RPM, Traverse, etc). Analytical comparison (using multivariate ANOVA) validates the predicted dimensionless correlation including the often-reported difference between the advancing versus retreating side of the Friction Stir Tool.© 2014 ASME