cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Designing a grating based free electron laser

A compact far-infrared free electron laser (FEL) driven by a moderate energy beam would have many applications in academic and industrial research. Our goal is to find the optimal operating parameters producing the highest gain for a grating FEL with either a SASE or oscillator configuration. The basic structure consists of a grating bounded above by a roof extending over a portion of its length. The dispersion relation for such a system can be found by expanding the electromagnetic fields in a series of resonant modes. When the fields and the beam have near-synchronous velocities, the fields grow at a rate determined by the imaginary component of ω (k for spatial growth) and group velocity. Relations between gain and beam energy, roof height, tooth depth and angle of curve intersection have been investigated.
Functional Task Constraints Foster Enhanced Postural Control in Children With Cerebral Palsy

Background Postural instability is a classical characteristic of cerebral palsy (CP), but it has not been examined during functional play activity. Recent work has demonstrated that when motor tasks are made functionally more relevant, performance improves, even in children with movement pathology. It is possible that in a disease state, the underlying control mechanisms that are associated with healthy physiology must be elicited. Objective The study objective was to explore the utility of the functional play task methodology as a more rich and interpretable approach to the quantification of postural instability in children with CP. Design Postural stability measures obtained from a cross-sectional cohort of children with CP (n=30) were compared with stability measures taken from children with typical development (n=30) during a single measurement period. Methods Postural stability data were obtained with a portable force platform system. Postural sway was quantified during a precision manual functional play task. A baseline condition (no task) also was included. Postural sway variability and postural sway regularity were analyzed with analyses of variance. Results There was an apparent difference in postural control (greater irregularity, greater sway variability) during quiet stance between children with CP and peers with typical development; this difference was mitigated during the performance of the precision functional play task. Limitations A small and nonprobability sample of convenience may limit the findings of this study. Conclusions The findings illustrate flexibility and adaptability in the postural control system despite the pathological features associated with CP.
Wind-driven modification of the Alaskan coastal current

[1] Across-shelf transects over the eastern flank of Barrow Canyon were obtained in August 2005 with an autonomous underwater vehicle (AUV). Here, the shelf topography creates a “choke” point in which a substantial portion of Pacific inflow from the Bering Strait is concentrated within 30 km of the coast, providing an ideal setup for monitoring the flow with the AUV. Four transects, extending ∼10 km offshore of Barrow, Alaska, inshore of the ∼80 m isobath, were used in conjunction with a process-oriented numerical model to diagnose the wind-driven modification of the Alaskan coastal current. Poleward transports of 0.12 Sv were consistent among all sections, although the transport-weighted temperature was about 1°C colder in the transect obtained during peak winds. An idealized numerical model reproduces the observed hydrographic structure and across-shelf circulation reasonably well in that (1) winds were not sufficient to reverse the poleward flow, (2) upwelling was most pronounced in the nearshore, and (3) the onshore return flow occurred throughout the interior as opposed to the bottom boundary layer. The across-shelf circulation provides a possible mechanism for a meltwater intrusion observed on the offshore side of the AUV transect made during peak winds. Also of interest is that the observed anticyclonic shear was much stronger (∣∂u/∂y∣ > f) than previously measured in the region.
Acute Eosinophilic Pulmonary Disease Associated with the Ingestion of L-Tryptophan-Containing Products

A series of four patients with pulmonary infiltrates, pleural effusions, hypoxemia, peripheral eosinophilia, and symptoms of dyspnea, fatigue, and weakness is reported. Lung tissue obtained in three patients revealed interstitial pneumonitis, small-to-medium-vessel mixed-cell vasculitis, and alveolar exudate of histiocytes and eosinophils. All patients reported ingestion of L-tryptophan-containing products at a time when an association between L-tryptophan and the eosinophilia-myalgia syndrome was established. This clinical pattern of pulmonary involvement may be part of the continuum of the eosinophilia-myalgia syndrome. The pathophysiology of this syndrome and the relationship with the ingestion of L-tryptophan-containing products have not yet been identified. ( Chest 1991; 99:8–13 )
Prostaglandin E synthesis and release by murine macrophages and human monocytes after in vitro treatment with biological response modifiers.

AbstractProstaglandins of the E series (PGE), produced by mononuclear phagocytes, have many biological activities and are involved in the regulation of myelopoiesis and of the cytotoxic activities of macrophage (M+) and natural killer (NK) cells. Since one of the possible effects of biological response modifiers (BRMs) on immune regulation might be modulation of PGE production, resident peritoneal murine M+ (mMψ) and elutriated human blood mono-cytes (hM) were incubated with BRMs and the supernatants were then assayed for PGE. Control mMψ produced about 4.9 ng PGE/105 mMψ over a 24 hr period. Lipopolysaccharide (LPS, 1-5 μg/ml), polyinosinic-polycytidylic acid complexed with poly-L-lysine (Poly ICLC, 0.1-10 μg/ml) and murine α,β-interferon, (IFN, 10-1000 μ/ml) all caused a highly significant increase in PGE-secretion. BM41.332, a 2–cyanoaziridine (25-50 μg/ml), was found to be less stimulatory, whereas the pyran copolymer MVE-2 (25-50 μg/ml), and Azimexone (25–50 μg/ml) had marginal effects on PGE-product...
Diversity Patterns of Bird Assemblages in Arid Zones of Northern Venezuela

Abstract In northern Venezuela, arid zones are represented by isolated areas, which are important from an ornithological perspective because of the occurrence of restricted-range birds, which depend exclusively on arid scrub for their survival. From September 2004 to August 2005, bird surveys were conducted bimonthly using distance sampling at point counts in six areas of northern Venezuela, which differ in size and geological origin. A total of 21 228 individuals representing 96 species and 26 families were recorded throughout the study areas. Bird species richness, community composition, and species abundance varied among areas. Number of species recorded per area ranged from 37 to 82. An analysis of similarity showed that areas differed in overall community composition based on species presence or absence (Global R = 0.68). The Vermilion Cardinal (Cardinalis phoeniceus) was the only restricted-range species with a high indicator value (52%) identified through an indicator species analysis. The most abu...
Epidemiology of Anuran Pathology in the Holocene Component of the Hiscock Site: Rare or Not Survived

Abstract Bone pathology provides a window to environment and predation, allowing confident comparison of fossils and subfossils with their modern descendents. Exclusive of modern contaminated environments, the frequency of bone disease in frogs does not seem to have changed in the Holocene. Injuries were either quite rare or rarely survived. Associated fractures, however, were frequently infected. Infections appear to have been from a chronic granulomatous disease, apparently fungal in origin. The disorders reported in these fossil bones are identical to those recognized in modern frogs, validating comparison of character and frequency of bone pathology through geological time, as has been documented previously for reptiles and mammals.
Modeling and simulation of a ZnO nanowire bridge and development of an electrical equivalent circuit in liquid

This paper presents the modeling and simulation of ZnO nanowire bridge and its application as a mass sensor. The resonant frequency shift due to added mass has been used as the sensing parameter. The finite element modeling (FEM) analysis results of the resonant frequency computation conform to the theoretical results within an error of 3%. An electrical equivalent circuit of the bridge structure has been proposed for the operation of the device in liquid. The simulated frequency response of the equivalent circuit matches the theoretical results.
Effective static race detection for Java

We present a novel technique for static race detection in Java programs, comprised of a series of stages that employ a combination of static analyses to successively reduce the pairs of memory accesses potentially involved in a race. We have implemented our technique and applied it to a suite of multi-threaded Java programs. Our experiments show that it is precise, scalable, and useful, reporting tens to hundreds of serious and previously unknown concurrency bugs in large, widely-used programs with few false alarms.
Effects of Sex, Heat Stress, Body Weight, and Genetic Strain on the Dietary Lysine Requirement of Broiler Chicks

Experiments were carried out to investigate the effects of sex, heat stress (37 C), body weight (heavy and light within strain), and strain of chicks on the dietary lysine requirement of chicks during 8 to 22 days posthatching. A lysine-deficient basal diet (.64% total lysine, 23% CP, 3,200 kcal ME(n)/kg) containing corn, feather meal, and soybean meal was supplemented with graded levels of L-lysine.HCl to produce growth response curves. The lysine-deficient diet contained .52% true digestible lysine as determined with a precision-fed cecectomized adult cockerel assay (Experiment 1). Hubbard x Hubbard chicks were used in Experiment 2 and New Hampshire x Columbian crossbred chicks were used in Experiments 3 and 4. Experiment 2 compared lysine requirements of male and female chicks. Weight gains between sexes were similar when diets were deficient in lysine, but males grew faster than females when lysine-adequate diets were fed. Male chicks required a higher level of dietary lysine than females for both maximal weight gain and feed efficiency. Also, regardless of sex, the lysine requirement (percentage of diet) for maximal feed efficiency was higher than that for maximal weight gain. In Experiment 3, heat stress reduced weight gain and feed intake of both males and females by about 22%, and it increased the lysine requirement of female but not male chicks. In Experiment 4, light and heavy chicks were selected from male and female populations. Heavy and light chicks exhibited the same dietary lysine requirement for maximal growth. However, the lysine requirement for maximal feed efficiency was higher for heavy birds than for light birds.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)
Isolating Cognitive and Neurologic HIV Effects in Substance-Dependent, Confounded Cohorts: A Pilot Study

Controversy exists as to whether effects of HIV infection can be detected in the cognitive profiles of substance users, with methodological differences in degree of control for confounding factors a major contributor to empirical discrepancies. To address this shortcoming, we conducted a small but well-controlled study aimed at isolating HIV neurocognitive (NC) effects in a group of chronic substance users. Thirty HIV-negative substance users were individually matched to 30 HIV-positive substance users on relevant medical and demographic factors, including reading level and methadone therapy status. Results revealed that reading level, methadone maintenance therapy, and positive urine toxicology each exerted significant influence on NC function, and that HIV status was a significant predictor of learning and speeded processing after these control factors were considered. The HIV-positive group also displayed significantly more neurologically assessed motor impairment (p < .05), which was specifically related to impaired cognition in this group and independent of degree of immunocompromise. These data demonstrate the need for increased attention to clinical/demographic characteristics of groups under study. They also show that with applied methodological rigor, the deleterious effects of HIV on cognition can be parsed from substance use, even in small samples with chronic and active use histories.
Choices, Options, and Constraints: Decision Making and Decision Spaces in Natural Resource Management

This paper analyzes the decision making processes of the staff of a Mexican national marine park and how their options for natural resource management are affected by internal, external, and relational constraints. Using ethnographic data gathered from 2001-2003, I suggest that the failure of the marine park to accomplish its management goals was not from the lack of a plan to manage the marine area or from internal policies or practices, but from mismatch in objectives with other institutions of Mexican government and a consequent inability to access the needed resources and support. In addition, this paper argues for a more contextually-based understanding of decision making in organizations like protected areas that can account for many of the problems and failures that are often blamed on internal policies or practices. This paper proposes a model of "decision spaces" that highlights the space between decision and action, in which these constraints, as well as opportunities, are confronted and potenti...
Simulation-based validation for four- dimensional multi-channel ultrasound current source density imaging

Ultrasound current source density imaging (UCSDI), which has application to the heart and brain, exploits the acoustoelectric (AE) effect and Ohm's law to detect and map an electrical current distribution. In this study, we describe 4-D UCSDI simulations of a dipole field for comparison and validation with bench-top experiments. The simulations consider the properties of the ultrasound pulse as it passes through a conductive medium, the electric field of the injected dipole, and the lead field of the detectors. In the simulation, the lead fields of detectors and electric field of the dipole were calculated by the finite element (FE) method, and the convolution and correlation in the computation of the detected AE voltage signal were accelerated using 3-D fast Fourier transforms. In the bench-top experiment, an electric dipole was produced in a bath of 0.9% NaCl solution containing two electrodes, which injected an ac pulse (200 Hz, 3 cycles) ranging from 0 to 140 mA. Stimulating and recording electrodes were placed in a custom electrode chamber made on a rapid prototype printer. Each electrode could be positioned anywhere on an x-y grid (5 mm spacing) and individually adjusted in the depth direction for precise control of the geometry of the current sources and detecting electrodes. A 1-MHz ultrasound beam was pulsed and focused through a plastic film to modulate the current distribution inside the saline-filled tank. AE signals were simultaneously detected at a sampling frequency of 15 MHz on multiple recording electrodes. A single recording electrode is sufficient to form volume images of the current flow and electric potentials. The AE potential is sensitive to the distance from the dipole, but is less sensitive to the angle between the detector and the dipole. Multi-channel UCSDI potentially improves 4-D mapping of bioelectric sources in the body at high spatial resolution, which is especially important for diagnosing and guiding treatment of cardiac and neurologic disorders, including arrhythmia and epilepsy.
Towards a visual speech learning system for the deaf by matching dynamic lip shapes

In this paper we propose a visual-based speech learning framework to assist deaf persons by comparing the lip movements between a student and an E-tutor in an intelligent tutoring system. The framework utilizes lip reading technologies to determine if a student learns the correct pronunciation. Different from conventional speech recognition systems, which usually recognize a speaker's utterance, our speech learning framework focuses on recognizing whether a student pronounces are correct according to an instructor's utterance by using visual information. We propose a method by extracting dynamic shape difference features (DSDF) based on lip shapes to recognize the pronunciation difference. The preliminary experimental results demonstrate the robustness and effectiveness of our approach on a database we collected, which contains multiple persons speaking a small number of selected words.
An investigation of the magnetosphere–ionosphere response to real and idealized co-rotating interaction region events through global magnetohydrodynamic simulations

This study investigates the role of interplanetary magnetic field (IMF) Bz fluctuations periodicity in the transfer of solar wind mass and energy to the magnetosphere during the co-rotating interaction region/high-speed stream event of 10 November 2003 through global modelling simulations using the space weather modelling framework. To do so, we used both solar wind observations and a variety of idealized inputs as upstream boundary conditions, describing different solar wind configurations for which relative contribution of the peak-to-noise ratio in the input Bz power spectrum to the periodicity transfer is examined. Fast Fourier transforms of both input to and the response of the magnetosphere reveal that the transfer of IMF Bz periodicity to the magnetosphere is unaltered by other solar wind parameters, although the size of the peak-to-noise ratio of the input signal is the controlling factor that determines this transfer. The global magnetosphere simulation suggests that a threshold amount of power (peak-to-noise ratio) of approximately 10 in the input signal is needed for the magnetosphere to react to the periodicity in the input Bz , while for the cross-polar cap potential, the threshold amount is significantly smaller.
A Synthetic Peptide Vaccine Directed against the 2β2–2β3 Loop of Domain 2 of Protective Antigen Protects Rabbits from Inhalation Anthrax

The current vaccines for anthrax in the United States and United Kingdom are efficacious in the two most accepted animal models of inhalation anthrax, nonhuman primates and rabbits, but require extensive immunization protocols. We previously demonstrated that a linear determinant in domain 2 of Bacillus anthracis protective Ag (PA) is a potentially important target for an epitope-specific vaccine for anthrax, as Abs specific for this site, referred to as the loop-neutralizing determinant (LND), neutralize lethal toxin in vitro, yet are virtually absent in PA-immunized rabbits. In this study, we evaluated the immunogenicity and protective efficacy in rabbits of multiple antigenic peptides (MAPs) consisting of aa 304-319 from the LND of PA colinearly synthesized at the C terminus (T-B MAP) or N terminus (B-T MAP) with a heterologous T cell epitope from Plasmodium falciparum. Immunogenicity studies demonstrated that both MAPs elicited toxin-neutralizing Ab in rabbits. To evaluate the MAPs as potential anthrax vaccines, we immunized groups of rabbits (n = 7) with each MAP in Freund's adjuvant and then exposed all rabbits to a 200-LD(50) challenge with aerosolized spores of B. anthracis Ames strain. All seven rabbits immunized with the B-T MAP and 89% (six of seven) of rabbits immunized with the T-B MAP survived the spore challenge. Corollary studies with reference sera from human vaccinees immunized with rPA or anthrax vaccine absorbed and nonhuman primates immunized with PA revealed no detectable Ab with specificity for the LND. We conclude that a synthetic peptide vaccine targeting the LND would be a potentially efficacious vaccine for anthrax.
Comparative effects of inhaled diesel exhaust and ambient fine particles on inflammation, atherosclerosis, and vascular dysfunction.

Ambient air PM2.5 (particulate matter less than 2.5 μm in diameter) has been associated with cardiovascular diseases (CVDs), but the underlying mechanisms affecting CVDs are unknown. The authors investigated whether subchronic inhalation of concentrated ambient PM2.5 (CAPs), whole diesel exhaust (WDE), or diesel exhaust gases (DEGs) led to exacerbation of atherosclerosis, pulmonary and systemic inflammation, and vascular dysfunction; and whether DEG interactions with CAPs alter cardiovascular effects. ApoE−/− mice were simultaneously exposed via inhalation for 5 hours/day, 4 days/week, for up to 5 months to one of five different exposure atmospheres: (1) filtered air (FA); (2) CAPs (105 μg/m3); (3) WDE (DEP = 436 μg/m3); (4) DEG (equivalent to gas levels in WDE group); and (5) CAPs+DEG (PM2.5: 113 μg/m3; with DEG equivalent to WDE group). After 3 and 5 months, lung lavage fluid and blood sera were analyzed, and atherosclerotic plaques were quantified by ultrasound imaging, hematoxylin and eosin (H&E stain...
Representative hydraulic conductivity of hydrogeologic units: Insights from an experimental stratigraphy

Summary A critical issue facing groundwater flow models is the estimation of representative hydraulic conductivity assigned to the model units. In this study, an experiment-based, high-resolution hydraulic conductivity map offers a test case to evaluate this parameter. Various hydrogeological units are distinguished, each is of irregular shape with distinct heterogeneity pattern created by physical sedimentation. Extending a previous study which used numerical upscaling to compute equivalent conductivities for these units (at two upscaling scales) [Zhang, Y., Gable, C.W., Person, M., 2006. Equivalent hydraulic conductivity of an experimental stratigraphy – implications for basin-scale flow simulations. Water Resources Research 42, W05404. doi:10.1029/2005WR004720], this study compares them with local statistics and effective conductivities predicted by a stochastic theory. Results suggest that for a system with moderate lnK variance (4.07) and low topographic slope (∼1°), the arithmetic mean (KA) provides a good estimate for the maximum principal component (Kmax) of the equivalent conductivity. The minimum principal component (Kmin) lies between the harmonic and geometric means: its closeness to the geometric mean is affected by heterogeneity pattern and upscaling scale. Using Kmax (alternatively, the arithmetic mean), geometric mean, and ln(K) variance, the stochastic theory predicts a Kmin that is consistent with the up-scaled value. Similarly, knowing Kmin, Kmax predicted by theory is also consistent with the up-scaled value. For most deposits (some with variance greater than 1), a low-variance version of the theory is more accurate than a high-variance version. However, the increase of topographic slope (to ∼4°) and total lnK variance (to 16) result in increased deviation of Kmax from KA. High variance also results in significantly larger anisotropy ratio, possibly due to the dominance of preferential flow. Finally, for select units, equivalent conductivity exhibits scale effect. Field scale representative elementary volume thus does not exist and upscaling the full unit is necessary to obtain the representative conductivity.
Heat flow analysis for EOS/ESD protection device design in SOI technology

Power-to-failure versus time-to-failure profiles for SOI protection devices are generated through a consideration of Joule heating. Experimental results are presented to justify assumptions made in the investigation of heat flow in SOI devices. A lossy transmission line equivalent model has been used to model the heat diffusion problem. A design space for multifinger NMOS protection devices has been developed on the basis of self-heating constraints. The method of images has been used to transform the multifinger device to an equivalent single-finger device to simplify the heat flow analysis.
Sustainability criteria for bioenergy systems: results from an expert survey

Abstract Environmental impacts associated with the use of fossil fuels, rising prices, potential limitations in supply and concerns about regional and national security are driving the development and use of biomass for bioenergy, biofuels and bioproducts. However, the use of biomass does not automatically imply that its production, conversion and use are sustainable. In order to operationalize sustainability assessments of biomass systems, it is crucial to identify critical criteria, but keep their number and measurement at a manageable level. The selection of these criteria can vary depending on individual's expertise, geographical region where they work, and spatial scale they are focused on. No clear consensus has yet emerged on what experts consider as critical indicators of sustainability. Objectives of this paper were to analyze how key experts perceive the 35 sustainability criteria for bioenergy found in emerging sustainability assessment frameworks and to identify levels of agreement and uncertainty. Experts were asked to rate the criteria for attributes of relevance, practicality, reliability, and importance. Perceptions of the importance of the 35 criteria varied among the experts surveyed. Only two criteria, energy balance and greenhouse gas balance, were perceived as critical by more than half of the respondents. Social criteria and locally applied criteria were generally ranked low for all four attributes. Seven of the 12 criteria scored as most important focused on environmental issues, four were social and only one was economic. Of the 12 most important criteria, seven were ranked low in practicality and reliability indicating that mechanisms to assess a number of important criteria need to be developed. The spatial scale the experts worked at and their profession explained most of the differences in importance ranking between experts, while regional focus had minimal effect. Criteria that were ranked low for importance, were characterized by a lack of consensus, suggesting the need for further debate regarding their inclusion in sustainability assessments. Outcomes of the survey provide a foundation for further discussions and development of sustainability assessments for bioenergy systems and may also provide a basis for assessing individual bioenergy projects within their specific geographic, ecological, societal, and technological context and scale.
Recognition of Intensity Contrasts in the Gestures of Beginning Conductors

The purpose of this study was to determine whether high and low contrasts of gestural intensity could be demonstrated by undergraduate beginning conductors and, furthermore, whether independent obs...
Early Eastern Archaic

Relative Time Period: Follows the Late Paleoindian tradition and precedes the Middle Eastern Archaic tradition.
Southern Ocean Response to the Intensification of Northern Hemisphere Glaciation at 2.4 Ma

Ocean Drilling Program (ODP) Site 704 in the sub-Antarctic South Atlantic was studied to determine the paleoceanographic response of the Southern Ocean to the intensification of northern hemisphere glaciation (NHG) during the late Pliocene. Several important paleoceanographic changes occurred in Site 704 across the Gauss/Matuyama boundary: (1) accumulation rates of biogenic sedimentary components increased by an order of magnitude (Froelich et al., in press), (2) the accumulation of ice-rafted detritus (IRD) increased several-fold (Warnke & Allen, in press), 3) average δ 18O values of Neogloboquadrina pachyderma increased by 0.6‰, (4) the amplitude of the benthic δ 18O signal increased markedly, and (5) carbon isotopic ratios of benthic foraminifers decreased by an average of 0.8‰, as did the δ 13C of fine fraction by 1.5‰ (Mead et al., in press), but no change occurred in δ 13C of N. pachyderma. Many of these observed changes can be explained by a northward migration of the Polar Frontal Zone (PFZ) in the Southern Ocean accompanied by ice volume growth on both Antarctica and in the northern hemisphere.
Extreme ozone events: Tail behavior of the surface ozone distribution over the U.S.

Abstract The ground level ozone concentration over the continental United States is analyzed from the point of view of modern Extreme Value Theory using ozone data from the Clean Air Status and Trends Network (CASTNET) at 25 measurement sites. At each site the data is analyzed separately for two time periods (1992–2002 and 2003–2013) approximately separated by the NOX SIP call. The Generalized Pareto Distribution is fit to extremes of the ozone concentration by using a combination of maximum likelihood estimates (MLEs) and Hill estimates. The data is appropriately transformed prior to extreme value analysis and data in the right tail is separated from that in the middle part of the distribution. This analysis is compared to current approaches by using synthetic data. Under a variety of conditions the procedure using the MLE approach is likely to underestimate the tail of the distribution. The analysis of the CASTNET ozone data shows that at some locations the ozone probability distribution is not exponentially bounded, and thus can be characterized as heavy tailed, and that at other locations this distribution is not heavy and is bounded to the right so that the ozone concentration is bounded for any return period. The tails of the distribution of ozone concentration become heavier following the NOX SIP call at most of the sites with heavy tails prior to this call.
A Plea to Economists Who Favour Liberty: Assist the Everyman

Should economists remain as detached scholars, pursuing their research to the satisfaction of themselves and fellow academics? Or should they try to educate their fellow men and women in economic ideas, hoping to have an impact on economic policy? In this paper, Professor Daniel B. Klein addresses these issues, concluding that if economists want to be influential in policy making, they must be willing to communicate with the 'everyman'. Scholasticism is valuable in encouraging high research standards, but it has been carried too far in the economics profession, to the detriment of research and teaching which are relevent to policy. Five well known economists, John Fleming, Charles Goodhart, Israel Kirzner, Deirdre McCloskey and Gordon Tullock, then comment on the paper.
Rogers’ Generative Framework of Organismic Integrity: Scientific Evidence Challenging Academic, Medical, and Pharmaceutical Forces

The integrity of the human organism is a central, but lesser known, construct of Carl Rogers’ body of work and presaged current neuroscience research. Over 40 years ago, Rogers offered a substantial framework for understanding the intricacies of the body–mind connection in his detailed study of the myriad organismic processes operating within human beings and how these processes work toward their optimal functioning. I will draw from Rogers’ theory, elaborated by his colleague Jules Seeman, in conjunction with the work of neuroscientist Candace Pert, whose work on opiate receptors provided evidence of the biochemical basis for awareness and consciousness. I will explore the convergence between the parallel tracks of person-centered and neuroscience research that together deepen our understanding of the complexity of the thriving human organism. I will contrast this shared paradigm with the current and more narrowly conceived reductionist viewpoint of institutionalized psychology that is supported by the pharmaceutical industry.
Multi-Element Transmitter Design and Performance Evaluation for Visible Light Communication

Visible light communication (VLC) systems have significant potential for enabling broadband data rates by relying on existing lighting infrastructure. In this paper, we investigate the performance of multi-element VLC transmitter architecture for different transmitter configurations. In particular, we consider multi- element transmitters with three, seven, and nineteen light emitting diodes (LEDs). For a fixed number of LEDs installed in a room, we evaluate the signal-to-interference-plus-noise ratio (SINR) distributions across the room considering different transmitter geometries and a multipath VLC environment. Illumination distributions in the room are also generated for different configurations, and performance trade-offs for different transmitter architectures are investigated. Impact of transmit power at the LEDs and field of view at VLC receivers on the SINR performance are explored. Simulation results show that transmitter configuration with three LED gives the best performance for simultaneously achieving good illumination and SINR distribution under different circumstances.
Biological Sample Preparation for SEM Imaging of Porcine Retina

Sample preparation is a critical step in scanning electron microscopy (SEM) imaging. This is especially true for biological samples because of charge build-up and sensitivity to vacuum and electron beam damage. In terms of ultrastructure imaging, a variety of advancements in detectors and approaches have improved biological imaging such that fewer steps are required for sample preparation. However, the conventional approach incorporating osmium tetroxide fixing, ethanol dehydrating, critical-point drying, and coating still finds useful application. This paper evaluates three biological sample-preparation methodologies for imaging the ultrastructure of immature porcine retina. The three preparation methods examined are critical-point drying (CPD), hexamethyldisilazane (HMDS) dehydration, and direct imaging by environmental scanning electron microscopy (ESEM). Preparation methodologies were evaluated based on resulting image quality and reduced potential for artifacts.
Design, test and evaluation of an actively stabilised drogue refuelling system

*† ‡ A scale model of aerial refueling drogue is built and tested to investigate active drogue stabilization and control concepts. A set of aerodynamic control surfaces is implemented to a conventional, aerodynamically stabilized refueling drogue. The control surfaces are designed to reduce the response of the drogue motion to atmospheric disturbance, tanker motion, and an approaching receiver aircraft. This paper presents the details of design concept and experimental results based on wind tunnel testing of a 1/3 scale model fabricated for this study. To investigate the proposed active control concept, a dynamic test rig is built for wind tunnel experiment. The rig basically represents a hose-drogue system in terms of a 4 degreeof-freedom (DOF), single link pendulum model. System identification technique is used to obtain a drogue dynamic model, based on which a feedback control law is developed. Closed-loop dynamic testing is carried out to evaluate the effectiveness of the aerodynamic surface control module and feedback control law.
MAS NMR Study on the Microstructural Changes of Zeolite-NaY under Neutron Irradiation

The results of high-resolution solid-state magic angle spinning nuclear magnetic resonance (MAS NMR) indicate the bond angles of Al-O-Si decrease with the increase of neutronirradiation dose, but there are only minor changes for Si-O-Si bond angles in the current dose range studied. This suggests that zeolite with higher Si/Al ratio is more resistant to neutron irradiation damage. It is also found that [AlO 6 ] formed at higher dose range. The ratio of Si/Al changed from 2.57 before neutron irradiation to 2.76 when the dose reached 2.25×10 19 n/cm 2 , which shows that mild dealumination occurred during neutron irradiation. The strontium ion exchange experiments have been conducted for neutron irradiated, thermally treated and original zeolite samples, respectively. It is found that the ion-exchange ability of neutron-irradiated zeolite-NaY is between those of original and heat-treated zeolite samples. The distortion of the framework under neutron irradiation by the decrease of Al-O-Si bond angles and the formation of [AlO 6 ] is partially responsible for the ion-exchange variability variation of zeolite-NaY.
DIAGNOSTIC ACCURACY EVALUATION OF VISUAL ACUITY AND FUNDUS AUTOFLUORESCENCE MACULAR GEOGRAPHIC ATROPHY AREA FOR THE DISCRIMINATION OF STARGARDT GROUPS.

PURPOSE To evaluate diagnostic accuracy of visual acuity and fundus autofluorescence (FAF) macular geographic atrophy (GA) area for the discrimination of autosomal recessive Stargardt groups. METHODS Subjects aged <50 years old with confirmed molecular diagnoses were classified to Groups 1, 2, or 3 according to a full-field electroretinogram reference standard. Diagnostic accuracy of visual acuity and the FAF macular GA area was assessed with generalized estimating equations, receiver operating characteristic curve area under the curve, and support vector machines. RESULTS Ten eyes were classified as Group 1 and 7 as Group 2. The mean log minimum angle resolution (Snellen equivalent) was 0.64 (20/87) for group 1 and 0.96 (20/182) for group 2. Mean FAF macular GA area was 0.96 mm for Group 1 and 3.23 mm for Group 2. The generalized estimating equation analysis showed an 8.3% increase in odds of Group 2 classification with each 0.1-unit increase in log minimum angle resolution and a 24% increase with each 1-mm increase in FAF macular GA area. Multivariate generalized estimating equation analysis showed that only the FAF macular GA area was significant. Area under the curve was 0.79 for log minimum angle resolution and 0.89 for FAF macular GA area. The support vector machine classification accuracy was 71% for log minimum angle resolution and 82% for FAF macular GA area. CONCLUSION Visual acuity and FAF macular GA area had good independent accuracy for the discrimination of groups 1 and 2, indicating that they may serve as useful diagnostic parameters.
Simulation of explosion and shock involving multiple materials based on the material point method

The meshless material point method(MPM)is introduced to solve the problems that when a bomb is exploded near the building,an analysis on the combining effects of blast wave and fragments on the concrete wall involves the multi-physics field calculations and multi-material coupling.The explosion field,bomb fragments and deformation and fracture of the concrete wall resulted from explosion of bombs with and without a metal case are numerically simulated by using the characteristics of the MPM that a moving boundary or material interface can be easily traced,and the coupling conditions of multiple materials are automatically satisfied.Calculated results show that the meshless MPM is useful for computation of multi-material explosion effect.
How important is publication bias ? A synthesis of available data

It has long been recognized that investigators frequently fail to report their research findings (Dickersin, 1990). Chalmers (1990) has suggested that this failure represents scientific misconduct since volunteers who consent to participate in research, and agencies that provide funding support for investigations, do so with the understanding that the work will make a contribution to knowledge. Clearly, knowledge that is not disseminated is not making a "contribution". This failure to publish is not only inappropriate scientific conduct, it also influences the information available for interpretation by the scientific community. Of course, if research is left randomly unpublished, there is less information available, but that information is unbiased. We now have solid evidence that failure to publish is not a random event; rather, publication is dramatically influenced by the direction and strength of research findings (Dickersin et al., 1987, 1992; Dickersin & Min, 1993; Easterbrook et al., 1991; Simes, 1986). This tendency of editors and reviewers to accept manuscripts submitted by investigators based on the strength and direction of the research findings is termed "publication bias". The problem has been under discussion for many years and has recently been studied directly in medicine and public health. This article will review the major evidence available regarding publication bias and will suggest measures for overcoming the problem.
A guide to longitudinal program impact evaluation.

This manual is intended to serve as a practical guide for implementing longitudinal estimation procedures. It explains the advantages of gathering longitudinal data and then describes methods of analysis for use with longitudinal data including assumptions required by each method.
TextDNA: visualizing word usage with configurable colorfields

Patterns of words used in different text collections can characterize interesting properties of a corpus. However, these patterns are challenging to explore as they often involve complex relationships across many words and collections in a large space of words. In this paper, we propose a configurable colorfield design to aid this exploration. Our approach uses a dense colorfield overview to present large amounts of data in ways that make patterns perceptible. It allows flexible configuration of both data mappings and aggregations to expose different kinds of patterns, and provides interactions to help connect detailed patterns to the corpus overview. TextDNA, our prototype implementation, leverages the GPU to provide interactivity in the web browser even on large corpora. We present five case studies showing how the tool supports inquiry in corpora ranging in size from single document to millions of books. Our work shows how to make a configurable colorfield approach practical for a range of analytic tasks.
Brute Rationality: Fitting the view into the contemporary debate

The claim that some reasons have greater justificatory strength than requiring strength entails a number of further claims that are at odds with a good deal of current philosophical dogma. For example, it entails that one need not, rationally, always act on the stronger of two opposed reasons, even in the absence of other relevant considerations. And it holds that this is true whether one takes ‘stronger’ to mean ‘stronger in the requiring role’ or ‘stronger in the justifying role.’ The official view advocated in this book also denies the internalism requirement on practical reasons, for it holds that it is not irrational to be completely unmoved by altruistic reasons. Given these conflicts with contemporary views, and given also what appears to be a significant structural difference between the view advocated here and other views – two strength values, as opposed to only one – some readers may have begun to suspect that the notions of practical rationality and reasons for action that form the subject of this book, while interesting and significant, are simply different notions than those of concern to other contemporary philosophers who use the same lexicographical terms. At the very beginning of chapter 1 I explained why this suspicion is unfounded: we are all engaged in the same project of trying to produce an account of the fundamental normative notion relevant to action.
Drawing and gesture as communication options in a person with severe aphasia

AbstractThe following case study demonstrates the efficacy of a gestural and graphic treatment approach for an individual with chronic Broca's aphasia. RJ. presented with global aphasia as a result of a stroke in 1985.He had a 2-year history of aphasia therapy without notable results, followed by a 3-year hiatus from any form of therapy. At the request of the patient's daughter, a speech-language pathology (SLP) evaluation was conducted nearly 5 years post onset and over 3 years after any form of communication intervention. Initially R.J. was so severe and perseverative that no formal testing could be administered. A novel, intensive treatment regime commenced, and after 6 weeks of aphasia treatment that focused on gesture and drawing as expressive modalities, R.J. was discharged home a functional communicator.
Multiscale Simulation of Proteins at the Membrane-Cytoskeleton Interface

Protein-protein interactions at the cell membrane play a crucial role in dictating cell morphology, adhesion, motility, and cytokinesis. Examples include the coupling of transmembrane integrins with the cytoskeleton as well as formin-driven polymerization of actin filaments in fission yeast ring assembly. The intrinsic mechanosensitivity of these proteins is an important determinant of emergent large-scale effects from collections of membrane-associated complexes such as focal adhesions and cytokinetic nodes. Whether integrin and formin-nodes clustering respond to mechanical cues remains controversial in the field, due to inherent limitations of experimental approaches in isolating specific protein contributions. Coarse-grained (CG) simulations of such systems can be indispensable tools for distinguishing between such competing scenarios. In this talk, I will discuss how we apply CG simulations to recapitulate the complex behavior observed by our experimental collaborators and place them into a rigorous framework to learn more about the microscopic behavior at play. First, using a new model of single-point, two state integrin particles on a quasi-2D membrane, we demonstrate how cell spreading on soft substrates is regulated by integrin activation and how multiple integrin subtypes differentially transmit traction stress. By further including explicit coupling to a fluctuating cytoskeleton, we have studied the effect of single actin filament polymerization on integrin clustering and ligand binding. Second, I will discuss recent work on the mechanosensitivity of formin proteins in yeast cytokinetic nodes. I will show results from our computational CG model explaining how modulating formin activity by myosin generated forces on actin filaments can increase the efficiency of cell division.
5' End Nicotinamide Adenine Dinucleotide Cap in Human Cells Promotes RNA Decay through DXO-Mediated deNADding.

Summary Eukaryotic mRNAs generally possess a 5′ end N7 methyl guanosine (m 7 G) cap that promotes their translation and stability. However, mammalian mRNAs can also carry a 5′ end nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NAD + ) cap that, in contrast to the m 7 G cap, does not support translation but instead promotes mRNA decay. The mammalian and fungal noncanonical DXO/Rai1 decapping enzymes efficiently remove NAD + caps, and cocrystal structures of DXO/Rai1 with 3′-NADP + illuminate the molecular mechanism for how the "deNADding" reaction produces NAD + and 5′ phosphate RNA. Removal of DXO from cells increases NAD + -capped mRNA levels and enables detection of NAD + -capped intronic small nucleolar RNAs (snoRNAs), suggesting NAD + caps can be added to 5′-processed termini. Our findings establish NAD + as an alternative mammalian RNA cap and DXO as a deNADding enzyme modulating cellular levels of NAD + -capped RNAs. Collectively, these data reveal that mammalian RNAs can harbor a 5′ end modification distinct from the classical m 7 G cap that promotes rather than inhibits RNA decay.
Injury-stimulated and self-restrained BMP signaling dynamically regulates stem cell pool size during Drosophila midgut regeneration

Many adult organs rely on resident stem cells to maintain homeostasis. Upon injury, stem cells increase proliferation, followed by lineage differentiation to replenish damaged cells. Whether stem cells also change division mode to transiently increase their population size as part of a regenerative program and, if so, what the underlying mechanism is have remained largely unexplored. Here we show that injury stimulates the production of two bone morphogenetic protein (BMP) ligands, Dpp and Gbb, which drive an expansion of intestinal stem cells (ISCs) by promoting their symmetric self-renewing division in Drosophila adult midgut. We find that BMP production in enterocytes is inhibited by BMP signaling itself, and that BMP autoinhibition is required for resetting ISC pool size to the homeostatic level after tissue repair. Our study suggests that dynamic BMP signaling controls ISC population size during midgut regeneration and reveals mechanisms that precisely control stem cell number in response to tissue needs.