cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
5 Laser Ignition

The sections in this article are 5.1 Introduction 5.2 Laser Ignition Energy 5.3 Breakdown Threshold Laser Energy 5.3.1 Multiphoton Ionization 5.3.2 Cascade Breakdown Ionization 5.4 Spark Evolution 5.5 Ignition Mechanism 5.5.1 Homogeneous Hot-Gas Model 5.5.2 Blast Wave Ignition Model 5.5.3 A Hot Gas Model 5.6 Potential Applications and Research Needs 5.6.1 Laser-Induced Gas Breakdown and Evolution in High-Speed and Highly Turbulent Streams 5.6.2 Laser Ignition for Stabilization of Ultra-Lean and High Speed Combustion Applications 5.6.3 Laser Ignition under Engine and/or Engine-Like Conditions 5.6.4 Development of a Diode-Pumped Solid State Laser for Laser Ignition Applications 5.7 Conclusions Keywords: gas turbine engines; fuel-lean flame; jet engines; laser ignition; modeling; spark evolution
Towards Practical Vectorized Analytical Query Engines

Query execution engines are adapting to the underlying hardware in order to maximize performance. Wider SIMD registers and more complex SIMD instruction sets are emerging in mainstream CPUs as well as new processor designs, such as the many-core platforms that rely on data parallelism via SIMD vectorization to pack a larger number of smaller cores per chip. In the database literature, using SIMD to optimize standalone operators with key--rid pairs is common, yet the state-of-the-art query engines rely on compilation of tightly coupled operators where hand-optimized individual operators become impractical. In this paper, we present VIP, an analytical query engine designed and built bottom-up from pre-compiled column-oriented data-parallel sub-operators and implemented entirely in SIMD. In our evaluation derived from the TPC-H workload, VIP outperforms query-specific hand-optimized scalar code.
Autoimmune hepatitis following Epstein-Barr virus infection: a diagnostic dilemma

Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) infections frequently affect the liver and cause hepatitis. EBV is a well-known trigger of certain autoimmune diseases. There are few case reports showing the evidence of autoimmune hepatitis (AIH) following EBV infection. However, the diagnosis of AIH is very challenging in the setting of an acute infection. Here, we demonstrate a case of AIH following EBV infection in a patient ultimately recovered after receiving treatment for AIH.
The Sociology of Gaslighting

Gaslighting—a type of psychological abuse aimed at making victims seem or feel “crazy,” creating a “surreal” interpersonal environment—has captured public attention. Despite the popularity of the t...
Contributions, Bribes, and the Convergence of Political and Criminal Corruption

Accusations of corruption in politics are ubiquitous, yet there is a decided lack of agreement over how to define corruption. The Supreme Court, in both its campaign finance and criminal political corruption doctrines, has adopted a narrow definition centered on quid pro quo exchanges. At first glance, this doctrinal convergence seems to provide an attractive symmetry of sorts: The government is constitutionally barred from restricting political spending unless such spending is highly likely to result in quid pro quo arrangements; and likewise, politicians may not be prosecuted unless they are found to have agreed to such arrangements. In this Article, I argue against this doctrinal convergence, which I claim, problematically oversimplifies the concept of corruption. This oversimplification has both theoretical and legal significance. In brief, I argue that the Supreme Court’s decidedly narrow understanding of corruption and its effects on our politics elides important distinctions between corruption in the realm of campaign finance and corruption that warrants criminal sanctions. Campaign finance laws aim to prevent perceived democratic process failures. In contrast, criminal laws prohibiting bribery, extortion, and the like, aim to punish unscrupulous political actors. These are distinct purposes and should be recognized as such. Drawing from the political science theory of “multiple elitism,” I introduce a new theory of corruption — “commonplace political corruption” — in presenting a defense of campaign finance regulations. Commonplace political corruption is the systematic influence of special interest groups on the democratic process and the entrenched advantages that follow. I argue that this type of corruption has been renewed as of late and that my theory strengthens the constitutional arguments for upholding responsive campaign finance laws. The Article proceeds as follows: Part II outlines the theoretical distinction between commonplace political corruption and criminal political corruption. In short, the latter sanctions individual impropriety, whereas the former implicates a deeper, more considerable threat to democracy. Part III explores the campaign finance and criminal political corruption doctrines, and examines three recent high-profile corruption cases — involving Sheldon Silver, Senator Robert Menendez, and Governor Robert McDonnell — each of which illustrates how the doctrines have converged. Part IV, in reliance on my theory of commonplace political corruption, sets forth the normative legal arguments for upholding robust campaign finance laws.
Improving cardiac surgical quality: lessons from the Japanese experience.

In this issue of BMJ Quality & Safety , Yamamoto and colleagues1 describe an innovative national quality improvement intervention to identify and remediate low-performing Japanese cardiac surgery programmes. This is the most recent of numerous quality initiatives by Japanese cardiothoracic surgical leaders,2–11 and they deserve recognition for their ambitious and ongoing efforts. In 2000, emulating the Society of Thoracic Surgeons Database,12 they developed the Japan Cardiovascular Surgery Database (JCVSD), the foundation for all their subsequent quality activities. Because their board certification requires JCVSD participation,4 this assures that every board-certified cardiac surgeon, and presumably every CT programme, has access to rigorous, nationally benchmarked results. With their newest quality programme, these results are used to target low-performing centres. What can we learn from their experience, and where might there be additional improvement opportunities? Selection criteria for the Japanese site visit initiative are based on JCVSD outcomes data and include high-mortality outlier status for isolated coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG), heart valve or thoracic aortic surgical procedures, as well as hospital volumes and the number of procedures for which a hospital is an outlier. During the study period, 10 hospitals (about 1.7% of all Japanese programmes) were visited. We were not provided with the number of initial candidate hospitals that were high-mortality outliers for at least one procedure but were not visited. It is also not clear if selected hospitals were required to participate in the site visit intervention or whether this was voluntary. Previsit observed mortality rates for site visit hospitals were quite high compared with non-visited hospitals (9.0% vs 2.7% for CABG, 10.7% vs 4.0% for heart valve procedures and 20.7% vs 7.5% for thoracic aortic procedures). They also had, for each of the three procedures, about double the rate of postoperative kidney injury requiring dialysis, which …
Distributed constrained optimization by singular perturbation method and its application to energy networks by real-time implementation

Abstract This paper proposes a new algorithm to a distributed constrained optimization problem with an undirected and connected network. The singular perturbation, dynamic average consensus, and saddle point dynamics methods are utilized to construct a dynamical system to seek global optimality. The theoretical guarantee on the optimality of the solutions is provided as it is proved that the constructed system is semi-globally practically asymptotically stable. The algorithm is further validated by an experiment on controller boards with real-time communication to apply the proposed algorithm to the IEEE 5 bus system. The experimental results demonstrate the efficiency and practical usage of the new algorithm.
A Scoping Review on Open Educational Resources to Support Interactions of Learners with Disabilities

This scoping review explored the trends in open educational resources (OER) that support the interactions of learners with disabilities and the challenges of supporting these interactions in such environments. Emerging OER and open educational practices allow learners to interact with digital learning resources in self-regulated learning. Since OER assume learners’ self-regulation, research has explored how to promote learner interactions to facilitate better engagement and motivation. Emerging research on OER-enabled pedagogy corroborate this trend. However, despite increasing interest in OER and open educational practices, few studies have demonstrated how OER support various types of interactions for learners with disabilities. Learners with disabilities are likely to experience challenges in interacting with OER due to their modality constraints. A comprehensive literature synthesis is essential to investigate the needs of learners with disabilities in their interactions in OER. In this study, we reviewed and synthesized existing research on how OER and open educational practices support the interactions of learners with disabilities across different OER platforms. Our findings suggest both research and design implications for future OER designs suited for learners with disabilities.
Models of marine protected areas must explicitly address spatial dynamics.

We agree with three broad points raised by Cabral et al. (1): 1) Marine protected areas (MPAs) can play an important role in conservation and food security, 2) much of the high seas could be closed to fishing without substantially reducing global catch, and 3) much of the potential food security benefits of MPAs could be achieved by targeted protection in key places. We note an error in the business-as-usual (BAU) policy in their original manuscript which overestimated the food gains of MPAs and distorted the prioritization map, but which is being corrected by Cabral et al. However, beyond this issue, their model makes a series of assumptions that produce results inconsistent with best available knowledge of the state of global fisheries and marine ecology. Cabral et al. (1) do not explicitly account for spatial structure of fish populations in their model, instead assuming that all unassessed [i.e., not in the … [↵][1]1To whom correspondence may be addressed. Email: danovan{at}uw.edu. [1]: #xref-corresp-1-1
Reconsidering gaps between perceived and real discrimination: commentary on the Galak and Kahn 2019 Academic Marketing Climate Survey

Understanding and mitigating factors that adversely affect an institution’s diversity, equity, and inclusion initiatives have moved to the forefront of many industries, including academia. Along these lines, the 2019 Academic Marketing Climate Survey provided a starting place for a meaningful dialogue about how perceived discriminatory practices within the field impact faculty diversity. In our commentary, we attempt to broaden the discussion and explanation of gaps between real and perceived discrimination. In contrast to the authors’ focus on whether perceived discrimination can be objectively validated, we consider the possibility that actual discrimination can go undetected by affected parties. We conclude by identifying potential pitfalls of a singular focus on validating perceived discrimination and by encouraging increased training and transparency as means of enabling everyone to contribute to creating a more diverse and inclusive academic marketing community.
Exploring qualities of ethnically diverse parents related to the healthy home environment of toddlers.

Abstract Parents serve as role models and household policy makers for their children's home social environment. Also, parents may influence the home physical environment through the provision of resources to support their children's dietary, activity, and sleep behaviors. Understanding the parental characteristics related to children's home environment may allow for tailoring obesity interventions to families' needs. This study aimed to explore parental qualities (general parenting styles, parent feeding practices, and parental BMI) related to healthy home food, physical activity, media and sleep environment of toddlers. A total of 50 multi-ethnic parents with toddler age children who were enrolled in a randomized pilot study of a wellness program completed the Structure and Control in Parent Feeding (SCPF) questionnaire and Comprehensive General Parenting Questionnaire (CGPQ). Parental BMI was calculated using self-reported weight and height data. The Healthy Home Survey, the Home Food Inventory, the Sleep Environment Questionnaire, and items developed for this study were standardized and summed to create home food, physical activity, screen media, and sleep environment scores; high scores reflected healthier environments. To examine the relationships between parental qualities and the home environment, Pearson's correlation test was performed. Parental BMI and overall healthy home environment were inversely associated (r = -0.306; p = 0.032). Structure in general parenting and parental feeding practice were positively correlated with the overall healthy home environment (r = 0.336; p = 0.026) and healthy home food environment (r = 0.415; p = 0.003), respectively. The coercive control general parenting was inversely related to overall healthy home environment score (r = -0.333; p = 0.022). Based on the findings from this study, parents who provide clear communication, set consistent rules, avoid pressure to control their child's behavior, and have lower BMI tend to live in a home environment that support children's health behaviors.
Optical Parametric Oscillator in Thin-Film Lithium Niobate with a 130 µW Threshold

We present an integrated optical parametric oscillator in thin-film lithium niobate. Our device is based on a periodically poled racetrack resonator and operates at a telecommunication wavelength with a threshold of 130 µW.
The COVID-19 Vaccine and the Future of International Laws in Business, Travel, and Trade

Since COVID-19, the world has been constantly evolving to adapt. Finding a cure quickly became the focus worldwide which altered set approaches to intellectual property rights. Additionally, creating a controversial vaccine has led to several more questions for the future. With varying vaccines and standards throughout the world, travel, business, and trade may face new challenges which change the current systems.
Measles, Media and Memory: Journalism's Role in Framing Collective Memory of Disease.

Language used to describe measles in the press has altered significantly over the last sixty years, a shift that reflects changing perceptions of the disease within the medical community as well as broader changes in public health discourse. California, one of the most populous U.S. states and seat of the 2015 measles outbreak originating at Disneyland, presents an opportunity for observing these changes. This article offers a longitudinal case study of five decades of measles news coverage by the Los Angeles Times and the San Francisco Chronicle, which represented two of the largest news markets in California when the measles vaccine was released, in 1963, and during the 2015 outbreak. Measles reporting during this period displays patterns pointing to an active role for journalists in shaping public understanding of health and medical matters, especially as they recede from public memory, through the employment of available and circulating political and cultural frames. Moreover, journalistic frames in this period of reporting incorporated presentist descriptions of the disease, which imposed present values on the medical past, and which were constructed of decontextualized historical references that supported prevailing contemporary notions of the disease. Framing and the tendency toward presentism, in the context of shifting public health discourse, had the effect of communicating an increasingly severe sounding disease over time, and of shifting blame for that disease’s spread from nature to government to individuals. Journalistic framing and causal stories have much power to shape public understanding of medical matters as they recede from public memory.
Intergenerational hormesis is regulated by heritable 18S rRNA methylation

Heritable non-genetic information can regulate a variety of complex phenotypes. However, what specific non-genetic cues are transmitted from parents to their descendants are poorly understood. Here, we perform metabolic methyl-labelling experiments to track the heritable transmission of methylation from ancestors to their descendants in the nematode Caenorhabditis elegans. We find that methylation is transmitted to descendants in proteins, RNA, DNA and lipids. We further find that in response to parental starvation, fed naive progeny display reduced fertility, increased heat stress resistance, and extended longevity. This intergenerational hormesis is accompanied by a heritable increase in N6-dimethyl adenosine (m6,2A) on the 18S ribosomal RNA at adenosines 1735 and 1736. We identified the conserved DIMT-1 as the m6,2A methyltransferase in C. elegans and find that dimt-1 is required for the intergenerational hormesis phenotypes. This study provides the first labeling and tracking of heritable non-genetic material across generations and demonstrates the importance of rRNA methylation for regulating the heritable response to starvation.
Toward Functional Nanomaterials

Chapter 1: Fabrication of oxide nanoparticles by ion implantation and thermal oxidation Hiroshi Amekura Chapter 2: Design of solution-grown ZnO nanostructures Thierry Pauporte Chapter 3: Self-assembled metal nanostructures in semiconductor structures Francesco Ruffino Chapter 4: Nanocrystal based polymer composites as novel functional materials Marinella Striccoli Chapter 5: Large-scale ab initio study of size, shape, and doping effects on electronic structure of nanocrystals Jingbo Li Chapter 6: Chaotic behavior appearing in dynamic motions of nanoscale particles Kouji Miura Chapter 7: Hydrogen concentration, bonding configuration and electron emission properties of polycrystalline diamond films: from micro- to nano-metric grain size Alon Hoffman Chapter 8: Super-resolution optical effects of nanoscale nonlinear thin film structure and ultrahigh density information storage Jingsong Wei Chapter 9: Spin-transfer and current-induced spin dynamics in spin valves: diffusive transport regime Martin Gmitra Chapter 10 : Self-organized surface nanopatterning by ion beam sputtering Raul Gago Chapter 11: Area-selective depositions of self-assembled monolayers on patterned SiO2/Si surfaces Changhsun Wang Chapter 12: Virtual synthesis of electronic nanomaterials: Fundamentals and prospects Liudmila Pozhar
Insect Population Ecology and Molecular Genetics

Molecular genetic techniques provide powerful tools to study insect biology, ecology, and population genetics in both natural and laboratory populations. Analysis of proteins, nuclear or mitochondrial deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA), and messenger ribonucleic acid (mRNA) can be used to answer ecological questions. Analysis of proteins by electrophoresis is useful with many insects, but some taxa with low levels of detectable genetic variation cannot be studied unless more sensitive DNA markers are used. DNA analyses can identify biotypes or sibling species, determine paternity, resolve whether hybridization or introgression occurs, and provide information on founder effects, population genetic structure, gene flow, inbreeding, genetic bottlenecks, dispersal, and selection intensity. The polymerase chain reaction (PCR) is often used to reduce costs and allow large numbers of specimens to be sampled. Large amounts of genetic variation can be sampled rapidly and inexpensively in large numbers of individuals by random amplified polymorphic DNA (RAPD) method of PCR, restriction enzyme digests of DNA amplified by PCR restriction fragment length poly-morphisms (RFLP-PCR), or ampliﬁed fragment length poly-morphism (AFLP-PCR) method. Although technically more challenging and expensive, techniques such as DNA fingerprinting using microsatellite DNA, heteroduplex analysis, or double-strand conformation polymorphism (DSCP) provide information on genetic variation at individual and population levels. Recently, the use of DNA microarray (DNAchip) analysis has allowed researchers to evaluate the responses of plants to insect attack, and it shows promise of answering other important ecological questions as well.
Glycomacropeptide Shows Prebiotic and Immune Modulating Properties in Phenylketonuria and Wild Type Mice

Background: Glycomacropeptide (GMP) is a 64 amino acid (AA) glycophosphopeptide with application to the nutritional management of phenylketonuria (PKU), obesity and intestinal disorders. GMP is a p...
Nanomanipulation-Coupled Nanospray Mass Spectrometry Applied to the Extraction and Analysis of Trace Analytes Found on Fibers*

This article presents the novel instrumentation of nanomanipulation coupled to nanospray ionization-mass spectrometry, which is used to directly probe trace analytes found on individual fibers. The low detection limits and sample volumes associated with nanospray ionization-mass spectrometry make it the ideal instrument to implement for trace analysis. Nanospray ionization-mass spectrometry, coupled with the nanomanipulator, allows for the direct probing of trace particulates on fibers. The technique is demonstrated by dissolving an electrostatic particle of cocaine from a fiber, collecting the analyte solution in a nanospray tip, and transferring the tip directly to the mass spectrometer to complete analysis. The utility of this technique is evident through the minimal sample preparation and short analysis time. The use of nanomanipulation coupled to nanospray ionization-mass spectrometry could improve on current trace particulate analysis by reducing both detection limits and sample size required to complete analysis.
THE EFFECT OF TESTOSTERONE ON THE MORPHOGENESIS OF THE CHICK THYMUS.

Because of the inhibitory effect of testosterone on lympho-epithelial nodule formation in the bursa of Fabricius, possibly through the suppression of alkaline phosphatase activity of the surrounding mesenchyme, there appears the possibility of a comparable inhibitory effect on the thymus. 1. A single dose of one tenth milliliter (2.5 mg) of testosterone propionate in sesame oil (Schering) was injected into chick eggs between the first and fifth days of incubation, i.e., before and during the time of differentiation of the thymus from the epithelial primordia and before the appearance of lymphoblasts. The thymuses of 195 chicks including 50 controls were examined after 18 days of incubation; grossly and microscopically the thymus gland was relatively unaffected in all but a few chicks. Because the thymus appeared unaffected by testosterone as opposed to its complete inhibitory effect on the bursa of Fabricius; and because of the apparent relationship of testosterone-labile alkaline phosphatase to epithelial nodule formation in the bursa, further investigations were carried out on thymic differentiation and the possible role, if any, of alkaline phosphatase activity in the surrounding mesenchyme. 2. Chick embryos between 5–10 days of incubation were fixed in 80% ethanol or absolute acetone, embedded in paraffin, serially sectioned and exposed to either Gomori's glycerophosphate or Burstone's naphthol AS-MX phosphate procedures for alkaline phosphatase activity. The mesenchyme surrounding the developing thymus showed either a negative or a negligible reaction for alkaline phosphatase activity following these procedures. In contrast, the thymic primordium did exhibit slight phosphatase activity which appeared to be localized in the reticular-epithelial cells. The difference in demonstrable alkaline phosphatase activity of the capsule of the thymus and of the subepithelial mesenchyme of the bursa of Fabricius suggests a fundamental difference in the differentiation of the two organs in the embryonic chick.
Multicultural Tourism, Demilitarization, and the Process of Peace Building in Panama

Resumen En este articulo, conecto la negacion encubierta de derechos ciudadanos por parte del estado con el desarrollo del turismo con el fin de explicar por que Panama presenta la imagen de un estado libre de fuerza policial. Abordo dos conceptos principales: un analisis critico de la gubernamentalidad en el turismo (Hollinshead 1999, 2003) y el concepto de turismo como una fuerza “creadora de mundos” (Hollinshead et al. 2009; Merrill 2009; Noy 2011; Reis and Shelton 2011). Aplico estos conceptos al desarrollo del turismo en el Archipielago de Bocas del Toro con el fin de ilustrar como los procesos turisticos de gubernamentalidad y “creacion de mundos” impuestos por las autoridades son experimentados por los afro-panamenos a nivel local. Un analisis de estos conceptos nos permite comprender la naturaleza de la industria del turismo, con su enfasis en la desmilitarizacion, pero con una presencia importante de mecanismos que limitan los derechos ciudadanos utilizados para mantener a los grupos menos privilegiados en su posicion de subordinacion en el contexto del desarrollo turistico y la prosperidad economica.
Effects of the CHESS wigglers on a beam with an angular offset

The magnetic field due to a single pole of a wiggler is, by normal accelerator magnet standards, both very strong and very nonuniform. Because the poles alternate sign and are made to have the same strength the effects of the nonuniform fields on the beam largely cancel from one pole to another. In an ideal case where there are no mechanical or magnetic errors, the net integrated dipole field along a path parallel to the wiggler axis and on the midplane would be exactly zero. We estimate the integrated field along a path not parallel to the axis but still in the midplane. Such a path is typical of the closed orbit during electron injection or luminosity optics. When the path of integration is at an angle to the wiggler axis, the horizontal or vertical position in one pole is not precisely the same as the horizontal or vertical position in any other pole. Because of the relatively strong variation of field strength with position the integration over one pole does not cancel with the integration over another pole. Based on approximate expressions for the field in the wiggler, we show that the size of this effect is substantially smaller than the actual integrated dipole field measured parallel to the axis. This work has relevance to the CESR ring.
DETECTION OF A NON-CULTIVATABLE CALICIVIRUS FROM THE WHITE TERN (GYGIS ALBA ROTHSCHILDI)

In April 1992, on Tern Island, French Frigate Shoals, Hawaii (USA), researchers observed a hand-reared white tern hatchling (Gygis alba rothschildi) develop vesicular lesions on the webbing between its toes, 6 days after falling out of its nest. Vesicular fluid collected from the foot lesions contained virus-like particles having typical calicivirus morphology. Calicivirus RNA was detected in the vesicular fluid by dot hybridization with a group-specific calicivirus copy DNA probe. Attempts to cultivate the virus in African green monkey kidney cells and porcine kidney cells were unsuccessful. This is the first report of a calicivirus infection associated with vesicular disease in a wild avian species.
The Interaction of Static and Alternating Electric Fields with Biological Systems

A discussion is presented regarding the presence of natural and man-made electric fields in our environment. It is seen that biological objects readily come into contact with such fields. The interaction of some biological objects with electric fields is presented as well as original experimentation in this area. One experiment discussed deals with the influence of a 245 V/in (96.5 V/cm) electric field on the glucose concentration (as measured by per cent transmission) of human red blood cells. The data presented show an influence by the field. The second experiment discussed deals with the behavioral manifestations of electric fields on rats. An approach-avoidance procedure is utilized. The data presented shows an avoidance response at a high electric field intensity (4.5 kV/in) (1.77 kV/cm). Practical applications of this area of study are also presented.
Switchable Faraday Shielding With Application to Reducing the Pain of Internal Cardiac Defibrillation While Permitting External Defibrillation

Switchable Faraday shielding is desirable in situations where electric field shielding is required at certain times and undesirable at other times. In this study, electrostatic finite element modeling was used to assess the effect of different shield geometries on the leakage of an internally applied field and penetration of an externally applied field. “Switching OFF” the shield by electrically disconnecting shield faces from each other was shown to significantly increase external field penetration. Applying this model to defibrillation, we looked at the effect of spacing and size of shield panels to maximize the ability to deliver an external defibrillation shock to the heart when shield panels are disconnected while providing acceptably low leakage of internal defibrillation shocks to avoid painful skeletal muscle capture when shield panels are connected. This analysis may be useful for designing internal defibrillator electrodes that preserve the efficacy of internal and external defibrillation while avoiding the significant morbidity associated with painful defibrillator shocks. Similar analysis could also guide optimizing the switchable Faraday shielding concept for other applications.
Thermal radiative protection of fire fighters' protective clothing

A method for measuring the thermal radiative protection of actual fire fighters' garments to an incident radiative heat flux of 8.4 kW/m2 is described. Typical results obtained with several conventional and prototype garments are presented. These results indicate the time to pain, and second degree burn as well as the pain alarm time. The thermal inertia of the garments is also measured based upon burn exposure time. Differences in physical properties such as garment thickness, total weight and number of layers are examined in order to establish the existence of any correlations.
Enhancing Garry Oak Seedling Performance in a Semiarid Environment

Abstract Successful establishment of desired species is crucial for accelerating the development of functioning ecosystems. In the Pacific Northwest, Garry oak (Quercus garryana) woodlands are of significant conservation value as many have been lost or degraded due to anthropogenic factors. Restoration plantings are one strategy for reversing this loss and enhancing the resilience of wildlife habitats confronting climate change. We tested the effects of seedling age (1- vs. 3-years old at planting), plastic mulch, tree shelters, and first-year irrigation on the performance of Garry oak seedlings for three years after outplanting in the semiarid East Cascades of Washington state. Net survival was 33% after three years. Growth was minimal as basal area increment and height growth averaged 21 mm2 and 5 cm, respectively, over this period. Most mortality occurred early in the first growing season after planting and was related, in part, to stock quality; this obscured the effects seedling age might have had on...
Recent heavy flavor measurements from the PHENIX experiment

Abstract We review results from three recent papers pertaining to heavy flavor interactions in heavy ion collisions. First, the yield and azimuthal anisotropy of electrons from heavy flavor decays in 62.4 GeV Au+Au collisions are presented. Contrary to suppression in 200 GeV collisions, the yield per binary collision is enhanced with respect to the yield from p+p collisions at the same energy. Secondly, we show a precise determination of the bottom cross section in d+Au collisions at 200 GeV/ c using the transverse momentum and mass-dependence of e + e − pairs from semileptonic heavy flavor decays. Lastly, we present the correlations of e ± – μ ∓ pairs from charm decays between midrapidity electrons and forward rapidity muons in d+Au and p+p collisions at 200 GeV. We find that the pair yield at large azimuthal opening angle is suppressed in d+Au collisions with respect to p+p collisions.
Pacemaker function during helicopter transport

A 71-year-old man had an increased pacemaker firing rate during helicopter transport. The increased rate, which resolved as soon as the engines were shut down, was thought to be due to the vibrations of the helicopter. We discuss the effect of vibration and electromagnetic force generated during helicopter transport on pacemakers. As the number of patients transported by air ambulances increases, the potential sequela must be recognized.
The Active Irish Peers in the Early Eighteenth Century

At the close of the seventeenth century the English House of Lords played an important role in government. It was the highest court in the kingdom as well as the upper house of the legislature; and, as A. S. Turberville observed, the Lords still considered themselves the “hereditary counsellors” of the crown. The prestige of the peerage was such that well into George I's reign most leading ministers were, or sought to become, peers. Although over twice as large as a century earlier, the English House of Lords retained its exclusive character with a total membership of only 165-169 lay peers plus twenty-six bishops. Furthermore, thanks to William III's bipartisan creations, the upper house remained more or less evenly balanced between Whig and Tory sympathizers so that it acted as a counterweight to party fluctuations in the Commons. In addition, a number of peers exerted extensive control over elections to the Commons.The Irish House of Lords between 1692 and 1727 did not constitute so influential a part of the Irish government, yet in most respects it resembled its English counterpart. It too served as a high court, with all members (as in England) joining the law lords in considering and rendering judicial decisions. As counsellors to the lord lieutenant (viceroy) Irish peers and bishops were, in fact, more active since they provided about half the membership of the Irish privy council. Unlike the English privy council, that in Ireland was a relatively small functioning body, meeting regularly with the lord lieutenant to review all proposed legislation.
Changing levels of DNA polymerase activity during the development of skeletal muscle tissue in vivo.

Abstract Myogenesis is characterized as much by the failure of the cells to enter the DNA synthetic phase of the cell cycle as it is by cell fusion and contractile protein synthesis. The change from a proliferative to a fused, nonproliferative population of cells is accompanied by a loss of over 90% of DNA polymerase activity. Active 5′-nucleotide phosphatases appear at this time as well. What role, if any, the loss of DNA polymerase has in DNA synthesis regulation in developing muscle is problematic. However, in contrast to several other systems where loss of DNA synthetic function is not accompanied by loss of polymerase activity, the close relationship of these changes at least suggests that during myogenesis this enzyme may play a regulative role in DNA synthesis.
Comparing communication strategies for reducing residential water consumption

The current study tested the effectiveness of four different water conservation interventions drawn from the social psychological literature. 374 households in an affluent neighborhood in Los Angeles County were randomly assigned to receive one of four possible communications that either evoked social norms, social identity, personal identity, or the knowledge deficient approach (water saving tips). Each household's actual water consumption was measured at baseline (pre-intervention), in the short-term (1 week post intervention) and the long term (4 weeks post-intervention). The results of the study indicated that for high water consumers at baseline, the knowledge deficit approach resulted in a more water consumption than the other three conditions in the short term and long term. These results imply that the social norms, social identity, or personal identity approaches provided more promising avenues to encourage water conservation than the knowledge deficit approach. Implications of these results are discussed.
The effect of voting procedures on union representation elections: The multi-union case

Public choice theorists have shown that choice of voting procedures may affect the outcome when more than two alternatives are on a ballot. The run-off election and the two-part ballot are two alternatives used in representation elections involving more than one union. A comparison of these alternatives under various voting strategies shows that the run-off election used by the NLRB results in fewer union wins if workers vote sincerely or if they engage in strategic behavior. The run-off procedure results in more union wins if workers seek to avoid their least-favored option or if they follow a second-best strategy.
Deprivation of pantothenic acid elicits a movement disorder and azoospermia in a mouse model of pantothenate kinase-associated neurodegeneration

We asked whether a movement disorder could be elicited by deprivation of pantothenic acid (PA; vitamin B5), the substrate for the enzyme pantothenate kinase 2 (PANK2), which is deficient in the inherited neurological disorder PKAN (pantothenate kinase-associated neurodegeneration formerly called Hallervorden–Spatz syndrome). This study was undertaken because mice made null for Pank2 failed to show the neurological manifestations of the human disease. Wild-type and Pank2 mutant mice were fed pantothenic acid-deficient diets and were monitored for general health, fertility and movement compared with animals on control diets over time. Mice of both genotypes on PA-deficient diets exhibited poor grooming, greying of fur and decreased body weight. With PA deprivation, wild-type mice manifested azoospermia (a phenotype also seen in Pank2 mice) as well as a movement disorder with a low-lying pelvis and slow steps. Rear limbs appeared to drag and occasionally extended into unnatural postures for 16–17s duration, possibly indicative of dystonia. Movement disruption probably also occurs in PA-deprived Pank2 mutant mice, but they died precipitously before undergoing detailed analysis. Remarkably, restoration of dietary PA led to recovery of general health and grooming, weight gain, reversal of the movement disorder, and reappearance of mature sperm within 4 weeks. This study confirms the primacy of PA metabolism in the mechanism of disease in PKAN. PA deprivation provides a useful phenocopy for PKAN and allows us to test pharmacological and other interventional strategies in the treatment of this devastating disease.
Renormalization point invariance, twisted fans, and critical exponents at finite ϵ in the reggeon calculus.

Abstract A procedure for calculating critical exponents directly at finite ϵ is proposed. It relies on the invariance of the critical exponents at the critical coupling g c of the full theory with respect to finite changes in the renormalization point. This is expressed as the coincidence of curves at the point β = 0 in the plane of β versus a critical exponent parametrically described by the renormalized coupling for various values of the renormalization point (the “twisted fan”). If more than one critical exponent is present the fan is a set of curves in a multidimensional space with the twist at β = 0 and the exact values of the critical exponents. In perturbative approximations, an approximate invariance may result whether or not a zero of β exists to that order. We show that in the one and two loop approximations to the Reggeon calculus this approximate invariance does occur. The values of the critical exponents at the approximate twists show remarkable stability properties. We obtain σ tot ≈ (ln s ) − γ where − γ ≈ 0.11 and 0.17 for one and two loops respectively.
Local instabilities of weakly non-parallel large-scale flows: marginal stability and non-parallel critical layers

Local barotropic instabilities developing in weakly non-parallel large-scale flows are investigated for weak supercriticality building-up on the WKB analysis of Bar-Sever and Merkine (1988). It is ...
Gradient single-crystal plasticity with free energy dependent on dislocation densities

Abstract This study develops a small-deformation theory of strain-gradient plasticity for single crystals. The theory is based on: (i) a kinematical notion of a continuous distribution of edge and screw dislocations; (ii) a system of microscopic stresses consistent with a system of microscopic force balances, one balance for each slip system; (iii) a mechanical version of the second law that includes, via the microscopic stresses, work performed during viscoplastic flow; and (iv) a constitutive theory that allows: • the free energy to depend on densities of edge and screw dislocations and hence on gradients of (plastic) slip; • the microscopic stresses to depend on slip-rate gradients. The microscopic force balances when augmented by constitutive relations for the microscopic stresses results in a system of nonlocal flow rules in the form of second-order partial differential equations for the slips. When the free energy depends on the dislocation densities the microscopic stresses are partially energetic, and this, in turn, leads to backstresses in the flow rules; on the other hand, a dependence of these stresses on slip-rate gradients leads to a strengthening. The flow rules, being nonlocal, require microscopic boundary conditions; as an aid to numerical solutions a weak (virtual power) formulation of the flow rule is derived.
CCAAT-enhancer binding protein-β expression and elevation in Alzheimer's disease and microglial cell cultures.

CCAAT-enhancer binding proteins are transcription factors that help to regulate a wide range of inflammatory mediators, as well as several key elements of energy metabolism. Because C/EBPs are expressed by rodent astrocytes and microglia, and because they are induced by pro-inflammatory cytokines that are chronically upregulated in the Alzheimer’s disease (AD) cortex, we have investigated whether C/EBPs are expressed and upregulated in the AD cortex. Here, we demonstrate for the first time that C/EBPβ can be detected by Western blots in AD and nondemented elderly (ND) cortex, and that it is significantly increased in AD cortical samples. In situ, C/EBPβ localizes immunohistochemically to microglia. In microglia cultured from rapid autopsies of elderly patient’s brains and in the BV-2 murine microglia cell line, we have shown that C/EBPβ can be upregulated by C/EBP-inducing cytokines or lipopolysaccharide and exhibits nuclear translocation possibly indicating functional activity. Given the known co-regulatory role of C/EBPs in pivotal inflammatory mechanisms, many of which are present in AD, we propose that upregulation of C/EBPs in the AD brain could be an important orchestrator of pathogenic changes.
Effectiveness of pacemaker treatment in the bradycardia-tachycardia syndrome.

Thirty-one patients with the bradycardia-tachycardia syndrome treated with permanent ventricular pacemakers were studied. All were symptomatic before pacemaker insertion, and their symptoms were not controlled with drug therapy alone. Bradycardia and tachycardia associated with multiple arrhythmias were present in all cases; heart rate was less than 40 beats/min in 58 percent of patients and more than 140 beats/min in 71 percent. Conduction abnormalities were present in 61 percent. After insertion of a demand pacemaker, 27 patients (87 percent) were symptom-free for 1 month to 5 years. Although four patients with a normally functioning pacemaker continued to have recurrent arrhythmia, the presence of a pacemaker facilitated further pharmacologic treatment of the disturbance. Pacemaker insertion has been found to be a satisfactory method of treating the symptoms and preventing the recurrence of arrhythmias in patients with the bradycardia-tachycardia syndrome by allowing the use of digitalis and other antiarrhythmic agents.
Taylor-Couette burner for studies of hydrodynamically unstable weakly turbulent premixed flames

Abstract The design of a novel, new Taylor-Couette burner for studies of the propagation of hydrodynamically unstable flames in weakly turbulent flow is presented. The new burner allows for turbulence generation by cylinder rotation at constant cylinder radii ratio and for convective stabilization of stationary flames at a fixed location in the burner, for long-time flame diagnostics. The burner is designed for investigation of the development of the hydrodynamic flame instability with minimal influences of the Saffman-Taylor instability.
Social Class Differences in Social Support Among Older Adults

The purpose of this study is to test for social class differences in social support among older adults. Data on a comprehensive range of social support measures provided by a nationwide sample of elderly people suggests that social class differences emerge when measures of contact with friends, support provided to others, and satisfaction with support are examined. However, significant differences fail to emerge with indicators of contact with family, support received from others, and negative interaction.
CASEOUS LYMPHADENITIS IN PRONGHORNS (Antilocapra americana)

Caseous lymphadenitis was diagnosed in two mature pronghorns on the basis of gross and histological examinations. Evidence suggests that the infection was acquired from domestic sheep, which had formerly occupied the same range.
Expression and partial characterization of an elastase from Chromobacterium violaceum.

Abstract Chromobacterium violaceum was recovered at necropsy from the lungs, liver, spleen, and an interscapular abscess of a Chinese red panda (strain 98-9187) [J. Vet. Diagn. Invest. 12 (2000) 177]. As the lungs exhibited extensive, necrotizing lesions harboring bacterial aggregates, we sought to determine whether C. violaceum produced an elastase that might in part account for these lesions. The C. violaceum type strain (ATCC 12472 T ) and strain 98-9187 were shown to exhibit elastolytic activity by elastin Congo red and elastin nutrient agar assays. The activity was isolated from the periplasmic fraction and was present throughout the growth cycle. Activity increased markedly in late logarithmic phase growth. In elastin-limiting medium, activity rapidly decreased in early stationary phase indicating a tight regulation of yield. The activity was optimal at neutral pH and was sensitive to the metalloproteinase inhibitors EDTA and 1,10-phenanthroline. Activity was restored upon addition of zinc indicating the enzyme is a zinc metalloproteinase. A band corresponding to purified elastase activity was present at ∼30 kDa in a denaturing polyacrylamide gel.