cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Tuning the absorption and emission of CdSe and ZnS core-shell nanoparticles by laser radiation

CdSe and ZnS core-shell nanoparticles made by LAM (Laser Ablation of Microparticles) show photoluminesence (PL) peaks in a region of wavelengths around 400 nm. Control over the size and PL peak position is obtained by irradiating the nanoparticles multiple times. In LAM, micropaticle powder passes through an aerosol generator and then into a laser ablation glass cell, where a laser pulse (high energy excimer laser) ablates the microparticle aerosol. Nanoparticles are formed after condensation. At this stage the nanoparticles can be covered with a second material or irradiated multiple times to change their size. The size distribution of these particles is successfully investigated with TEM (Transmission Electron Microscopy). PL blue shifts are seen as the mean size decreases.
Large extra dimensions and cosmological problems

We consider a variant of the brane-world model in which the universe is the direct product of a Friedmann-Robertson-Walker (FRW) space and a compact hyperbolic manifold of dimension $dg~2.$ Cosmology in this space is particularly interesting. The dynamical evolution of the space-time leads to the injection of a large entropy into the observable (FRW) universe. The exponential dependence of surface area on distance in hyperbolic geometry makes this initial entropy very large, even if the CHM has a relatively small diameter (in fundamental units). The very large statistical averaging inherent in the collapse of the initial entropy onto the brane acts to smooth out initial inhomogeneities. This smoothing is then sufficient to account for the current homogeneity of the universe. With only mild fine-tuning, the current flatness of the universe can also then be understood. Finally, recent brane-world approaches to the hierarchy problem can be readily realized within this framework.
Radiation and dual checkpoint blockade activate non-redundant immune mechanisms in cancer

Immune checkpoint inhibitors result in impressive clinical responses, but optimal results will require combination with each other and other therapies. This raises fundamental questions about mechanisms of non-redundancy and resistance. Here we report major tumour regressions in a subset of patients with metastatic melanoma treated with an anti-CTLA4 antibody (anti-CTLA4) and radiation, and reproduced this effect in mouse models. Although combined treatment improved responses in irradiated and unirradiated tumours, resistance was common. Unbiased analyses of mice revealed that resistance was due to upregulation of PD-L1 on melanoma cells and associated with T-cell exhaustion. Accordingly, optimal response in melanoma and other cancer types requires radiation, anti-CTLA4 and anti-PD-L1/PD-1. Anti-CTLA4 predominantly inhibits T-regulatory cells (Treg cells), thereby increasing the CD8 T-cell to Treg (CD8/Treg) ratio. Radiation enhances the diversity of the T-cell receptor (TCR) repertoire of intratumoral T cells. Together, anti-CTLA4 promotes expansion of T cells, while radiation shapes the TCR repertoire of the expanded peripheral clones. Addition of PD-L1 blockade reverses T-cell exhaustion to mitigate depression in the CD8/Treg ratio and further encourages oligoclonal T-cell expansion. Similarly to results from mice, patients on our clinical trial with melanoma showing high PD-L1 did not respond to radiation plus anti-CTLA4, demonstrated persistent T-cell exhaustion, and rapidly progressed. Thus, PD-L1 on melanoma cells allows tumours to escape anti-CTLA4-based therapy, and the combination of radiation, anti-CTLA4 and anti-PD-L1 promotes response and immunity through distinct mechanisms.
Ageostrophic instability in a rotating stratified interior jet

Oceanic large- and meso-scale flows are nearly balanced in forces between Earth’s rotation and density stratification effects (i.e. geostrophic, hydrostatic balance associated with small Rossby and Froude numbers). In this regime advective cross-scale interactions mostly drive energy toward larger scales (i.e. inverse cascade). However, viscous energy dissipation occurs at small scales. So how does the energy reservoir at larger scales leak toward small-scale dissipation to arrive at climate equilibrium? Here we solve the linear instability problem of a balanced flow in a rotating and continuously stratified fluid far away from any boundaries (i.e. an interior jet). The basic flow is unstable not only to geostrophic baroclinic and barotropic instabilities, but also to ageostrophic instabilities, leading to the growth of small-scale motions that we hypothesize are less constrained by geostrophic cascade behaviours in a nonlinear regime and thus could escape from the inverse energy cascade. This instability is investigated in the parameter regime of moderate Rossby and Froude numbers, below the well-known regimes of gravitational, centrifugal, and Kelvin–Helmholtz instability. The ageostrophic instability modes arise with increasing Rossby number through a near-degeneracy of two unstable modes with coincident phase speeds. The near-degeneracy occurs in the neighbourhood of an identified criterion for the non-integrability of the ‘isentropic balance equations’ (namely with the absolute vertical vorticity and the horizontal strain rate associated with the basic flow), beyond which development of an unbalanced component of the flow is expected. These modes extract energy from the basic state with large vertical Reynolds stress work (unlike geostrophic instabilities) and act locally to modify the basic flow by reducing the isopycnal Ertel potential vorticity gradient near both its zero surface and its critical surface (phase speed equal to basic flow speed).
Present and future control of cryptosporidiosis in humans and animals

Although water treatment processes to remove Cryptosporidium are improving and detection methods for identifying the parasite in water are becoming more sensitive, outbreaks of cryptosporidiosis continue in the human population. Animals, especially dairy calves, often become infected as C. parvum oocysts are present in high numbers, remain viable for long periods of time after excretion and no disinfectants, prophylactic or therapeutic reagents exist. Vaccination against C. parvum is being attempted in ruminants for the purpose of generating hyperimmune colostrum containing antibodies that may be effective in passive immunotherapy against cryptosporidiosis in the young. A number of recombinant C. parvum surface or internal antigens have been expressed by DNA-cloning technology. Immune colostrum specific for several recombinant C. parvum proteins have demonstrated efficacy in murine and ruminant models against cryptosporidiosis. The P23 and CP15 antigens appear to be the most promising candidates for vaccine development. Recent studies have demonstrated efficacy of the drug nitazoxanide against C. parvum infection in humans. In the near future, control of this parasitic disease in humans and animals will rely on a combination of passive immunotherapy and selective drug treatment.
Rheumatoid arthritis and mortality. A longitudinal study in pima indians

Objective. To determine the effect of rheumatoid arthritis (RA) on mortality rates. Methods. Longitudinal analyses of data from a cohort of Pima Indians from the Gila River Indian Community in Arizona, who were followed up during the period February 1965 through December 1989. Results. Among 2,979 study subjects aged ≤25 years, there were 858 deaths, 79 of which occurred in subjects with RA (36 men, 43 women). Age and sex-adjusted mortality rates were slightly higher in subjects with RA than in those without (mortality rate ratio 1.28, 95% confidence interval [95% CI] 1.01–1.62). Among those with RA, mortality rates were higher in older subjects (mortality rate ratio 1.51 per 10-year increase in age, 95% CI 1.22–1.88), in male subjects (mortality rate ratio 2.23, 95% CI 1.44–3.45, adjusted for age), and in subjects with proteinuria (mortality rate ratio 1.88, 95% CI 1.02–3.46, adjusted for age and sex). Mortality rate ratios for these risk factors were similar in subjects without RA. In addition, among subjects with RA, rheumatoid factor (RF) positivity was predictive of death (mortality rate ratio 1.94, 95% CI 1.10–3.43), and the excess mortality was found primarily among subjects who were seropositive. The death rate from cardiovascular disease (mortality rate ratio 1.77, 95% CI 1.10–2.84) and from liver cirrhosis or other alcohol-related disease (mortality rate ratio 2.52, 95% CI 1.06–6.01) was increased in persons with RA. Conclusion. The results of this population-based study suggest that although the risk of mortality in subjects with RA is significantly higher than in those without RA, the risk ratio is in the lower range of that described previously in studies of clinic-based cohorts. RF positivity as a predictor of early death among subjects with RA indicates that the immunologic processes in seropositive RA may contribute to the events that eventually lead to early death.
Sarcomas (Other Than Ewing's) of flat bones in children and adolescents. A clinicopathologic study

The clinicopathologic features and response to therapy of 28 patients with non-Ewing's flat bone sarcoma treated at St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, Memphis, Tennessee, over a 25-year period were reviewed. Twenty-two patients had osteosarcoma, four malignant fibrous histiocytoma, one chondrosarcoma, and one fibrosarcoma. Ages at diagnosis ranged from 3 to 24 years (median, 15 years). Primary sites were craniofacial bones in ten patients, pelvis eight, scapula four, ribs two, metatarsal bones two, clavicle one, and vertebra one. All primary tumors were associated with soft tissue extension; none of the patients had metastatic disease at presentation. Six cases represented second malignancies that arose 5 to 16 years after irradiation for an unrelated tumor. Complete excision was possible in ten patients, eight of whom received postoperative chemotherapy. Five of these patients remain free of disease 1.8+ to 13+ years (median, 8.1 years) from diagnosis. Prolonged remissions after adjuvant chemotherapy were achieved in only two of 18 patients after incomplete surgical resection or biopsy. The median survival time in this group was 1 year (range, 0.2-7.7+ years). The remaining 16 patients had progressive local disease, but only two developed concurrent metastases. Thus, complete surgical resection appears to maximize disease-free survival in patients with non-Ewing's flat bone sarcoma. For the large percentage of patients in whom total resection is not possible, because of soft tissue extension and local invasion of bulky tumors, preoperative chemotherapy may increase the likelihood of complete excision and improve long-term survival.
Tectonics of Antarctica

Antarctica has long been considered to consist simply of a large Precambrian shield, flanked on one side by the circum-Pacific belt of Mesozoic and Cenozoic orogeny. The great amount of geologic information obtained during recent years, however, indicates that between shield and circum-Pacific belt are belts of Paleozoic orogeny. The continent is probably crossed by a late Precambrian and Early Cambrian miogeosyncline, whose contents were metamorphosed and intruded by granodioritic batholiths during later Cambrian or Ordovician time. This orogen crosses the Antarctic coast between 145° and 160° E., and flanks the Ross Sea, Ross Ice Shelf, Filchner Ice Shelf, and possibly Weddell Sea, as a continuous system of high mountains. Rocks of the orogen are overlain by little-deformed Devonian to Triassic sedimentary rocks, which are intruded by sills of diabase. Northeastern Victoria Land, west of the Ross Sea, is composed of metasedimentary rocks, striking generally east-southeastward, whose metamorphism and intrusion by granites probably occurred during Silurian or Devonian time. On strike across the Ross Sea, and trending toward the Weddell Sea at least to the region of 90° W., 82° S., are metasedimentary rocks intruded by petrographically and chemically distinctive quartz monzonites and allied granitic rocks; this terrane is considered to be of middle to late Paleozoic age. Palmer Peninsula is composed largely of a Cretaceous batholith of quartz diorite, intrusive into metavolcanic rocks, and clearly belongs to the circum-Pacific orogen. The tectonic belt is connected to the South American Andes by way of the Scotia arc, an island-sprinkled submarine ridge; the belt is probably connected to New Zealand by way of Thurston Peninsula and the coastal region of the Amundsen Sea, and thence by way of a submarine ridge that passes near the mouth of the Ross Sea. The Antarctic coastal region between 35° and 160° E. is characterized by charnockites, granulites, gneisses, and by varied younger crystalline rocks. As has long been recognized, this is part of a Precambrian shield, which may extend farther toward the Weddell Sea, and which presumably extends far toward the south pole in the ice-buried interior. The rocks of the shield were widely metamorphosed about 500 million years ago. This revised pattern of Antarctic tectonics is essentially that required by Du Toit's reassembly of the southern hemisphere continents before post-Paleozoic continental drift.
Temperature field reconstruction for minimally invasive cryosurgery with application to wireless implantable temperature sensors and/or medical imaging.

There is an undisputed need for temperature-field reconstruction during minimally invasive cryosurgery. The current line of research focuses on developing miniature, wireless, implantable, temperature sensors to enable temperature-field reconstruction in real time. This project combines two parallel efforts: (i) to develop the hardware necessary for implantable sensors, and (ii) to develop mathematical techniques for temperature-field reconstruction in real time—the subject matter of the current study. In particular, this study proposes an approach for temperature-field reconstruction combining data obtained from medical imaging, cryoprobe-embedded sensors, and miniature, wireless, implantable sensors, the development of which is currently underway. This study discusses possible strategies for laying out implantable sensors and approaches for data integration. In particular, prostate cryosurgery is presented as a developmental model and a two-dimensional proof-of-concept is discussed. It is demonstrated that the lethal temperature can be predicted to a significant degree of certainty with implantable sensors and the technique proposed in the current study, a capability that is yet unavailable.
Nervous-system specific proteins as biochemical indicators of neurotoxicity

Abstract Recent advances in neuroimmunology and protein purification methodology have led to the identification of nervous-system specific proteins. Their intimate relationship to the cellular and functional heterogeneity of the nervous system, makes these proteins ideal biochemical markers for the detection and characterization of neurotoxicity.
Recognition of an unsuspected phaeochromocytoma during elective coronary artery bypass surgery

A patient with a longstanding history of mild hypertension undergoing elective coronary artery bypass grafting exhibited extreme and paroxysmal elevations of systemic blood pressure immediately after separation from cardiopulmonary bypass. Conventional antihypertensive therapy (nitroprusside, hydralazine, propranolol) was ineffective, whereas phentolamine infusion produced a decrease in systemic blood pressure. These observations led to the discovery of a predominantly norepinephrine-secreting phaeochromocytoma. This case is noteworthy in that cardiopulmonary bypass may have served as a stimulus for tumour secretion of catecholamine. Possible mechanisms for this effect are discussed.
DQS-Cloud: A Data Quality-Aware autonomic cloud for sensor services

With the advent of Internet of Things, the field of domain sensing is increasingly being servitized. In order to effectively support this servitization, there is a growing need for a powerful and easy-to-use infrastructure that enables seamless sharing of sensor data in real-time. In this paper, we present the design and evaluation of Data Quality-Aware Sensor Cloud (DQS-Cloud), a cloud-based sensor data services infrastructure. DQS-Cloud is characterized by three novel features. First, data-quality is pervasive throughout the infrastructure ranging from feed discovery to failure resilience. Second, it incorporates autonomic-computing-based techniques for dealing with sensor failures as well as data quality dynamics. Third, DQS-Cloud also features a unique sensor stream management engine that optimizes the system performance by dynamically placing stream management operators. This paper reports several experiments to study the effectiveness and the efficiency of the framework.
Inguinopelvic lymphadenectomy following positive inguinal sentinel lymph node biopsy in melanoma: true frequency of synchronous pelvic metastases.

Background True frequency of synchronous pelvic metastases with positive inguinal sentinel lymph node (SLN) biopsy is unknown. Role of pelvic dissection in the SLN era is unclear.
Hot flushes and quality of life during menopause

Menopausal health is important since this stage of life is not to be avoided. A recent article in BMC Women's Health from the Estonian Postmenopausal Hormone Therapy trial has concluded that quality of life is not related to hormonal therapy use. The commentary article discusses this finding and considers other factors related to symptoms and quality of life during menopause. Important factors known to affect hot flushes and quality of life are smoking and high body weight. Since both these factors are modifiable, menopause is a suitable area for health promotion. However, evidence concerning lifestyle changes in symptom relief or increase of quality of life is weak. More trials in this area are needed before women may consider non-pharmacological treatment of symptoms as a reliable option for menopausal symptom cure.
Electron capture by O8+ from aligned molecular deuterium

Abstract Velocity space distributions of deuterons from electron capture and ionization by 10 MeV oxygen ions in collision with molecular deuterium targets were measured. The experiment was performed by applying an extraction electric field perpendicular to the beam axis to project the whole velocity distribution of the recoil ions onto a two-dimensional position sensitive detector. By additional measurement of the time-of-flight of these recoil ions, we are able to reconstruct the three-dimensional velocity distribution. From the reconstructed results, the dependence of the cross sections on the alignment of the molecular axis with respect to the beam axis was determined.
Corrosion behavior of 9-12% Cr ferritic-martensitic steels in supercritical water

As important structural materials for advanced power plants, the corrosion of 9-12% Cr ferritic-martensitic steels exposed to both high-temperature water and supercritical water (SCW) was studied using a variety of characterization techniques. Exposure temperature and time showed significant effects on the surface morphologies, oxide scale thickness, and oxide constituents. The steels approximately followed near-parabolic oxidation kinetics in the SCW conditions. The inner spinel layer was found to be porous with a size of tens of nanometers independent upon the exposure temperature and time. High temperature accelerated the formation of a large amount of pores in the outer magnetite layer.
Artifacts in multiple channel electrocardiographs using a common central terminal.

Abstract In multichannel electrocardiographs using the same V and aV terminals for all channels, increase of electrode resistance may cause gross distortion of the amplitude or configuration of the electrocardiogram in standard limb leads, without the operator being aware of this. The nature and cause of this distortion is described, and several suggestions are made to minimize it or eliminate it completely.
Changes in network characteristics and HIV risk behavior among injection drug users

Studies indicate that HIV risk behaviors vary greatly among injection drug users (IDUs). The source of such variation is often ascribed to individual differences, but much of it is due to how IDUs are grouped into social networks. Nevertheless, given the turbulent and uncertain lives led by many IDUs, it would not be surprising if their social networks changed substantially over time. We used data from a study of the social networks of IDUs in Chicago and Washington, DC, to examine changes in individual behavior and network characteristics over time. The results indicated few changes in standard network measures, such as density of ties or network size, over time. However, specific network change measures, that is, indicators of movement into and out of networks, showed significant movement of network members over time. Moreover, movement of members into a network significantly predicted a higher likelihood of risky injection drug use over time. We suggest that these movements are indicative of a lack of a stable resource base among IDU networks.
Differences in the Standards Used by College Students to Evaluate Their Comprehension of Expository Prose.

COLLEGE STUDENTS differing in verbal ability read and evaluated their comprehension of expository passages. Three different types of problems were embedded within the passages to provide opportunities for students to reveal the use of different standards of evaluation. Half of the subjects were informed that they should use three particular standards in order to identify the problems (lexical, external consistency, and internal consistency); the remaining subjects were not given specific information as to the standards they should use. All problems subjects identified, regardless of whether or not they were intentionally introduced, were classified as to the type of standard they reflected. The classification scheme consisted of the three targeted standards plus four others: syntax, propositional cohesiveness, structural cohesiveness, and informational completeness. Of particular concern were differences in the standards adopted by students receiving specific instructions and those receiving general instructions. Use of the lexical standard did not differ with instructional specificity, suggesting that students spontaneously evaluate their understanding of individual words. However, students receiving general instructions rarely used the external and internal consistency standards, suggesting these are not criteria students typically adopt. Instead, they commented frequently on the structural cohesiveness of the passages. Additionally, students with higher verbal ability exhibited more frequent and more varied standard use than those with lower verbal ability.
Leitfähigkeits‐ und Halleffektmessungen an Tellur‐Epitaxieschichten auf KCl

Der Temperaturverlauf des spezifischen Widerstandes epitaktischer Tellurschichten auf (110)-KCl-Flachen widerspricht den von Te-Einkristallen bekannten Ergebnissen. Zur Deutung der Abweichungen werden Piezowiderstandseffekte herangezogen. Die Ergebnisse lassen sich in einem entsprechenden Modell qualitativ und quantitativ deuten. The temperature dependence of resistivity of epitactixial thin tellurium films grown on (110) KCl is contrary to the results well known from single crystals. For interpretation of this discrepancy a model is proposed which makes use of piezoresistance effects. This model is in qualitative and quantitative agreement with measurements.
The use of hyper-reference and conventional dictionaries

A hyper-reference is an online electronic aid that provides immediate access to adjunct information with a direct-return path to the target information. Eighty undergraduate foreign language learners participated in a comparison of hyper-reference and conventional paper dictionary use on the measures of consultation frequency, study time, efficiency, and comprehension. Hyper-reference users consulted over two times as many definitions as conventional dictionary users. Analyses of efficiency (consults per minute) found a higher consultation rate for hyper-reference users than for conventional dictionary users. The study also compared bilingual (Spanish/English) and monolingual (Spanish/simplified Spanish) dictionary use. Bilingual dictionary users consulted 25% more definitions than did monolingual dictionary users. Bilingual dictionary users completed reading in 20% less time than monolingual dictionary users. Efficiency was also higher during bilingual dictionary use than during monolingual dictionary use. Differences in comprehension were not significant. Directions for further research and development concerning electronic text and hyper-references are offered.
Rabies: decimation of a wolf pack in artic Alaska

In a pack of ten wolves, one wolf behaved atypically and fought with several packmates. This wolf was shot when it approached the author. Within 4 weeks at least six other members of the pack were dead. Rabies was confirmed in the wolf that was shot and in two others that had not decomposed. Most of the wolves infected with rabies had sought or remained at familiar areas in the core area of their territory, which implies that they were not contacting neighboring packs. This was confirmed with an aerial survey. Arctic foxes, experiencing a regionwide rabies epizootic, were suspected vectors.
Peripherally Acting Mu-Opioid-Receptor Antagonists and the Connection Between Postoperative Ileus and Pain Management: The Anesthesiologist’s View and Beyond

The adverse effects of opioids are well documented. Because opioid receptors have a wide-ranging anatomic distribution, the effects subsequent to opioid binding, both good and bad, occur centrally and in the periphery. Postoperative strategies to reduce opioid burden, therefore, are in the patient's best interest. Multimodal analgesia is the key towards balancing the need for opioids while simultaneously reducing their burden. Alternative anesthesia and analgesia options such as regional anesthesia, nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, or cyclooxygenase-2 enzyme inhibitors should be considered part of multimodal protocols. Familiarity of where these drugs are active in the body and how they can be employed is imperative for all surgical team members. Optimal implementation of multimodal approaches can reduce hospital stay and improve clinical outcomes, including patient satisfaction. Finally, strategies that may help reduce rates of hospital readmission also contribute to overall improved outcome. New peripherally acting mu-opioid-receptor antagonists represent significant progress in the ability of perianesthesia nurses to play an even greater role in achieving these goals. In contrast to older opioid-receptor antagonists, these agents specifically target an important aspect of the multifactorial etiology of postoperative ileus (POI), mu-opioid-receptor-mediated activity in the GI tract. In addition, they do not pass the blood-brain barrier or diminish opioid-mediated analgesia. Advanced clinical trials have already demonstrated the ability of one of these agents, alvimopan, to reduce POI and improve other postoperative outcomes while maintaining adequate analgesia. Combined with other options aimed at reducing opioid burden, alvimopan and similar drugs in development hold promise as part of multimodal protocols to optimize pain management while minimizing postoperative morbidities.
Smooth 3D edge detection in scarfed composite surfaces

We describe a new algorithm for 3D edge detection on composite part surfaces based upon phase shift analysis. Current phase shift based algorithms generate 3D surface profiles, they do not directly compute 3D edge information. The proposed algorithm has been developed in this context for 3D edge detection. One advantage of this method is its ability to measure smooth 3D edges that cannot be accurately measured using traditional contact techniques. A dense 3D point cloud representing part edges are computed, all such edges in view may be computed simultaneously. The inherent accuracy available with phase shift analysis is leveraged for detecting the smooth edges with minimal error. Experimental results with some test parts are presented.
After treatment. Psychosocial issues in gynecologic cancer survivorship

The woman treated for gynecologic cancer must contend with a challenging group of issues in her efforts to recover psychologically in the months and years after treatment : chance of dying, changed self-perception, treatment-related menopause, impaired or lost fertility, sexual dysfunction, and relationship problems must all be addressed. Psychological and sexual problems after treatment and quality-of-life issues for the gynecologic cancer patient have been the subjects of increasing research in the past few years, and a brief literature review is provided. However, the literature contains few descriptive studies regarding the relevant clinical issues faced by the woman treated for gynecologic cancer who has been free of disease for a period of months to years, particularly the younger patient. As the pool of successfully treated women grows, these issues will merit further exploration. The oncology clinician can play a continuing role in offering support, suggestions, and referral in the years of treatment follow-up. An overview of the clinical issues relevant to the gynecologic cancer survivor is provided, with reference to the literature and with suggestions for clinical management for the oncology clinician.
Tracking the New World Order Films, Frames, and Geopolitical Performance

In this article, Erving Goffman's frame analysis, a perspective normally associated only with face-to-face interaction, is applied to the macro sphere of social life in the context of the cold war's end and its representation in American film. Two macro-level frames—the American superiority frame and the cold war frame—are examined through the lens of Hollywood film. The cold war's sudden and unexpected end is considered as a variation on the Goffmanian frame break or “negative experience.” A parallel crisis of identity occurs in the cold war film genre, and an articulation of each anomic situation illuminates the other. In keeping with a macro-level interpretation of frame analysis, it is suggested that such a disruption leads to potential emergent creativity and that a reasonably modified version of frame analysis might usefully be applied in understanding future geopolitical performance.
Upper‐regime parallel lamination as the result of turbulent sediment transport and low‐amplitude bed forms

A series of laboratory experiments has been carried out in which parallel-laminated deposits were produced from an upper-regime plane bed. The laminae had thicknesses of a few mm and could be traced continuously over distances up to the length and width of the depositional area (0–3 m by 1–5m). Fluctuations in bed elevation were measured both during deposition and at equilibrium; much of the bed fluctuation occurs at time scales that are too long to be due directly to turbulence, as most theories for lamina formation would require. We suggest instead that extremely low-amplitude bed forms are present even on apparently flat beds and that the migration of these bed forms produces laterally continuous lamination. All the lamination produced in the laboratory experiments was normally graded. Using high-speed photography it was observed that the normal grading results from rapid deposition of a layer of loosely packed coarse sand several grain-diameters thick followed by the slow sieving-out of a well packed surface layer of finer sand. The initial deposition is the result of small-scale turbulent fluctuations in boundary shear stress. The sieving-out that follows results in a smooth surface whose low friction coefficient temporarily inhibits further deposition; we term this process ‘glazing’. The alignment of small-scale turbulent scour-and-fill structures along the paths traced by migrating bedform troughs produces laterally continuous parallel lamination.
Independence of connexin expression and vasomotor conduction from sympathetic innervation in hamster feed arteries.

Objective: Vasomotor responses can travel along the wall of resistance microvessels by two distinct mechanisms: cell-to-cell conduction through gap junctions or the release of neurotransmitter along perivascular nerves. It is unknown whether vascular innervation influences the expression of connexin molecules which comprise gap junctions, or the conduction of vasomotor responses. In feed arteries of the hamster retractor muscle (RFA), the authors tested whether sympathetic denervation would alter the expression of connexin isoforms and the conduction of vasomotor responses. Methods: Using intact vessels with sympathetic innervation and those 7–8 days following denervation surgery, mRNA expression was quantified using real-time PCR, cellular localization of Cx protein was characterized using immunohistochemistry, and vasomotor responses to dilator and constrictor stimuli were evaluated in isolated pressurized RFA. Results: Connexin protein localization and mRNA expression were similar between innervated and denervated vessels. mRNA levels were Cx43 = Cx37 > Cx45 ≫ Cx40. Vasodilation to acetylcholine conducted ≥2000 μ m along innervated and denervated vessels, as did the biphasic conduction of vasoconstriction and vasodilation in response to KCl. Vasoconstriction to phenylephrine conducted < 500 μ m and was attenuated (p < .05) in denervated vessels. Conclusions: The profile of connexin expression and the conduction of vasomotor responses are largely independent of sympathetic innervation in feed arteries of the hamster retractor muscle (RFA).
Influence of positive inotropic therapy on pulsatile hydraulic load and ventricular-vascular coupling in congestive heart failure

Abstract The aortic input impedance spectrum provides a description of the total hydraulic load imposed on the left ventricle and may be used to assess the coupling of the ventricle to the vasculature. The adaptation of the vasculature to positive inotropic intervention was examined in 10 patients with idiopathic dilated cardiomyopathy to test the hypothesis that increased myocardial contractility is matched by complementary changes in aortic impedance that optimize ventricular-vascular coupling and maximize power transfer to the circulation. High fidelity intravascular recordings of aortic pressure and flow were obtained at baseline study and during infusion of dobutamine to derive the aortic input impedance spectrum. In eight patients in whom increased staged infusion of dobutamine resulted in a significant increase in stroke volume (22.3 ± 14.5 ml/beat increase over baseline), the significant (p Effective positive inotropic therapy with dobutamine in the setting of congestive heart failure is accompanied by complementary changes in the aortic impedance spectrum, which represent a matching of impedance to the increased contractile state of the ventricle and facilitation of ventricular-vascular coupling.
Friends By Unrighteous Mammon: The Eschatological Proletariat (Luke 16:9)

1UKE 16:9 has been a troublesome verse for interpreters of Jesus' parables. Many consider it a separate saying of Jesus, appended by _4 Luke to the parable of the "Dishonest Steward/' which would have ended originally with vs. 8 (possibly vs. 8a, or even vs. 7). C. H. Dodd does not discuss the story in his Parables of the Kingdom, but gives his judgment that vss. 8, 9, and 10 ff. are secondary additions. Some, however, believe that vs. 9 belongs to the original parable.' Luke evidently understood that it did, even if he then proceeded to elaborate some variations on its theme in vss. 10-13. Bultmann lists the parable (16:1-9) with those whose original meaning " . . . has became irrecoverable in the course of the tradition." Can nothing be said about its meaning? First we must ask some questions. In particular, what are the "eternal habitations" or "tabernacles," who are the "friends," and why will "they" receive "you" into the "eternal habitations"? Is the saying meant seriously, or sardonically? The latter would be the case if the "eternal habitations" meant Sheol, the place where the unrighteous dead reside forever in misery and despair, as in Enoch 63:10 (cf. Eccles. 12:5).
Potential restrictions for CO2 sequestration sites due to shale and tight gas production.

Carbon capture and geological sequestration is the only available technology that both allows continued use of fossil fuels in the power sector and reduces significantly the associated CO2 emissions. Geological sequestration requires a deep permeable geological formation into which captured CO2can be injected, and an overlying impermeable formation, called a caprock, that keeps the buoyant CO2 within the injection formation. Shale formations typically have very low permeability and are considered to be good caprock formations. Production of natural gas from shale and other tight formations involves fracturing the shale with the explicit objective to greatly increase the permeability of the shale. As such, shale gas production is in direct conflict with the use of shale formations as a caprock barrier to CO2 migration. We have examined the locations in the United States where deep saline aquifers, suitable for CO2 sequestration, exist, as well as the locations of gas production from shale and other tight f...
Optical properties of metal nanoshells

We present a combination of theory and experiment designed to elucidate the properties of gold nanoshells. Wet chemistry methods are used to prepare the nanoshells, and transmission electron microscopy (TEM) analysis is used to characterize the shell structure, demonstrating the presence of pinholes in the shells. Both Mie theory and the discrete dipole approximation (a numerical method) are used to characterize the electrodynamics of the shell structures, including both perfect and pinhole defected shells. The calculations show that 2−5 nm pinholes have only a small effect on the extinction spectra; however, they lead to local electric fields that are enhanced by a factor of 3−4 close to the plasmon maximum. This makes metal nanoshells (with holes) attractive materials for surface enhanced Raman spectroscopy applications.
Effects of coaching on adherence in remote health monitoring systems: analysis and prediction of participant adherence

Among all of the major organizations, including the World Health Organization, the Centers for Disease Control and the Pew report the focus on disease prevention is critical. Given the rapid advances in technology it has become clear that there is a critical role for remote health monitoring systems (RHMS) in the prevention of chronic disease. The number of interdisciplinary clinical trials has increased over the past few years. In preventive medicine RHMS are designed to reinforce patient education, monitor and insure participant adherence, and provide a means of communicating information to the clinician. In this paper we examined data collected from a smartphone-based RHMS intervention for young Black women at risk for cardiovascular disease. The goal of the intervention was to improve cardiovascular risk factors through classroom-instituted self-management education on risk factor reduction in an attempt to change behavior over time. To augment the classroom education we created a means of remediation and social support through wireless monitoring and coaching creating a sense of "connectedness". This paper reports the effects of RHMS automated messages, clinician text messages and clinician phone calls in improving adherence to the study protocol. Typically participants with low adherence maintain low adherence, and participants with a high level of adherence maintain a high level of adherence. We examined the effects of messaging on adherence from one week to another and show that prior week adherence is a valuable predictor of the following week's adherence level. Our findings show that RHMS messages are successful in motivating the group of participants that are inconsistently adhering to the study regimen. We also show that it is possible to predict weekly participant adherence with high accuracy.
On a simple randomized algorithm for finding a 2-factor in sparse graphs

We analyze the performance of a simple randomized algorithm for finding 2-factors in directed Hamiltonian graphs of out-degree at most two and in undirected Hamiltonian graphs of degree at most three. For the directed case, the algorithm finds a 2-factor in O(n2) expected time. The analysis of our algorithm is based on random walks on the line and interestingly resembles the analysis of a randomized algorithm for the 2-SAT problem given by Papadimitriou [On selecting a satisfying truth assignment, in: Proc. 32nd Annual IEEE Symp. on the Foundations of Computer Science (FOCS), 1991, p. 163]. For the undirected case, the algorithm finds a 2-factor in O(n3) expected time. We also analyze random versions of these graphs and show that cycles of length Ω(n/logn) can be found with high probability in polynomial time. This partially answers an open question of Broder et al. [Finding hidden Hamilton cycles, Random Structures Algorithms 5 (1994) 395] on finding hidden Hamiltonian cycles in sparse random graphs and improves on a result of Karger et al. [On approximating the longest path in a graph, Algorithmica 18 (1997) 82].
The European Union, the Doha Round, and Asia

Agriculture has been the most contentious issue in the Doha Round of multilateral trade negotiations, and the European Union (EU) intervenes substantially in agricultural markets. This paper reviews these interventions in light of the EU’s participation in the Doha Round of multilateral trade negotiations with specific attention to Asia. It concludes that the offers made by the EU were designed precisely to avoid any real liberalization in its agricultural markets and have undermined the development aspirations of the round.
Structure and properties of NH52+: A dication with two 2‐electron 3‐center bonds

The dication NH has been studied by state-of-the-art quantum chemical techniques. NH is a square-based pyramid with C4v symmetry. The apical H is bonded to N with a 2-electron covalent bond, while the other H atoms are bonded to N through degenerate 2-electron 3-center bonds. No other local minimum exists on the potential energy surface. A C2v transition state linking equivalent C4v structures is only 1.35 kcal mol−1 higher in energy. The barrier to deprotonation is 26.4 kcal mol−1. © 1998 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. Int J Quant Chem 70: 1003–1007, 1998
Patterns of quetiapine use in psychiatric inpatients: an examination of off-label use.

Background. Despite emerging recognition that off-label use of atypical antipsychotics is widespread, there is little data concerning patterns of such use. To investigate such usage of quetiapine, we evaluated prescribing practices of this drug at our acute-care psychiatric hospital.Methods. Inpatient orders for quetiapine were obtained from October 2004 to March 2006 and divided into standing or prn (as needed) dose regimens. For patients receiving standing dose regimens, diagnosis, total daily dose, and dosing adequacy were ascertained. For patients receiving prn dosing, diagnosis, behavioral indication, dose, and frequency were determined.Results. The most common diagnoses in patients receiving standing dose quetiapine were depressive disorders, followed by substance-related, bipolar, and psychotic disorders. Mean dose was 169 ± 154 mg/day (median = 200 mg/day), with 29.8% of patients receiving ≥ 300 mg/day. Only 28.5% of patients had one of the diagnoses for which quetiapine is approved; in these pati...
Dynamic programming approach to the optimization of Naval aircraft rework and replacement policies

This paper describes a method for determining optimal repair and replacement policies for aireraft, with specific reference to the F–4. The objective of the analysis is to choose the set of policies from all possible alternatives over a finite planning horizon which minimizes the cost of operations. A dynamic program is presented which seeks an optimal path through a series of decision periods, when each period begins with the choice of keeping an aircraft, reworking it before further operation, or buying a new one. We do not consider changes in technology. Therefore, when a replacement does occur, it is made with a similar aircraft. Multivariate statistical techniques are used to estimate the relevant costs as a function of age, and time since last rework.
Silica-bound copper(II)triazacyclononane as a phosphate esterase: effect of linker length and surface hydrophobicity

A series of silica-bound Cu(II) triazacyclononane materials was prepared to study the effect of linker length and surface hydrophobicity on the hydrolysis of phosphate esters. The general synthetic approach for these heterogeneous reagents was rhodium-catalyzed hydrosilation between an alkenyl-modified triazacyclononane and hydride-modified silica followed by metallation with a Cu(II) salt. Elemental analysis confirmed that organic functionalization of the silica gel was successful and provided an estimate of the surface concentration of triazacyclononane. EPR spectra were consistent with square pyramidal Cu(II), indicating that Cu(II) ions were bound to the immobilized macrocycles. The hydrolytic efficacies of these heterogeneous reagents were tested with bis(p-nitrophenyl)phosphate (BNPP) and diethyl 4-nitrophenyl phosphate (paraoxon). The agent that performed best was an octyl-linked, propanol-blocked material. This material had the most hydrophilic surface and the most accessible active site, achieving a rate maximum on par with the other materials, but in fewer cycles and without an induction period.
A MODULAR COMPOSABLE SOFTWARE ARCHITECTURE FOR THE SIMULATION OF MECHATRONIC SYSTEMS

This paper presents a software architecture for composing complete system-level simulations of mechatronic systems. The proposed architecture will provide the designer with the infrastructure to rapidly create simulations of alternative designs. The architecture promotes modularity and composability through the use of the design entity. Moreover, the architecture supports hierarchical modeling and provides the infrastructure to seamlessly integrate mechanics models with electronics and information technology models. Finally, the architecture facilitates distributed computing to take full advantage of the power of networked computers. This paper introduces the individual concepts of our architecture, and illustrates them in the design of a missile seeker.
Receiver-Based Channel Allocation for Wireless Cognitive Radio Mesh Networks

Empowered by the cognitive radio technology and motivated by the sporadic channel utilization, both spatially and temporally, dynamic spectrum access networks, also referred to as cognitive radio networks, have emerged as a solution to improve spectrum utilization and provide more flexibility to wireless communication. In this paper, we study the channel allocation problem in wireless cognitive mesh networks. For the allocation to be feasible, served mesh clients must establish connectivity with a backbone network in both the upstream and the downstream directions, and must have the SINR (signal-to-interference and noise-ratio) of the uplink and the downlink with their parent mesh routers within a predetermined threshold. We propose a receiver-based channel allocation strategy and show that this strategy outperforms other strategies in terms of the number of mesh clients served, and the fact that no common control channel is needed for coordinating the communication process. Furthermore, we formulate the receiver-based channel allocation problem in wireless cognitive mesh network as a mixed integer linear program (MILP) and propose a heuristic solution.