cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
The argument from illusion

The argument from illusion has been neglected since J.L. Austin's forceful criticisms of A.J. Ayer's version. (Austin 1962 ', Ayer 1940) Some authors who have addressed it since Austin seem anxious to dispose of it quickly. Thus Frank Jackson says, "It is time to mention the notorious arguments from illusion, variation, perceptual relativity, and so on and so forth. And let me say straight away that I think these arguments prove nothing.... I believe that the current opposition to sense-data derives in large measure from their unfortunate historical association with these arguments." (Jackson 1977, 107) George Pitcher also dismisses the argument from illusion quickly, under Austin's influence. (Pitcher 1971, 13-20, footnotes 17, 19-21.) Jonathan Dancy turns a standard line of objection to the argument from illusion against what he considers to be similar arguments in other areas of philosophy, assuming that readers will agree that the argument from illusion itself needs no further refutation. (Dancy 1995) Related arguments continue to be discussed however, although they are not always explicitly identified as arguments from illusion. Thus Paul Snowdon treats Gricean arguments for the causal theory of perception as, in effect, arguments from illusion for the existence of "inner experiences" (as forming part of the "causal connection" between objects and perceptual beliefs about those ob
Infected hepatic infarction: an unusual cause of portal venous gas

Portal venous gas is a radiologic finding that usually is due to extrahepatic abdominal processes, most commonly ischemic bowel. In this case report, we present a case of hepatic infarction and fulminant hepatic infection that resulted in extensive portal venous gas.
Synthesis of polyamides from rigid and sterically hindered dicarboxylic acids and diamines under mild conditions

The rate of polycondensation of piperazine with the 2,4-dinitrophenyl, succinimido, phthalimido, and 4-nitrophenyl esters of bicyclo[2.2.2]octane-trans-2,3-dicarboxylic acid was measured and found to decrease in this sequence. In the reaction of two moles of piperazine with one mole of diester, the reactivity of both ester groups was equal. In equimolar mixtures, the second ester group reacts with the second group about ten times slower because of steric hindrance. In the reaction of the esters with N,N′-dimethylethylenediamine no such effects were observed. The aminolysis of the N-hydroxyphthalimido ester stops at low conversions unless a very large excess of triethylamine is added. The catalytic effect of 1,2,4-triazole on the aminolysis was proportional to the triazole concentration. From the rate of ester consumption in the presence of pure triethylamine, the extent of possible racemization of the optically active dicarboxylic acid was estimated. In view of the rate data, the extent of polycondensation, and side reactions, only 2,4-dinitrophenyl and N-hydroxysuccinimido diesters are suitable for the synthesis of polyamides derived from rigid and sterically hindered dicarboxylic acids.
Yankee Reactor Pressure Vessel Surveillance: Notch Ductility Performance of Vessel Steel and Maximum Service Fluence Determined From Exposure During Cores II, III, and IV

Abstract : Charpy V-notch specimens, representative of one of the several heats of A302-B steel forming the Yankee reactor pressure vessel and irradiated as part of the Yankee surveillance program, were tested. Specimens of this particular heat, irradiated in near-core (accelerated) as well as in vessel-wall locations, showed more embrittlement than did specimens of a reference steel heat of the same nominal A302-B composition irradiated simultaneously in the same surveillance capsules. Those specimens from both the Yankee vessel heat and the reference heat irradiated at the vessel-wall location depicted a higher damage rate than that for the accelerated location. The cause of this difference in embrittlement response could not be attributed to an effect of cyclic, service irradiation temperatures, but could be traced to a qualitative relationship of thermal to fast (>1 Mev) neutron fluxes. This ratio was in excess of about 9:1 at the vessel-wall location versus a ratio less than about 9:1 for the accelerated location. The computation of a maximum service fluence of 1.46x10 to the 19th power n/sq cm (>0.5 Mev) was made possible by establishment of the neutron spectrum at the reactor vessel wall using computer calculations. The maximum fluence derived by this technique compared favorably with another value given by an independently-developed calculated neutron spectrum. The computed service fluence in concert with the embrittlement data projects a maximum transition temperature increase of 265F, which represents a level of embrittlement considered acceptable for the Yankee reactor vessel after thirty fuel cycles of operation at 600 thermal megawatts (Mw(t)). (Author)
Electrodeposition of Nanometer-thick Ceria Films by Oxidation of Cerium(III)-acetate

Abstract Thin films of ceria were electrodeposited onto Hastelloy substrates by the electrochemical oxidation of Ce(III) acetate complexes. The mode of deposition was dependent on the applied potential. At a potential of + 0.5 V vs. Ag/AgCl, the deposition proceeded by a direct oxidation of Ce(III) to ceria. Films deposited at this potential were smooth and crack-free as observed by SEM. Film thicknesses were determined by X-ray reflectivity and ellipsometry. For a deposition time of 1000 s, the ceria deposited to a thickness of approximately 40 nm and a density of 65%. The deposition exhibited self-limiting growth, with growth rates rapidly decreasing with deposition time. At a higher potential of + 1.1 V vs. Ag/AgCl, the films appear to grow by an indirect mechanism, in which the electrochemical oxidation of water forms O 2 which then reacts with Ce(III) to form ceria nanoparticles in the growth solution. It was also shown that nanometer-scale ceria powder could be produced by bubbling the solution with molecular oxygen.
Hypertension and nephropathy

Nearly 90% of patients with hypertension and diabetes mellitus do not reach the recommended systolic blood pressure goal of <130 mm Hg. Consequently, the risk of cardiovascular and renal complications remains significant in this patient population. Study results suggest that initiating therapy with inhibitors of the renin-angiotensin system and adding diuretics may be useful in reducing arterial pressure to levels <130 mm Hg and may attenuate the progression of nephropathy. Recently, numerous studies have also found that the thiazolidinediones (TZDs) may improve insulin resistance and exert beneficial vascular effects in patients with type 2 diabetes. The TZDs have a range of vascular benefits, including mediating vasorelaxation, inhibiting angiogenesis, and improving inflammation. These findings have been associated with reduction in blood pressure and prevention of microalbuminuria. In patients with type 2 diabetes, early use of TZDs may be beneficial in both achieving glucose control and reducing the development or worsening of microalbuminuria or hypertension.
GEOGRAPHY AND THE CRUISE SHIP PORT SELECTION PROCESS

The cruise ship industry is currently undergoing a period of rapid expansion. New cruise capacity threatens to produce overtonnaging, with future berths exceeding demand. Despite this development, cruise operators are confident that a growing North American market will be able to satisfy the equilibrium condition sought by vessel operators. This research explores where the new tonnage might be deployed and its eventual impact on the cruise industry. Geographic concepts are utilized to test and support the premise that geography contributes positively to the cruise port selection process. Itineraries, influenced by ‘site’ and ‘situation,’ are presently still the most important factor affecting cruise port selection.
Development of Talbot-Lau phase-contrast method for high energy density plasma diagnostics

Phase-contrast x-ray imaging techniques can detect density gradients in low-Z matter with the sensitivity and spatial resolution necessary to characterize High Energy Density Laboratory Plasma (HEDLP) experiments. The Talbot-Lau interferometer measures x-ray beam angular deviations due to refraction index gradients along its path, thus making it an attractive plasma diagnostic. The Talbot-Lau interferometer can simultaneously provide x-ray attenuation, refraction, and scatter images which may offer a simple diagnostic for micro instabilities. We extend the Talbot-Lau method used for medical applications to lower x-ray energies, high magnification and high spatial resolution HEDLP experiments require. We study and develop single image based phase-retrieval techniques. The experimental and simulated results obtained show a clear advantage of the Talbot-Lau Moire technique over the attenuation and propagation methods. The Moire technique can detect both sharp and smooth density gradients, using extended, polychromatic, incoherent, line and continuum x-ray sources, thus allowing for less demanding backlighters than those typically used in HEDLP radiography.
How to solve complex problems with cases

Abstract The discipline of case-based reasoning develops techniques to retrieve and adapt previous solutions to new problems. Several case-adaptation systems have been built, and many are under development. They deal with different tasks in different domains, and a methodology is still lacking. From an analysis of selected up-to-date case-adaptation systems for synthesis tasks, this article identifies critical issues: the size of the cases, alternatives for problem decomposition, adaptation techniques, solution composition, and overall strategies
Relationship of Exercise Capacity and Left Ventricular Dimensions in Patients with a Normal Ejection Fraction. An Exploratory Study

Objectives Extreme endurance exercise is known to be associated with an enlargement of the left ventricular (LV) chamber, whereas inactivity results in inverse changes. It is unknown if these dimensional relationships exist in patients. Methods We analyzed the relationship of exercise capacity and LV dimension in a cohort of sequential patients with a normal ejection fraction undergoing stress echocardiography. In a total of 137 studies the following questions were addressed: (a) is there a difference in LV dimensions of patients with an excellent exercise capacity versus patients with a poor exercise capacity, (b) how is LV dimension and exercise capacity affected by LV wall thickness and (c) how do LV dimensions of patients who are unable to walk on a treadmill compare to the above groups. Results Patients with a poor exercise capacity or who are unable to physically exercise have a 34 percent smaller LV cavity size when compared to patients with an excellent exercise capacity (p<0.001). This reduction in LV chamber size is associated with concentric LV hypertrophy and a reciprocal increase in resting heart rate. In addition, cardiac output reserve is further blunted by chronotropic incompetence and a tachycardia-induced LV volume reduction. In conclusion the relationship of exercise capacity and cardiac dimensions described in extreme athletes also applies to patients. Our exploratory analysis suggests that patients who cannot sufficiently exercise have small LV cavities.
Predicting place of death in the program of all-inclusive care for the elderly (PACE): participant versus program characteristics.

OBJECTIVES: To assess the relationship between participant-specific and program-specific characteristics and the place of death in the Program of All-Inclusive Care for the Elderly (PACE). DESIGN: A retrospective, population-based, cross-sectional study. SETTING: PACE is a community-based managed care model serving a frail, nursing home-eligible population of Medicare heneficiaries. PARTICIPANTS: Two thousand two hundred sixty-three PACE decedents from 12 sites that were fully capitated for Medicare and Medicaid by mid-1997. MEASUREMENTS: Participant-specific characteristics include the range of demographic, functional, and cognitive status; skilled care needs; medical conditions; and advance care directives measures. The PACE site-specific indicator was also included to assess the effect of program sites on place of death. Bivariate, logistic, and multinomial logit models were employed. RESULTS: The probability of death at home is twice as great (45%) for PACE program participants as for the general population of older Americans. Twenty-one percent of PACE participants die in hospitals, compared with 53% of Medicare beneficiaries, Participants who are older and live in the community have a significantly greater (P < .05) probability of dying at home than does an average PACE enrollee. Those with a do-not-resuscitate order are 7.4% less likely to die in the hospital than are those without. PACE participants with a live-in informal caregiver are 10.3% (P <.05) less likely to die at home than those without a caregiver. When all participant characteristics were accounted for, there remained significant variation in the place of death by PACE plan. We found the least amount of site-specific variation in deaths occurring at home and the most variation in deaths occurring in hospitals. CONCLUSION: Nationally, the low rate of home death has prompted some to conclude that it is unlikely that we will, as a society, decide to take our dying older people hack into our homes. The PACE experience suggests that it is possible to modify this trend. The results indicate that patient and program characteristics are both important in predicting the place of death. The variation across PACE sites suggests that an opportunity for narrowing these gaps, and reducing the proportion of hospital deaths, exists. The PACE end-of-life practice style could potentially be applied to other populations and may have important public policy implications.
Raman scattering as a probe of phonon confinement and surface optical modes in semiconducting nanowires

Raman scattering is shown to be an effective probe of optical and surface optical phonons in highly crystalline semiconducting nanowires (SNWs). We show that the confinement model of Richter et al. well describes the nanowire diameter dependence of the asymmetric broadening of the one-phonon band in Si nanowires observed at ∼520 cm-1. We also show that the use of high laser flux (∼0.1 mW/μm2) leads to a second mechanism that can asymmetrically broaden the 520 cm-1 Raman band. This broadening has nothing to do with confinement, and can qualitatively be understood in terms of inhomogeneous laser heating. A model is presented that supports this explanation. The production of SNWs via the vapor–liquid–solid growth mechanism leads, in many cases, to an instability in the nanowire diameter or cross-sectional area. In the second part of this review, we show that this instability activates the surface optical (SO) phonon Raman scattering. Examples of this phenomenon are shown for GaP and ZnS nanowires. The former and latter have, respectively, cylindrical and rectangular cross sections. We show that the cross-sectional shape of the nanowire is important for a quantitative analysis of these SO modes.
Use of the Michigan alcoholism screening test in a prison hospital

The Michigan Alcoholism Screening Test (MAST) was administered to 214 admissions to a maximum security ward of a prison hospital. Over 70.7% of the patients had scores greater than 5 and 57.8% had scores greater than 10, indicating that they engaged in problem drinking or alcohol misuse before admission. Older patients had higher scores, and a small number of patients with no criminal involvement had lower scores.
Changes in gill morphology of Atlantic salmon (Salmo salar) smolts due to addition of acid and aluminum to stream water

One-year-old Atlantic salmon smolts were held in three artificial channels adjacent to a softwater (mean sp. cond. 30 microS cm(-1), circumneutral stream. Water in one channel was untreated (mean pH 6.25); the others received additions of acid (to mean pH 5.6), or acid plus aluminum (to mean pH 5.5; mean exchangeable Al 158 microg litre(-1)). Gills were sampled after 16 and 23 days of exposure for morphometric examination. On primary lamellae, chloride cells were more numerous in both experimental treatments than in controls. In contrast, numbers of chloride cells on secondary lamellae were elevated only in fish exposed to acid without added Al. Chloride cell size and shape also varied with time and treatment. Fewer gill mucous cells were found in fish exposed to acid plus Al than in controls. Chloride cell proliferation and structural changes may represent an attempt to compensate for increased ionic effluxes with low pH stress by increasing uptake. However, if Al concentrations are high, chloride cells do not proliferate along the secondary lamellae, or proliferating cells are damaged and lost. This may limit the potential to increase ionic uptake.
The nitric oxide pathway modulates hemangioblast activity of adult hematopoietic stem cells

We have previously established a model inducing hematopoietic stem cell (HSC) production of circulating endothelial progenitor cells (EPCs) to revascularize ischemic injury in adult mouse retina. The unique vascular environment of the retina results in new blood vessel formation primarily from HSC-derived EPCs. Using mice deficient (-/-) in inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) and endothelial nitric oxide synthase (eNOS), we show that vessel phenotype resulting from hemangioblast activity can be altered by modulation of the NO/NOS pathway. iNOS-/- or eNOS-/- animals were engrafted with wild-type (WT) HSCs expressing green fluorescence protein (gfp+) and subjected to our adult retinal ischemia model. WT hemangioblast activity in adult iNOS-/- recipients resulted in the formation of highly branched blood vessels of donor origin, which were readily perfused indicating functionality. In contrast, eNOS-/- recipients produced relatively unbranched blood vessels with significant donor contribution that were difficult to perfuse, indicating poor functionality. Furthermore, eNOS-/- chimeras had extensive gfp+ HSC contribution throughout their vasculature without additional injury. This neovascularization, via EPCs derived from the transplanted HSCs, reveals that the NO pathway can modulate EPC activity and plays a critical role in both blood vessel formation in response to injury and normal endothelial cell maintenance.
Fast algorithms using minimal data structures for common topological relationships in large, irregularly spaced topographic data sets

Digital terrain models (DTMs) typically contain large numbers of postings, from hundreds of thousands to billions. Many algorithms that run on DTMs require topological knowledge of the postings, such as finding nearest neighbors, finding the posting closest to a chosen location, etc. If the postings are arranged irregularly, topological information is costly to compute and to store. This paper offers a practical approach to organizing and searching irregularly spaced data sets by presenting a collection of efficient algorithms (O(N),O(lgN)) that compute important topological relationships with only a simple supporting data structure. These relationships include finding the postings within a window, locating the posting nearest a point of interest, finding the neighborhood of postings nearest a point of interest, and ordering the neighborhood counter-clockwise. These algorithms depend only on two sorted arrays of two-element tuples, holding a planimetric coordinate and an integer identification number indicating which posting the coordinate belongs to. There is one array for each planimetric coordinate (eastings and northings). These two arrays cost minimal overhead to create and store but permit the data to remain arranged irregularly.
Factors that Affect Integrity of Authorship of Scientific Meeting Abstracts

Background: Strict criteria for article authorship exist to guide decisions on who should be considered an author. Less is known about how authorship for scientific meetings is determined. Our goal was to explore factors that influence decisions about authorship of conference abstracts. Methods: In 2010, we conducted qualitative focus groups with a stratified sample of 36 trainees, 19 junior faculty members, and 11 senior faculty members. Focus-group transcripts were coded using a coding scheme derived from an initial review of the transcripts and a preliminary theoretical framework, which was based on the literature, anecdotes, and personal experience. Results: We identified six themes related to abstract authorship: comparisons with articles; collaboration dynamics; time; experience and professional development; standards for authorship; and funding. We found that views of abstracts as a lesser form of publication lead to diminished integrity of authorship; trainee inexperience and the dynamics of colla...
Float on a note

Abstract From 1863–1914, banks in the U.S. could issue notes subject to full collateral, a tax on outstanding notes, redemption of notes on demand, and a clearing fee per issued note cleared through the Treasury. The system failed to satisfy a purported arbitrage condition: the yield on collateral exceeded the tax rate plus the product of the clearing fee and the average clearing rate of notes. The failure is explained by a model in which note issuers choose to issue notes only in trades that produce a low clearing rate (high float), but in which there are diminishing returns to additional note issue.
Covalent heterogenization of a discrete Mn(II) bis-phen complex by a metal-template/metal-exchange method: an epoxidation catalyst with enhanced reactivity.

Considerable attention has been devoted to the immobilization of discrete epoxidation catalysts onto solid supports due to the possible benefits of site isolation such as increased catalyst stability, catalyst recycling, and product separation. A synthetic metal-template/metal-exchange method to imprint a covalently attached bis-1,10-phenanthroline coordination environment onto high-surface area, mesoporous SBA-15 silica is reported herein along with the epoxidation reactivity once reloaded with manganese. Comparisons of this imprinted material with material synthesized by random grafting of the ligand show that the template method creates more reproducible, solution-like bis-1,10-phenanthroline coordination at a variety of ligand loadings. Olefin epoxidation with peracetic acid shows the imprinted manganese catalysts have improved product selectivity for epoxides, greater substrate scope, more efficient use of oxidant, and higher reactivity than their homogeneous or grafted analogues independent of ligan...
Horizontal single and multiple slot waveguides: optical transmission at λ=1550 nm

We experimentally demonstrate the optical transmission at 1550 nm of the fundamental slot modes (quasi-TM modes) in horizontal single and multiple slot waveguides and ring resonators consisting of deposited amorphous silicon and silicon dioxide. We demonstrate that the horizontal multiple slot configuration provides enhanced optical confinement in low index slot regions compared to a horizontal single slot structure with the same total SiO2 layer thickness by comparing their thermo-optic coefficients for the horizontal slot ring resonators. We show in these early structures that horizontal slot waveguides have low propagation loss of 6~7 dB/cm. The waveguide loss is mainly due to a-Si material absorption. The addition of a-Si/SiO2 interfaces does not introduce significant scattering loss in a horizontal multiple slot waveguide compared to a horizontal single slot waveguide.
Fuzzy rank functions

Abstract In this paper we obtain a characterization of fuzzy matroids in terms of the fuzzy rank function defined in [1]. This characterization parallels to some extent a well known characterization theorem for crisp matroids.
Apoptosis induced by Fas signaling does not alter hepatic hepcidin expression.

AIM: To determine the regulation of human hepcidin (HAMP) and mouse hepcidin (hepcidin-1 and hepcidin-2) gene expression in the liver by apoptosis using in vivo and in vitro experimental models. METHODS: For the induction of the extrinsic apoptotic pathway, HepG2 cells were treated with various concentrations of CH11, an activating antibody for human Fas receptor, for 12 h. Male C57BL/6NCR and C57BL/6J strains of mice were injected intraperitoneally with sublethal doses of an activating antibody for mouse Fas receptor, Jo2. The mice were anesthetized and sacrificed 1 or 6 h after the injection. The level of apoptosis was quantified by caspase-3 activity assay. Liver injury was assessed by measuring the levels of ALT/AST enzymes in the serum. The acute phase reaction in the liver was examined by determining the expression levels of IL-6 and SAA3 genes by SYBR green quantitative real-time PCR (qPCR). The phosphorylation of transcription factors, Stat3, Smad4 and NF-κB was determined by western blotting. Hepcidin gene expression was determined by Taqman qPCR. The binding of transcription factors to hepcidin-1 promoter was studied using chromatin immunoprecipitation (ChIP) assays. RESULTS: The treatment of HepG2 cells with CH11 induced apoptosis, as shown by the significant activation of caspase-3 (P < 0.001), but did not cause any significant changes in HAMP expression. Short-term (1 h) Jo2 treatment (0.2 μg/g b.w.) neither induced apoptosis and acute phase reaction nor altered mRNA expression of mouse hepcidin-1 in the livers of C57BL/6NCR mice. In contrast, 6 h after Jo2 injection, the livers of C57BL/6NCR mice exhibited a significant level of apoptosis (P < 0.001) and an increase in SAA3 (P < 0.023) and IL-6 (P < 0.005) expression in the liver. However, mRNA expression of hepcidin-1 in the liver was not significantly altered. Despite the Jo2-induced phosphorylation of Stat3, no occupancy of hepcidin-1 promoter by Stat3 was observed, as shown by ChIP assays. Compared to C57BL/6NCR mice, Jo2 treatment (0.2 μg/g b.w.) of C57BL/6J strain mice for 6 h induced a more prominent activation of apoptosis, liver injury and acute phase reaction. Similar to C57BL/6NCR mice, the level of liver hepcidin-1 mRNA expression in the livers of C57BL/6J mice injected with a sublethal dose of Jo2 (0.2 μg/g b.w.) remained unchanged. The injection of C57BL/6J mice with a higher dose of Jo2 (0.32 μg/g b.w.) did not also alter hepatic hepcidin expression. CONCLUSION: Our findings suggest that human or mouse hepcidin gene expression is not regulated by apoptosis induced via Fas receptor activation in the liver.
Inpatient venous access practices: PICC culture and the kidney patient

PurposeDepleted venous access is frequently cited as a reason for low fistula achievement. These quality assurance studies were designed to clarify the interactions between kidney disease, acuity o...
ANTICIPATION AND THE VALUATION OF DELAYED CONSUMPTION

This paper presents a model of intertemporal choice that incorporates "savoring" and "dread"-i.e., utility from anticipat ion of delayed consumption. The model explains why an individual with positive time preference may delay desirable outcomes or get unpleas ant outcomes over with quickly, contrary to the prediction of convent ional formulations of intertemporal choice. Implications of savoring and dread for savings behavior, empirical estimation of discount rate s, and public policy efforts to combat myopic behavior are explored. The model provides an explanation for common violations of the indepe ndence axiom as applied to intertemporal choice. Copyright 1987 by Royal Economic Society.
Neuroprotection by Cell Permeable TAT-mGluR1 Peptide in Ischemia: Synergy between Carrier and Cargo Sequences:

Overactivation of glutamate receptors is a critical mechanism for neuronal death in ischemic stroke. Previously, we reported that overactivation of N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA)-type glutamate receptor induced calpain-mediated truncation of metabotropic glutamate receptor mGluR1alpha, resulting in suppression of its neuroprotective signaling pathway. A fusion peptide containing the transactivating regulatory protein (TAT) protein transduction domain (PTD) and the mGluR1alpha sequence spanning the calpain cleavage site effectively blocked mGluR1alpha truncation and protected neurons against NMDA-induced neuronal toxicity. We recently evaluated the role of this mechanism in ischemia-induced cell death. We found that mGluR1alpha was truncated in both in vitro and in vivo models of stroke and that this truncation was accompanied by the typical calpain-mediated proteolysis of spectrin. The TAT-mGluR1 fusion peptide produced robust neuroprotective effect in the in vitro model of stroke. In addition, we found that the TAT protein transduction domain peptide itself altered the function of membrane channels through some unknown mechanisms and showed some mild neuroprotective effects. Together, these experiments indicated a synergistic relationship between the TAT carrier sequence and the mGluR1alpha peptide cargo sequence, and this synergy might account for the neuroprotective properties of the TAT-mGluR1 peptide.
Influence of temperature on primary and lateral root growth of sunflower seedlings

Abstract Roots play a major role in maintaining the supply of water and nutrients to plant tissues. There are numerous environmental factors such as temperature that can influence the growth and function of root systems. While we have some information about rooting depth in sunflower, we lack information about early root growth and its response to temperature in diverse genotypes based on wild sunflower species. The wild progenitors of the crop species are potential sources for enhancing the rooting system of cultivated sunflower. Root growth characteristics of seedlings of six genetically diverse sunflower ( Helianthus ) genotypes and two cultivated hybrids were evaluated during a 10-day period to determine early chronological root growth as influenced by temperature. Root growth was evaluated at temperatures of 10–40°C in 5°C increments. Primary root length, lateral root length, number of lateral roots, root fresh weight, and hypocotyl length and fresh weight were determined beginning at 3 days after planting (DAP), 7 DAP, and 10 DAP. An analysis of variance indicated that genotypes, temperatures, and days were significant sources of variation for primary and lateral root lengths, number of lateral roots, root branching density, root fresh weight, and hypocotyl length and fresh weight. Averaged over all genotypes, primary and lateral root growth was greatest in the 25–30°C temperature range at 10 DAP. Generally, very little root growth occurs at 10, 15 or 40°C. Semi-dwarf hybrid 471D had the greatest primary and lateral root growth at 30°C with 154 cm, as well as the highest number of lateral roots with 48 roots per plant. Interspecific genotypes had similar total root growth compared to cultivated hybrid 894 at 30°C. Temperature-dependent root growth information will be useful in crop modeling of sunflower. There appears to be a temperature-specific response in laboratory evaluated sunflower genotypes, but further studies are needed to correlate the studies with rooting responses under field conditions.
Processing and Creep Performance of Silicon Carbide Whisker-Reinforced Silicon Nitride

Silicon carbide whisker reinforcement can significantly reduce creep rates in polycrystalline alumina [1], but the system SiC/Al 2 O 3 is thermodynamically unstable in air and oxidizes to mullite during creep testing [2]. The system SiC/Si 3 N 4 was investigated as a potentially more stable, high temperature structural composite. Silicon carbide whiskers were successfully incorporated into a silicon nitride matrix doped with alumina and yttria. Processing involved mixing dispersed slurries of silicon carbide and silicon nitride, adding the dopants as a solution of their nitrates and subsequently increasing the pH to precipitate the additive hydroxides. The resulting slurries were filter pressed at room temperature and hot pressed at 1650° C in graphite dies to full density. X-ray diffraction and transmission electron microscopy confirmed the presence of β-Si 3 N 4 , α-SiC and trace quantities of α-Si 3 N 4 , confirming that the -β Si 3 N 4 reaction occurred. An additional, as yet unidentified, minor phase was also detected. Whisker reinforcement was shown to increase the room temperature flexural strength and fracture toughness but high temperature creep performance was unaffected by whisker reinforcement.
Analysis tools for microminiaturized circuits

This article points out the need for new instrumental methods to cope with the present requirements of material and structure analysis and characterization of microminiaturized circuits. Primarily, it describes briefly a few principal instruments and techniques utilized in such analysis and characterization, and it discusses some materials used in microminiaturized semiconductor assemblies, especially silicon and the contact metallurgy, and methods for obtaining information concerning its structure and chemistry. Since the entire gamut of metallographic and chemical techniques cannot be covered here, the article is limited to the X-ray and electron optics methods used in semiconductor and interconnection studies.
Deep mutational scanning: a new style of protein science

Mutagenesis provides insight into proteins, but only recently have assays that couple genotype to phenotype been used to assess the activities of as many as 1 million mutant versions of a protein in a single experiment. This approach-'deep mutational scanning'-yields large-scale data sets that can reveal intrinsic protein properties, protein behavior within cells and the consequences of human genetic variation. Deep mutational scanning is transforming the study of proteins, but many challenges must be tackled for it to fulfill its promise.
Comparison of Single and Overset Grid Techniques for CFD Simulations of a Surface Effect Ship

Overset, or Chimera meshes are used to discretize the governing equations within a computational domain using multiple meshes that overlap in an arbitrary manner. The overset mesh technique is most applicable to problems dealing with multiple or moving bodies. In order to extend existing full craft CFD (RANS) simulations of a surface effect ship (SES) into shallow water and maneuvering cases, an overset mesh is needed. Deep water simulations were carried out using both single and overset grid techniques for evaluation of the overset grid application. The single grid technique applies a hexahedral mesh to the fluid domain and SES geometry. An adequate mesh resolution was determined by performing a grid convergence study on a series of systematically refined meshes. An overset mesh of the same resolution was then constructed and was fixed to the body. Drag and pitch results are compared among the two simulations. Free surface elevations around the craft and under the air cushion for simulations with the single and overset meshes are compared. Steady-state simulations using the overset mesh and the single mesh show general similarities in drag, pitch, and free surface elevations.Copyright © 2014 by ASME
A semiempirical tight-binding calculation of the dielectric response function of water

Abstract In this paper we examine the possibility of using ab initio calculations of the energy-band structure of cubic ice towards obtaining its wave-number- and frequency-dependent dielectric function. In this calculation we are using a semiempirical tight-binding (STB) Hamiltonian, whose parameters are adjusted by comparing available data with the calculated density of states (DOS) and energy-loss function, Im[−1/ϵ(q, ω)]. Once the Hamiltonian is obtained, one can extend the calculation to other forms of condensed water. Although we are able to reasonably reproduce the data, it appears that the use of a perhaps more realistic Hamiltonian is warranted. Within the limits of the accuracy of this calculation, we are not able to support the interpretation of the large peak at 21 eV in the energy-loss function as belonging to a collective (plasmon) excitation.
Optimal placement of active material actuators using genetic algorithm

Actuators based on smart materials generally exhibit a tradeoff between force and stroke. Researchers have surrounded piezoelectric materials (PZT’s) with complaint structures to magnify either their geometric or mechanical advantage. Most of these designs are literally built around a particular piezoelectric device, so the design space consists of only the compliant mechanism. Materials scientists researchers have demonstrated the ability to pole a PZT in an arbitrary direction, and some engineers have taken advantage of this to build “shear mode” actuators. The goal of this work is to determine if the performance of compliant mechanisms improves by the inclusion of the piezoelectric polarization as a design variable. The polarization vector is varied via transformation matrixes, and the compliant actuator is modeled using the SIMP (Solid Isotropic Material with Penalization) or “power-law method.” The concept of mutual potential energy is used to form an objective function to measure the piezoelectric actuator’s performance. The optimal topology of the compliant mechanism and orientation of the polarization method are determined using a sequential linear programming algorithm. This paper presents a demonstration problem that shows small changes in the polarization vector have a marginal effect on the optimum topology of the mechanism, but improves actuation.
Dialyzer membranes as determinants of the adequacy of dialysis.

Hemodialysis membranes have undergone a gradual but substantial evolution over the past few decades. Classification of modern dialyzer membranes by chemical composition bears little relationship to their functional characteristics. The fundamental properties that determine the capacity of the membrane to remove solutes and fluids are its surface area, thickness, pore size, pore density, and potential to adsorb proteins. Dialyzer membrane performance is characterized clinically by its efficiency, defined as the potential to remove urea and presented as the mass-transfer area coefficient (KoA) and ultrafiltration coefficient (K uf ),defined as the potential to remove water adjusted for the transmembrane pressure. The parameter K uf usually, but not invariably, correlates with the membrane permeability, defined as the potential to remove middle molecules, with β 2 -microglobulin being the currently popular marker. The sieving coefficient reflects the membrane potential to transport solutes by convection and is particularly useful for hemofiltration. Enhancing solute clearance is accomplished clinically by increasing blood and dialysate flow rates, strategies that also are applicable to middle molecules for highly permeable membranes. Novel designs of dialyzers include the optimization of fluid flow path geometry and increasing the membrane pore selectivity for solutes by using nanotechnology.
Evaluation of 12 Insecticides for Remedial Efficacy Against Southern Pine Beetle Adults

Twelve insecticides were tested for remedial efficacy against Dendroctonus frontalis Zimmermann. All of them except carbophenothion were at least as effective as the recommended insecticide, lindane. At 1 and 2%, chlorpyrifos, chlorpyrifos-methyl, fenitrothion, pirimiphos-ethyl, etrimphos, and a microencapsulated formulation of phosmet were significantly better than lindane at the registered dose.
Synthesis and Structural Characterization of Ba2CdTe3

Abstract The new ternary compound Ba 2 CdTe 3 has been prepared by the reaction of a stoichiometric mixture of elements at 700°C. Its structure was determined via the Rietveld refinement method using powder X-ray diffraction with R p / R wp (%)=6.54/8.67. Ba 2 CdTe 3 crystallizes in space group Pnma (No. 62) of the orthorhombic system with Z =4 and a =9.8198(2) A, b =4.7436(1) A, c =19.0638(5) A. It is isotypic to Ba 2 MnS 3 and K 2 AgI 3 . The structure consists of one-dimensional chains of 1 ∞ [CdTe 2/2 Te 2 ] 4− separated by Ba 2+ cations. The chain is made of corner-sharing CdTe 4 tetrahedra. Each Ba atom is coordinated to seven tellurium atoms to form a trigonal prism with one rectangular face capped by a Te atom.
Chitinase 3-like-1 Promotes Streptococcus pneumoniae Killing and Augments Host Tolerance to Lung Antibacterial Responses

Host antibacterial responses include mechanisms that kill bacteria, but also those that protect or tolerize the host to potentially damaging antibacterial effects. We determined that Chitinase 3-like-1 (Chi3l1), a conserved prototypic chitinase-like protein, is induced by Streptococcus pneumoniae and plays central roles in promoting bacterial clearance and mediating host tolerance. S. pneumoniae-infected Chi3l1 null mice exhibit exaggerated lung injury, inflammation and hemorrhage, more frequent bacterial dissemination, decreased bacterial clearance, and enhanced mortality compared to controls. Chi3l1 augments macrophage bacterial killing by inhibiting caspase-1-dependent macrophage pyroptosis and augments host tolerance by controlling inflammasome activation, ATP accumulation, expression of ATP receptor P2X7R, and production of thymic stromal lymphopoietin and type 1, type 2, and type 17 cytokines. These data demonstrate that Chi3l1 is induced during infection, where it promotes bacterial clearance while simultaneously augmenting host tolerance, and that these roles likely contributed to the retention of Chi3l1 over species and evolutionary time.
NEAR‐INFRARED DETECTION OF SINGLET MOLECULAR OXYGEN PRODUCED BY PHOTOSENSITIZATION WITH PROMAZINE and CHLORPROMAZINE

A sensitive near-infrared detection system has been used to study the steady-state emission of lo, at 1268 nm produced by promazine (PZ) and chlorpromazine (CPZ) during photo-illumination. Singlet molecular oxygen could be detected in a variety of ordinary and perdeuterated organic solvents, but was not detectable in water or deuterium oxide. The emission was enhanced in the perdeuterated organic solvents and could be eliminated by rigorous degassing or by addition of the singlet oxygen scavenger 2.3-dimethylfuran. Singlet oxygen could not be detected in any of the solvents during irradiation of the sulfoxides of PZ and CPZ. We conclude that in biological systems '0, production is not a major pathway to phototoxicity for the sulfoxides, while for the parent phenothiazines the formation of '0, is much more likely to be important in nonpolar environments such as cell membranes than in the aqueous parts of the cell.
The agronomic performance of wheat doubled haploid lines derived from wheat x maize crosses

The agronomic performance of 9 doubled haploid (DH) lines of Chinese Spring, 6 DH lines of Hope, 14 DH lines of the single chromosome substitution line Chinese Spring (Hope 5 A) and their respective parents was analyzed under field conditions. Seventeen Chinese Spring DH lines derived from wheat x Hordeum bulbosum crosses were also included for comparison. No significant variation was detected in either population of Chinese Spring DH lines and neither DH population differed from its parent. The Hope DH lines differed significantly for tiller biomass, spikelet number per ear, ear grain weight and 50-grain weight. However, all the variation could be attributed to the poor performance of only one line. Chinese Spring (Hope 5 A) DH lines showed significant variation for ear emergence time, but this was probably due to genetic heterogeneity in the parental stock. Overall, the results suggest that most DH lines produced by the wheat x maize method resemble their wheat parent, and that the variation induced in DH production is likely to be similar to that found in DHs from wheat x Hordeum bulbosum crosses.
Dilated Cardiomyopathy in Transgenic Mice With Cardiac-Specific Overexpression of Tumor Necrosis Factor-α

Abstract The failing human heart expresses tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α). However, its pathophysiological significance is not clear. We previously reported that robust overexpression of TNF-α in the murine heart causes lethal myocarditis. In this study, we modified the transgene to reduce the production of TNF-α by preserving the destabilizing sequence in TNF-α cDNA. Expression was driven by the murine α-myosin heavy chain promoter. Use of this modified construct allowed us to establish a murine transgenic line (TG). TG offspring were examined at 6, 12, and 24 weeks. All showed a significantly higher heart weight–to–body weight ratio. Northern blot analysis confirmed the expression of transgene in the heart, and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay demonstrated the presence of TNF-α protein. The TG heart demonstrated a mild, diffuse, lymphohistiocytic interstitial inflammatory infiltrate. Cardiomyocyte necrosis and apoptosis were present but not abundant. Magnetic resonance imaging showed that the TG heart...
Procedure for Developing Accident Modification Factors from Cross-Sectional Data

This paper describes a procedure for developing accident modification factors (AMFs) by using a cross-sectional study. It is recognized that AMFs are most accurately derived from controlled experiments and observational before-after studies. However, the execution of experiments and before-after studies is not always practical or feasible. The procedure described in this paper is intended to be used in this situation. The procedure is demonstrated through the development of a curve radius AMF for rural two-lane highways.
United States Nuclear Regulatory Commission Research Program on molten core debris interactions in the reactor cavity

Abstract The NRC's Research Program on Core-Debris/Cavity Interactions comprises two principal elements: (1) an analytical effort focused primarily on development of computer codes needed to predict the potential consequences of risk-significant severe-accident scenarios; and (2) an experimental component to provide insights into the relevant phenomenological processes and to develop the experimental data base necessary for validation of the codes. The analytical activities at Sandia National Laboratories (SNL) focus primarily on refinement and validation of the CORCON and VANESA codes. Two major experimental activities are also based at SNL: (1) the large-scale SURC tests address the thermal-hydraulic phenomena in the cavity as well as aerosol release associated with prototypical core-melt materials in various types of concrete crucibles, while (2) the WITCH and GHOST experiments are concerned with aerosol generation and radionuclide release phenomena. A program of small-scale special-effects tests at Brookhaven National Laboratory (BNL) is coupled to a concomitant model-development and code-validation activity. In addition, measurements are being made at Battelle Columbus Laboratory (BCL) to augment the thermochemical data base needed in the VANESA code to permit refined radiological source-term predictions. The current scope and status of this research is reviewed.
“The Rain Comes Down”: Jean Grae and Hip Hop Heteronormativity:

This article discusses Brooklyn-based rapper/producer Jean Grae, her music, and the ways in which her art interrupts the fantasy of black heteronormative heterosexuality. This article employs musical, culture and lyrical analysis, as well as utilizing critical queer critique to analyze how Jean Grae exposes the performative nature of gender, race and sexuality as identity place-holders.