cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Guided Wave Experimentation using CLoVER Transducers for Structural Health Monitoring

The guided wave fleld excited by a wedge-shaped anisotropic piezocomposite transducer is experimentally investigated with applications to large area structural health monitoring (SHM). This investigation supports the experimental characterization of the Composite Long-range Variable-direction Emitting Radar (CLoVER) transducer introduced by the authors. The multiple advantages of this device over alternative damage interrogation concepts are outlined, and its manufacturing procedure is brie∞y reviewed. The experimental studies include both piezoelectric-based frequency response as well as laser vibrometry measurements in pristine isotropic structures. The results are compared with predictions from an analytical model. A comprehensive set of experimental results is presented that validate the accuracy of the solution in the time, frequency, and spatial domains. The damage interrogation approach proposed with this transducer concept is also experimentally demonstrated using simulated structural damage.
Robust analysis and synthesis of linear time-delay systems with norm-bounded time-varying uncertainty

The problems of robust analysis and synthesis of systems with state-delay and norm-bounded time-varying parameter uncertainty are studied. It is shown that these problems are equivalent to the H∞ analysis and synthesis problems of an auxiliary system, which is independent of the time-delay and the uncertainty in the system. The necessary and sufficient conditions for the equivalence are developed. Thus any standard H∞ analysis and synthesis method can be used to solve this problem.
Getting More than You Paid For: The Parable of the Treasure and the Pearl as the Experience of Transformation

Matthew’s parables of the treasure and pearl are commonly interpreted as a call to give all one has for the kingdom. In this article, I argue that the experience brought about by the objects is instead the point of these parables. In psychoanalytic terms, the treasure and the pearl represent what Bollas (1987) calls the transformational object. The search for the transformational object is inspired by the infant’s earliest memory of the sudden internal and external transformation brought about by the ministrations of the mother. In adult life, it continues in a search for aesthetic or cultural objects that are identified with the metamorphosis of the self. From this perspective, I explore how the objects of treasure and pearl evoke an emotionally dense transformation to be experienced. The kingdom of heaven is like the surprising object, able to joyfully transform our world. Again, the kingdom of heaven is like the experience of surrendering to the beautiful object, for which we have sought.
Love and space in the nursing home

Nursing homes and other institutionsdesigned for persons with impairments are not,in fact, designed for persons with impairments.They are typically designed for theimpairments, not the persons, and therebybecome a part of the problem by reinforcingphysical and cultural manifestations of theimpairments. In the essay that follows, Idescribe an architectural design project inwhich students were asked to make changes to anexisting nursing home for the persons who livedthere. This requires not only becoming familiarwith the spaces, but with the personsthemselves and designing space to helparticulate their voices and being.
Teacher beliefs, knowledge, and practice of self-regulated learning

This study examined teacher beliefs, knowledge, and classroom practice of self-regulated learning for ten elementary and middle school teachers. Using Zimmerman’s SRL model to frame our method and results, we administered questionnaires, observed classrooms and conducted interviews with these teachers. Teachers had positive beliefs about the role of SRL in their classroom but had some reservations about students’ ability to self-regulate at these grade levels. As revealed in interviews, teachers demonstrated gaps in knowledge in particular around goal setting for a task and evaluation after a learning event. Teachers most frequently encouraged student SRL during the monitoring phase of learning events in their classrooms. They were also able to explain most richly how to encourage student practice of metacognition in this phase. Nonetheless, just as for their own knowledge and personal practice of metacognition and SRL, gaps in teacher classroom practice emerged in the planning and evaluation stages of learning events. Cases were used to examine the alignment between teachers’ beliefs or knowledge and their classroom practice. Often the three constructs were not well aligned. Disconfirming cases were interpreted in light of other theoretical models. Our results suggest the need for continued professional development in SRL strategies and their application to practice.
Correlation of two-dimensional echocardiographic and autopsy findings in complete transposition of the great arteries

Autopsy and antemortem two-dimensional echocardio-graphic findings were compared in 30 cases to assess the predictive accuracy of two-dimensional echocardiography in complete transposition of the great arteries, and thus its potential for replacing or altering an invasive examination. These cases represent consecutive autopsy cases of transposition between January 1978 and December 1982. Ages at echocardiographic study ranged from 1 day to 15.5 years (median 8.5 months). Transposition of the great arteries had been diagnosed correctly in every case, and all associated anomalies identified by two-dimensional echocardiography were confirmed at autopsy. Several additional anomalies not found by two-dimensional echocardiography were apparent at autopsy; however, most were minor and insignificant. The only potentially significant false negative findings were one ventricular septal defect, two small atrial septal defects, one mitral valve anomaly, one tricuspid valve anomaly, three instances of patent ductus arteriosus and four instances of persistent left superior vena cava. Although significant pulmonary stenosis was predicted correctly, the site of stenosis was not accurately defined in four cases. Two-dimensional echocardiography is a reliable means of diagnosing transposition of the great arteries. It can limit the need for angiocardiography in the neonate; and in older infants and children, it should be used to complement cardiac catheterization and angiocardiography. The latter may be indicated, especially before surgical repair, to better define small ventricular septal defects, site of pulmonary stenosis, atrioventricular valve insufficiency and patent ductus arteriosus.
On Global Transversality and Tangency in a Periodically Forced, Damped Duffing Oscillator

In this paper, the analytical conditions for global transversality and tangency of a 2-D nonlinear dynamical system are derived. Further, a periodically forced, damped Duffing oscillator with a separatrix is investigated as an application example. The corresponding analytical conditions for the global transversality and tangency to the separatrix are obtained and the global and tangential flows are illustrated to verify the analytical conditions. The illustrations show that the analytical and numerical predictions of the global transversality and tangency exactly are agreed very well. The analytical conditions are obtained from the new theory rather than the Melnikov method. The new conditions for the global transversality and tangency are more accurate and independent of the small parameters. Therefore, chaotic flows based on the global transversality will be further investigated, and the corresponding results will be presented in a sequel.Copyright © 2006 by ASME
The role of lysosomes in circulatory shock

Abstract Lysosomes are sensitive to the stressful stimuli which develop in the shock states (i.e., ischemia, hypoxia, acidosis). As a result, lysosomal membranes become leaky and tissue lysosomes swell. These conditions are favorable for the leakage of lysosomal contents, largely acid hydrolases, into the cytoplasm of splanchnic cells, particularly in the liver and pancreas. These acid hydrolases are then transported primarily via the lymphatic system to the systematic circulatin where they are free to exert a variety of deleterious actions particularly as the RES becomes impaired in shock. Some of these effects include damage to the microcirculation promoting hypotension and reduced nutritive blood flow to certain tissues. These enzymes also contribute to production of toxic factors and impairment of mitochondrial function in circulatory shock.
Comparative evaluation of three different intramuscular delivery methods for DNA immunization in a nonhuman primate animal model.

Abstract Although plasmid DNA vaccines induce potent cell-mediated immune responses and prime for antibody responses in experimental laboratory animals, their immunogenicity in humans has been less remarkable. A number of strategies have been proposed to improve the immunogenicity of these vaccines, including using novel means of vaccine delivery. In the present study, the immunogenicity of three different methods of intramuscular plasmid DNA administration was compared in cynomolgus monkeys: needle and syringe, Biojector ® 2000, and Mini-Ject™. The elicited cellular and humoral immune responses were comparable in monkeys immunized using these different delivery techniques, suggesting that the needle-free approaches to vaccine administration do not significantly improve the immunogenicity of the plasmid DNA vaccine used in the study.
Absorption System Modeling to Identify Desirable Solvent Properties

Abstract A major class of work on absorption-based capture systems is the prediction of separation plant performance for various solvents and solvent mixtures. Typically, equilibrium or rate-based models are used to compute the imposed load (reduction in net electrical output from a power plant) for separation using a given solvent, possibly optimizing over process parameters (such as stripper pressure). This analysis is frequently repeated for each solvent considered. While this type of work shows the potential of each solvent, it does not predict the performance of solvent-based capture systems in general, nor does any single analysis show how an energetically-optimal solvent would behave. In our modeling approach, we choose a specific process architecture, beginning with a standard absorber/stripper configuration, but do not choose a specific solvent. By adjusting the solvent properties as well as process parameters, we seek to find the properties of the energetically-optimal solvent for a given process configuration, and the imposed load when using that solvent in that process. We also demonstrate that the accuracy of the steam cycle model can have a significant impact on the optimization of the capture process.
Notes On the Lateral Arteries of Two Stomatopods

Siewing (1963) suggested that hoplocarids occupy an unusual phylogenetic position within the Eumalacostraca in that they have lost the first abdominal segment. In most other eumalacostracans the pretelsonic abdominal segment was lost from the original phylocaridan-type abdomen of seven segments. The major argument presented supporting a loss of the first abdominal segment in the Hoplocarida is the presence of an extra pair of lateral arteries in the first abdominal segment. The usual condition is one pair of lateral vessels per segment. Accounts of the circulatory system of adult stomatopods appear to concern only the genus S quilla (see Komai & Tung, 1931 ; Mayrat, 1958). My observations on the circulatory system of Hemisquilla ensigera (Owen) (see Stephenson, 1967) have shown significant differences from S quilla on the disposition of the lateral vessels.
Prediction of equilibrium adsorption of water onto activated carbon

The equilibrium adsorption of water onto activated carbon is a frequently encountered phenomenon in the industrial operation of adsorbers. This situation highlights a need for a method of prediction of equilibrium adsorption of water onto activated carbon that can be applied to adsorber models. This study examines an existing method of prediction of water−carbon and water−organic−carbon adsorption equilibria, making necessary adaptations such that a new method is evolved, which is suitable for inclusion in an adsorber model.
The Effect of Individual Differences on Managerial Media Choice

Managers vary in their sensitivity to the appropriateness of communication media, and this sensitivity has been associated with managerial performance. Factors affecting managerial variability in m...
Inverse Problem with Constraints.

A procedure is presented for constructing a solution to the inverse problem subject to the constraint that the wave functions be prescribed at a finite number of energies.
Interatomic potential for neon; bulk properties from scattering potential

Abstract Bulk gas properties (second virial coefficient, viscosity and thermal diffusion factor) for neon are calculated using a potential derived from molecular beam differential scattering measurements by Siska et al. Agreement with experiment is excellent; this potential must be regarded as superseding other potentials for neon.
A Summary of Fire Frequency Estimates for California Vegetation before Euro-American Settlement

California fire regimes have been altered from those that occurred prior to Euro-American settlement, and are predicted to continue to change as global climates warm. Inclusion of fire as a landscape-level process is considered essential to successful ecological restoration in many ecosystems, and presettlement fire regimes provide foundational information for restoration or “realignment” of ecosystems as climate change and land use changes progress. The objective of our study was to provide an up-to-date, comprehensive summary of presettlement fire frequency estimates for California ecosystems dominated by woody plants, and to supply the basis for fire return interval departure (FRID) mapping and analysis in California. Using the LANDFIRE Biophysical Settings (BpS) vegetation-fire regime types as a framework, we used literature review and the outcomes of regional expert workshops to develop twenty-eight presettlement fire regime (PFR) groups based on similarity of their relationships with fire. We then conducted an exhaustive review of the published and unpublished literature pertaining to fire return intervals (FRIs) observed prior to significant Euro-American settlement in the twenty-eight PFRs, and summarized the values to provide a single estimate of the mean, median, mean minimum, and mean maximum FRI for each PFR. Much variability was evident among PFRs, with mean FRIs ranging from 11 yr to 610 yr, and median FRIs ranging from 7 yr to 610 yr; mean minimum FRIs ranged from 5 yr to 190 yr, and mean maximum FRIs ranged from 40 yr to 1440 yr. There was also high variability within many PFRs, and differences between minimum and maximum FRIs ranged from 32 yr to 1324 yr. Generally, median FRIs were lowest for productive drier forests such as yellow pine, dry and moist mixed conifer, and oak woodland (7 yr, 9 yr, 12 yr, and 12 yr, respectively). Median FRIs were highest for less productive woodlands such as pinyon-juniper (94 yr), high elevation types such as subalpine forest (132 yr), very dry types such as desert mixed shrub (610 yr), and productive moist forests such as spruce-hemlock (275 yr mean FRI). Our summary of California’s presettlement fire regimes should be a useful reference for scientists and resource managers, whether they are seeking a general estimate of the central tendency and variability of FRIs in a broadly defined vegetation type, background information for a planned restoration project or a mechanistic model of vegetation-fire interactions, or a list of literature pertaining to a specific vegetation type or geographic location.
Larval Attachment by Eversion of the Internal Sac in the Marine Bryozoan Bowerbankia gracilis (Ctenostomata: Vesicularioidea): A Muscle-Mediated Morphogenetic Movement

The larval morphology and settlement of the vesicularioid ctenostome bryozoan Bowerbankia gracilis has been investigated by light and electron microscopy in an attempt to elucidate the mechanism of attachment to the substratum at the onset of metamorphosis. The oral epithelium in the free-swimming larva is infolded to form a glandular internal sac at the oral pole. The internal sac is not specialized into distinct regions, but consists of a uniform, simple columnar epithelium filled with secretory granules. The hemispherical internal sac is underlain by a cup-shaped layer of undifferentiated cells that constitutes the polypide rudiment. The cupiform layer of undifferentiated cells is in turn embraced by a network of muscle fibers called the rete muscularis. At the onset of metamorphosis, the larva constricts oro-laterally and the internal sac is everted against the substratum. As the sac everts, the glandular cells secrete an adhesive that is wafted up over the metamorphosing larva by the reversed beating of the coronal cilia. At the same time, the cupiform layer of undifferentiated cells flattens in the plane of the oro-lateral constriction and doubles in thickness. The cells of the cupiform layer undergo a corresponding transformation from short columnar cells to flask-shaped cells that bulge into the glandular cells of the internal sac. The narrow ends of the flask-shaped cells abut the strongly contracted muscle fibers of the rete muscularis. It is hypothesized that the contraction of the muscle fibers of the rete muscularis is responsible for the change in shape of the undifferentiated cells and, consequently, for the eversion of the internal sac. On the basis of this study and a review of the literature, it is concluded that attachment to the substratum at the onset of metamorphosis typically is effected by the eversion of an internal sac in larvae of the ctenostome superfamily Vesicularioidea.
Silver valence and local environments in borosilicate and calcium aluminoborate waste glasses as determined from X-ray absorption spectroscopy

Silver K-edge X-ray absorption near edge structure (XANES) and extended X-ray absorption fine structure (EXAFS) data were collected and analyzed to characterize silver (Ag) environments in borosilicate and Ca-aluminoborate glass formulations developed as potential candidates for the immobilization of certain nuclear wastes. Silver is found in some nuclear waste streams and must be encapsulated in glass during waste vitrification processes. A related concern deals with phase separation within these glasses and whether colloidal silver would be present in the glass melt, which could present processing issues, or in the waste glass product. Characterization of the silver environments provides useful information for optimizing the silver incorporation ability of such glasses. Data were also gathered on four crystalline standards: Ag-foil, Ag{sub 2}O, argentojarosite (AgFe{sub 3}(SO{sub 4}){sub 2}(OH){sub 6}), and AgO. XANES data indicate Ag{sup +} as the dominant species in the glasses. XANES and EXAFS data show that the average Ag environment in the Ca-aluminoborate glass is different compared with those in the two borosilicate glasses investigated. EXAFS analyses show that Ag in the borosilicate glasses is coordinated by two oxygens in a similar environment to that in crystalline Ag{sub 2}O, except that the associated Ag-O distances are approximately 0.10 Angstroms longermore » in the glass. Silver in the Ca-aluminoborate glass may be within one highly disordered site, or possibly, several different sites, where the average Ag-O distance, coordination number, and Debye-Waller factor are larger than those determined for the borosilicate glasses. Despite their relatively high silver contents, there is no evidence from XANES or EXAFS of colloidal silver in the glasses investigated.« less
“Our Own Little Language”: Naming and the Social Construction Of Alzheimer's Disease

Social meanings and cultural definitions attached to illness, disability, and aging have a powerful influence on the development and operations of medical care as well as the social, behavioral, and therapeutic processes occurring within these settings. Specialized care environments designed to meet the needs of what some would argue is a dramatically increasing population worldwide, those with Alzheimer's disease, have been dominated by a medical model of care where treatment of disease has primacy over person. In contrast to the medical model, the Certified Nursing Assistants (CNAs) at Starrmount (pseudonym) Alzheimer's Unit have socially constructed an alternative to the medical model of care through what I argue is the use of language and a process of “naming and reframing.” In this “different world,” as the CNAs call the world of the Unit, the resident is depicted as a socially responsive actor with a surviving self that is to be treated with respect. Using a symbolic interactionist framework, this paper examines the CNAs' construction and use of a “language of openings”—that is, the language arising out of the lifeworld of the residents—as the counterpoint to the “language of limits” of the medical model. Spoken everywhere but nowhere inscribed as “official” knowledge, this “little language,” as the CNAs speak of it, is the fundamental medium for social interaction in the Alzheimer's Unit.
Binary quadratic and cubic forms, and unipositive matrices

Abstract The classical method of reducing a positive binary quadratic form to a semi-reduced form applies translations alternately left and right to minimize the absolute value of the middle coefficient — and may therefore be called absolute reduction. There is an alternative method which keeps the sign of the middle coefficient constant before the end: we call this method positive reduction. Positive reduction seems to make possible an algorithm for finding the representations of 1 by a binary cubic form with real linear factors, and has various properties somewhat simpler than those of absolute reduction. Some of these properties involve unipositive matrices (with nonnegative integer elements and determinant 1). Certain semigroups of unipositive matrices with unique factorization into primes are described. Two of these semigroups give a neat approach to the reduction of indefinite binary quadratic forms—which may generalize. Some remarks on unimodular automorphs occur in Section 6.
Identification of a Bone Matrix-derived Chemotactic Factor

When demineralized bone matrix powder is implanted subcutaneously in the rat, the early responses involve the appearance and proliferation of mesenchymal cells at the site of implantation, followed by cartilage and bone formation. The ability of cells to migrate to the implant suggests that chemotaxis may be a critical event in this process. Therefore, using the modified Boyden chamber assay, we tested extracts of demineralized bone matrix for chemotactic activity. We have identified and partially purified, on molecular sieve chromatography, a heat labile and trypsin-sensitive protein (Mr=60,000–70,000) that is a potent chemoattractant for mouse calvaria, osteoblast-like cells (MMB-1), but not for monocytes (putative osteoclast precursors). These findings suggest that chemotactic protein(s) have a significant role in the recruitment of osteoprogenitor cells to a site of bone repair.
Clinical beam delivery of the Vanderbilt FEL: design and performance of a hollow-waveguide-based handheld probe for neurosurgery

The design of a handheld hollow waveguide-based probe is presented to deliver the unique output of the Vanderbilt Free Electron Laser (FEL) for medical applications. The neurosurgical hand piece incorporates a hollow waveguide, a focusing microlens, an optical fiber to deliver an aiming beam ((lambda) equals 632 nm) and a channel for purging the probe with nitrogen. The hollow waveguide is preferentially used to transmit a wavelength of lambda equals 6.45 micrometer (vibration mode of the amide-II band) and is able to tolerate the high peak intensity (greater than 10 14 W/m 2 ) of the picosecond micropulses of the FEL. The calcium fluoride lens focuses the beam to a spot diameter of 400 micrometer at a working distance of 20 mm. To maximize the transmission of the probe, the hollow waveguide is purged with nitrogen to prevent atmospheric absorption at 6.45 micrometer. Temporal broadening of the micro pulses that propagate in the hollow wave guide was studied using intensity autocorrelation measurements and beam profile measurements with a pyroelectric camera. Design consequences and application of the probe for FEL neurosurgery are discussed.
On the Thomson effect in thermoelectric power devices

Abstract Most thermoelectric device modeling neglects the non-linear Thomson effect in order to develop a closed-form solution to the governing heat equation. This simplified solution is beneficial for system modeling and optimization when more intensive numerical techniques are prohibitive. An averaged Seebeck coefficient is often used in conjunction with the closed-form solution to incorporate approximately the effect of this neglected term (termed the “standard model”). While the standard model has been accepted in the past for materials under small temperature gradients and relatively constant Seebeck coefficient, there has not been a systematic assessment of validity of this modeling approach, especially for emerging materials and large temperature gradients. This work rigorously demonstrates the accuracy and limitations of the standard model through analytical derivation and comparison with an efficient numerical solution. It is proven that the standard model produces the exact module output power if an integral-averaged Seebeck coefficient is used, and also that the standard model provides a reasonably-accurate estimation of module efficiency, despite its limiting assumptions. These findings prove that the standard model in fact incorporates the Thomson effect with sufficient accuracy that it may be used to simulate and optimize thermoelectric systems as an alternative to computationally expensive numerical simulations.
The effect of insulin supplementation on diabetes-induced alterations in the extractable levels of functional mitochondrial anion transport proteins.

The effect of insulin supplementation on diabetes-induced alterations in the levels of functional mitochondrial anion transport proteins has been determined. The experimental approach consisted of the extraction of the pyruvate, dicarboxylate, and citrate transport proteins from the mitochondrial inner membrane with Triton X-114 using rat liver mitoplasts (prepared from control, diabetic, or insulin-supplemented diabetic animals) as the starting material, followed by the reconstitution of the function of each transporter in a proteoliposomal system. This experimental strategy permitted the quantification of the functional levels of these three transporters in the absence of the complications that arise when such measurements are carried out with intact mitochondria (or mitoplasts). We found that treatment of diabetic rats (i.e., animals that were injected with streptozotocin 3 weeks earlier) on a daily basis with insulin for 3 weeks resulted in a reversal of the diabetes-induced (a) increase in the extractable and reconstitutable total (and specific) transport activities of the pyruvate and dicarboxylate transporters and (b) decrease in the activity of the citrate transporter. These findings indicate that diabetes-induced alterations in the functional levels of mitochondrial anion transport proteins are a direct consequence of the insulin insufficiency that characterizes this disease. Furthermore, this study provides the first demonstration that insulin participates in the regulation of the functional levels of liver mitochondrial anion transport proteins.
Thalidomide in the concurrent management of recurrent aphthous ulcerations and Kaposi sarcoma in HIV patients with severe immunosuppression

Summary Thalidomide is a complex immunomodulatory and antiangiogenic agent whose role in oncology practice is as yet not fully clear. We present an unusual case documenting the use of thalidomide in the concurrent management of recurrent aphthous ulceration and kaposi sarcoma in a patient with severe immmunosuppression.
Modeling and tracking of public transit in urban environments

Advanced Traveler Information Systems provide real-time transit information concerning location of vehicles and the predicted arrival times. Such information is based on estimates of the state of the vehicles from on-board sensors, and models of vehicle motion through traffic. In this paper, we propose new models and algorithms to track public transit in urban environment. The new models incorporate side information such as average speed on a segment of road, quality of GPS estimation, desired path and road interconnectivity. This side information is either known apriori or can be learned in real time through communication among vehicles. We develop a model of interconnected road segments, each of which has a different dynamical model for the possible motion. The resulting model is a hybrid system, with state dependent transitions as vehicles traverse from segment to segment. We develop new estimation algorithms that incorporate the state-dependent switching among models by using adaptive predictors to estimate switching times. We show through simulation the relative advantages of the different estimation approaches.
The distance marketing of financial services — A UK overview

This paper begins with an analysis of how the Distance Marketing of Consumer Financial Services Directive has been implemented in the UK under English law and its key provisions. The paper then progresses into the fields of the E-Commerce Regulations, the Privacy and Electronic Communications (EC Directive) Regulations 2003 and data protection issues. Overall, the paper provides an overview of the legislative framework that must be complied with in order, successfully and legally, to market financial services to consumers at a distance.
Low complexity iterative joint detection, decoding, and channel estimation for wireless MIMO system

The computational complexity of current iterative MIMO detector and channel estimator is high and the hardware design of MMSE soft detector with interference cancellation has not been discussed. This paper proposes a few techniques and their corresponding VLSI architectures to reduce the power consumption and computation time. First technique that is based on monitoring symbol mean and variance can reduce the complexity of iterative channel estimator and soft detector at the same time. The other two reuse previously computed information by loop or cache to simplify computation. Simulation results show these techniques can significantly reduce the computational complexity. The architecture of the soft detector and a low complexity low memory access channel estimator are also proposed. They are designed to reduce power consumption and computation time.
Sequence and unusual 3' flanking region of the rat tRNA[Ser]Sec gene.

Abstract The single rat selenocysteine tRNA ( tRNA[ Ser]Sec ) locus, including flanking sequence, was isolated by molecular cloning and its nucleotide (nt) sequence determined. In addition to the identification of likely regulatory elements 5′ of this gene, this analysis also revealed a novel 3′ repeat element consisting of three and a half repetitions of a 34-nt unit.
A Paleoclimatic Enigma

Major glaciations began in the Northern Hemisphere around 2.75 million years ago, after a long prior interval of climatic cooling. Numerous observations reveal how climate cooled before glacial onset, but our understanding of the driving forces behind the cooling remains incomplete.
Clinical significance of lower respiratory tract Aspergillus culture in elderly hospitalized patients

In order to evaluate the clinical significance of Aspergillus-positive culture results from the lower respiratory tract specimens of elderly hospitalized patients, and to identify the clinical variables that differentiate between colonization and infection with Aspergillus spp. in this patient population, a retrospective study was conducted. The records of 66 elderly patients whose lower respiratory tract specimens yielded Aspergillus spp. between January 1995 and July 2000 were examined. The majority of the patients (n=61) were determined to be colonized with Aspergillus spp., and serious lung infection due to Aspergillus spp. was rare. Clinical, radiological, and microbiological data did not help differentiate between infection and colonization.
The Y1 receptor subtype mediates the cardiovascular changes evoked by NPY administered into the posterior hypothalamic nucleus of conscious rat

An earlier study showed that the neuropeptide Y (NPY) receptor antagonist PYX-2 blocks the enhancement of a carbachol (CCh)-evoked pressor response produced by prior NPY administration into the posterior hypothalamic nucleus (PHN). The Y receptor subtype that mediates this response, and an increase in mean arterial pressure (MAP) and heart rate, remained unknown due to the lack of selectivity of PYX-2 for the Y receptor subtypes. Thus, the present study was undertaken to elucidate the Y receptor subtype responsible for mediating the NPY-evoked cardiovascular responses from the PHN by determining the rank order of potency of several NPY-related peptides for increasing MAP, and by correlating the pressor response evoked by these peptides to reported K(i)'s and IC(50)'s for the Y(1), Y(2), Y(4) and Y(5) receptor subtypes. The pharmacological profile (PYY>or=NPY>or=[Leu(31),Pro(34)]NPY>or=NPY(13-36)>or=hPP) and correlations suggest that the Y(1) and/or Y(5) receptor subtypes mediate these cardiovascular changes. Administration of the relatively non-selective Y receptor antagonist PYX-2 or the selective Y(1) receptor antagonist BIBP 3226 into the PHN prior to NPY completely blocked the cardiovascular responses. BIBP 3226 also blocked the cardiovascular changes evoked by [Leu(31),Pro(34)]NPY, NPY(13-36) and human pancreatic polypeptide (hPP). In contrast, neither BIBP 3226 nor PYX-2 inhibited the cardiovascular changes induced by peptide YY (PYY) or CCh microinjection into the PHN. These results show that NPY and PYY act on different receptors to mediate their respective cardiovascular changes from the PHN with NPY stimulating the Y(1) receptor.
Micro-environment and Plant Assemblage Structure on Virginia's Barrier Island "Pimple" Dunes

Abstract “Pimple” dunes are small, rounded coastal dunes that form along major dune ridges of the barrier islands along the Eastern Shore of Virginia. Although most pimple dunes are small structures ranging between 10 and 20 m in diameter, they have distinct plant assemblages that replicate the upland ecotones of their barrier islands. We examined the relationship between microenvironment, edaphic factors, and plant assemblage structure on pimple dunes. Water availability was an obvious major ecological driver, but we also tested other environmental factors that may correlate with plant assemblage structure. We found distinct assemblage types that segregated themselves by habitat type: marsh, shrub thicket, and dry summit. Freshwater availability was important in delineating vegetation differences, both among transects and among species. However, soil nutrients, such as ammonium, potassium, magnesium, and boron, were also spatially correlated with plant assemblage structure. We hypothesize that interactio...
Coherent interaction of spins induced by thermal bosonic environment

We obtain and analyze the indirect exchange interaction between two two-state systems, e.g., spins, in a formulation that also incorporates the quantum noise that they experience, due to a bosonic environment, for instance, phonons. We utilize a perturbative approach to obtain a quantum evolution equation for the two-spin dynamics. A nonperturbative approach is used to study the onset of the induced interaction, which is calculated exactly. We predict that for low enough temperatures the interaction is coherent over time scales sufficient to create entanglement, dominated by the zero-point quantum fluctuations of the environment. We identify the time scales for which the spins develop entanglement for various spatial separations.
Recent Advances in the Basic Science of Chondrosarcoma

Chondrosarcoma are a heterogeneous group of tumors whose treatment is limited to surgical removal. Molecular genetic analysis of these tumors has revealed some of the abnormalities responsible for the traits of the malignant phenotype.
Investigation Of The Effects Of Stiffness On Control Power Via A Morphing Wing Technology

The development of lightweight, flexible wings to improve the performance of an aircraft has been a desire of aircraft engineers since the dawn of the aerospace industry. For many years, wings have been designed stiff to counteract flutter and to meet the need for high speeds. Ailerons and flaps are primarily used for controlling the maneuverability of an aircraft. However, the mechanical actuation systems for these devices contribute significant weight to the wings and thus limit the performance of an aircraft. To reduce weight and increase the maneuverability of an aircraft, a wing morphing technique is proposed in this paper. This technique assumes that the wing structure is flexible enough to allow the wing to twist or bend to control the maneuverability of an aircraft without using ailerons or flaps. However, flexible wings require energy to deform and flutter is still a very important issue that needs to be addressed for flexible wings. Hence, the relationship between the degree of flexibility to meet stated performance requirements and both the desire for minimum control energy and the requirement for flutter avoidance is explored in this research. The research was conducted to determine how wing structural stiffness affects the energy required to deform the wing and to give insight into its performance range for which flutter is to be avoided. The study incorporates structural and aerodynamic modeling, controldesign optimization, and a candidate wing morphing technology. The results provide important information that designers of morphing wings can consult to explore the potential benefits of morphing wing technology.
The moral responsibilities of stockholders

This paper attempts to address the question of the ethical obligations of stockholders. Having presumed a rather narrow conception of the nature of property, and citing the limitations on stockholders rights and/or power, some have suggested that stockholders have no significant moral responsibilities. Others say that stockholders have moral responsibilities which they derive from the fact that the shareholders of a corporation are the legal owners of it. This article first of all, contests the view that stockholders have no responsibilities regarding the moral or immoral activities of the corporation in which they invest. It will be maintained, however, that while stockholders have moral responsibilities to monitor corporate decisions and perhaps, to actively try to influence the corporation to act morally, such ethical obligations cannot be derived solely from the stockholders' legal ownership of the corporation. The true ground of the moral obligations of stockholders is a social/political one and one which embraces a broadened conception of the nature of property.
Constraint-Preserving Boundary Conditions for the Linearized Baumgarte-Shapiro-Shibata-Nakamura Formulation

We derive two sets of explicit homogeneous algebraic constraint-preserving boundary conditions for the second-order in time reduction of the linearized Baumgarte-Shapiro-Shibata-Nakamura (BSSN) system. Our second-order reduction involves components of the linearized extrinsic curvature only. An initial-boundary value problem for the original linearized BSSN system is formulated and the existence of the solution is proved using the properties of the reduced system. A treatment is proposed for the full nonlinear BSSN system to construct constraint-preserving boundary conditions without invoking the second order in time reduction. Energy estimates on the principal part of the BSSN system (which is first order in temporal and second order in spatial derivatives) are obtained. Generalizations to the case of nonhomogeneous boundary data are proposed.
CHARACTERIZATION OF WATER‐SATURATED POROUS CEMENT PASTE BY A LASER BASED ULTRASONIC NDE TECHNIQUE

A laser based ultrasonic technique is explored for predicting the mechanical integrity and durability of cementitious materials. It is well known that these properties depend on the mechanical properties, and structural properties including porosity and permeability. The technique used involves the measurement of the phase velocity of fast and slow longitudinal waves in water saturated cement paste. The slow wave velocity is related to the specimen’s tortuosity, which is closely related to the permeability. The fast wave speed is dependent on the elastic properties of porous solid. Experimental results detailing the generation and detection of fast and slow wave waves in freshly prepared and aged water‐saturated cement samples with varying water‐to‐cement ratios are presented.
Attachment of ampicillin to expanded poly(tetrafluoroethylene): surface reactions leading to inhibition of microbial growth.

The broad spectrum antibiotic, ampicillin (AM), was reacted to expanded poly (tetrafluoroethylene) (ePTFE) surfaces and resulted in the formation of antimicrobial surfaces effective against gram-positive, Staphylococcus aureus, Bacillus thuringiensis, and Enterococcus faecalis, and gram-negative, Escherichia coli, Pseudomonas putida, and Salmonella enterica bacteria. These ePTFE surface modifications were accomplished by utilization of microwave maleic anhydride (MA) plasma reactions leading to the formation of acid groups, followed by amidation reactions of heterofunctional NH2/COOH-terminated polyethylene glycol (PEG). The final step, the attachment of AM to the PEG spacer, was achieved by amidation reactions between COOH-terminated PEG and NH2 groups of AM. This approach protects the COOH-AM functionality and diminishes the possibility of hydrolysis of the antimicrobial active portion of AM. These studies also show that approximately 90% of AM molecules are still covalently attached to PEG-MA-ePTFE sur...
Agroforestry as an approach to minimizing nutrient loss from heavily fertilized soils: The Florida experience

Nutrient buildup in the soil caused by increased animal manure and fertilizer use in agricultural and forestry practices may increase the potential for their loss from the soil, leading to groundwater contamination and nonpoint source pollution. Studies in the tropics have suggested that agroforestry practices can reduce such nutrient (especially nitrogen) losses because of enhanced nutrient uptake by tree and crop roots from varying soil depths, compared to more localized and shallow rooting depths of sole crop stands. In temperate systems, such benefits have been well documented for riparian forest buffer practices. Currently, other temperate agroforestry practices are also being considered for their potential to reduce runoff and leaching of chemicals and thereby improve environmental quality within the agricultural landscape. In this regard, the ‘Florida P-Index,’ which considers both phosphorus transport characteristics and management practices, may be a useful tool in the evaluation of nutrient management practices and environmental benefits of agroforestry. Preliminary results from an alleycropping site and a silvopastoral site on two different soil types in Florida suggest that both of these agroforestry practices will likely reduce nutrient loss compared to conventional agricultural practices. The primary aspects of P-Index include consideration of transport factors such as soil erosion, soil runoff class, leaching potential, and distance from a water body along with management factors such as soil test P, P application method, and source and rate of P application. P-Index evaluation of these studies indicates that both agroforestry sites can be on a nitrogen-based nutrient management program. The relevance of some management practices such as application of manure vs. inorganic fertilizer is also discussed in light of the P-Index and the two agroforestry practices.
Neutron flux density and secondary-particle energy spectra at the 184-inch synchrocyclotron medical facility

We have identified the sources of neutron production in the beam transport system of the 720-MeV helium beam used for radiation therapy at the 184-in synchrocyclotron of the Lawrence Berkeley Laboratory, and determined their magnitude. Measurements with activation detectors of differing energy response were used to unfold secondary particle spectra at various locations on the patient table. The effect of charged particles was estimated using a calculation of neutron-flux densities derived from published cross sections. The absorbed dose, as a function of distance from the beam axis, was calculated using the unfolded spectra and evaluated fluence-to-dose conversion factors. The values of absorbed dose obtained from the unfolding of experimental data agree with the values obtained from the calculated spectra within the estimated uncertainty of +/- 25%. These values are approximately 5 X 10(-3) rad on the beam axis and approximately 1 X 10(-3) rad at distances greater than 20 cm, perpendicular to the beam axis, per rad deposited by the incident alpha-particle beam in the plateau. Estimates of upper limits of dose to two critical organs, the lens of the eye and red bone marrow, are approximately 25 rad and approximately 5 rad, respectively, for a typical treatment plan.
Short-Form Scoring for Mc Clelland's Version of the TAT

Time needed to score TAT protocols may be reduced one-half or more by using a short-form scoring method that includes only the scoring for need imagery rather than the entire range of subcategories. A rescoring of 478 TAT coding sheets for six previous studies by the present author shows correlations in the mid-80s for the single-item scoring version of need Achievement, need Affiliation, and need Power. Although raw scores from the short form and long form are not comparable, the short-form scores appear to predict the same dominant need profiles as the original McClelland TAT coding. It may be reasonable then to substitute the short-form scoring for the full TAT coding when time is an issue.
Transport and characterization of ambient biological aerosol near Laurel, MD

Abstract. Bacterial aerosol have been observed and studied in the ambient environment since the mid nineteenth century. These studies have sought to provide a better understanding of the diversity, variability and factors that control the biological aerosol population. In this study, we show comparisons between diversity of culturable bacteria and fungi, using culture and clinical biochemical tests, and 16S rRNA diversity using Affymetrix PhyloChips. Comparing the culturable fraction and surveying the total 16S rRNA of each sample provides a comprehensive look at the bacterial population studied and allows comparison with previous studies. Thirty-six hour back-trajectories of the air parcels sampled, over the two day period beginning 4 November 2008, provide information on the sources of aerosol sampled on the campus of Johns Hopkins University Applied Physics Laboratory in Laurel, MD. This study indicates that back-trajectory modeling of air parcels may provide insights into the observed diversity of biological aerosol.
Steady state kinetics of an enzyme reaction with one substrate and one modifier

This study examines the steady state kinetics of a reaction involving an enzyme, a substrate and a modifier when the reaction follows Michaelis-Menten kinetics. Conditions for Michaelis-Menten kinetics are deduced, and it is shown that an analogue of detailed balance determines the complexity of the rate equations in these cases. A scheme to distinguish many cases of Michaelis-Menten kinetics is presented. It is shown that steady state kinetics are, in general, insufficient to specify the mechanism of a reaction, since different effects of a modifier can give identical steady state kinetic data.