cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
A Review of Scrub Typhus (Orientia tsutsugamushi and Related Organisms): Then, Now, and Tomorrow.

Scrub typhus and the rickettsial diseases represent some of the oldest recognized vector-transmitted diseases, fraught with a rich historical aspect, particularly as applied to military/wartime situations. The vectors of Orientia tsutsugamushi were once thought to be confined to an area designated as the Tsutsugamushi Triangle. However, recent reports of scrub typhus caused by Orientia species other than O. tsutsugamushi well beyond the limits of the Tsutsugamushi Triangle have triggered concerns about the worldwide presence of scrub typhus. It is not known whether the vectors of O. tsutsugamushi will be the same for the new Orientia species, and this should be a consideration during outbreak/surveillance investigations. Additionally, concerns surrounding the antibiotic resistance of O. tsutsugamushi have led to considerations for the amendment of treatment protocols, and the need for enhanced public health awareness in both the civilian and medical professional communities. In this review, we discuss the history, outbreaks, antibiotic resistance, and burgeoning genomic advances associated with one of the world’s oldest recognized vector-borne pathogens, O. tsutsugamushi.
Seatbelt use is associated with lower risk of high-grade hepatic injury in motor vehicle crashes in a national sample.

Background Seatbelt use, alone and in conjunction with an airbag, is associated with lower risk of mortality, blunt abdominal trauma and kidney injury in motor vehicle crashes (MVCs). However, the effect of these protective devices on risk of severe liver injury is not well characterised. Methods This retrospective cohort study included patient admissions with liver injuries from MVCs from the National Trauma Data Bank (NTDB), collected from 2010 to 2015 in the USA. We examined associations between injury severity and seatbelt use and airbag presence individually and in the presence of additive interaction. Secondary outcomes were mortality, complications and discharge disposition. Results We analysed 55 543 records from the National Trauma Data Bank. In adjusted analysis, seatbelt use alone was protective against severe (AAST VI or above) hepatic injury (risk ratio (RR) 0.79, 95% CI 0.75 to 0.84), while airbag presence alone was not (RR 1.05, 95% CI 0.8 to 1.12). The joint association of seatbelt use and airbag presence with injury severity was greater than seatbelts alone (RR 0.74, 95% CI 0.70 to 0.79), with 13% of the joint lower risk attributable to interaction (95% CI 3% to 24%). The adjusted mortality risk of those without protective devices (10.3%, n=2297) was nearly double that of patients who used a seatbelt in conjunction with a present airbag (5.3%, n=699, p Conclusions Seatbelts are associated with lower liver injury severity and are more protective with airbags present, while airbags without seatbelt use were not protective against severe injury among patients with liver injury.
Performance evaluation of direct forced-air total solids and Kjeldahl total nitrogen methods : 1990 through 1995

Results from collaborative studies of the performance of the direct forced-air oven-drying method for determination of milk total solids content (AOAC Method 990.20) and the Kjeldahl total nitrogen method for determination of milk total nitrogen content (AOAC Method 991.20) were published in 1989 and 1990, respectively. Method performance was characterized by using the harmonized ISO/IU-PAC/AOAC guidelines for method validation, and the methods now have final action status. During 1990 through 1995, the split sample collaborative study format was used to monitor the performance of these methods as part of a multilaboratory quality assurance program. Seven blind duplicate milk materials were sent from a central laboratory once every 2 months to participating laboratories. Data were analyzed with the same statistical procedures used in the original collaborative studies. Compared with the original collaborative study, the repeatability and reproducibility of the oven-drying method improved over time. For the Kjeldahl total nitrogen method, within-laboratory repeatability improved slightly, whereas between-laboratory reproducibility was similar to but not always as good as in the original study. The results demonstrate that the statistical protocol for collaborative studies can be used effectively as the basis for a multilaboratory quality assurance program and that the method performance achieved in a collaborative study can be maintained and even improved with time.
Measures of Expressive Language

This chapter presents the data related to expressive language functioning for the VL2 Psychometric Toolkit Project. The data were generated using two measures of phonemic fluency, F–A–S and the sign-based analogue 5–1–U developed for this study, and two semantic category fluency tasks, animal and food naming. The latter tasks were administered following both of the phonemic fluency tasks to investigate the impacts of linguistic priming. The sample was comprised of deaf college students evaluated as part of the VL2 Psychometric Toolkit. In addition to providing descriptive statistics, correlations with a brief measure of nonverbal intelligence and measures of executive, visuospatial, memory, and other aspects of linguistic functioning and academic achievement administered concurrently as part of the VL2 Toolkit are presented. The relationships observed are discussed in the context of both research in the general population and, when available, previous research with deaf individuals.
Fermi Surface Studies in Disordered Alloys: Positron Annihilation Experiments

In these lectures we shall outline the use of the positron (e+) annihilation technique for the study of electrons (e-) in metals and, in particular, in non-dilute disordered alloys. The behavior of slow e+-s in condensed matter has been the subject of intense experimental and theoretical investigations during the last two decades, and the field has been reviewed thoroughly;1 positron annihilation has become a useful new tool in solid state physics. By studying the various properties of annihilation quanta one obtains direct information about the electrons the positrons annihilate with. In particular the 2γ angular correlation of annihilation radiation (ACAR) reflects, by momentum conservation, the momentum density of the annihilating e+-e-pair. Discontinuities in the correlation curves can be used to mea-sure the size and shape of the Fermi surface (FS) in pure metals as well as in alloys. If the behavior of the e+ is sufficiently well understood and the effect of the e+-e- Coulomb interaction sufficiently well accounted for, the ACAR measurements can lead, as we shall see, to a test of the electronic wavefunctions of the system under investigation.
Low temperature dry reforming of methane over Pt–Ni–Mg/ceria–zirconia catalysts

Abstract Low temperature dry reforming of methane was studied over platinum (0.2–2 wt.%) and/or nickel (8 wt.%) and magnesium (8 wt.%) immobilized onto a ceria–zirconia support. Ceria–zirconia (0.6:0.4) solid solutions were synthesized by precipitation and the metals were loaded by the incipient wetness method. XRD patterns demonstrated that the support was a cubic fluorite structure and Ni and Mg were deposited onto it. Temperature-programmed reduction showed that Pt addition substantially decreased the reduction temperature and the impact became less prominent with increasing Pt loading. The Ni–Mg/(Ce 0.6 Zr 0.4 )O 2 had the highest number of basic sites and the amounts decreased with the addition of platinum. The lowest CH 4 and CO 2 conversion ( X 10 ) temperatures were achieved at 454 °C and 437 °C, respectively, using a 0.5% Pt–Ni–Mg/(Ce 0.6 Zr 0.4 )O 2 catalyst. This catalyst was optimum because it balanced between the enhanced reducibility and decreasing number of basic sites, which both occurred with increasing Pt loading. Dry reforming experiments also indicated that Pt decreased the reaction onset temperature for methane and CO 2 and correlated to a slight decrease in the H 2 :CO ratio (though still higher than for the 0.5% Pt–Ce 0.6 Zr 0.4 O 2 control catalyst). Steady-state reaction experiments were conducted between 430 and 470 °C for the best catalyst and the results showed TOFs increasing from 2.69 to 4.74 s −1 with increasing temperature and minimal deactivation when left on stream for 100.5 h. A comparison to literature indicates that the Pt/Ni/Mg/Ce 0.6 Zr 0.4 O 2 catalyst has among the highest activities, especially if Ir and Rh catalysts are not included.
National Assessment of Nursing Schools and Nurse Educators Readiness for Radiation Emergencies and Nuclear Events

Nurses will play a crucial role in responding to a public health emergency resulting from nuclear war or other large-scale release of radiation into the environment and in supporting the National Health Security Strategy. Schools of nursing are ultimately responsible for developing a competent nursing workforce prepared to assess a population's public health emergency needs and respond to these low-frequency but high-impact events. This responsibility includes the provision of specific content and training regarding how to respond and care for patients and communities in the event of a nuclear or radiation emergency. To date, however, there has been a lack of empirical evidence focusing specifically on nursing schools' capacity to prepare nurses for radiation emergencies and nuclear events, as well as perception of risk. This study employed a cross-sectional survey administered to a nationwide sample of nursing school administrators and faculty to assess content, faculty expertise, planning, and perception of risk related to radiation emergencies and nuclear events.
Hotspot prioritizations show sensitivity to data type

Prioritizing regions for conservation is essential for effectively allocating limited conservation resources. One of the most common approaches to prioritization is identifying regions with the highest biodiversity, or hotspots, typically using global range map data. Range maps are readily available at large scales for an array of taxa, but are also known to differ from local-scale survey data in the same regions. We examined how prioritizations may differ between range map and survey data using the North American Breeding Bird survey (BBS) and BirdLife International range maps as a case study. Hotspot prioritizations were generated for species richness and the richness of rare species at two scales. Total species richness patterns differed substantially between data types with at most a 41% overlap in identified hotspots. Some regions had few or no hotspots for one data type and a significant number for the other. Hotspots for rare species were more similar across the data types with 44% overlap at the larger scale. Future efforts to prioritize areas for conservation should consider differences between local-scale survey data and range maps, match data to the scale of interest, and develop methods to better downscale range map-based prioritizations to the scale of conservation decisions.
Calcium-Catalyzed Formal [5 + 2] Cycloadditions of Alkylidene β-Ketoesters with Olefins: Chemodivergent Synthesis of Highly Functionalized Cyclohepta[b]indole Derivatives

The calcium-catalyzed, formal [5 + 2] cycloaddition of indolyl alkylidene β-ketoesters with mono- and disubstituted aryl olefins to form cyclohepta[b]indole derivatives has been established. Unanti...
Takings As Compulsory Purchase of Commercial Units

This article examines recent Supreme Court decisions regarding private property and eminent domain vis-a-vis growing demands for government controls over land use, especially to ameliorate climate change and to reduce regional economic disparities. It notes that tension between the Court’s amorphous regulatory takings jurisprudence and assertive regulation will increase, a trend likely to be heightened after Knick v Township of Scott. Its contribution is the assertions that the current judicial regulatory takings apparatus be replaced with the doctrine that, if owners can demonstrate that the property arrogated by government consists of a “commercial unit,” then the matter should be deemed a compulsory purchase, and just compensation paid. Of course, borderline and unusual circumstances dictate some continued reliance on substantive due process, which already plays a crucial, if unacknowledged, role in contemporary regulatory takings doctrine.
Obtaining order in the “frustrated” landscape of disordered magnetism

Identifying a material’s magnetic structure is a key to unlocking new features and higher performance in electronic devices. However, solving increasingly complex magnetic structures requires incre...
Potential Role of Growth Hormone in a Pediatric Transient Ischemic Attack

Growth hormone (GH) is often prescribed in pediatric populations with short stature and is associated with several potential adverse events. One underrecognized potential adverse event is its effect on intracerebral vasculature, with concern for its ability to cause cerebrovascular accident. We present a pediatric case of presumed transient ischemic attack in the setting of chronic GH administration for idiopathic short stature syndrome. We propose potential pathogenic mechanisms for intracerebral vessel stenosis. We hope this case becomes a resource for clinicians and other healthcare providers when deciding whether or not to start GH in their young patients.
Use of multiple anticholinergic medications can predispose patients to severe non-exertional hyperthermia

We present a case of a 64-year-old woman who developed severe non-exertional hyperthermia (NEHT) due to excessive anticholinergic effects from her psychiatric medications. The patient was found unresponsive in a non-air-conditioned room where the outside temperature was over 33°C. She presented with altered mental status, hypotension and an oral temperature of 42°C. Drug-drug interactions from her home medications for depression, bipolar disorder and seizures (amitriptyline, cyclobenzaprine, benztropine, topiramate, clonazepam, trazodone) were suspected. Blood cultures grew Staphylococcus hominis The patient quickly returned to baseline with supportive care in the intensive care unit. She was treated for the Staph hominis bacteraemia with a 7-day course of vancomycin. Due to her quick recovery and lack of neurological findings, severe NEHT with associated bacteraemia was determined to have caused her presenting symptoms. This patient's multiple anticholinergic medications increased her susceptibility to develop NEHT by inhibited sweating, this patient's natural cooling mechanism.
Phenomapping a Novel Classification System for Patients With Destination Therapy Left Ventricular Assist Devices.

Patients with continuous flow destination therapy (DT) left ventricular assist devices (LVAD) comprise a heterogeneous population. We hypothesized that phenotypic clustering of individuals with DT LVADs by their implantation characteristics will be associated with different long-term risk profiles. We analyzed 5,999 patients with continuous flow DT LVADs in Interagency Registry for Mechanically Assisted Circulatory Support using 18 continuous variable baseline characteristics. We Z-transformed the variables and applied a Gaussian finite mixture model to perform unsupervised clustering resulting in identification of 4 phenogroups. Survival analyses considered the competing risk for cumulative incidence of transplant or the composite end point of death or heart transplant where appropriate. Phenogroup 1 (n = 1,163, 19%) was older (71 years) and primarily white (81%). Phenogroups 2 (n = 648, 11%) and 3 (n = 3,671, 61%) were of intermediate age (70 and 62 years), weight (85 and 87 kg), and ventricular size. Phenogroup 4 (n = 517, 9%) was younger (40 years), heavier (108 kg), and more racially diverse. The cumulative incidence of death, heart transplant, bleeding, LVAD malfunction, and LVAD thrombosis differed among phenogroups. The highest incidence of death and the lowest rate of heart transplant was seen in phenogroup 1 (p
Technological Availability: Structural and Macro Factors

The above scenario describes some of the conditions necessary for technologies to work. While Cindy lived in a dense urban area in an advanced economy, where the telecommunications infrastructure supported the convenient use of the latest technology—an eBook; not all consumers are equally fortunate. A quick examination of Amazon.com’s Kindle coverage, which relies on 3G networks, suggests that it is available in 100 countries (as of February 2010) but the coverage within a country varies. For instance, in the U.S., coverage is better in the densely populated northeastern states; but even within this region, the coverage is not as extensive in the larger or more rural states such as Pennsylvania or Vermont. The newest Kindle can be used wherever there is Wi-Fi connection but additional costs are incurred when 3G networks are used to access resources.
The Logic of Discovery: An Analysis of Three Approaches

Is there anything about the discovery of scientific theories that is of legitimate concern to the philosopher of science? The answer to this question is still controversial. Popper (1959), Hempel (1966), and Braithwaite (1955), for example, have categorically denied that anything like a logic of discovery is possible. On the other hand, the notion has been vigorously defended by C. S. Peirce and, more recently, by Hanson (1961), Achinstein (1970), Simon (1973), Shaffner (1974) and others.
Republicanism, Rhetoric, and Roman Political Thought: Sallust, Livy, and Tacitus

1. Introduction 2. An ambiguous republican: Sallust on fear, conflict, and community 3. Channeling conflict through antagonistic rhetoric in the War with Catiline 4. Exemplarity and goodwill in Livy's From the Founding of Rome 5. Tacitus on great men, bad rulers, and prudence 6. Tacitus' moral histories Epilogue.
Cutaneous adverse drug reaction associated with oral temozolomide presenting as dermal and subcutaneous plaques and nodules

Temozolomide (TMZ) is an alkylating drug most often used in the treatment of primary brain malignancies. Herein, we report an unusual cutaneous adverse drug reaction (ADR) associated with TMZ and characterized by temporally distinct dermal and subcutaneous hypersensitivity reactions.
The average orbit system upgrade for the Brookhaven AGS

The flexibility of the AGS: to accelerate protons, polarized protons and heavy ions requires average orbit instrumentation capable of performing over a wide range of beam intensity (10/sup 9/ to 6/spl times/10/sup 13/ charges) and accelerating frequency (1.7 MHz to 4.5 MHz). In addition, the system must be tolerant of dramatic changes in bunch shape, such as those occurring near transition. Reliability and maintenance issues preclude the use of active electronics within the high radiation environment of the AGS tunnel, prompting the use of remote bunch signal processing. Recently renovated electrostatic beam position detectors will be used to provide both radial and vertical bunch signals from 72 locations around the AGS. The high dynamic range requirement is addressed by using a narrowband implicit normalization scheme to provide a linear output with beam position. This paper will describe the basic objectives and design concepts for the AGS Average Orbit system upgrade.
The Role of Visualization in Understanding Data

This paper suggests a new visualization taxonomy to emphasize the scientist/user and his/her needs during data processing supported by visualization. A formal definition of data attributes and perceptual judgment (interpretation aim) ensures useful visual interpretation with less exploratory character.
A Ranking of State Governments' Efficient Use of Expenditures to Encourage Small Firm Births

We assume state governments are rational in their budgeting behavior. If this is true, then it is intuitive that they would allocate their expenditures so as to receive the maximum possible benefit for the least cost. Within the parameters of this study, we assume state governments work to receive the maximum number of firm births for the least amount of expenditure. Using regression analysis, we attempt to determine common state government expenditures that indirectly promote firm birth. We then employ non-parametric efficiency testing to rank states by their relative efficiency in using the significant expenditures to promote firm births. The regression results reveal three positive and significant expenditures in determining small firm birth, while relative efficiency rankings based on the use of these target expenditures indicate how states compare to their peers in terms of efficient expenditure use.
High dimensional pattern recognition using the recursive hyperspheric classification algorithm

The Recursive Hyperspheric Classification (RHC) algorithm is a novel technique that excels in classifying multivariate, labeled datasets, which may be used for identification of unknown feature vectors. When training the classifier system, RHC meticulously dissects an n-dimensional space into a taxonomic structure of classifiers, or hyperspheres. This algorithm methodically partitions the space into labeled classes. Structure and order materialize from this constant, recursive process of spawning hyperspheres; this constructs an organized hierarchical tree that, when traversed, allows labels, or classes, to be inferred from the current knowledgebase. In benchmarking, RHC boasts superior results compared to modern classification techniques. This paper offers a comprehensive examination of the RHC algorithm, including various improvements to the original version of the algorithm as well as new results of its application.
Design methodology of a combined battery-ultracapacitor energy storage unit for vehicle power management

Hybrid and electric vehicles (HEV, EV) require some form of energy storage in order to achieve load leveling or efficiently manage power flows, mainly when accelerating or decelerating. Traditionally, batteries have been used but recently ultracapacitors have become potential candidates for energy storage in HEV/EV applications. To this end, this paper first presents a methodology for determining whether an energy storage unit (ESU) should consist of only batteries, only ultracapacitors or a combination of both. An example illustrates the feasibility of the proposed ideas. Finally, the paper concludes with a cost analysis of the different ESU alternatives.
“I Know Down to My Ribs”: A Narrative Research Study on the Embodied Adult Learning of Creative Writers

This article reports the findings of a qualitative study that used narrative analysis to explore the role of embodied learning in the writing processes of creative writers. From a theoretical framework that draws on Merleau-Ponty’s philosophy of the body, Gendlin’s concepts of felt sense and focusing, and Jordi’s analysis of reflection for integrating mind and body, this study highlights one participant’s narrative and then discusses primary themes that emerged across narratives. Findings revealed a history of encouragement to write, writing that was used for healing, and an expanded sense of body awareness that encouraged flow in the writing process.
Automatic Modulation Classification under IQ Imbalance Using Supervised Learning

The process of classifying digital modulation schemes given IQ imbalance at the transmitter or receiver is studied using fourth and sixth order cumulants as features. Various methods of supervised learning are proposed in order to mitigate the effect of IQ imbalance at the receiver, including K-Nearest Neighbors (k-NN), Support Vector Machine (SVM), and decision tree learning. The impact of IQ imbalance at the transmitter is also observed, as well as the effect of IQ imbalance on the theoretical cumulant values for each modulation scheme. Through simulation, it is shown that supervised learning approaches are effective at compensating for the IQ imbalances that can occur at the receiver.
Racial differences in C-reactive protein levels during normal pregnancy.

Objective The purpose of this study was to characterize serum C-reactive protein (CRP) levels in a diverse population of healthy pregnant women with the use of a high sensitivity assay. Study Design We conducted a cross-sectional analysis of a cohort of 775 pregnant women. CRP was measured on serum specimens that were drawn at Results Median CRP was 4.8 mg/L (interquartile range, 0.63-15.7). Black women had higher median CRP values than did white women (7.68 vs 2.59 mg/L; P Conclusion Pregnancy is an inflammatory stressor. The cause of racial differences is unclear but may be important for understanding racial disparities in the incidence of inflammatory disorders such as preterm labor and preeclampsia.
Purification and properties of a cell-associated levan-sucrase from Streptococcus salivarius SS2.

Abstract The cell-associated levan-sucrase from Streptococcus salivarius was extracted from whole cells with sodium chloride. The crude enzyme preparation was purified 23-fold by gel filtration on A-15m and P-60 and by DEAE-cellulose chromatography. Two very closely migrating protein bands were revealed by disc gel electrophoresis in the purified preparation with only the slower band showing enzymic activity. The levan-sucrase had a molecular weight of about 34,500, had a K m for sucrose of 17 mM, was reversibly inhibited by EDTA and only slightly affected by sulphydryl reagents.
Coping with diabetes in adulthood: a meta-analysis

Objective A meta-analysis was performed to summarize the relations between coping dimensions (i.e., avoidance, approach, emotion-focused, and problem-focused) and indices of adjustment (i.e., overall, depression, anxiety, glycemic control) in individuals with diabetes.
Farmer Attitudes Toward Production of Perennial Energy Grasses in East Central Illinois: Implications for Community-Based Decision Making

Throughout the Midwestern United States, land owners and managers, mainly farmers, are increasingly considering the possibility of transforming industrial agricultural landscapes that currently are used almost strictly for food production to landscapes that include renewable energy production. Because most land in this region is privately owned and independently farmed, transformation of the landscape will be the product of myriad decisions by individual farmers. Little is known about the geographic, environmental, and sociocultural forces that influence farmers’ decisions. We use survey methods and a geographic information system (GIS)-aided focus group to elicit farmers’ perspectives on growing perennial energy grasses such as switchgrass in central Illinois. Approximately one third of surveyed farmers are willing to plant energy grasses if a local market exists. Farmers’ planting decisions are bound up with their understandings of land suitability for planting at the farmstead and regional scales. Thro...
Starch synthases and starch branching enzymes from Pisum sativum

Abstract Concentrations of ADPglucose:α-1,4-glucan-4-glucosyltransferase (starch synthase) and α-1,4 glucan: α-1,4-glucan-6-glycosyltransferase (branching enzyme) from developing seeds of Pisum sativum were measured. Primed starch synthase activity increased from 8 to 14 days after anthesis and decreased by 50 % at 26 days. Citrate-stimulated starch synthase activity was highest at 10 days after anthesis decreasing to low levels by 22 days. Branching enzyme activity increased from 8 to 18 days after anthesis and decreased little by 26 days. Two fractions of starch synthase were recovered by gradient elution from DEAE-cellulose of extracts from 12- and 18-day-old seeds. The two fractions differed in primer specificity, Km for ADPG and relative amounts of citrate-stimulated activity. A major and minor fraction of branching enzyme were observed in extracts from both 12- and 18-day-old seeds. Marked differences in the relative abilities ofthe two branching enzyme fractions to stimulate phosphorylase and to branch amylose as well as pH optima were found. Although the content of the starch synthase and branching enzyme fractions varied with seed age, little difference was seen in the properties of chromatographically similar fractions. Therefore, the changes in starch synthase and branching enzyme activity during pea seed development resulted from changes in the concentrations of a few enzyme forms, but not the appearance of different enzyme forms.
The rotating rod viscometer

This paper reports the development of practical methods of viscometry to characterize non-Newtonian fluids in slow flow. It is shown that measurements of the free surface near rods rotating in STP and polyacrylamide are accurate, reproducible, and in excellent agreement with a theory of rod climbing. Results are presented that establish the theory and experiment as a viscometer for determining the values of certain (Rivlin-Ericksen) constants that arise in the theory of slow flow. The variation of these constants with temperature in our sample of STP has been explicitly and accurately determined. The experiments in STP show that there is a range of rotational speeds for which STP may be well described by the fluids of grade four. Depth-averaged equations are derived from the equations governing steady axisymmetric flow of any incompressible simple fluid. From the depth-averaged equations, we prove a theorem about the variation of the torque required to turn the rod.
Categories of social relationship

The study of social relationships lies at the heart of the social sciences, but our understanding of the cognitive structures that support them has received little attention. This paper develops an account of the form and content of these structures, arguing that social relationships are represented by a small number of categories, rather than by dimensions as proposed by others. Taxometric analyses demonstrated that categories proposed by Fiske (1991) are truly discrete, controverting dimensional representation and one possible form of prototype structure. The categories appear to combine in the specification of actually existing social relationships, and are more informative, or "basic", then colloquial relationship categories.
A knowledge-based approach to spacecraft distributed modeling and simulation

Abstract The Johns Hopkins University Applied Physics Laboratory is developing a knowledge-based approach to spacecraft distributed modeling and simulation and to sustaining design knowledge. We define an object-oriented decomposition of a virtual spacecraft into both functional and physical classes, and standardize the class methods. Simulations of spacecraft components inherit from the classes and implement the standard methods as well as their own special methods. Federated simulations of spacecraft system designs can integrate multiple component simulations in a plug-and-play fashion through the standard interfaces. We also define a knowledge-based architecture that captures and synthesizes the object-oriented standards, component simulation descriptions, and designs of spacecraft systems. Software tools extract abstract simulation specifications from the knowledge base and create files that drive platform-specific federated simulations. Finally, we define a knowledge-based approach to sustaining design and design process knowledge to facilitate the design process of current and future spacecraft.
Velocity distribution in spectral line shape

Abstract In the derivation of the conventional Voigt profile formula, the width parameter of the Lorentz line shape formula is assumed to be independent of the velocity of radiating atoms. This assumption is acceptable when the pressure broadening is negligibly small in comparison with the natural broadening. When pressure broadening is more important than the natural broadening, however, the conventional Voigt profile formula is not valid since the width parameter depends appreciably on the velocity. The resulting profile is shown to yield about 30 per cent lower intensity than the Voigt profile in the tail region. Even when the Doppler effect is completely negligible (low-temperature limit), our profile deviates from the Lorentz profile, particularly in the tail region.
L-tryptophan binding to hepatic nuclei: Age and species differences

The present experiments report differences in in vitro nuclear binding affinity for L-tryptophan 1) between livers of young (6 1/2 weeks old) and older (30 weeks old) NZBWF1 mice, but not so in similar aged Swiss mice, and also, 2) in livers of hamsters compared to livers of guinea pigs. In vitro hepatic nuclear specific binding affinity after tube-feeding L-tryptophan (520mg/100g body weight) to mice 1 h before killing revealed less in young than in older NZWBF1 mice, comparable to the above in vitro assay studies. In vitro nuclear binding affinity for L-tryptophan of livers of hamsters was significantly less than that of livers of guinea pigs or Swiss mice. In general, the degree of stimulatory effect on hepatic protein synthesis, as measured by in vitro [14C]leucine incorporation into protein using microsomes of animals tube-fed L-tryptophan 1 h before killing compared to that of animals tubefed water, correlated with the basal nuclear specific binding affinity to L-tryptophan of the animals (ages and species) used.
Investigating the effectiveness of early programming-centric models for IT education

Computer Science and Information Technology education offers significant challenges for both educators and students. Oftentimes students may not have much experience with logic, math and reasoning which may inhibit the transfer of knowledge in early stages. If, on the other hand, students have some prior experience, it may facilitate the understanding of early and mid-term concepts and will hopefully produce a more gradual learning curve for students to follow. This paper discusses a boot camp that was offered to incoming IT students and provides the results.
Housing deficits as a frame for housing policy: demographic change, economic crisis and household formation in Indonesia

The idea of housing deficit is a common, seemingly objective frame for housing policies that promote increased supply. This paper critically examines the concept through a case study of Indonesia, where different sources report a deficit of between 3 and 14 million dwelling units estimated without a transparent methodology. The wide range of estimates demonstrates the multiple interpretations of the term's meaning. In the paper, changes in household formation trends in urban Indonesia from 1990 to 2007 are used to estimate a quantitative housing deficit. I find the decreasing rate of household formation that is being interpreted as a housing deficit. However, this interpretation is complicated by the country's demographic transition and the high urbanization rate. Further, the abrupt change in household formation occurred around the year 2000, suggesting that the economic and political upheavals following the Asian financial crisis played an important role. Comparison of household formation rates across s...
Bulk preferred orientation in superconducting YBa2Cu3Ox

Abstract We have studied the orientation of grains in a series of YBa2Cu3Ox pellets that were fabricated with the normal processing steps used in the solid state reaction method. Using x-ray diffraction, we show that the crystallites near the surface to which pressure is applied tend to be oriented with their c-axes parallel to the direction of pressure, and that the degree of orientation increases with the number of processing steps the pellet has undergone until saturation is reached. The orientations of crystallites inside the pellets are studied using polarized Raman spectroscopy on a phonon line that involves vibrations of the O(1) oxygen atom along the c-axis. These orientations are found to track the surface orientations almost exactly, demonstrating that the crystallites are aligned throughout the bulk of the pellets.
Bistability, hysteresis and critical behavior of a CO2 laser, with SF6 intracavity as a saturable absorber

Abstract We observed discontinuous response and hysteresis in a CO 2 laser cavity containing SF 6 . The transitions for the onset and extinction of lasing were located for varying amplifications and attenuation parameters, and a “phase diagram” was constructed. Macroscopic and long period fluctuations were observed near the “critical” region.
A note on the useable dynamic range of accelerographs recording translation

Since the late 1970s, the dynamic range and resolution of strong motion digital recorders have leaped from 65 to 135 dB, opening new possibilities for advanced data processing and interpretation. One of these new possibilities is the calculation of permanent displacement of the ground or of structures, associated with faulting or with non-linear response. Proposals on how permanent displacements could be recovered from recorded strong motion have been published since 1976. The analysis in this paper concludes that permanent displacements of the ground and of structures in the near-field can be calculated provided all six components of strong motion (three translations and three rotations) have been recorded, and the records are corrected for transducer rotation, misalignment and cross-axis sensitivity.
Medically Unexplained Neurologic Symptoms: A Primer for Physicians Who Make the Initial Encounter

Medically unexplained symptoms are ubiquitous in clinical practice. Medical use costs of medically unexplained symptoms are projected at approximately $256 billion per year. When initially seen, these symptoms are often baffling, not only to the patients but also to the physicians who encounter them. Because of this, properly diagnosing them is seen generally as difficult at best, leading to massive overuse of unnecessary testing. Subsequently, their management can be cumbersome. All this burdens the patients with unnecessary costs, financially and emotionally. This primer discusses historical perspectives of these and the changing nomenclature, and outlines how to think about these complex symptoms and neurologic findings that will enable a positive diagnosis rather than a diagnosis of exclusion. We also offer useful heuristic principles of their management so that physician-patient relationships can be better maintained and the quality of life of these patients can be improved by way of some simple, economic approaches.
Luminescence study of europium(III) complexes with several dicarboxylic acids in aqueous solution

Abstract Luminescence lifetimes of Eu(III) in complexes with dicarboxylate ligands and N, O or S donors have been measured in H 2 O and D 2 O solutions of varying pH and europium-ligand ratio. The ligands were iminodiacetate (IDA), diglycolate (DGA), thiodiglycolate (TDA), dipicolinate (DPA), benzene-1, 2-bis(oxyacetate) (BDODA), ethylenediaminediacetate (EDDA) and ethylene-1, 2-dithiodiacetate (EDTDA). The lifetimes have been used to measure the number of water molecules coordinated to the Eu(III) ion in each complex. The results show that in the 1:1 and 1:2 complexes the ligands; IDA, DGA and DPA are tridentate whereas the TDA complexes are bidentate. BDODA and EDDA form tetradentate 1:1 and bidentate 1:2 complexes, while EDTDA is bidentate in both the 1:1 and 1:2 complexes. These results indicate that the nitrogen and oxygen donors are bonded to lanthanide ions in the DGA, IDA, DPA and EDDA complexes, whereas the sulfur donors are not bonded in the TDA and EDTDA complexes.
Bleached Taboo-Term Predicates In American Sign Language

Abstract Others have noticed that taboo terms in spoken language present unusual morphological and syntactic behavior. In this paper we examine a number of predicates in American Sign Language that have recently been formed from what were, historically, taboo-terms, as well as one more recently coined mildly taboo-term, and we show that they, likewise, behave in unusual ways morphologically and syntactically. We look at conversion from noun to verb that restricts the movement of the resultant verb to that typically associated with continuative aspect, at a non-presentational predicate that takes a sentential subject, at a verb that agrees with something properly within its sentential object, at a verb that takes an adverbial clause following it, and at a verb string that involves neither conjoining nor embedding. Thus, while taboo terms have been severely understudied in sign languages, their analysis offers new insights on linguistic structure. We suggest that the (historical) taboo nature of these terms makes them susceptible to innovation, particularly among adolescent males.
SOME OUTLANDISH PROPOSALS FOR THE TEACHING OF FOREIGN LANGUAGES

Three propositions which bear upon second language learning are defended: (1) Some students need or desire only to be able to read and it is legitimate to design courses for such students which omit training in oral skills unless these help with reading. (2) Passive linguistic knowledge can develop far ahead of active ability, and this fact can be exploited when teaching reading by not demanding the simultaneous ability to write. (3) A number of examples suggest that grammar, lexicon, and phonology can be learned in greater independence of one another than is often assumed. It follows from these three propositions that it might be worth experimenting with courses which first teach the recognition of grammatical forms, then the recognition of lexicon, but which minimize both phonology and the active production of sentences in the new language. Techniques by which this could be accomplished would have the added advantage of avoiding the childish level of materials with which even adult students must usually contend when beginning a foreign language.
Long-Lasting Effects of Subliminal Affective Priming from Facial Expressions

Unconscious processing of stimuli with emotional content can bias affective judgments. Is this subliminal affective priming merely a transient phenomenon manifested in fleeting perceptual changes, or are long-lasting effects also induced? To address this question, we investigated memory for surprise faces 24 h after they had been shown with 30-ms fearful, happy, or neutral faces. Surprise faces subliminally primed by happy faces were initially rated as more positive, and were later remembered better, than those primed by fearful or neutral faces. Participants likely to have processed primes supraliminally did not respond differentially as a function of expression. These results converge with findings showing memory advantages with happy expressions, though here the expressions were displayed on the face of a different person, perceived subliminally, and not present at test. We conclude that behavioral biases induced by masked emotional expressions are not ephemeral, but rather can last at least 24 h.
Spontaneous Thermal Motion of the GABAA Receptor M2 Channel-lining Segments

The γ-aminobutyric acid type A (GABAA) receptor channel opening involves translational and rotational motions of the five channel-lining, M2 transmembrane segments. The M2 segment's extracellular half is loosely packed and undergoes significant thermal motion. To characterize the extent of the M2 segment's motion, we used disulfide trapping experiments between pairs of engineered cysteines. In α1β1γ2S receptors the single γ subunit is flanked by an α and β subunit. The γ2M2-14′ position is located in the α-γ subunit interface. γ213′ faces the channel lumen. We expressed either the γ214′ or the γ213′ cysteine substitution mutants with α1 cysteine substitution mutants between 12′ and 16′ and wild-type β1. Disulfide bonds formed spontaneously between γ214′C and both α115′C and α116′C and also between γ213′C and α113′C. Oxidation by copper phenanthroline induced disulfide bond formation between γ214′C and α113′C. Disulfide bond formation rates with γ214′C were similar in the presence and absence of GABA, although the rate with α113′C was slower than with the other two positions. In a homology model based on the acetylcholine receptor structure, αM2 would need to rotate in opposite directions by ∼80° to bring α113′ and α115′ into close proximity with γ214′. Alternatively, translational motion of αM2 would reduce the extent of rotational motion necessary to bring these two α subunit residues into close proximity with the γ214′ position. These experiments demonstrate that in the closed state the M2 segments undergo continuous spontaneous motion in the region near the extracellular end of the channel gate. Opening the gate may involve similar but concerted motions of the M2 segments.
Wind-driven currents in a large lake or sea

A linear model of the Ekman dynamics for a large shallow homogeneous lake or sea is constructed to examine the mass transport balance, in particular the vertical mass flux. The role of coastal upwelling is examined for steady uniform and nonuniform wind-stress forcing.
Pioneer 10 search for gravitational waves - No evidence for coherent radiation from Geminga

Attempts to identify a periodic gravitational wave signal from the binary Geminga in the reduced Doppler data from the Pioneer 10 spacecraft are reported. The study was performed to examine the possibility that the observed 160 min solar oscillation is driven by a gravitational wave from the binary, which has a period exactly one cycle different from the solar oscillation. Three 12 hr passes of Doppler data from Pioneer 10, now beyond the orbit of Neptune, were subjected to FFT analysis to detect a spectral gravitational wave signature. None was found. Least squares analysis of all low noise data from 1981 to characterize the amplitude and phase of a signal from Geminga also produced a null result. Finally, an upper bound was calculated for the polarization component of the potentially observable gravitational strain.
MicroRNAs: Role in Hepatitis C Virus pathogenesis.

Hepatitis C virus (HCV) is a global health burden with an estimated 170–200 million peoples chronically infected worldwide. HCV infection remains as an independent risk factor for chronic hepatitis, liver cirrhosis, hepatocellular carcinoma, and a major reason for liver transplantation. Discovery of direct acting antiviral (DAA) drugs have shown promising results with more than 90% success rate in clearing the HCV RNA in patients, although long-term consequences remain to be evaluated. microRNAs (miRNAs) are important players in establishment of HCV infection and target crucial host cellular factors needed for productive HCV replication and augmented cell growth. Altered expression of miRNAs is involved in the pathogenesis associated with HCV infection by controlling signaling pathways such as immune response, proliferation and apoptosis. miRNA is emerging as a means of communication between various cell types inside the liver. There is likely possibility of developing circulating miRNAs as biomarkers of disease progression and can also serve as diagnostic tool with potential of early therapeutic intervention in HCV associated end stage liver disease. This review focuses on recent studies highlighting the contribution of miRNAs in HCV life cycle and their coordinated regulation in HCV mediated liver disease progression.