cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Estimation of intramitochondrial pCa and pH by fura-2 and 2,7 biscarboxyethyl-5(6)-carboxyfluorescein (BCECF) fluorescence

Isolated heart mitochondria hydrolyze the acetoxymethyl esters of the Ca2+-sensitive fluorescent probe fura-2 and the fluorescent pH indicator biscarboxyethyl-5(6)-carboxyfluorescein (BCECF). The free acid forms of both probes are retained in the matrix and their fluorescence can be used to monitor the pCa and pH, respectively, of this compartment. When fura-2 loaded rat heart myocytes are lysed with digitonin, a portion of the dye is retained in the mitochondrial fraction and its fluorescence reports the uptake and release of Ca2+ by the mitochondria. It is concluded that fura-2 and BCECF may report mitochondrial as well as cytosol parameters when the probes are used in intact cells.
Typologies of sprawl: investigating United States metropolitan land use patterns

We investigate patterns of residential and nonresidential land use in 311 United States metropolitan (Extended Urban) areas in 2000 using four measures: intensity, compactness, mixing, and core-dominance. A cluster analysis revealed four distinctive groups of land use patterns: (1) Most-Intense, Least-Compact, Least-Mixed, More-Monocentric Development, (2) Less-Intense, Most-Compact, Less-Mixed, Less-Monocentric Development, (3) Least-Intense, Less-Compact, Most-Mixed, Most-Monocentric Development, (4) More-Intense, More-Compact, More-Mixed, Polycentric Development. Bivariate statistics demonstrated that geographic, historic, economic, demographic, and transport variables differentiate land use pattern types. Based on their multidimensional distinctions, we label the four types of metropolitan areas: Ascendants, Insulars, Redevelopers, and Cosmopolitans.
A Middle School's Response-to-Intervention Journey: Building Systematic Processes of Facilitation, Collaboration, and Implementation.

This article discusses a qualitative case study examining one middle school’s response to intervention (RtI) efforts. Study participants included the principal, assistant principal, and members of the school’s leadership team. A description of the RtI consensus and infrastructure-building processes, consideration of the RtI facilitators, and a review of the accomplishments and barriers to implementation they encountered are provided.
Influence of venous emptying on the reactive hyperemic blood flow response.

Previous research indicates that venous emptying serves as a stimulus for vasodilation in the human forearm. This suggests the importance of recognizing the potential influence of venous volume on reactive hyperemic blood flow (RHBF) following occlusion. The purpose of this study was to examine the influence of venous emptying on forearm vascular function. Forearm RHBF, venous capacitance and venous outflow were examined in 35 individuals (age = 22 ± 2 years), using mercury in-Silastic strain gauge plethysmography, at rest and following five minutes of upper arm occlusion using standard procedures (Control). In addition, the same measures were obtained following five minutes of upper arm occlusion preceded by two minutes of passive arm elevation (Pre-elevation). Average resting arterial inflow was 2.42 ± 1.11 ml·100 ml-1·min-1. RHBF and venous capacitance were significantly greater during Pre-elevation compared to Control (RHBF; Pre-elevation: 23.76 ± 5.95 ml·100 ml-1 ·min-1 vs. Control: 19.33 ± 4.50; p = 0.001), (venous capacitance; Pre-elevation: 2.74 ± 0.89 % vs. Control: 2.19 ± 0.97, p = 0.001). Venous outflow did not differ between the two conditions. Venous emptying prior to upper arm occlusion results in a significant greater RHBF response and venous capacitance. Recognition of the influence of venous volume on RHBF is particularly important in studies focusing on arterial inflow, and also provides further evidence for the interplay between the venous and arterial system.
An alternative expression for the mean first passage matrix

Abstract A new approach to computing the mean first passage matrix for a finite ergodic Markov chain is presented. The proposed method depends on inverting a single matrix which is read directly from the transition matrix. Once this single computation is performed, both the mean first passage matrix and the fixed probability vector are readily available. It is also indicated how other items of interest can be obtained.
Discovery of Novel 2-Aryl-4-benzoyl-imidazole (ABI-III) Analogues Targeting Tubulin Polymerization As Antiproliferative Agents

Novel ABI-III compounds were designed and synthesized based on our previously reported ABI-I and ABI-II analogues. ABI-III compounds are highly potent against a panel of melanoma and prostate cancer cell lines, with the best compound having an average IC50 value of 3.8 nM. They are not substrate of Pgp and thus may effectively overcome Pgp-mediated multidrug resistance. ABI-III analogues maintain their mechanisms of action by inhibition of tubulin polymerization.
Development and implementation of a risk analysis procedure

A detailed procedure is given for the development and implementation of a risk analysis to protect the operations of an enterprise from all types of threats . This procedure includes the performance of assets analysis and threat analysis, the analysis of the annual loss expectancy, the identification of security measures, and the evaluation of these measures.
Hydrostatic compression of γ-Mg 2 SiO 4 to mantle pressures and 700 K: Thermal equation of state and related thermoelastic properties

P-V-T equations of state for the γ phase of Mg2SiO4 have been fitted to unit cell volumes measured under simultaneous high pressure (up 30 GPa) and high temperature (up to 700 K) conditions. The measurements were conducted in an externally heated diamond anvil cell using synchrotron x-ray diffraction. Neon was used as a pressure medium to provide a more hydrostatic pressure environment. The P-V-T data include 300 K-isothermal compression to 30 GPa, 700 K-compression to 25 GPa and some additional data in P-T space in the region 15 to 30 GPa and 300 to 700 K. The isothermal bulk modulus and its pressure derivative, determined from the isothermal compression data, are 182(3) GPa and 4.2(0.3) at T=300 K, and 171(4) GPa and 4.4(0.5) at T=700 K. Fitting all the P-V-T data to a high-temperature Murnaghan equation of state yields: K TO=182(3.0) GPa, K TO=4.0(0.3), ∂K T /∂T)0=−2.7(0.5)×10−2 GPa/K and (∂2 K T /∂P∂T)0=5.5(5.2)×10−4/K at the ambient condition.
Impact of enhanced ultraviolet-B radiation on flower, pollen, and nectar production.

Intensified ultraviolet-B radiation or UV-B (wavelengths between 280 and 320 nm) can delay flowering and diminish lifetime flower production in a few plants. Here we studied the effects of enhanced UV-B on floral traits crucial to pollination and pollinator reproduction. We observed simultaneous flowering responses of a new crop plant, Limnanthes alba (Limnathaceae), and a wildflower, Phacelia campanularia (Hydrophyllaceae), to five lifetime UV-B dosages ranging between 2.74 and 15.93 kJ·m 22·d21. Floral traits known to link plant pollination with bee host preference, host fidelity and larval development were measured. Intensified UV-B had no overall effect on nectar and pollen production of L. alba and P. campanularia flowers. A quadratic relationship between UV-B and nectar sugar production occurred in P. campanularia and showed that even subambient UV-B dosages can be deleterious for a floral trait. Other floral responses to UV-B were more dramatic and idiosyncratic. As UV-B dosage increased, L. alba plants were less likely to flower, but suffered no delays in flowering or reductions to lifetime flower production for those that did flower. Conversely, an equal proportion of P. campanularia plants flowered under all UV-B treatments, but these same plants experienced delayed onset to bloom and produced fewer flowers at greater UV-B intensities. Therefore, intensified UV-B elicits idiosyncratic responses in flowering phenology and flower production from these two annual plants. Diurnal patterns in nectar and pollen production strongly coincided with fluctuating humidity and only weakly with UV-B dosage. Overall, our results indicated that intensified UVB can alter some flowering traits that impinge upon plant competition for pollinator services, as well as plant and pollinator reproductive success.
Thickness dependence of Gc for shear lip propagation from a single crack propagation specimen: aluminium 6061-T6 alloy, cold-rolled copper and BPA polycarbonate

Values ofG c for ductile crack propagation in a series of double cantilever beam specimens, each with a single side groove of constant depth, increase linearly with net section thickness. If a single side groove with linearly varying depth is cut in a double cantilever beam specimen, the tapered net section thickness results in a plastic zone, the crosssection area of which increases linearly with crack length. The attendantG c increases in proportion to the plastic zone size in such a specimen. A single properly designed tapered section specimen appears to be capable of providing estimates of (a) the dependence of shear lipG c on shear lip width, (b) the natural shear lip width and shape, and (c) the shear lip plastic strain. G c and plastic zone data from specimens of both kinds are reported for aluminium 6061-T6 alloy, cold-rolled copper and BPA polycarbonate. Results of uniaxial tensile tests and of centre-notch tensile tests are also reported for comparison purposes.G cs, plastic zone sizes and plastic zone strains vary from material to material and appear to reflect in part the drawing and necking characteristics seen in uniaxial tensile tests.
Advancing emotion theory with multivariate pattern classification.

Characterizing how activity in the central and autonomic nervous systems corresponds to distinct emotional states is one of the central goals of affective neuroscience. Despite the ease with which individuals label their own experiences, identifying specific autonomic and neural markers of emotions remains a challenge. Here we explore how multivariate pattern classification approaches offer an advantageous framework for identifying emotion-specific biomarkers and for testing predictions of theoretical models of emotion. Based on initial studies using multivariate pattern classification, we suggest that central and autonomic nervous system activity can be reliably decoded into distinct emotional states. Finally, we consider future directions in applying pattern classification to understand the nature of emotion in the nervous system.
Primary production: The biosphere and man

The net primary production of the biosphere is about 160×10 9 tons/year, with 34% of this in marine, 0.8% in freshwater, and 66% in terrestrial ecosystems. World biomass (in the year 1950) is estimated as 1840×109 tons of dry matter, strongly concentrated on the continents (99.8%) and mostly in forests (90%). The total chlorophyll of the biosphere is about 240×106 tons; with about 90% of this on land. Land communities typically have 3–8 m2 of leaf surface and 1–4 g of chlorophyll per m2 of ground surface; chlorophyll in the oceans ranges mostly downward from 0.5 g/m2. Terrestrial and marine communities are in contrast in their mean ratios of biomass to net annual productivity (17.3 and 0.07) and of net annual productivity to chlorophyll (473 and 3100g/g). Man harvests about 1.3×109 tons/year of food from the land surface, about 17×106 tons/year from water bodies, with 88% of this from the seas. Despite the immensity of the biosphere, man has reduced its biomass and is beginning, with pollution, to affect its productivity. The relation of an exponentially increasing human population and industry to the biosphere is thus unstable. Some characteristics of this instability and the different consequences of overgrowth for poor or developing and rich or developed countries are considered.
Naproxen intercalates with DNA and causes photocleavage through ROS generation

Naproxen is an important non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug with many pharmacological and biological properties. In this study, we have attempted to ascertain the mode of action and the mechanism of binding of naproxen to DNA. We have also demonstrated that, upon irradiation with white light, naproxen generates reactive oxygen species, causing DNA cleavage. Generation of reactive oxygen species from photo-irradiated naproxen as determined spectrophotometrically was found to lead to nicking of plasmid DNA as analyzed by agarose gel electrophoresis. Without photo-irradiation, naproxen binds to DNA and forms drug–DNA complexes as revealed by spectroscopic techniques. Several experiments such as determination of the effect of urea, iodide-induced quenching and a competitive binding assay with ethidium bromide showed that naproxen binds to DNA primarily in an intercalative manner. These observations were further supported by CD analysis, viscosity measurements and molecular docking. Using DNA as a template, fluorescence resonance energy transfer between naproxen and ethidium bromide was also observed, further strengthening the evidence for intercalative binding of naproxen with DNA.
Roadmap for efficient parallelization of breast anatomy simulation

A roadmap has been proposed to optimize the simulation of breast anatomy by parallel implementation, in order to reduce the time needed to generate software breast phantoms. The rapid generation of high resolution phantoms is needed to support virtual clinical trials of breast imaging systems. We have recently developed an octree-based recursive partitioning algorithm for breast anatomy simulation. The algorithm has good asymptotic complexity; however, its current MATLAB implementation cannot provide optimal execution times. The proposed roadmap for efficient parallelization includes the following steps: (i) migrate the current code to a C/C++ platform and optimize it for single-threaded implementation; (ii) modify the code to allow for multi-threaded CPU implementation; (iii) identify and migrate the code to a platform designed for multithreaded GPU implementation. In this paper, we describe our results in optimizing the C/C++ code for single-threaded and multi-threaded CPU implementations. As the first step of the proposed roadmap we have identified a bottleneck component in the MATLAB implementation using MATLAB's profiling tool, and created a single threaded CPU implementation of the algorithm using C/C++'s overloaded operators and standard template library. The C/C++ implementation has been compared to the MATLAB version in terms of accuracy and simulation time. A 520-fold reduction of the execution time was observed in a test of phantoms with 50- 400 μm voxels. In addition, we have identified several places in the code which will be modified to allow for the next roadmap milestone of the multithreaded CPU implementation.
Case for a second energy gap in superconducting niobium

Low-temperature tunneling studies of high-purity single crystals of niobium indicate the existence of two energy gaps ${\ensuremath{\Delta}}_{s}$ and ${\ensuremath{\Delta}}_{d}$, one for each of the two bands lying at the Fermi level. The value of ${\ensuremath{\Delta}}_{s}$ is approximately $\frac{{\ensuremath{\Delta}}_{d}}{10}$. The crystallographic dependence of ${\ensuremath{\Delta}}_{s}$ indicates that ${\ensuremath{\Delta}}_{s}$ does not appear in directions where there is no $s\ensuremath{-}d$ overlap at ${E}_{F}$. The behavior of ${\ensuremath{\Delta}}_{s}$ with temperature and magnetic field indicates that interband coupling is significant in niobium. The results are related to current theories of multiband super-conductivity.
Transverse instability analysis for the IPNS upgrade

The proposed 1-MW spallation neutron source upgrade calls for a 2-GeV rapidly-cycling synchrotron (RCS) with an intensity of 1.04/spl times/10/sup 14/ protons per pulse. The potential exists for the excitation of collective, intensity-dependent transverse instabilities. These can normally be controlled by introducing a betatron tune shift or spread, where care is exercised to avoid single-particle resonance effects. Adjusting the chromaticity using sextupoles to vary the head-to-tail phase shift is compared to introducing Landau damping by octupoles. An option for a feedback system is also examined. The momentum spread used for the transverse analysis was obtained from the requirements for longitudinal stability.
A low-power geographically distributed data acquisition system with WWVB synchronization

Geographically distributed data acquisition systems provide a challenge when synchronization of the data acquisition is required. Current products and research do not provide a low-cost, low-power solution suitable for use in the field. GPS receivers are commonly used for their precision, but their power consumption is excessive. In this paper we present a method for synchronizing geographically distributed systems via the NIST radio station WWVB. We present a prototype version for low-power distributed data acquisition which uses a WWVB receiver for synchronization. We also present the limitations of the method and the prototype, along with typical application issues and lessons learned during system implementation.
Improved results in the management of surgical candidates with lung cancer

Background. Perioperative mortality and morbidity after lung resection for carcinoma are generally reported to be 3% to 6% and 15% to 30%, respectively, and higher in the elderly and those with limited cardiopulmonary reserve. Methods. To minimize this risk and extend the surgical option to more high-risk patients, we adopted a protocol in 1991 that included preoperative digitalis, subcutaneous heparin and venoocclusive stockings, aggressive perioperative pulmonary toilet, and video-directed limited resections for many patients with limited pulmonary reserve. In October 1996, we reviewed our results with 173 consecutive patients (median age, 60 years; range, 17 to 89 years) undergoing operation for suspected lung carcinoma. Forty-one patients were 70 years old or older, and 70 patients were considered high risk on the basis of advanced age (≥70 years), poor cardiac or pulmonary reserve, or serious medical comorbidity. Procedures included pneumonectomy (n = 31), lobectomy (n = 83), bilobectomy (n = 12), and limited resection (n = 45). Two patients had unresectable disease. Results. Hospital mortality was 1.6% (3/173) and morbidity was experienced by 15% (26/173). Among the high-risk subgroup mortality was 4.2% (3/70) and morbidity was 20% (14/70; p Conclusions. Morbidity and mortality from lung resections may be minimized with the perioperative management strategy outlined above. This would allow more high-risk patients to benefit from surgical resection, and do so with an acceptably low risk.
A conjugate addition/dipolar-cycloaddition cascade sequence for the synthesis of ()-cylindricine C

An efficient stereocontrolled route to (±)-cylindricine C is described. Reaction of 9-hydroxynon-1-en-5-one oxime with 2,3-bis(phenylsulfonyl)-1,3-butadiene affords a 7-oxa-1-azanorbornane cycloadduct in high yield. The formation of the bicyclic isoxazolidine arises from conjugate addition of the oxime onto the diene to give a transient nitrone that spontaneously undergoes an intramolecular dipolar cycloaddition. The resulting cycloadduct derived from the cascade sequence was converted into (±)-cylindricine C by: (1) a reductive-cyclization to set the BC-ring skeleton, (2) a base-induced cyclization to construct the tricyclic core, and (3) an oxidation-conjugate addition of the n-hexyl side chain to complete the synthesis.
SHELF AND SHALLOW BASIN OIL AS RELATED TO HOT-DEEP ORIGIN OF PETROLEUM

Oil and gas pools in shallow basins or on the shallow, stable shelves of deeper sedimentary basins appear to be exceptions to the model of a hot-deep origin of petroleum. However, the oil in shallow basins is directly associated with faulting extending out of the deepest parts of the basin. Evidence exists that some of these shallow basins have been much hotter in the past either from igneous activity or from a higher geothermal gradient. Uplift and erosion may also have removed substantial thicknesses of sediments in some of these basins.
A Signal Processing Technique for Improving the Accuracy of MEMS Inertial Sensors

Navigation, guidance and control for small space vehicles require inertial measurement sensors which are small, inexpensive, low power, reliable and accurate. Micro inertial sensors, such as MEMS gyroscopes, can provide small, inexpensive, low power devices; however, the accuracy of these devices is insufficient for many space applications. Signal processing methods can be used to provide the necessary accuracy. The individual outputs of many nominally identical micro sensors can be combined to generate a single accurate measurement. An extended Kalman filter (EKF) (A.R. Stubberud and X.-H. Yu, 2000) which includes the dynamics of every sensor can be used for such a combination; however, the 'curse of dimensionality' limits the number of sensors which can be used. In this paper, a new EKF technique for combining many sensors is proposed which, using a common nominal model for the micro sensors and a single EKF with the state dimension of a single sensor, has accuracy comparable to the high dimensional EKF and is significantly more accurate than a single sensor.
Ectopic cervical thymic tissue: diagnosis by fine needle aspiration.

Abstract Cervical thymic masses are congenital lesions that result from aberrant thymic migration during embryogenesis. Although most of these masses are asymptomatic, they may cause debilitating symptoms secondary to encroachment on adjacent aerodigestive structures. Preoperative diagnosis of ectopic thymic tissue is rare; most cases are clinically misinterpreted as branchial cleft remnants or cystic hygromas. Definitive diagnosis has relied on histopathologic examination in nearly all reported cases. However, the invasiveness of open incisional or excisional biopsy carries the risk of surgical and anesthetic complications. Inadvertent surgical thymectomy may result in cell-mediated immune deficiencies in infants and young children. The utility of fine needle aspiration is gaining wider acceptance in the diagnostic evaluation of neck masses. We describe an infant with an asymptomatic cervical thymic mass diagnosed by fine needle aspiration.
A Hierarchy of 21st Birthday Drinking Norms.

Social norms, at the most abstract level, represent society’s expectations for appropriate behavior. For most individuals, our behavior, attitudes, and self-esteem are heavily influenced by our perceptions of others’ opinions, expectations, and behaviors (Cialdini & Goldstein, 2004; Sherif, 1936). We are not equally influenced by everyone, but rather, are more influenced by those with whom we more closely identify (Festinger, 1954; Tajfel, 1982; Turner et al., 1987) and whose opinions are of greater value to us (Latane, 1981). For example, previous research has shown that college student drinking is more strongly associated with perceived approval of friends relative to other students (Baer, Stacy, & Larimer, 1991). The present paper offers preliminary evidence for a hierarchical organization of normative social influences on 21st birthday drinking.
Interactions of murine leukemia virus (MuLV) with isolated lymphocytes. IV. The role of mitogen-induced cellular DNA synthesis in virus infection and replication.

The requirement for lymphocyte activation with mitogen during in vitro infection with murlne leukemia virus (MuLV) of Friend virus complex (FV) and the suppressive effects of MuLV on mitogen-induced lymphocyte activation were studied in short-term suspension cultures. Lymphocytes were infected with FV in vitro and then resuspended in culture medium with or without mitogens. Cells releasing infectious MuLV were enumerated as infectious centers (IC) on sarcoma virus+, leukemia virus-fibroblasts. The accumulation of IC in cultures followed a Diphasic curve characterized by a plateau between days 1 and 4 and by a 10-fold increase in IC between days 5 and 7. Stimulation with a B-cell mitogen, bacterial lipopolysaccharide (LPS), following infection increased the number of IC 10-to 40-fold. On the other hand, stimulation with concanavalin A (Con A), a T-cell mitogen, did not appreciably increase the number of 1C detected on day 5 post infection. Further studies on the role of LPS-induced DNA synthesis in the enhancement of MuLV replication revealed two points: (1) a comparable enhancement of 1C was observed In cultures stimulated with LPS 2 days prior to or immediately after FV infection and in those which were not stimulated until 2 days after infection; (2) treatment of FV-infected, LPS-stimulated lymphocytes with 5,6-bromodeoxyuridine (BrdUrd) and visible light at 2 days abolished cellular DNA and RNA synthesis but did not diminish subsequent MuLV replication; however, cellular DNA and RNA synthesis as well as MuLV replication were inhibited in LPS-stimulated cells treated with BrdUrd and light prior to infection with FV. The uptake of both [3H]thymidine and [14C]uridine by LPS-stimulated lymphocytes was inhibited by about 50% in the presence of infectious FV whereas uptake in Con-A-stimulated lymphocytes was not inhibited. Kinetic studies showed that the inhibition of LPS stimulation was not detectable until 24 h and later; the uptake of [3H] thymidine during the first 12 h after infection and mitogen activation was the same in infected and non-infected cultures. Collectively, the results indicate that MuLV-Friend infects normal B cells but that the subsequent virus replication and secondary infection remain low unless the cells are activated with a mitogen. Virus replication, however, eventually become independent of cellular DNA synthesis and the virus itself inhibits the cellular nucleic acid synthesis at a later stage in the infection.
Presidential Power and the Research Agenda

This responds to George C. Edwards Ill's question, "What do we want to know about the presidency and why do we want to know it?" Let me begin with a top-of-the-head summary of lingering concerns on my part regard ing further research consequent on my own writings, especially my early articles and the five cumulative editions ofPresidential Power (1960 et seq.). The reception ofthat book and its longevity exceeded my highest hopes. For both I shall always be grateful (and somewhat amazed). But I also should confess to what turned out to be unrealistic?and perhaps unrea sonable-hopes for research the book and articles might suggest to others. Reasonable or not, the disappointment of those hopes stays with me. To emphasize them now gives my response an unduly self-centered quality. I indulge that only because recent illness leaves me too little time to think persistently about the subfield as a whole and all the other things that, on reflection and rereading, I might add if time allowed. With that qualification, a severe one, I offer a "wish list" of research that would sub stantially relieve me of parochial concerns. The list has four parts. I can summarize them as follows, in no order of importance. Then I shall add a fifth, which while consistent with the others, goes far afield from my own writings and transcends the other concerns in importance.
Motivational Influences on Impression Formation: Outcome Dependency, Accuracy-Driven Attention, and Individuating Processes

How might being outcome dependent on another person influence the processes that one uses to form impressions of that person? We designed three experiments to investigate this question with respect to short-term, task-oriented outcome dependency. In all three experiments, subjects expected to interact with a young man formerly hospitalized as a schizophrenic, and they received information about the person's attributes in either written profiles or videotapes. In Experiment 1, short-term, task-oriented outcome dependency led subjects to use relatively individuating processes (i.e., to base their impressions o f the patient on his particular attributes), even under conditions that typically lead subjects to use relatively category-based processes (i.e., to base their impressions on the patient's schizophrenic label). Moreover, in the conditions that elicited individuating processes, subjects spent more time attending to the patient's particular attribute information. Experiment 2 demonstrated that the attention effects in Experiment 1 were not merely a function of impression positivity and that outcome dependency did not influence the impression formation process when attribute information in addition to category-level information was unavailable. Finally, Experiment 3 manipulated not outcome dependency but theattentional goal of forming an accurate impression. We found that accuracy-driven attention to attribute information also led t o individuating processes. The results of the three experiments indicate that there are important influences of outcome dependency on impression formation. These results are consistent with a model in which the tendency for short-term, task-oriented outcome dependency to facilitate individuating impression formation processes is mediated by an increase in accuracy-driven attention to attribute information.
Crossover of Ba(Ti,Y)O3 Solid Solutions to Ba3Ti2YO8.5–BaTiO3 Composites and their Dielectric Properties

Ceramic samples with the nominal composition (1−x) BaTiO3+x Ba3Ti2YO8.5 (x=0−0.535) were prepared by the mixed oxide method. X-ray diffraction (XRD) analysis shows that the materials are of single phase with a cubic symmetry as x≤0.16. The compositions of the solid solutions (x≤0.16) can be expressed equivalently as Ba(Ti1−yYy)O3−δ (y≤0.122, y=x/(1+2x)). For x>0.16, the materials are diphasic composites consisting of Ba(Ti1−yYy)O3 (y=0.122) and Ba3Ti2YO8.5. The microstructure observation by scanning electron microscopy supports the XRD result. The dielectric behavior and phase transitions of the solid solutions (x≤0.16) vary with different Y concentrations. The dielectric constant of the composites (x>0.16) follows approximately the Lichteneker relation in a wide temperature range.
Elevated O2 cost of ventilation contributes to tissue wasting in COPD

Background and objectives: Thirty to 50% of all COPD patients experience tissue wasting that may be caused by hypermetabolism, but the cause of the perturbed metabolic state is unclear. We hypothesized that the elevated O2 cost of ventilation (O2 COV) may be a contributing factor. All of the data are presented as means (6 SEM). Ten hypoxemic (a PaO2 of 54 6 3 mm Hg) stable COPD patients (an FEV1/FVC ratio of 42 6 4%) and five healthy control subjects were studied. The patients were divided into two groups based on nutritional status. Group 1 (n 5 6) was malnourished (a body mass index [BMI] of 17.6 6 0.7 kg/m 2 ), and group 2 (n 5 4) was normally nourished (a BMI of 26.0 6 3 kg/m 2 ). The O2 COV was determined by measuring the change in
Object Identification Using Bar Codes Based of LADAR Intensity

Tests of a novel concept for tracking construction components were carried out at the National Institute of Standards and Technology. The approach makes use of laser radar and retro-reflective barcodes attached to manufactured building materials. Tests were conducted for various barcode sizes and spacings through a variety of ranges to a maximum of 40 m (131.2 ft). At 40 m (131.2 ft), it was possible to infer one byte of information content in a 1D barcode measuring 575 mm (22.6 in) in length with no special optical processing for a LADAR instrument with an aperture beam diameter of 25 mm (1 in) and a beam divergence of 3 mrad. Simple thresholding post-processing techniques were employed to study the resulting intensity data and to deduce minimum detectable bar gap spacing. These analyses have suggested paths to significant resolution enhancements based on image processing and optical physics simulation techniques.
Algorithm for Discovering Low-Variance 3-Clusters from Real-Valued Datasets

The concept of Triclusters has been investigated recently in the context of two relational datasets that share labels along one of the dimensions. By simultaneously processing two datasets to unveil triclusters, new useful knowledge and insights can be obtained. However, some recently reported methods are either closely linked to specific problems or constrain datasets to have some specific distributions. Algorithms for generating triclusters whose cell-values demonstrate simple well known statistical properties, such as upper bounds on standard deviations, are needed for many applications. In this paper we present a 3-Clustering algorithm that searches for meaningful combinations of biclusters in two related datasets. The algorithm can handle situations involving: (i) datasets in which a few data objects may be present in only one dataset and not in both datasets, (ii) the two datasets may have different numbers of objects and/or attributes, and (iii) the cell-value distributions in two datasets may be different. In our formulation the cell-values of each selected tricluster, formed by two independent biclusters, are such that the standard deviations in each bicluster obeys an upper bound and the sets of objects in the two biclusters overlap to the maximum possible extent. We present validation of our algorithm by presenting the properties of the 3-Clusters discovered from a synthetic dataset and from a real world cross-species genomic dataset. The results of our algorithm unveil interesting insights for the cross-species genomic domain.
SPINAL REFLEX EXCITABILITY AND HOMOSYNAPTIC DEPRESSION AFTER A BOUT OF WHOLE-BODY VIBRATION

Although whole-body vibration (WBV) affects neuromuscular performance, it remains unclear whether the effects are due to spinal reflex potentiation or inhibition, or differ between muscle groups. This study aimed to identify the effect of WBV on measures of spinal reflex excitability (H-reflex) and homosynaptic depression (HD) in the soleus (SOL) and medial gastrocnemius (MG) muscles. H-reflex and HD measurements were made in the SOL and MG muscle of 20 participants before and after a bout of WBV. H-reflex and HD were measured every 15 seconds for 10 minutes post-WBV and averaged at 1-minute increments. H-reflex amplitude was depressed for the first minute post-vibration, whereas the effect of HD was reduced for the first 2 minutes post-vibration. WBV significantly decreases spinal reflex excitability and HD, but it does so transiently and independent of muscle group.
THE USE OF THE GASTROCAMERA FOR THE DIAGNOSIS OF GASTRIC ULCER.

Summary A study comparing the frequency with which the type V Japanese gastrocamera, the barium meal X-ray and the gastroscope diagnosed benign gastric ulcer in 159 patients has been described. Sixty-two ulcers were found in the study. Forty-one or 66% were seen on X-ray; 36 or 58% were located at gastroscopy, and 46 or 74% were photographed by the gastrocamera. Gastrocamera photography is an accurate, well tolerated, and safe endoscopic technique which can assume a major role in the diagnosis and management of patients with gastric ulcers. The routine use of intragastric photography with the gastrocamera should improve rather than replace the older techniques of gastroscopy and barium meal X-ray.
Seedborne black Aspergillus species as maize seedling pathogens: role of fumonisin production and interaction with soilborne Pythium species

Twenty-six strains of black Aspergillus (Aspergillus section Nigri) were studied as seedling pathogens of maize. There were two major research components. The first component was an evaluation of the pathogenicity of isolates from several black Aspergillus species and a comparison of the pathogenicity of isolates with and without fumonisin production. This was accomplished by testing inoculated seeds in warm germination and cold tests, and by evaluating growth of inoculated seeds in rolled paper towel assays. In the second component, four of these species were selected for evaluation of interactions between Aspergillus and Pythium as a seedling disease complex in maize. Seeds inoculated with Aspergillus were planted in soil infested with Pythium sylvaticum, Pythium torulosum, or a control in a cup assay, and scored on several criteria for seedling growth. Species of Aspergillus in section Nigri are commonly associated with maize kernels but there is little information about their effects on maize seed germination and seedling health. It has recently been discovered that some strains in this group have the capacity for producing the fumonisin mycotoxins, but it is not known what effect, if any, this has on pathogenicity in seedling disease. We compared 9 strains from Iowa, 4 from Illinois, and 13 from Italy in two seed-inoculation assays assessing their ability to affect germination and seedling growth. Some were fumonisin-producing strains and others were non-producing. Representatives of A. awamori, A. niger, A. phoenicis, A. tubingensis, and a single strain of A. carbonarius were included. Maize seeds of two different hybrids were inoculated with spores of each of these strains. They were evaluated for germination and seedling growth using a warm germination test, a cold test, and a rolled paper towel assay. Strains of each species reduced germination or
Food Habits of Eastern Small-footed Bats (Myotis leibii) in New Hampshire

ABSTRACT Published information about the diet of eastern small-footed bats (Myotis leibii) does not exist. Feces of 39 M. leibii captured from May through Sep. in southern New Hampshire contained eight orders of insects, spiders (Araneae), unidentified arthropods and vegetation. Moths (Lepidoptera), true flies (Diptera) and beetles (Coleoptera) composed most of the diet. Diet of adult males contained significantly fewer beetles than that of juveniles, but diet was similar between other demographic groups and across seasons. Presence of spiders and crickets (Gryllidae) in the diet suggested M. leibii captured some prey via gleaning.
Theoretical Study on Real-time Shadow Algorithm Based on Virtual Reality

Shadow generation plays an important role in realistic image synthesis.The key algorithm of shadow generation ensures the real-time frame rate or generate high quality the effects of the shadow and semi-shadow.In this paper some algorithms of shadow generation are mentioned,on the basis of generalizing in the round these algorithms,merits of the different algorithms,limitations and differences are discussed.By comparing those algorithms,the different algorithm having made suitable choice between real-time and accuracy can be discovered.
1990: A Guide to What is Known About Business Cycles

Within the three years 1980–1982, total economic activity in the United States as represented by comprehensive time series on output and employment declined twice, in the first half of 1980 and again between mid-1981 and late 1982. The National Bureau of Economic Research (NBER), a private nonprofit research institution that has pursued impartial studies of the US economy for 70 years, distinguishes two recessions in this short period. Since then, however, for more than seven years real GNP has increased in each quarter except one (1986:2). Other measures of important aspects of aggregate activity (nonfarm employee hours, real personal income and sales, industrial production) also rose almost continuously. This makes the economic expansion that began in 1982:4 the longest in peacetime, according to the NBER monthly chronology of business cycles that goes back to 1854.
Entrepreneurship, Identity, and the Transformation of Marketing Systems Medical Cannabis in California

This paper examines how entrepreneurs operating in underground markets come to see laws governing marketing systems as illegitimate and explores the role identity plays in motivating entrepreneurs ...
Timing is everything? Reconciling the results of recent trials in acute kidney injury

Observational studies have failed to establish the optimal timing of renal replacement therapy in critically ill adults with acute kidney injury, with some studies suggesting benefit and others suggesting the potential for harm with earlier initiation. Two recent randomized trials have addressed this controversy, also with conflicting results. Careful consideration of differences between the 2 studies is essential when applying the results to clinical practice in the intensive care unit.
Air diffusion performance index (ADPI) of overhead-air-distribution at low cooling loads

Abstract The air diffusion performance index (ADPI) concept and its implementation in the diffuser selection guideline (ASHRAE Handbook-Fundamentals, 2009) provide designers a simple method to design overhead-air-distribution systems. However, the current guideline considers only five diffuser types and the range of sensible cooling loads used to develop the guideline (65 W/m2–250 W/m2) is high for current buildings. Applying this outdated guideline may cause draft discomfort and/or unnecessary fan-energy waste. This paper presents new experimental results to update the ADPI-based guideline to include 15 diffuser types at low cooling loads of 25 W/m2 and 50 W/m2. Compared to the high loads in the current guideline, the ADPI values generated in this work are greater due to the lower loads used. Most ceiling-mounted diffusers produce higher ADPI at a large range of airflow than do sidewall and other diffuser types. ADPI for ceiling diffusers has the least variation with changes in loads or airflow rates. The results show that the minimum airflow set-point for a variable air volume system varies with diffuser type. For ceiling diffusers other than round and perforated diffusers, the minimum set-point can be reduced to lower than 30% of the peak flow rate without significantly reducing ADPI.
Great Men, Monumental History, and Not-So-Grand Theory: A Meta-Review of Henry Kissinger's Diplomacy

Certainly it would be worth examining how the author became individualized in a culture like ours, what status he has been given, at what moment studies of authenticity and attribution began, in what kind of system of valorization the author was involved, at what point we began to recount the lives of authors rather than of heroes, and how this fundamental category of “the-man-and-his work criticism” began (Michel Foucault, 1984:101).
Who Keeps the Peace? Understanding State Contributions to UN Peacekeeping Operations

Recent research demonstrates that larger and better-equipped United Nations peacekeeping missions more effectively ensure peace and security. This raises an important question: what explains the willingness of member-states to contribute the substantial numbers of troops needed to achieve peacekeeping goals? We argue that narrow member-state security interests offer an important explanation. We find that states embroiled in an ongoing rivalry with another state in the international system contribute more personnel to ongoing missions. Additionally, we find that regimes concerned about coup attempts increase deployments to peacekeeping operations. In a more general sense, this article suggests that the provision of security by peacekeeping operations to their host states is partially dependent upon higher levels of insecurity elsewhere in the international system.
Steady state dynamics of molecular motors reveals load dependent cooperativity

Intracellular transport of cargoes inside eukaryotic cells is primarily carried out by bio-mechanical machines called molecular motors. These motors facilitate the directed transfer of intracellular cargo to desired locations inside the cell. In vivo modes of transport often involve multiple agents, possibly of different types, teaming up to carry a common cargo. We analyze the stochastic dynamics of such cargos and prove that the probability distribution of various motor-motor configurations in an ensemble reaches a unique steady state. Existence of such a unique steady state indicates a degree of robustness of the system of multiple motors sharing a cargo. Analysis of the steady state distribution for an ensemble of two kinesin motors for varying load forces reveals a degree of cooperativity between the motors, where configurations that have the two motors clustered together are favored for moderate loads. We further show that when subjected to high forces, such as those encountered due to obstacles along the path of travel, motors preferably adopt a configuration that facilitates high probability of regaining motion once the obstacle is removed. Simulation results of the steady state distribution of a two motor ensemble for low, moderate and high load forces are presented, which corroborate analytical studies.
Engaging Violent Words: Prophetic Ministry in Digital Discourses

AbstractFaith-based engagement with digital culture calls communities of faith beyond an instrumental use of apps, gadgets, and platforms. Rather, engaging in digital culture calls for prophetic engagement that seeks to communicate truth and offer hope in and through digital communication. One salient area for such prophetic engagement is the reality of verbal violence online, especially as manifest in flaming comments in online public discourse. This article explores this prophetic approach and draws implications for Christian religious education.
Prophylactic Plasma Transfusion Is Not Associated With Decreased Red Blood Cell Requirements in Critically Ill Patients.

BACKGROUND Critically ill patients frequently receive plasma transfusion under the assumptions that abnormal coagulation test results confer increased risk of bleeding and that plasma transfusion will decrease this risk. However, the effect of prophylactic plasma transfusion remains poorly understood. The objective of this study was to determine the relationship between prophylactic plasma transfusion and bleeding complications in critically ill patients. METHODS This is a retrospective cohort study of adults admitted to the intensive care unit (ICU) at a single academic institution between January 1, 2009 and December 31, 2013. Inclusion criteria included age ≥18 years and an international normalized ratio measured during ICU admission. Multivariable propensity-matched analyses were used to evaluate associations between prophylactic plasma transfusion and outcomes of interest with a primary outcome of red blood cell transfusion in the ensuing 24 hours and secondary outcomes of hospital- and ICU-free days and mortality within 30 days of ICU discharge. RESULTS A total of 27,561 patients were included in the investigation with 2472 (9.0%) receiving plasma therapy and 1105 (44.7%) for which plasma transfusion was prophylactic in nature. In multivariable propensity-matched analyses, patients receiving plasma had higher rates of red blood cell transfusion (odds ratio: 4.3 [95% confidence interval: 3.3-5.7], P < .001) and fewer hospital-free days (estimated % increase: -11.0% [95% confidence interval: -11.4, -10.6%], P < .001). There were no significant differences in ICU-free days or mortality. These findings appeared robust, persisting in multiple predefined sensitivity analyses. CONCLUSIONS Prophylactic administration of plasma in the critically ill was not associated with improved clinical outcomes. Further investigation examining the utility of plasma transfusion in this population is warranted.