cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Bodystorming Human-Robot Interactions

Designing and implementing human-robot interactions requires numerous skills, from having a rich understanding of social interactions and the capacity to articulate their subtle requirements, to the ability to then program a social robot with the many facets of such a complex interaction. Although designers are best suited to develop and implement these interactions due to their inherent understanding of the context and its requirements, these skills are a barrier to enabling designers to rapidly explore and prototype ideas: it is impractical for designers to also be experts on social interaction behaviors, and the technical challenges associated with programming a social robot are prohibitive. In this work, we introduce Synthe, which allows designers to act out, or bodystorm, multiple demonstrations of an interaction. These demonstrations are automatically captured and translated into prototypes for the design team using program synthesis. We evaluate Synthe in multiple design sessions involving pairs of designers bodystorming interactions and observing the resulting models on a robot. We build on the findings from these sessions to improve the capabilities of Synthe and demonstrate the use of these capabilities in a second design session.
Tango1 coordinates the formation of endoplasmic reticulum/Golgi docking sites to mediate secretory granule formation

Regulated secretion is a conserved process occurring across diverse cells and tissues. Current models suggest that the conserved cargo receptor Tango1 mediates the packaging of collagen into large coat protein complex II (COPII) vesicles that move from the endoplasmic reticulum (ER) to the Golgi apparatus. However, how Tango1 regulates the formation of COPII carriers and influences the secretion of other cargo remains unknown. Here, through high-resolution imaging of Tango1, COPII, Golgi, and secretory cargo (mucins) in Drosophila larval salivary glands, we found that Tango1 forms ring-like structures that mediate the formation of COPII rings rather than vesicles. These COPII rings act as docking sites for the cis-Golgi. Moreover, we observed nascent secretory mucins emerging from the Golgi side of these Tango1–COPII–Golgi complexes, suggesting that these structures represent functional docking sites/fusion points between the ER exit sites and the Golgi. Loss of Tango1 disrupted the formation of COPII rings, the association of COPII with the cis-Golgi, mucin O-glycosylation, and secretory granule biosynthesis. Additionally, we identified a Tango1 self-association domain that is essential for formation of this structure. Our results provide evidence that Tango1 organizes an interaction site where secretory cargo is efficiently transferred from the ER to Golgi and then to secretory vesicles. These findings may explain how the loss of Tango1 can influence Golgi/ER morphology and affect the secretion of diverse proteins across many tissues.
Bodhráns, lambegs, & musical craftsmanship in Northern Ireland

ABSTRACTFrom its humble beginnings as a ritual instrument, the bodhran or Irish frame drum has developed into a globally recognised percussion instrument that is found in diverse contexts. This res...
Dynamic Assembly and Disassembly of the Human DNA Polymerase δ Holoenzyme on the Genome In Vivo.

Summary Human DNA polymerase delta (Pol δ) forms a holoenzyme complex with the DNA sliding clamp proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA) to perform its essential roles in genome replication. Here, we utilize live-cell single-molecule tracking to monitor Pol δ holoenzyme interaction with the genome in real time. We find holoenzyme assembly and disassembly in vivo are highly dynamic and ordered. PCNA generally loads onto the genome before Pol δ. Once assembled, the holoenzyme has a relatively short lifetime on the genome, implying multiple Pol δ binding events may be needed to synthesize an Okazaki fragment. During disassembly, Pol δ dissociation generally precedes PCNA unloading. We also find that Pol δ p125, the catalytic subunit of the holoenzyme, is maintained at a constant cellular level, indicating an active mechanism for control of Pol δ levels in vivo. Collectively, our studies reveal that Pol δ holoenzyme assembly and disassembly follow a predominant pathway in vivo; however, alternate pathways are observed.
Physical Therapy for Chronic Pain Mitigation and Opioid Use Reduction Among People Living with Human Immunodeficiency Virus in Atlanta, GA: A Descriptive Case Series.

People living with HIV (PLH) may be at increased risk of experiencing both chronic pain and opioid dependence. Physical therapy (PT) has been shown to be effective as a nonpharmacological strategy ...
Integrating expert human decision-making in artificial intelligence applications

Abstract Artificial intelligence (AI) is being applied successfully in a number of domains. Advances in low-cost, high-performance computing platforms have made AI approaches sufficiently scalable so that they can be applied in high-volume, commercial applications. The true promise of AI in modeling human intelligence, however, remains elusive. Current approaches can simulate a small subset of the many processes that make up human cognition, and yet it would be a huge benefit to be able to integrate expert human decision-making in AI applications. In this chapter, we present a pragmatic approach that can be used to capture expert human decision-making within a limited domain of expertise. We propose an approach that automates the analytic hierarchy process in order to capture a model of expert decision-making from observational data collected using subject matter experts. In addition, we present a novel approach for validating our model by measuring the degree of consistency across subjects. While this is not a general solution, it provides a workable approach for AI applications dealing with well defined, limited domains of knowledge. In the future, we hope to extend our model to human-machine teams and shared context.
Detecting High-Impedance Fault with Z-Source Circuit Breakers in Smart Grids

High-impedance faults (HIFs) are almost "invisible" to protective devices but may create destructive damage to electric devices. It is a challenging task to distinguish HIFs from normal operation and fault conditions. Most fault protective devices and relays response to a fault current that is higher than twice the steady-state current rating. Therefore, the HIFs should be detected for power system operators to take proper actions. In this paper, a new method of detecting HIFs is developed based on the status monitoring of Z-source circuit breakers (ZCBs) in the DC section of smart grids. It is noticed that the ZCB can response to a HIF when the capacitances are properly specified in the ZCB circuit. By adjusting the Z-source capacitance values properly, the ZCB can be freely controlled to operate in the HIF detection mode and the HIF interruption mode. At the same time, the original high-current fault interruption of ZCB remains unchanged. The relationship between the maximum HIF resistance and required Z-source capacitance has been derived and its effectiveness and accuracy have been verified by experiment tests.
Potential Environmental Basis for Megacephaly in the Eastern Musk Turtle (Sternotherus odoratus)

Eastern Musk Turtles (Sternotherus odoratus) in a few populations exhibit megacephaly, including those from a population in Arkansas herein described. I initiated a growth experiment in the laboratory with hatchlings from a megacephalic population and those from a nearby normocephalic population in Arkansas, both fed on fish chow for 22 yrs. The experiment, although compromised, suggested that megacephaly in the Eastern Musk Turtle is a plastic, environmental response to diet rather than a genetically based adaptation.
Changes to dietary and health outcomes following implementation of the 2012 updated US Department of Agriculture school nutrition standards: analysis using National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey, 2005-2016.

Objective: In 2012, the US government overhauled school nutrition standards, but few studies have evaluated the effects of these standards at the national level. The current study examines the impact of the updated school nutrition standards on dietary and health outcomes of schoolchildren in a nationally representative data set. Design: Difference-in-differences. We compared weekday fruit and vegetable intake between students with daily school lunch participation and students without school lunch participation before and after implementation of updated school nutrition standards using a multivariable linear regression model. Secondary outcomes included weekday solid fat and added sugar (SoFAS) intake and overweight and obesity prevalence. We adjusted analyses for demographic and family socio-economic factors. Setting: USA. Participants: K-12 students, aged 6–20 years (n 9172), from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey, 2005–2016. Results: Implementation of updated school nutrition standards was not associated with a change in weekday fruit and vegetable intake (β = 0·02 cups, 95 % CI −0·23, 0·26) for students with daily school lunch participation. However, implementation of the policy was associated with a 1·5 percentage point (95 % CI −3·0, −0·1) decline in weekday SoFAS intake and a 6·1 percentage point (95 % CI −12·1, −0·1) decline in overweight and obesity prevalence. Conclusions: Changes to US school nutrition standards were associated with reductions in the consumption of SoFAS as well as a decrease in overweight and obesity in children who eat school lunch. However, we did not detect a change in weekday intake of fruits and vegetables associated with the policy change.
Receiver Designs for Low-Latency HF Communications

High frequency (HF) radio communications offer latency advantages over fiber-optics in certain long-distance communication applications. As a result, there is interest in using HF for high-frequency trading (HFT), to make trans-continental market decisions that leverage the lower latency path of HF channels. The HF skywave channel is a dynamic medium and is one of the most challenging communication channels. Latencies in existing HF modems from coding and interleaving over several packets are prohibitive for HFT, which motivates the development of receivers that provide good performance given a delay constraint. In this paper, we present receiver designs that can be employed for low-latency reliable communication. We introduce a multitrellis adaptive Viterbi algorithm (MAVA) for sparse and time-varying intersymbol interference (ISI) channels, where the conventional Viterbi algorithm would lead to a large trellis. While multitrellis receiver designs have previously been considered, MAVA also incorporates real-time channel tracking, which is necessary for a practical HF receiver. We combine the MAVA algorithm with maximum a posteriori (MAP) detection to obtain a hybrid receiver with high-fidelity, low-delay performance. Finally, we conduct an asymptotic efficiency analysis of the hybrid receiver to gain insight into how deferring decisions improves performance in the high signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) regime.
Using a Program-based Store for Retail and Entrepreneurship Education: Integration of a Retail Learning Lab as a Capstone Experience

The retail industry is undergoing a large-scale transformation. To meet the demands of the ever-changing retail industry, graduates entering the workforce must be more innovative, entrepreneurial, and ready to apply outside the box thinking in this new era of retailing. Furthermore, as apparel and retailing scholars and educators, we are called to develop and deliver timely content that will prepare students for professional roles in the apparel retail industry. The purpose of this paper is to provide insight regarding a novel program-based learning lab designed to enhance retail and entrepreneurship education through six innovative learning modules and a capstone course. Newly created retailing and entrepreneurship content using Bloom’s Taxonomy will span modules in six classes, serving as components of a larger-scale curriculum plan. A new program-based retail space will serve as a real-world learning lab and be a foundation for the apparel retailing and entrepreneurship capstone course.
Medical Evaluation for ADHD Symptoms in Adolescents

Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) crosses the worlds of medical and behavioral health. Within the medical world, ADHD is diagnosed and cared for by primary care pediatricians, pediatric nurse practitioners, family medicine doctors, internal medicine doctors, developmental behavioral pediatricians, psychiatrists, and neurologists. Behavioral health clinicians caring for those with ADHD include psychologists, social workers, licensed clinical mental health workers, and psychiatrists. It’s no surprise that different disciplines have different diagnostic and treatment practices.
Use of concurrent multiple methods of contraception in the United States, 2008 to 2015.

Objective To identify prevalence of, characteristics associated with, and combinations of, use of more than one method of contraception at last intercourse among US women between 2008 and 2015. Methods We conducted bivariate and multivariable logistic regression analyses using data on concurrent contraceptive use from 2 nationally representative samples of women ages 15 to 44 who had used some form of contraception at last intercourse in the past 3 months in the 2006-2010 (n = 6601) and 2013-2017 (n = 5562) cycles of the National Survey of Family Growth. Results Use of more than one method of contraception at last sex increased from 14% in 2008 to 18% in 2015 (p<0.001), with increases in use documented across many population groups. Among multiple method users, the majority combined condoms with other methods (58%), while the rest combined other methods (42%). When compared to single method users, dual method users employing condoms are a more homogeneous group of individuals than are dual method users not employing condoms. As age increases, dual use with condoms decreases, but there is no similar linear relationship between age and dual method use without condoms. Conclusions A sizable proportion of US women use more than one contraceptive method during sex; current estimates of contraceptive use focused exclusively on single method use may underestimate the extent to which women are protected from unintended pregnancy. The needs and goals of individuals combining contraceptive methods in different ways may change over the life course as pregnancy desires and life circumstances change. Implications A sizable proportion of US women use more than one contraceptive method during sex; clinicians and health educators in nonclinical settings should assess and acknowledge these more complicated contraceptive strategies in order to help individuals achieve autonomy in method choice and meet their goals around pregnancy and sexually transmitted infection prevention.
Volar, Dorsal, and/or Radial Plating

Abstract Distal radius fractures are a common clinical problem for which many treatment options exist. Mostly commonly, unstable, displaced or angulated distal radius fractures are treated with plate osteosynthesis. When considering options for plate fixation of distal radius fractures, the optimal strategy maximizes function while minimizing complications. The purpose of this chapter is to explore the currently existing evidence for different types of plate fixation and assess which plating method is most effective. We conclude that volar plating is an appropriate choice for the treatment of many unstable distal radius fractures. However, it is paramount that the treating surgeon is able to recognize situations in which a volar plate is inadequate for fixation of an unstable distal radius fracture. Combining a volar plate with an additional radial column or dorsal plate, or a dorsal or radial column plate alone, may be necessary to provide adequate stability to the construct.
The effect of systemic lidocaine on post-operative opioid consumption in ambulatory surgical patients: a meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials.

Background Ambulatory surgical procedures continue to grow in relevance to perioperative medicine. Clinical studies have examined the use of systemic lidocaine as a component of multimodal analgesia in various surgeries with mixed results. A quantitative review of the opioid-sparing effects of systemic lidocaine in ambulatory surgery has not been investigated. The primary objective of this study was to systematically review the effectiveness of systemic lidocaine on postoperative analgesic outcomes in patients undergoing ambulatory surgery. Methods We performed a quantitative systematic review of randomized controlled trials in electronic databases (Cochrane Library, Embase, PubMed, and Google Scholar) from their inception through February 2019. Included trials investigated the effects of intraoperative systemic lidocaine on postoperative analgesic outcomes, time to hospital discharge, and adverse events. Methodological quality was evaluated using Cochrane Collaboration's tool and the level of evidence was assessed using GRADE criteria. Data was combined in a meta-analysis using random-effects models. Results Five trials evaluating 297 patients were included in the analysis. The pooled effect of systemic lidocaine on postoperative opioid consumption at post-anesthesia care unit revealed a significant effect, weighted mean difference (95% CI) of - 4.23 (- 7.3 to 1.2, P = 0.007), and, at 24 h, weighted mean difference (95% CI) of - 1.91 (- 3.80 to - 0.03, P = 0.04) mg intravenous morphine equivalents. Postoperative pain control during both time intervals, postoperative nausea and vomiting reported at post anesthesia care unit, and time to hospital discharge were not different between groups. The incidence rate of self-limiting adverse events of the included studies is 0.007 (2/297). Conclusion Our results suggest that intraoperative systemic lidocaine as treatment for postoperative pain has a moderate opioid-sparing effect in post anesthesia care unit with limited effect at 24 h after ambulatory surgery. Moreover, the opioid-sparing effect did not impact the analgesia or the presence of nausea and vomiting immediately or 24 h after surgery. Clinical trials with larger sample sizes are necessary to further confirm the short-term analgesic benefit of systemic lidocaine following ambulatory surgery. Trial registration PROSPERO ( CRD42019142229 ).
Basement membrane remodeling guides cell migration and cell morphogenesis during development

Abstract Basement membranes (BMs) are thin, dense forms of extracellular matrix that underlie or surround most animal tissues. BMs are enormously complex and harbor numerous proteins that provide essential signaling, mechanical, and barrier support for tissues during their development and normal functioning. As BMs are found throughout animal tissues, cells frequently migrate, change shape, and extend processes along BMs. Although sometimes used only as passive surfaces by cells, studies in developmental contexts are finding that BMs are often actively modified to help guide cell motility and cell morphogenesis. Here, I provide an overview of recent work revealing how BMs are remodeled in remarkably diverse ways to direct cell migration, cell orientation, axon guidance, and dendrite branching events during animal development.
Household food insecurity and in-utero and early life smoke exposure: Data from NHANES 2003–2016

Abstract In-utero, postnatal, and childhood smoke exposure are associated with adverse health consequences, and examining factors related to smoke exposure during these vulnerable periods are critical to inform efforts that promote maternal and child health. This study included pregnant and postpartum women aged 20–44 years and children aged 3–12 years from National Health and Nutrition and Examination Survey (NHANES) 2003–2016 cycles. Logistic regression examined association of household food insecurity with firsthand (FHS) and secondhand (SHS) exposure among pregnant and postpartum women, and SHS exposure among children, based on serum cotinine and respondent-reports. Very low household food security was significantly associated with increased odds of cotinine-based FHS exposure among pregnant (OR(95%CI) = 5.19 (1.75, 15.39)) and postpartum women (OR(95%CI) = 4.75(1.66, 13.57)). Non-smoking, postpartum women from very low food secure households also had significantly greater odds of cotinine-based SHS exposure (OR(95%CI) = 7.40 (2.08, 26.37)) than those from food secure households. Using respondent-reported smoking status, low food security in pregnant and postpartum women was significantly related to increased odds of FHS exposure (OR(95% CI) = 3.75(1.52, 9.23)). Further, children from marginal, low and very low food secure households had significantly higher odds of SHS exposure compared to those from food secure households. Results imply the co-occurrence food insecurity and in-utero and early life smoke exposure.
A design procedure for classical offset Dragonian antennas with circular apertures

Numerous antenna applications (e.g., remote sensing, radar, and communication) require compact antennas capable of providing a high gain over a wide field of view. Although high performance over a moderate field of view can be achieved with conventional classical offset dual-reflector geometries, some applications require performances unattainable with these antennas. For such cases, the classical offset Dragonian antenna might provide the required improved performance. This antenna employs a paraboloidal main reflector illuminated by a concave hyperbolical subreflector, and its performance has been confirmed. Although Dragonian antennas have been around for more than two decades, to the authors' best knowledge an electrical design methodology is not yet available for them. In this paper a convenient step-by-step design procedure for electrically optimized (i.e., zero geometrical-optics cross polarization and minimum spillover) classical offset Dragonian antennas with a circular aperture is presented. The procedure starts from readily available mechanical parameters and straightforwardly yields an optimum classical design.
Reaction modeling suite: A rational, intelligent and automated framework for modeling surface reactions and catalyst design

Abstract The continuing development of high throughput experiments (HTE) in the field of catalysis has dramatically increased the amount of data that can be collected in relatively short periods of time. The key questions in the current scenario are (1) Even when HTE can afford “Edisonian” discovery, how can the increasing amounts of data be converted to knowledge that will guide the next search in the vast design space that encompasses catalytic materials? and (2) How can HTE data lead to fundamental understanding? In order to address these questions, we propose a catalyst design architecture that involves (1) a forward model to predict the performance of a given material structure and (2) a genetic algorithm based inverse problem that uses the forward model to search the descriptor space for a material that meets specific design objectives. We have developed a rational, automated knowledge extraction (KE) engine to aid the forward model building process. The Reaction Modeling Suite (RMS; U.S. patent pending) is a set of tools based on artificial intelligence and optimization techniques that enables the expert to initiate the kinetic modeling sequence in a simple reaction chemistry language. The software then interprets this information into a reaction sequence, writes the appropriate equations, optimizes the model parameters while keeping them in physically and chemically allowed bounds, and does statistical analysis of the results. These steps have been demonstrated for propane aromatization on HZSM-5. A successful forward model has considerable value in its own right, but its power is dramatically leveraged by the inverse model, which forecasts successful specific catalyst formulations. This potential to truly design catalysts is the return on the investment in model building.
On the value of small‐scale GE models

The field of international economics has made frequent use of general equilibrium models in order to investigate the nature of those possible comparative static equilibrium solutions that seem somewhat paradoxical. Frequently the analysis is done for settings in which the number of commodities, countries, and/or factors of production is assumed to be rather small. For example, the classic Ricardian model making use of the concept of comparative advantage based on comparisons of efficient ratios of country productivities has solutions that hold for any number of countries or commodities. A number of different issues, such as stability conditions and the transfer problem, are discussed in which surprising equilibrium outcomes possible in a general situation can be understood more easily in a small-scale setting.
Human, viral or mutant human IL-10 expressed after local adenovirus-mediated gene transfer are equally effective in ameliorating disease pathology in a rabbit knee model of antigen-induced arthritis

IL-10 is a Th2 cytokine important for inhibiting cell-mediated immunity while promoting humoral responses. Human IL-10 (hIL-10) has anti-inflammatory, immunosuppressive as well as immunostimulatory characteristics, whereas viral IL-10 (vIL-10), a homologue of hIL-10 encoded by Epstein Barr virus (EBV), lacks several immunostimulatory functions. The immunostimulatory characteristic of hIL-10 has been attributed to a single amino acid, isoleucine at position 87, which in vIL-10 is alanine. A mutant hIL-10 in which isoleucine has been substituted (mut.hIL-10) is biologically active with only immunosuppressive, but not immunostimulatory, functions, making it a potentially superior therapeutic for inflammatory diseases. To compare the efficacy of mut.hIL-10 with hIL-10 and vIL-10 in blocking the progression of rheumatoid arthritis, we used replication defective adenoviral vectors to deliver intra-articularly the gene encoding hIL-10, vIL-10 or mut.hIL-10 to antigen-induced arthritic (AIA) knee joints in rabbits. Intra-articular expression of hIL-10, vIL-10, and mut.hIL-10 resulted in significant improvement of the pathology in the treated joints to similar levels. These observed changes included a significant reduction in intra-articular leukocytosis and the degree of synovitis, as well as normalization of cartilage matrix metabolism. Our results suggest that hIL-10, vIL-10, and mut.hIL-10 are all equally therapeutic in the rabbit AIA model for treating disease pathology.
Development of NMR: Structural Biology Since the Early 1990s

This article traces advances of NMR applications in structural biology that have taken place in the past 20 years. It begins with a brief summary of pioneering work in the field that is covered more fully in the first volume of this encyclopedia(see Becker, Edwin D.: Development of NMR: From the Early Beginnings to the Early 1990s). This introduction is followed by three main sections. The first two trace developments of the past two decades that have dramatically increased the quantity, quality, and complexity of biomolecular structures solved by NMR in solution and solid states. These sections cover advances in multidimensional, double and triple resonance solution- and solid-state NMR methodology that, together with various schemes for isotopic enrichment, provide sequential signal assignments as well as structural restraints, enabling structures of great biological significance to be solved. Developments in data processing and structure computation that have played a major role in the success of structure determination are noted, as are methods for guiding structure prediction with limited sets of NMR restraints. A few biomolecular structures solved by NMR methods are presented at the end of each section, in order to show the wide variety of structure-function relationships revealed by contemporary NMR techniques. In the final section, the development of methods for investigating the dynamics of biomolecules in solution and solid states is traced. Topics covered are measurements of spin relaxation rates, residual anisotropic interactions, and chemical exchange, as well as the use of these measurements to extract information about biomolecular dynamics on the timescale ranging from picoseconds to many seconds. The section concludes with examples illustrating how information about biomolecular dynamics has aided in understanding function. Keywords: NMR; biomolecule; structure; restraints; NOE; chemical shift; RDC; paramagnetic; MAS; recoupling; dynamics; spin relaxation; order parameter; exchange; TROSY
Experimental and numerical analysis of a stop-splayed traditional timber scarf joint with key

Abstract Traditionally constructed heavy timber trusses employ scarf joints to transfer tensile forces between lower chord members. Scarf joints significantly impact the global stiffness of heavy timber trusses, yet little is known about their structural behavior. This paper describes a study recently completed on the commonly used stop-splayed scarf joint with a key. Experimental tests were performed on scarf joints replicated from a covered wooden bridge in Pennsylvania and compared to the numerical results of full, three-dimensional finite element models created using ABAQUS. The authors determined that the key has the most influence on scarf joint behavior as its orientation causes it to be loaded in compression perpendicular to grain. Experimental tests also revealed the importance of clamping bolts, without which a limit state of “key rolling” was observed. With two clamping bolts in place, the limit state was shear failure parallel to grain, which provides a more stable failure and a higher ultimate strength. The authors recommend to engineers that the scarf joint not be analyzed as a pure tension member; rather, it should be considered a member subject to combined tension and bending forces.
Cephalopod Cognition in an Evolutionary Context: Implications for Ethology

What is the distribution of cognitive ability within the animal kingdom? It would be egalitarian to assume that variation in intelligence is everywhere clinal, but examining trends among major phylogenetic groups, it becomes easy to distinguish high-performing ‘generalists’ – whose behavior exhibits domain-flexibility – from ‘specialists’ whose range of behavior is limited and ecologically specific. These generalists include mammals, birds, and, intriguingly, cephalopods. The apparent intelligence of coleoid cephalopods (squids, octopuses, and cuttlefish) is surprising – and philosophically relevant – because of our independent evolutionary lineages: the most recent common ancestor between vertebrates and cephalopods would have been a small wormlike organism, without any major organizational structure to its nervous system. By identifying the cognitive similarities between these organisms and vertebrates, we can begin to derive some general principles of intelligence as a biological phenomenon. Here, I discuss trends in cephalopod behavior and surrounding theory, and suggest their significance for our understanding of domain-general cognition and its evolution.
Thermal decomposition of Eu2(SO4)3·8H2O studied by high resolution luminescence spectroscopy☆

The thermal decomposition of hydrated europium sulfate was monitored by high resolution photoluminescence studies of the decomposition products. By application of the luminescence method, information can be gleaned from the fine structure within the europium(III) bands regarding the number of europium (III) species existing in the sample. In addition, some idea of the site symmetry of the emitting europium(III) species can be deduced from a detailed analysis of the spectra. Examination of the luminescence spectra revealed that dehydration of the europium(III) sulfate yields a multitude of hydrated intermediates, and these eventually form a well-defined anhydrous sulfate. Our data indicate the presence of a hitherto unsuspected intermediate Eu2O(SO4)2 in the decomposition of the anhydrous Eu2(SO4)3 to a well-defined Eu2O2SO4 end product.
Analysis of flexural properties of hollow-particle filled composites

Abstract This paper studies flexural properties of vinyl ester–glass hollow-particle filled composites, which are used in marine applications. Sixteen compositions of composite materials are studied under three-point bending conditions to assess the effect of wall thickness and volume fraction of hollow inclusions. The results show that the flexural modulus of several composites is higher as compared to the neat resin. Moreover, the specific modulus of all composites is higher than the neat resin providing the possibility of appreciable weight saving in marine structures. Nevertheless, the flexural strength of the composites is lower than that of the neat resin. In addition, it is found that the flexural strength decreases as the inclusion volume fraction increases and is independent of the inclusion wall thickness. An analytical framework is presented to interpret the experimental findings and generate predictive capabilities for hollow-particle filled composites. Tractable formulas are used for computing the flexural modulus and strength from the mechanical and geometrical properties of the constituents. Analytical and experimental results are found to be in close agreement.
Biochemical variation of Phyllodactylus unctus and P. paucituberculatus

Abstract A survey of 27 gene products of presumptive isozyme gene loci has been used to determine the systematic status of a population identified as Phyllodactylus unctus in Michoacan, Mexico; it is determined that this population should be placed in cynonomy with P. paucituberculatus . The genetic distance estimate predicts a divergence time from P. unctus of baja california of 16 million yr (esterases not considered) to 18 million yr (esterases included), which correlates with geological dates for the formation of the cape region of baja california and genetic distance estimates for two other trasgulfian reptilian sister groups. Isozyme variability is low and heterozygosity estimates yield intermediate values between those of fossorial and low vagility lizards and those of sit-and-wait predator lizards.
Ab initio effective core potentials including relativistic effects. IV. Potential energy curves for the ground and several excited states of Au2

The ground and excited states of Au2 are studied using ab initio averaged relativistic effective core potentials (AREP) and MCSCF–CI procedures. Spin–orbit effects are included in the excited states derived from 2S1/2+2D3/2 and 2S1/2+2D5/2 atomic states using an empirical procedure. The ground state dissociation energy is calculated to be 2.27 eV as compared to the experimental value of 2.31 eV. The calculated energies for the two spectroscopically allowed 0+g to 0+u transitions and other molecular parameters also agree reasonably well with experiment.
Plasmonic tuning of silver nanowires by laser shock induced lateral compression

Laser shock induced lateral compression has been demonstrated to controllably flatten cylindrical silver nanowires. Nanowires with circular cross-sections of diameter 70 nm are significantly shaped laterally, which transformed them to metallic ribbons of huge width of 290 nm and of thickness down to 13 nm, amounting the aspect ratio to as high as 22, at a laser intensity of 0.30 GW cm−2. Above the laser intensity of 0.30 GW cm−2 though, nanowires are observed to be ruptured. Lateral deformations of nanowires are achieved without altering longitudinal dimensions. Selected area electron diffraction patterns on the laterally deformed nanowires reveal that the flattening gives rise to twinning under high strain rate deformation without actually degrading crystallinity. As the 1D nanowire turns into a 2D metallic nanoribbon, new plasmonic modes and their combinations emerge. The transverse plasmon mode does not shift substantially, whereas longitudinal modes and their combinations are greatly influenced by lateral deformation. Apart from the transverse mode, which is dominant in a 1D nanowire and diminishes heavily when lateral deformation occurs, there is a presence of several longitudinal plasmonic modes and their combinations for metallic nanoribbons, which are revealed by experimental extinction spectra and also supported by finite-difference time-domain (FDTD) simulation. Such plasmonic tuning of silver nanowires across the visible range demonstrates the capability of a laser shock induced lateral compression technique for various emerging plasmonic applications. The laser shock compression technique has the advantages of flexibility, selectivity and tunability while retaining crystallinity of metallic nanowires, all of which enable it to be a potential candidate for plasmonic tuning of nanogeometries.
Radiation Widths of Nuclear Energy Levels

The highly excited energy levels formed by capture of slow neutrons can be studied by means of the resonances in neutron cross sections as functions of energy. In the present work the radiation widths of levels in heavy nuclei have been measured by means of total cross section curves obtained with the Brookhaven fast chopper. The "shape," "area," and "interference" methods of analyzing the neutron transmission data are described. The radiation widths obtained, together with results of similar measurements, show that radiation widths of levels in the same nuclide are nearly constant, the observed variations from level to level being of the order of the experimental error. The radiation widths decrease slowly with atomic weight, except for discontinuities at nuclear shells; these discontinuities can be satisfactorily correlated with variations in excitation energy and level spacing at the shells. The variation of radiation width with excitation energy and level spacing is consistent with theoretical calculations for electric dipole transitions; the absolute theoretical widths are too large by an order of magnitude, however.
Quantitative myocardial blood flow in children with normal and abnormal coronary arteries using adenosine infusion magnetic resonance imaging

Methods Images were obtained on a 3 T scanner (Philips Achieva) and were analyzed by segmenting along endoand epicardial borders and determining the changes of the average myocardial signal intensity during contrast transit in 6 myocardial regions in 2 short axis LV slices using deconvolution of the tissue curves with an arterial input, measured in the LV chamber to determine quantitative flow.
Knowledge for Use: Science, Higher Learning, and America's New Industrial Heartland, 1880-1915

In the United States of America, the years from 1880 to 1915 were a period of rapid urbanization, combined in some areas with intense industrialization. This paper explores the creation in cities of the new industrial heartland of new institutions of higher learning. The case studies chosen illustrate varying responses to local needs for scientific and technical expertise, and illuminate how new concepts of higher education in the United States helped to shape the emergent connection between science and industry.
Three new herbal hepatotoxic syndromes.

Medical toxicologists are frequently confronted with patients who display manifestations of hepatic injury without clear explanation. Faced with such a dilemma, it is important to be cognizant of t...
Classification and the concept of goodness

(1963). Classification and the concept of goodness. Australasian Journal of Philosophy: Vol. 41, No. 2, pp. 182-185.
Impact of three-dimensional radiative effects on satellite retrievals of cloud droplet sizes

[1] There are several dozen papers that study the effects of cloud horizontal inhomogeneity on the retrievals of cloud optical thickness, but only a few of them deal with cloud droplet sizes. This paper is one of the first comprehensive attempts to fill this gap: It takes a close theoretical look at the radiative effects of cloud 3-D structure in retrievals of droplet effective radii. Under some general assumptions, it was found that ignoring subpixel (unresolved) variability produces a negative bias in the retrieved effective radius, while ignoring cloud inhomogeneity at scales larger than a pixel scale (resolved variability), on the contrary, leads to overestimation of the domain average droplet size. The theoretical results are illustrated with examples from Large Eddy Simulations (LES) of cumulus (Cu) and stratocumulus (Sc) cloud fields. The analysis of cloud drop size distributions retrieved from both LES fields confirms that ignoring shadowing in 1-D retrievals results in substantial overestimation of effective radii which is more pronounced for broken Cu than for Sc clouds. Collocated measurements of broken Cu clouds by Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectrometer (MODIS) and Advanced Spaceborne Thermal Emission and Reflection Radiometer (ASTER) are used to check simulations and theory with observations. The analysis of ASTER and MODIS data and associated derived products recommends against blindly using retrieved effective radii for broken cloud fields, especially if one wants to relate aerosol amounts to cloud droplet sizes.
Pit-1/ghf-1 transcription factor expression in rodent pituitaries.

The Pit-1/GHF-1 (Pit-1) transcription factor is important for the development of anterior pituitary cells that produce GH and PRL. We examined the expression of Pit-1 mRNA in pituitary tissues from rats and mice. Analysis of pituitaries from normal and GHRH transgenic mice showed that Pit-1 transcripts were readily detected in normal, hyperplastic, and neoplastic pituitaries. A cell line (GHRH-CL1) established from a GhRH transgenic mouse pituitary tumor in our laboratory also expressed Pit-1 mRNA. Normal rat pituitaries and those with estrogen-induced PRL cell hyperplasia expressed Pit-1 mRNA. There was a decrease in Pit-1 mRNA in hyperplastic rat pituitaries concomitant with a decrease In GH mRNA amounts and an increase in PRL mRNA amounts after estrogen treatment. Similarly, analysis of GH3 cells in vitro showed that estrogen and bFGF modulated PRL but not Pit-1 mRNA levels. Pit-1 mRNA was localized by combined in situ hybridization and immunohistochemistry to predominantly GH and PRL cells, although some TSH and LH cells in the rat pituitary also expressed Pit-1 mRNA, indicating wide distribution of the mRNA for this transcription factor in various anterior pituitary cell types. Analysis of cell proliferation in normal rat pituitary and GH3 cells revealed that estrogen and bFGF stimulated cell proliferation in normal pituitaries but inhibited proliferation in GH3 cells, whereas Pit-1 transcripts remained unchanged in both groups of cultured cells. These results indicate that Pit-1 mRNA is readily detected in normal, hyperplastic, and neoplastic rodent pituitaries. Changes in Pit-1 mRNA amounts appear to correlate more closely with changes in GH than PRL mRNA levels in cultured pituitary cells.Endocr Pathol 4:146–154, 1993.
Mast cell activation and clinical outcome in pediatric cholelithiasis and biliary dyskinesia

Background The current study was undertaken to determine the degree of activation of gallbladder mucosal mast cells, whether mast cell (MC) density or activation differ between patients with and without a positive clinical response to cholecystectomy, and whether either density or activation correlate with gallbladder emptying.
Strategy for Repeat Biopsy of Patients with Prostatic Intraepithelial Neoplasia Detected by Prostate Needle Biopsy

AbstractPurpose: We evaluated the strategy for repeat biopsy of patients with prostatic intraepithelial neoplasia without concurrent carcinoma detected on prostate needle biopsy.Materials and Methods: Of 1,275 consecutive patients undergoing prostate needle biopsy 61 were identified with prostatic intraepithelial neoplasia but without concurrent prostate carcinoma. Of the 61 patients 53 had undergone repeat biopsy. The medical records, transrectal ultrasound, and operative and pathological reports of these patients were reviewed.Results: Repeat biopsy was done in 53 patients with prostatic intraepithelial neoplasia, yielding carcinoma in 15, prostatic intraepithelial neoplasia without carcinoma in 8 and benign tissue in 30. The yield of carcinoma from repeat biopsy of a prostatic intraepithelial neoplasia site was 8.3 percent (7 of 84 sites). A total of 18 sites of carcinoma was detected by repeat biopsy of a previous random biopsy site (8), a prostatic intraepithelial neoplasia site only (5), a transrect...
Application of the Theory of Interacting Continua to Blood Flow

Micro-scale investigations of the flow and deformation of blood and its formed elements have been studied for many years. Early in vitro investigations in the rotational viscometers or small glass tubes revealed important rheological properties such as the reduced blood apparent viscosity, Fahraeus effect and Fahraeus-Lindqvist effect [1], exhibiting the nonhomogeneous property of blood in microcirculation. We have applied Mixture Theory, also known as Theory of Interacting Continua, to study and model this property of blood [2, 3]. This approach holds great promise for predicting the trafficking of RBCs in micro-scale flows (such as the depletion layer near the wall), andother unique hemorheological phenomena relevant to blood trauma. The blood is assumed to be composed of an RBC component modeled as a nonlinear fluid, suspended in plasma, modeled as a linearly viscous fluid.Copyright © 2011 by ASME
Channel cross‐section geometry affects basin response

In river networks the shape of a cross section affects streamflow characteristics. Mejia and Reed developed an analytical framework to study the role of channel and floodplain cross-section geometry in basin-scale hydrologic response. They applied their analysis to a case study using data for the Illinois River basin. The researchers found that the form of the cross section can have a major influence on basin response and that cross-section geometry plays different roles depending on whether flows are in a channel or a floodplain. The framework could be useful for incorporating channel and floodplain geometry into hydrologic models. (Water Resources Research, doi:10.1029/2010WR010375, 2011)
Metal-ceramic interfacial fracture resistance using the continuous microscratch technique

Abstract To investigate the adhesion of thin films to substrates, continuous microscratch tests were carried out on carbon or nickel thin films bonded to silicon, NiO, or Al2O3 substrates. In the present study, continuous microscratch experiments were carried out by driving a conical diamond indenter into the sample at a rate of 15 nm s−1 and across the sample surface at a rate of 0.5 μm s−1, until a load drop occured, indicating film delamination. The critical load for film delamination provides a qualitative measure of the adhesion strength of the bi-material system. From the area of the debonded film and the critical load to failure, a quantitative measure of the strain energy release rate and the interfacial fracture resistance of the bi-material systems, was calculated using a model developed in a previous paper. The strain energy release rate and the interfacial fracture toughness were in the range 0.05–0.5 J m−2 and 0.1–0.55 MPa m 1 2 respectively. These values are in reasonable agreement with those determined by other methods for metal-ceramic systems. In general, the fracture resistance for brittle films was found to be much larger than that for ductile films. Preliminary investigation of the contributions of film and substrate modulus to the work of adhesion indicate that the work of adhesion increases non-linearly with the moduli.