cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Sampling variability of radon in soil gases

Abstract Little information is available on the long-term reproducibility of radon in soil gases, or on the vertical distribution of radon concentrations in soil gas. For five sites in central Pennsylvania, the radon activity in soil gas at depths exceeding about 70 cm varies by factors of 3 to 10 during the year, and shows even larger variability at shallow depths. At depths greater than about 70 cm, values are lower in winter than in summer, apparently because radon is retained in the soil in some form other than the air phase, perhaps in soil moisture or sorbed on solids, as a result of increased moisture or decreased temperature during winter. The low radon values in winter are observed at depths below the frozen surface zone, so they do not result directly from freezing. Values at depths shallower than about 70 cm at one site studied in detail appear to average slightly higher in winter than in summer, but with erratic highs and lows defining a 3-fold annual range. At two other sites, the shallow values show patterns similar to the deep values, with highs in summer. Vertical profiles show reversal and other features differing from previous models for simple diffusive transport. Sampling during the summer period at depths greater than 75 cm shows the best reproducibility for these soils. Several sets of soil-gas measurements along a traverse crossing a fracture trace indicate that elevated radon values tend to occur over the fracture zone, but anomalies also occur outside the fracture trace, and show appreciable variability with time and precise location. The literature indicates that 3- to 10-fold seasonal variations are common. Most other studies show high radon in winter or in wet or frozen soils, attributed to capping by saturated or frozen soil, but clay-rich soils in Sweden have their highest radon in summer and fall. Soils that crack in dry weather can have low radon because of dilution by the atmosphere. These phenomena must be considered in comparing surveys performed during different seasons and interpreting surveys of soils with laterally differing texture or moisture content.
Micro-Ablation of Skin by Arc-Discharge Jet Ejection for Transdermal Drug Delivery

This paper presents the design, fabrication and characterization of a jet ejection device that operates on the actuation principle of arc discharge for the purpose of generating micron-scale pores in skin. This thermo-mechanical micro-ablation technique increases skin permeability to drugs, while expected to maintain the patient friendliness of conventional transdermal patches. Laser micromachining and lamination techniques were utilized in fabricating these arc-discharge jet ejection devices. The released jet from the device is characterized in terms of its force, velocity and temperature and is used in skin ablation experiments. The skin is exposed to the jet and the permeability effects are characterized. Skin permeability was increased by approximately three orders of magnitude after jet exposure when compared to non-exposed controls, which is a significant advance for transdermal drug delivery.
Compositional dependence of redox equilibria in sodium silicate glasses

Abstract The effects of melt composition on the redox equilibria of cerium, chromium, copper, iron manganese and uranium have been individually determined in sodium silicate glass melts at constant oxygen fugacity and temperature. Increased melt basicity shifts the Ce4+Ce3+, Cr6+Cr3+, Mn3+Mn2+ and U6+U5+ redox couples in the direction of the oxidized state, and shifts the Cu2+Cu+ couple to the formation of the reduced state. The compositional shift is dependent on the solvation of the individual redox ions, in particular whether the oxidized or reduced state has the higher coordination number in the resulting glass. The Fe3+Fe2+ redox couple becomes more reduced as the melt composition becomes more basic up to a molar Na/Si ratio of about unity, but then becomes more oxidized as the melt is made even more basic. This compositional dependence is consistent with a change in coordination of Fe3+ with composition; in acid melts, the Fe3+ ion is in octahedral coordination, whereas in basic melts it changes to the FeO2− ion in tetrahedral coordination.
Steroidal alkylating agents I. Some 16-substituted androstanes and pregnanes

Abstract The Michael addition of aziridine to 16-methyleneandrostane derivatives and Δ 16 -20-ketopregnane derivatives is reported. Several of the resulting adducts have shown antitumor activity in mouse mammary tumor assays.
After‐Cooking Discoloration of Potatoes Role of the Organic Acids

SUMMARY Stem- and bud-end tissue from 41 samples of potatoes representing various degrees of after-cooking discoloration were analyzed for organic acids content. The individual acids determined were glutamic, aspartic, pyroglutamic, malic, citric, orthophosphoric, oxalic, and one unidentified acid. The stem-end tissue contained a lower concentration of all the acids except the unidentified one. The difference between the stem- and bud-end was very large in some cases, notably for malic acid and citric acid. Examination of the data indicated a strong tendency for degree of blackening to be associated with low organic acid content. A statistical analysis of the data showed highly significant correlation of low citric acid, orthophosphoric acid, and oxalic acid content with blackening. Citric acid exhibited the highest degree of correlation, having an r value of 0.768. The significant correlation between low citric acid content and after-cooking blackening was maintained in all but one case when subgroups of the samples were formed according to variety, crop year, and location grown. Of the three varieties studied statistically, Ontario and Katahdin showed correlation, whereas Kennebec did not. The interrelationships of iron, citric acid, and potassium contents were studied. Since there is always a large excess of citric acid over iron, it must be assumed that something prevents the citric acid from chelating the iron in blackening potatoes. The data indicate that potassium may be the main constituent playing this role. In the final analysis, the primary factor in the blackening phenomenon is probably the amount of free organic acid present.
Evaluating the Performance of Web Services Composition for Network Management

The composition of network management information is a feature widely required but not properly supported in traditional management technologies. Web services technology has been investigated to enable more sophisticated management solutions. In this paper, we show that Web services have more to offer to the network management discipline than just bridging established management protocols and Web-based applications. We explore the possibility of using Web services composition for network management considering two approaches: in the first one a single device needs to be contacted and its information composed; in the second one, many devices need to be contacted and the information retrieved from them need to be composed. We show that using proper tools one can not only really use Web services composition for network management, but also that such use can be integrated with traditional management technologies that are unlike to be abandoned in short and mid terms. Moreover, we investigate the performance of Web services compositions for network management considering response time and network traffic. Performance investigations are crucial because Web services protocols are based on plain text XML documents and impose a processing overhead, which may prevent their adoption depending on the requirements and limitations of the management environment.
Teaching Intersectionality Intersectionally

Intersectionality has captured my intellectual imagination and activist energies ever since I was first introduced to the concept in the early 1980s. My dissertation project along with almost every...
Maqasid and the Challenges of Modernity

A central feature of public Muslim discourse over the past three decades has been the call to restore the Shari‘a in one form or another. Some reformers have proposed a new theoretical underpinning for this restoration, arguing for the adoption of foundational concepts that bear little, if any, resemblance to their pre-modern counterparts. A central question that ineluctably emerges in this aporia is: What narrative must be adopted as the representation of the historical Shari‘a, the Shari‘a that prevailed until the early portion of the nineteenth century? If the colonial narrative is ipso facto programmatic and teleological, and if it served and still serves the purposes of all but those of the subaltern majority, then what other narrative must be adopted in the project of creating the new symbiosis? And if the jural voices of the subaltern are to come in for serious consideration, then how are we to represent them, if we can at all? And if we cannot, then into what espistemic predicament, if not a perennial aporia, does this throw both the privileged scholar and the reformer/intellectual? This article does not provide answers to these questions but rather addresses the problematics that these and related questions raise in dealing with the challenge of introducing into the modern Muslim condition one form of Islamic law or another.
Analysis of the Antigenic Relationships Among Trichomonas, Histomonas, Dientamoeba, and Entamoeba. II. Gel Diffusion Methods

SYNOPSIS. Antisera were developed in rabbits against Trichomonas gallinae, Histomonas meleagridis, Dientamoeba fragilis, Entamoeba invadens, and Entamoeba histolytica. In reactions between these antisera and antigens prepared from each of the 5 species the most numerous and strongest precipitin lines appeared on gel diffusion agarose plates between the homologous antigens and antisera. Anti-Trichomonas serum cross-reacted most strongly with Histomonas, somewhat less with Dientamoeba, but gave no lines with the 2 species of Entamoeba. Anti-Histomonas serum cross-reacted strongly with both Trichomonas and Dientamoeba, and weakly with E. invadens and E. histolytica. Dientamoeba antiserum gave many precipitin lines with Histomonas, fewer with Trichomonas, and fewest with the 2 species of Entamoeba. Stronger reactions were noted between anti-Dientamoeba serum and E. invadens than between this serum and E. histolytica. Immune sera prepared against the 2 species of Entamoeba gave the most numerous precipitin lines in intrageneric cross-reactions, but the reaction between either of these antisera and Histomonas was weak. Somewhat stronger reactions were observed between the 2 anti-Entamoeba sera and Dientamoeba. Trichomonas failed to react with either of the anti-Entamoeba sera.
PCPP: Private Computing on Public Platforms A New Paradigm in Public Computing

As cellular telephones and high capacity memory sticks emerge as users' primary repository for data and applications, users will often run applications and display data on remote hosts. The biggest challenge in supporting this mobile data, mobile applications, stationary platforms model is in ensuring security of the applications as well as the platforms. To that end, we propose PCPP as a new paradigm in public computing in which the remote host is not trusted, rather, security is owned and enforced by the application. PCPP is a two step process which ensures that the application running on the remote host remains unaltered, unmonitored, and unrecorded for future analysis by the public platform or any application running on the public platform
A novel RNA polymerase‐binding protein controlling genes involved in spore germination in Bacillus subtilis

Summary A growing class of proteins regulates transcription through interaction with DNA-dependent RNA polymerase. Here we report that a recently identified, highly conserved sporulation gene ylyA encodes a novel RNA polymerase-binding protein that influences the expression of genes under the control of the late-acting, sporulation sigma factor σG in Bacillus subtilis. Spores from a ylyA mutant exhibited defects in germination corresponding to changes in the levels of membrane receptors for spore germinants and a protein channel governing the release of dipicolinic acid and hydration of the spore core during germination. Purified YlyA interacted with RNA polymerase and stimulated transcription from promoters dependent on σG but not promoters dependent on the housekeeping sigma factor σA. YlyA is a previously unrecognized RNA polymerase-binding protein that is dedicated to modulating the expression of genes involved in spore germination.
Combined platinum etoposide with radiation therapy in limited stage small cell lung cancer: An effective treatment strategy

Meta-analyses [1 ,2] indicate that the addition of radiotherapy to combination chemotherapy has improved survival significantly for patients with limited small cell lung cancer (SCLC). The randomized trials that formed the bases for these analyses were from early this decade and the previous one. None of these trials incorporated up-front cisplatin-based chemotherapy programs, and few used either of these agents. Most were cyclophosphamideor doxorubicin-based regimens (Cor D-based) , or both together in the CAV (cyclophosphamide, Adriamycin [doxorubicin], vincristine). The method of combination may be important since combined modality toxicity dissuades its routine use. Excess toxicity is likely to be related to chemotherapy and radiotherapy factors. Some drugs have intrinsic pulmonary toxicity, or a net increase in toxicity versus anti-tumor effect. Combining these with thoracic radiotherapy (TRT) leads to a greater risk of toxicity at times merely additive, but perhaps synergistic negative effects. Although radiotherapy receives the criticism, one must remember that these toxicities represent combined modality interactions. The meta-analysis could not establish that either sequence, concurrent or sequential , was optimal.
Form and Function: A Matter of Perspective

It is often claimed that in product design, product form should follow the intended function of the product. The idea of whether or not “form follows function” is a matter of entrenched views that are often based on anecdotal evidence, and may be industry-specific. We integrate diverse perspectives of design theory and practice by addressing the definitions and relationships between two fundamental components of design: form and function. We consider the primary actors in the product design process as well as the managerially controllable aspects of function and form and the relationship between them, and offer suggestions for future research.
High Dielectric Constant Polymer Ceramic Composites

A ceramic-powder polymer composite, making use of a newly developed ceramics - CaCu3Ti4O12 (CCTO) - that has a giant dielectric constant as the filler, is developed. In this work, poly(vinylidene fluoride - trifluoroethylene) [P(VDF-TrFE)] 55/45 mol% copolymer was used as matrix. It is found that the wettability between the copolymer and CCTO is poor, which makes the solution cast composites have a poor uniformity. The uniformity and thus the dielectric constant of the composites can be significantly improved by using hot-press technology to form “sandwich” structure. It is also found that the thermal annealing process can improve the dielectric constant of the composite. The experimental data show that for the flexible composites the dielectric constant at 1 kHz can reach more than 300 at room temperature and more than 700 at ∼70 °C.
Particulate and solubilized fucosyl transferases from mouse brain.

The transfer of [14C]fucose from GDP-[U-14C]fucose to endogenous and exogenous acceptors by particulate and solubilized preparations from mouse brain is described. Suspensions of brain microsomes incorporated [14C]fucose into a heterogenous group of glycoprotein products, which have a distribution on gel electrophoresis similar to those synthesized in vivo. Fucosyl transferase, extracted from brain microsomes by Triton X-100, transferred [14C]fucose from GDP-[U-14C]fucose to terminal galactose residues exposed by mild acid hydrolysis of porcine plasma glycoprotein. Comparison of the specific activities of the solubilized fucosyl transferase from a number of organs showed that, in the presence of the exogenous acceptor which was used, the transferase of brain was more active than the transferases from all other organs tested, with the exception of kidney. Examination of subcellular fractions of brain, with endogenous and exogenous acceptors, showed that activity was limited to fractions containing microsomal membranes, whereas synaptosomal and other fractions were virtually inactive.
Science and Schooling for Students with LD: A Discussion of the Symposium

In this summative discussion, we respond to Crockett's proposals about supporting science in the schoolhouse, and we summarize and reflect on the perspectives of the commentators. Overall, they identify discussion points in issues of science in schooling, implementation of scientific practices, teacher training and professional development, and issues in educational administration and leadership. We agree with Crockett and the commentators that intensive efforts in all these areas must be made to strengthen the role of science in the schoolhouse.
P5K-2 Optimization and Characterization of RF Sputtered Piezoelectric Zinc Oxide Thin Film for Transducer Applications

This paper demonstrates the substrate dependency of the c-axis zinc oxide growth in radio-frequency sputtering system. Different deposition conditions were designed to study the influences of Si, SiO2/Si, Au/Ti/Si, and Au/Ti/SiO2/Si substrates on the piezoelectric and crystalline qualities of the ZnO thin films. Experimental results showed that the multilayer of Au/Ti/SiO2/Si-coated silicon substrate provided a surface that facilitated the growth of ZnO thin film with the most preferred crystalline orientation. The thermally grown amorphous silicon dioxide layer effectively masked the crystalline surface of the silicon substrate, thus allowing the depositions of high-quality titanium adhesion layer followed by gold thin film. The gold-coated surface allowed deposition of highly columnar ZnO polycrystalline structures. It was also demonstrated that by lowering the deposition rate at the start of sputtering, a fine ZnO seed layer could be created for subsequent higher-rate deposition. This two-step deposition method resulted in substantially enhanced ZnO film quality compared to single-step approach.
ED/sup 4/I: error detection by diverse data and duplicated instructions

Errors in computing systems can cause abnormal behavior and degrade data integrity and system availability. Errors should be avoided especially in embedded systems for critical applications. However, as the trend in VLSI technologies has been toward smaller feature sizes, lower supply voltages and higher frequencies, there is a growing concern about temporary errors as well as permanent errors in embedded systems; thus, it is very essential to detect those errors. Software-implemented hardware fault tolerance (SIHFT) is a low-cost alternative to hardware fault-tolerance techniques for embedded processors: It does not require any hardware modification of commercial off-the-shelf (COTS) processors. ED/sup 4/I (error detection by data diversity and duplicated instructions) is a SIHFT technique that detects both permanent and temporary errors by executing two "different" programs (with the same functionality) and comparing their outputs. ED/sup 4/I maps each number, x, in the original program into a new number x', and then transforms the program so that it operates on the new numbers so that the results can be mapped backwards for comparison with the results of the original program. The mapping in the transformation of ED/sup 4/I is x' = k/spl middot/x for integer numbers, where k/sub f/ determines the fault detection probability and data integrity of the system. For floating-point numbers, we find a value of k/sub f/ for the fraction and k/sub e/ for the exponent separately, and use k = k/sub f//spl times/2/sup k/ for the value of k. We have demonstrated how to choose an optimal value of k for the transformation. This paper shows that, for integer programs, the transformation with k = -2 was the most desirable choice in six out of seven benchmark programs we simulated. It maximizes the fault detection probability under the condition that the data integrity is highest.
VOCAL SYNCHRONY IN PSYCHOTHERAPY

Matching of nonverbal behaviors in conversation, known as synchrony, is sometimes shown to predict the rapport between conversational partners. The aim of this study was to examine whether synchrony in vocal pitch between psychotherapists and clients is similarly associated with rapport. Recordings of psychotherapy sessions were analyzed to extract the synchrony in pitch of therapist and client speech, and these synchrony measures were then related to measures of the therapy relationship and treatment outcome. Results indicated that pitch synchrony did occur in the sessions but higher levels of synchrony were related to poorer therapeutic relationships and greater distress. These findings suggest that the vocal pitch of therapists and their clients may be of importance in understanding the psychotherapy interaction.
Intrauterine Fetal Growth Retardation

There has been an awareness throughout the history of civilization that runting may occur in various animal species, particularly those of a polytocous reproductive nature. However, it was only three decades ago that McBurney helped focus attention on the problem of human fetal growth retardation with his manuscript entitled The Undernourished Full—Term Infant. 1 He reported his observations of 69 term infants born with birth weights less than 2500 g, thus introducing the concept of fetal intrauterine growth retardation. However, little attention was paid to aberrations of fetal growth until 1963 when Gruenwald presented his concept of chronic placental insufficiency2 and Lubchenco defined a small—for—date infant [small—for—gestational—age (SGA) infant] as one whose birth weight is below the 10th percentile for a specific gestational age.3 Gruenwald’s and Lubchenco’s reports initiated a surge of interest in intrauterine fetal growth retardation (IUGR), and it quickly became evident that there was an attendant increased morbidity and mortality for the fetus, neonate, and surviving adult. The overall effect of these investigations was to stimulate research in the broader disciplines of fetal growth and development.
Functionalized silk-based biomaterials for bone formation

Silks are being reassessed as biomaterial scaffolds due to their unique mechanical properties, opportunities for genetic tailoring of structure and thus function, and recent studies clarifying biocompatibility. We report on the covalent decoration of silk films with integrin recognition sequences (RGD) as well as parathyroid hormone (PTH, 1-34 amino acids) and a modified PTH 1-34 (mPTH) involved in the induction of bone formation. Osteoblast-like cell (Saos-2) responses to the decorated silk films indicate that the proteins serve as suitable bone-inducing matrices. Osteoblast-like cell adhesion was significantly increased on RGD and PTH compared to plastic, mPTH, and the control peptide RAD. At 2 weeks of culture, message levels of alkaline phosphatase were similar on all substrates, but by 4 weeks, alkaline phosphatase mRNA was greatest on RGD. At 2 weeks of culture, alpha 1(I) procollagen mRNA was elevated on silk, RGD, RAD, and PTH, and hardly detectable on mPTH and plastic. However, by 4 weeks RGD demonstrated the highest level compared to the other substrates. Osteocalcin message levels detected by RT-PCR were greatest on RGD at both time points. Calcification was also significantly elevated on RGD compared to the other substrates with an increase in number and size of the mineralized nodules in culture. Thus, RGD covalently decorated silk appears to stimulate osteoblast-based mineralization in vitro.
The pertussis enigma: Reconciling epidemiology, immunology and evolution

Pertussis, a highly contagious respiratory infection, remains a public health priority despite the availability of vaccines for 70 years. Still a leading cause of mortality in developing countries, pertussis has re-emerged in several developed countries with high vaccination coverage. Resurgence of pertussis in these countries has routinely been attributed to increased awareness of the disease, imperfect vaccinal protection or high infection rates in adults. In this review, we first present 1980–2012 incidence data from 63 countries and show that pertussis resurgence is not universal. We further argue that the large geographical variation in trends probably precludes a simple explanation, such as the transition from whole-cell to acellular pertussis vaccines. Reviewing available evidence, we then propose that prevailing views on pertussis epidemiology are inconsistent with both historical and contemporary data. Indeed, we summarize epidemiological evidence showing that natural infection and vaccination both appear to provide long-term protection against transmission and disease, so that previously infected or vaccinated adults contribute little to overall transmission at a population level. Finally, we identify several promising avenues that may lead to a consistent explanation of global pertussis epidemiology and to more effective control strategies.
Postoperative Delayed Cervical Palsies: Understanding the Etiology.

Study Design Retrospective study. Objective This study reviews 1,768 consecutive cervical decompressions with or without instrumented fusion to identify patient-specific and procedural risk factors significantly correlated with the development of delayed cervical palsy (DCP). Methods Baseline demographic and procedural information was collected from the electronic medical record. Particular attention was devoted to reviewing each chart for recognized risk factors of postsurgical inflammatory neuropathy: autoimmune disease, blood transfusions, diabetes, and smoking. Results Of 1,669 patients, 56 (3.4%) developed a DCP. Although 71% of the palsies involved C5, 55% of palsies were multimyotomal and 18% were bilateral. Significant risk factors on univariate analysis included age ( p = 0.0061, odds ratio [OR] = 1.07, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.008 to 1.050), posterior instrumented fusion ( p p = 0.0036, OR = 3.58, 95% CI 1.451 to 11.881), number of operative levels ( p p = 0.0231, OR = 2.57, 95% CI 1.152 to 5.132), and nonspecific autoimmune disease ( p = 0.0107, OR = 3.83, 95% CI 1.418 to 8.730). On multivariate analysis, number of operative levels ( p = 0.0053, OR = 1.27, 95% CI 1.075 to 1.496) and nonspecific autoimmune disease ( p = 0.0416, OR 2.95, 95% CI 1.047 to 7.092) remained significant. Conclusions Although this study partially supports a mechanical etiology in the pathogenesis of a DCP, we also describe a notable correlation with autoimmune risk factors. Bilateral and multimyotomal involvement provides additional support that some DCPs may result from an inflammatory response and thus an underlying multifactorial etiology for this complication.
Psychotropic effects of caffeine in man. III. A questionnaire survey of coffee drinking and its effects in a group of housewives

By means of a questionnaire, information was gathered about coffee drinking and its effects in 239 young housewives. The group was divided into roughly equal parts with respect to daily coffee consumption: abstainers, light users (1 to 2 cups); moderate users (3 to 4 cups); and heavy users (5 or more cups). The respondents were asked why they drink coffee in the morning, what behavioral changes it produces, and what effects would ensue if morning coffee were omitted. They were also asked if coffee makes them wakeful at night. The results indicate substantial differences in the responses correlated with the extent of coffee use. Heavy users reported less wakefulness caused by coffee at night and less nervousness caused by coffee in the morning as compared with light users. On the other hand, heavy users reported more of the desirable stimulant and euphoriant effects than did light users. Heavy users also described a characteristic set of dysphoric symptoms attributed to omission of morning coffee: irritability, inability to work effectively, nervousness, restlessness, lethargy, and headache. The validity of these results was confirmed in an experimental study on some of the same subjects reported in the accompanying paper.
Dehydration of Ions in Voltage-Gated Carbon Nanopores Observed by in Situ NMR

Ion transport through nanochannels is of fundamental importance in voltage-gated protein ion channels and energy storage devices. Direct microscopic observations are critical for understanding the intricacy of ionic processes in nanoconfinement. Here we report an in situ nuclear magnetic resonance study of ion hydration in voltage-gated carbon nanopores. Nucleus-independent chemical shift was employed to monitor the ionic processes of NaF aqueous electrolyte in nanopores of carbon supercapacitors. The state of ion hydration was revealed by the chemical shift, which is sensitive to the hydration number. A large energy barrier was observed for ions to enter nanopores smaller than the hydrated ion size. Increasing the gating voltage above 0.4 V overcomes this barrier and brings F– into the nanopores without dehydration. Partial dehydration of F– occurs only at gating voltage above 0.7 V. No dehydration was observed for Na+ cations, in agreement with their strong ion hydration.
Coastal Hydrodynamic and Sediment-Salinity Transport Simulations for Southwest Louisiana Using Measured Vegetation Data

Storm-surge flood is a major thread to the inhabitants and the health of the marshes in Southwest Louisiana. The floods caused direct damages to the area, but also indirectly caused excessive sedimentations in the water system, especially in Calcasieu Ship Channel which is a vital industrial water way connecting the City of Lake Charles to the Gulf. It is well known that coastal wetlands and marshes have significant impacts on the prevention and reduction of coastal floods. The wetland vegetation creates larger frictions to the flooding water and acts as the first line of defense against any storm surge floods. In this study, we center Calcasieu Ship Channel, and hydrodynamic and sediment transport simulations were conducted for Calcasieu Ship Channel and surrounding areas. The target area ranges from the city of Lake Charles as the north end and the Gulf of Mexico as the south end, and includes three connected water systems, Calcaiseu Lake, Prien Lake and Lake Charles. The entire Calcasieu Ship Channel running from north to south is included in the domain along with the Gulf Intracoastal Waterway (GIWW) in east and west directions. In authors’ previous study, only the area of south portion of the ship channel, Calcasieu Lake and its surrounding wetlands was simulated and studied. This study is a major upgrade to the model, which provides more complete understanding of the flow and sediment transport in the entire area, as well as the interactions among all water systems surrounding the ship channel. There are wetlands (two National Wild Life Refuges, one in the west and one in the east) surrounding Calcaiseu Lake, while there are various of vegetated and non-vegetated areas surrounding Prien Lake and Lake Charles. The standard 2-D depth averaged shallow water solver was utilized for the simulation of the flow phase and a standard Eulerian scalar transport equation was solved for the sediment and salinity phases. In the sediment phase, the sediment deposition and re-suspension effects are included, while in the salinity phase, the precipitation and evaporation are included. A realistic vegetation model was implemented to represent various types of vegetation coverage in the target area, and appropriate friction values were assigned to different non-vegetated areas. Measured and observed vegetation data were utilized. A coastal storm surge flood was simulated, and effects of vegetation on flood reduction and sediment distribution were investigated. The total flooded area, the flood speed, and the distribution of the flooding water and sediments were compared between vegetated and non-vegetated areas to show the differences between different types of surfaces.Copyright © 2015 by ASME
Seasonal Aspects of the Reproductive Biology of Sitona hispidulus (Coleoptera: Curculionidae) in North Carolina

The reproductive biology of Sitona hispidulus (F.) was examined over a 21-month period. Numbers of males and females did not differ significantly. Males and females of the new generation first appeared in late April and May. No eggs occurred in the oviducts of new generation adults before mid October. Both oviduct egg density and the percent of the female population containing oviducal eggs were negatively related to mean daily temperature and weevil collection date. Peak oviduct egg density occurred in March and April. Sperm content in spermathecae was negatively related to mean daily temperature. Fall mating was first observed in mid October 1978, and mid September 1979. Sexual activity continued through winter until May. Ovipositional rate and egg reserve in the oviducts differed among three compared temperatures. Ovipositional date significantly affected these variables. Peaks in ovipositional activity and egg reserve occurred simultaneously from November to late April. Oviposition responded directly to oviduct egg presence. No oviposition occurred from mid-July to late September.
On the Effect of Neutron Flux and Composition on Hardening of Reactor Pressure Vessel Steels and Model Alloys

Single variable experiments on a set of reactor pressure vessel and model alloys with a range of controlled compositions show a systematic effect of neutron flux (ϕ) on hardening in the intermediate fluence (ϕt) regime. The data suggest that high ϕ and enhanced recombination by vacancy trapping by solutes delays the onset of radiation-enhanced precipitation hardening.
Contemporary strategies for managing cardiometabolic risk factors.

OBJECTIVE To review the metabolic syndrome as defined by the 2001 Expert Panel on Detection, Evaluation, and Treatment of High Blood Cholesterol in Adults (ATP III) and its modifiable risk factors and to review currently available treatment modalities. SUMMARY Metabolic syndrome, although still controversial, is a growing concern. Most definitions include elevated blood pressure, smoking, inflammation, insulin resistance, abdominal adiposity, elevated blood glucose, and atherogenic dyslipidemia as modifiable risk factors. Some researchers believe that additional signs of inflammation such as plasminogen activator inhibitor-1 and C-reactive protein should be added to this list. Current treatment options include lifestyle changes (diet and exercise), pharmacotherapy, and bariatric surgery. The endocannabinoid system appears to play a key role in metabolism and weight gain. The investigational agent rimonabant is a cannabinoid receptor type 1 blocker that has been employed in numerous trials involving more than 6,500 patients. It has led to significant weight loss, reduced central fat, and improved glycemic and lipid profiles.
Effect of Valproic Acid on Cell Proliferation of Wharton’s Jelly MSC in PCL Nanofiber Scaffolds

The field of tissue engineering and regenerative medicine is an interdisciplinary field that applies the principles of engineering and life sciences toward the development of biological substitutes that restore, maintain, or improve tissue function or a whole organ. The process involves seeding cells onto biocompatible scaffolds that temporarily act as a supporting structure for cells to attach and grow. Scaffolds for tissue regeneration must present a viable microenvironment for the living cells to adhere, proliferate, and exhibit the necessary tissue function. Electrospinning is an emerging area where polymeric fibers can be fabricated in the micro-nano scale. The flexibility of this process allows for including a wide array of synthetic and natural biocompatible polymers in the scaffold composition, inclusion of bioactive molecules (e.g. DNA, proteins) for enhancing therapeutic applications, and ability to control material and mechanical properties via the electrospinning process — all advantageous parameters that contribute to the promise of utilizing electrospun scaffolds in tissue repair. Biocompatible materials, such as polycaprolactone (PCL), have been used extensively to fabricate scaffolds using electrospinning technique, to study cell compatibility and to evaluate cell functionality for nerve tissue engineering applications. The objective of this study is to quantify the effects of the addition of valproic acid to PCL nanofiber scaffolds created through the electrospinning process with regards to cell proliferation. Valproic acid is a commonly used therapeutic drug for the treatment of epilepsy and bipolar disorder. To determine the effects of the presence of valproic acid (VA), Wharton’s jelly mesenchymal stem cells (MSC) are seeded to the two scaffolds. Wharton’s jelly MSC are multipotent adult stem cells present in the umbilical cord and drawn from their matrix [1,2,3]. These stem cells have renowned ability for use in cell therapy and organ regeneration. This study tests the hypothesis that the presence of valproic acid in PCL nanofiber scaffolds will enhance cell proliferation. Structural and morphological characterization of the scaffolds is also carried out. Fiber diameter and tensile properties of the scaffolds with and without valproic acid are also observed. Such studies will enable us to understand the effects of drugs such as valproic acid on stem cells and will aid in designing scaffolds for applications in nerve regeneration.© 2013 ASME
An Emerging Green Pharmacy: Modern Plant Medicines and Health

Recently, plants have reemerged as sources of new pharmaceuticals. Drugs derived from plants are used to treat conditions ranging from arthritis and malaria to leukemia and ovarian cancer. Some of today’s treatments use herbs directly. Researchers also are studying a variety of foods for their potential medicinal benefits. More and more consumers are buying herbal medications in the form of food supplements to use as analgesics, sedatives, or immune system stimulants. Although a few plants may cause serious adverse reactions, many herbal preparations are considered to be safe and effective in moderation. This is the third article in a four-part continuing education update series on botany. Other articles focus on the use of plants to clean up the environment, the historical use of plant therapies, and poisonous plants. Following this series, participants should be able to identify plants used medicinally today and throughout history. They will recognize the role of plants in the environment and be able to identify toxic plants in the laboratory.
INFRAGRAVITY-FREQUENCY (0.005-0.05 HZ) MOTIONS ON THE SHELF

Extensive field observations in depths between 8-204 m are used to investigate the sources and variability of infragravity-frequency (nominally 0.005-0.05 Hz) motions on the shelf. The predicted local forcing of 'bound' infragravity motions by difference-frequency interactions of swell and sea (Hasselmann, 1962) is verified with array measurements of sea floor pressure in 13 m depth. Observed forced infragravity energy levels agree well with theoretical predictions, but are consistently much lower than the observed total infragravity energy. Wavenumber estimates show that free waves, obeying the surface gravity wave dispersion relation, are frequently the dominant source of energy in the infragravity band. The observed directional properties and cross-shore decay of free wave energy show that refractive trapping, neglected in many current infragravity wave generation models, is of O(l) importance. Both free and forced wave energy levels generally increase with both increasing swell energy and decreasing water depth, but the observed dependencies of free and forced waves are different. The relative contributions of free and forced waves to infragravity energy on the shelf are therefore highly variable. Comparisons of observations in the same water depth at different sites suggest that free wave radiation is relatively stronger from broad, sandy beaches than from rocky, cliffed coasts.
Osborn waves: An inverse correlation with core body temperature

Classic electrocardiographic findings in hypothermia include J waves, which become higher in amplitude the lower the core body temperature.
A Microfabricated High Performance Magnetometer

We report the operation of a microfabricated atomic magnetometer using the Mx configuration. A device size of a few millimeters achieves a magnetic field noise limited sensitivity of 5.9 pT/Hz1/2 over a 1-100 Hz bandwidth.
Treatment of the Gettysburg Cyclorama

(1965). Treatment of the Gettysburg Cyclorama. Studies in Conservation: Vol. 10, No. 3, pp. 91-118.
Time-resolved visible and infrared absorption spectroscopy data obtained using photosystem I particles with non-native quinones incorporated into the A1 binding site.

Abstract Time-resolved visible and infrared absorption difference spectroscopy data at both 298 and 77 K were obtained using cyanobacterial menB − mutant photosystem I particles with several non-native quinones incorporated into the A 1 binding site. Data was obtained for photosystem I particles with phylloquinone (2-methyl-3-phytyl-1,4-naphthoquinone), 2-bromo-1,4-naphthoquinone, 2-chloro-1,4-naphthoquinone, 2-methyl-1,4-naphthoquinone, 2,3-dibromo-1,4-naphthoquinone, 2,3-dichloro-1,4-naphthoquinone, and 9,10-anthraquinone incorporated. Transient absorption data were obtained at 487 and 703 nm in the visible spectral range, and 1950–1100 cm −1 in the infrared region. Time constants obtained from fitting the time-resolved infrared and visible data are in good agreement. The measured time constants are crucial for the development of appropriate kinetic models that can describe electron transfer processes in photosystem I, “Modeling Electron Transfer in Photosystem I” Makita and Hastings (2016) [1] .
When Fiction becomes Fact: Effect of Reverse Product Placement on Consumer Attitudes

ABSTRACTThis exploratory study investigates the persuasive effects of reverse product placement (RPP)—subsequent commercialization of fictional brands from entertainment media into real world products—comparing it with product placement (PP). Persuasion Knowledge Model and Attribution theory were applied to frame hypotheses of effects on brand attitudes along with the constraining effect of skepticism. A mixed test design revealed presence of persuasion knowledge, recognition of persuasive intent, and negative effect of skepticism for PP, but not for RPP. RPP also had a stronger, positive effect on consumer attitudes. Potential application of RPP in new product development and adoption is discussed.
Temperature dependence of the interband critical points of bulk Ge and strained Ge on Si

Abstract Epitaxial Ge layers on a Si substrate experience a tensile biaxial stress due to the difference between the thermal expansion coefficients of the Ge epilayer and the Si substrate, which can be measured using asymmetric X-ray diffraction reciprocal space maps. This stress depends on temperature and affects the band structure, interband critical points, and optical spectra. This manuscripts reports careful measurements of the temperature dependence of the dielectric function and the interband critical point parameters of bulk Ge and Ge epilayers on Si using spectroscopic ellipsometry from 80 to 780 K and from 0.8 to 6.5 eV. The authors find a temperature-dependent redshift of the E1 and E1 + Δ1 critical points in Ge on Si (relative to bulk Ge). This redshift can be described well with a model based on thermal expansion coefficients, continuum elasticity theory, and the deformation potential theory for interband transitions. The interband transitions leading to E 0 ′ and E2 critical points have lower symmetry and therefore are not affected by the stress.
Endoscopically Guided Laparoscopic Gastrojejunostomy Tube Placement for Patients with Distal Esophageal Stents

Patients with distal esophageal pathology such as perforation, trachea-esophageal fistulae, and/ or obstructing gastroesophageal junction tumor present a challenging situation in terms of feeding access where an esophageal stent is placed across the gastroesophageal junction. In order to allow simultaneous gastric decompression and post-pyloric feeds without significant reflux up through the stent, a gastrojejunostomy (GJ) tube is a viable option. We hereby describe a hybrid approach to placing these GJ tubes in this cohort of patients using simultaneous laparoscopy, endoscopy, and fluoroscopy with minimal manipulation of the stent itself. We have employed this technique of placing GJ tubes 2–3 days following placement of the esophageal stent in six consecutive patients. All patients tolerated the procedure well without any complications. Endoscopically guided laparoscopic GJ tubes are ideal for bridging patients, with distal esophageal pathology requiring esophageal stents, to oral intake.
Structural and optoelectronic properties of BxAl1-xSb ternary alloys: first principles calculations

In this paper, the full potential linearized augmented plane wave (FP-LAPW) formalism based on density functional theory (DFT) has been performed. To study the structural properties of B x Al 1-x Sb at different boron concentrations x (0 ≤ x ≤ 1), we have used the local density approximation (LDA) and the generalized gradient approximation of Wu and Cohen (GGA-WC). The phase stability of AlSb and BSb binary compounds in zinc-blend and rock salt phases has been investigated. The equilibrium lattice constant ( a ), bulk modulus ( B ) and pressure derivative of bulk modulus B′ have been evaluated in both phases. We observe a small deviation from the linear concentration dependence (LCD) of the lattice constant parameter, while an important deviation of bulk modulus from “LCD” has been remarked. We have compared the results obtained to the available theoretical and experimental data for the binaries. The optoelectronic properties of B x Al 1-x Sb are studied in the most stable determined phase. In addition to the “GGA-WC”, the GGA of Engel and Vosko, and the recent developed Tran-Blaha-modified Becke-Johnson (TB-mBJ) schemes were used to study the electronic properties of B x Al 1-x Sb ternary alloys. It is found that the band gap of B x Al 1-x Sb vary non-linearly with the boron concentrations, giving a negative deviation from Vegard’s law. In addition, the optical properties such as the dielectric function, complex refractive index, absorption coefficient, optical conductivity and absorption coefficient are discussed in detail.
Rethinking Thought Disorder

It has been 30 years since Holzman introduced a special issue of the Schizophrenia Bulletin entitled “Thought Disorder in Schizophrenia.” He pointed out in his Editor’s Introduction that in contrast to the explosion of interest at that time in the biological aspects of schizophrenia, there were important areas of study that represented “... relatively neglected aspects of the psychopathology of schizophrenia, namely the varieties of thinking disorders (emphasis added) characteristic of schizophrenic patients and their possible underlying mechanisms.” Perhaps presciently, he ended his introduction by expressing hope that the articles included in that issue would lead to further intensive study of the cognitive (emphasis added) dysfunctions in schizophrenia. There has, indeed, been extensive research conducted in further understanding cognitive dysfunctions in schizophrenia, but considerably less so in understanding thought disorder.