cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Cardiac-Specific Overexpression of Tumor Necrosis Factor-α Causes Oxidative Stress and Contractile Dysfunction in Mouse Diaphragm

Background—We have developed a transgenic mouse with cardiac-restricted overexpression of tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α). These mice develop a heart failure phenotype characterized by left ventricular dysfunction and remodeling, pulmonary edema, and elevated levels of TNF-α in the peripheral circulation from cardiac spillover. Given that TNF-α causes atrophy and loss of function in respiratory muscle, we asked whether transgenic mice developed diaphragm dysfunction and whether contractile losses were caused by oxidative stress or tissue remodeling. Methods and Results—Muscles excised from transgenic mice and littermate controls were studied in vitro with direct electrical stimulation. Cytosolic oxidant levels were measured with 2′,7′-dichlorofluorescin diacetate; emissions of the oxidized product were detected by fluorescence microscopy. Force generation by the diaphragm of transgenic animals was 47% less than control (13.2±0.8 [±SEM] versus 25.1±0.6 N/cm2; P<0.001); this weakness was associated with gre...
The dual roles of transnational daughters and transnational wives: monetary intentions, expectations and dilemmas

Utilizing in-depth interview data from a larger study of Vietnamese transnational marriages, in this article I focus on how Vietnamese transnationally married daughters talk about their plans to provide financially for their elderly parents in the homeland. While single adult daughters from Vietnam are equally likely as single adult sons to provide financially for their parents, married daughters are much less likely to do so than married sons. Yet, paradoxically, a transnational marriage with the prospect of eventual international migration positions daughters as important potential financial providers, not because they are daughters, but because they are transnational daughters. When they eventually migrate, however, they will not only become transnational migrant daughters but also transnational migrant wives. These transnational daughters must, therefore, negotiate their intentions to provide monetary support, expected from them because they will become migrants, against their husbands' objections to the fact that their wives are daughters, and therefore, not responsible for monetary support to ageing parents according to traditional Vietnamese kinship practices.
The impact of primary care resident physician training on patient weight loss at 12 months

Objective: It is unclear whether training physicians to counsel obese patients leads to weight loss. This study assessed whether a 5-h multimodal longitudinal obesity curriculum for residents on the basis of the 5As (assess, advise, agree, assist, and arrange) was associated with weight loss in their obese patients. Design and Methods: Twenty-three primary care internal medicine residents were assigned by rotation schedule to intervention (curriculum) or control groups. We then conducted follow-up chart reviews to determine weight change at up to 12 months following the index visit. 158 obese patients (76 in the intervention group and 82 in the control group) completed exit interviews; 22 patients who presented for acute care at the index visit were excluded. Chart reviews were conducted on the 46 patients in the intervention group and 41 patients in the control group who were seen again within 12 months of the index visit and had follow-up weight measurements. Results: The main outcome of interest was mean change in weight at 12 months compared between the intervention and control groups. Patients of residents in the intervention group had a mean weight loss of −1.53 kg (s.d. = 3.72) although the patients of those in the control group had a mean weight gain of 0.30 kg (s.d. = 3.60), P = 0.03. Six (15.8%) patients in the intervention group and 2 (5.4%) patients in the control group lost >5% body weight (P = 0.14). Conclusions: Although the magnitude of weight loss was small, this study shows that training physicians to counsel patients can produce measurable patient outcomes.
A comparison of diagnosis, evaluation, and treatment of patients with dermatologic disorders

Abstract Background: Managed care in the American health care system may limit access to health care specialists. Objective: We assessed primary care providers' abilities at diagnosing and treating patients with a previously undiagnosed skin disorder. Methods: Patients with previously undiagnosed skin disorders were seen and examined sequentially by three groups of physicians: (1) internal medicine residents, (2) board-certified internal medicine attending physicians and (3) dermatology faculty. The internal medicine residents and attending physicians' diagnoses were compared with the dermatologists'. Appropriateness of therapy ordered by the internal medicine residents and attending physicians was assessed. Results: Medical residents' diagnoses were correct in 43% of the patients whereas the attending physicians diagnosed 52% of cases correctly. Attending physicians and residents frequently ordered therapy inappropriate for the patient's diagnosis. Internal medicine residents and attending physicians were more likely to order skin biopsies than dermatologists. Conclusion: Our results confirm earlier studies that nondermatologists perform poorly in the diagnosis and treatment of skin disease. Primary care providers should receive more training in dermatology, or dermatologists should be permitted to act as primary caregivers to patients with skin disease.
Electron transfer to the L-shell following double K-shell ionization of fluorine in ionic solids

Abstract Spectra of Kα hypersatellite X-rays excited in alkali and alkaline earth fluorides by 22 MeV carbon ions have been measured and used to deduce average probabilities for electron transfer to the L-shell. It was found that the average electron transfer probabilities for the double K-vacancy states are about a factor of 2 lower than those for the single K-vacancy states.
A practical motor‐sailing research platform

The oceanographic community is at work on the orderly replacement of its aging fleet. The University National Oceanographic Laboratory System (UNOLS) Fleet Replacement Committee, chaired by Bob Dinsmore, is coordinating the effort, which is now in Phase I and includes studies of eight conceptual designs: two conventional general-purpose ships, two Small Water Plane Area Twin Hull (SWATH) ships, two specialized geology and geophysics ships, one sail-assisted ship, and one ship of innovative design. A community-wide workshop will be held in January, 1985, to report on the progress of Phase I. After this workshop and its reviews, Phase II of the replacement plan will consider detailed design studies for a subset of the eight original concepts.
A new thermodynamic model describes the effects of ligand density and type, salt concentration and protein species in hydrophobic interaction chromatography.

A new thermodynamic model is derived that describes both loading and pulse-response behavior of proteins in hydrophobic interaction chromatography (HIC). The model describes adsorption in terms of protein and solvent activities, and water displacement from hydrophobic interfaces, and distinguishes contributions from ligand density, ligand type and protein species. Experimental isocratic response and loading data for a set of globular proteins on Sepharose™ resins of various ligand types and densities are described by the model with a limited number of parameters. The model is explicit in ligand density and may provide insight into the sensitivity of protein retention to ligand density in HIC as well as the limited reproducibility of HIC data.
Atmospheric oxidation of Pu-1wt.%Ga in the temperature range 150–500 °C

Abstract Oxidation of the plutonium alloy Pu-1wt.%Ga in 500 Torr dry air has been investigated over the temperature range 150–500 °C. Oxidation was found to occur in three stages. Stage I consists of the diffusion controlled growth of a dense oxide layer. Stage II is a linear reaction attributed to diffusion through an oxide of apparently constant thickness. This stage also may involve structural changes in the oxide but this could not be verified. The final Stage III is also linear and was created by the cracking and spalling of the oxide layer. Kinetics for the various processes are determined along with the activation energies involved.
Rhodococcus phenolicus sp. nov., a novel bioprocessor isolated actinomycete with the ability to degrade chlorobenzene, dichlorobenzene and phenol as sole carbon sources.

Abstract The aerobic degradation of phenol, chlorobenzene and dichlorobenzene as a sole carbon source has been observed in bacterial Gram-positive strain G2P T isolated from a wastewater bioprocessor. Cells display branching mycelia fragmenting into rod and coccoid elements when grown on TSA. Aerial hyphae formation occurs when grown on phenol and chlorinated aromatics as the sole carbon source. Growth was observed at up to 0.75% phenol as a sole carbon source, indicating a strong tolerance for the compound. The 16S rRNA gene sequence shares the greatest similarity with members of the Rhodococcus genus, with the closest shared nucleotide identity of 98% with the aromatic toxin degrading bacteria Rhodococcus zopfii DSM 44108 T . Neighbor-joining and parsimony analysis of Corynebacterineae 16S rRNA gene sequences consistently places strain G2P T in a clade shared with R. zopfii within the Rhodococcus rhodochrous subclade. Based on a unique polyphasic profile involving phenotypic, ribosomal DNA sequence analysis, DNA–DNA hybridization, mol% DNA G+C content and fatty acid composition, G2P T is proposed to represent a previously uncharacterized, novel species in the genus Rhodococcus . The name Rhodococcus phenolicus is proposed for the isolate with the type strain G2P T (=DSM 44812) (=NRL B-24343).
Language Games: Dialogical Analysis of INF Negotiations

This essay proposes dialogical analysis as a method of modeling political interactions. The method combines the formal theory of dialogical disputation, a family of theories drawn from linguistic pragmatics, and formal proof procedures. By analyzing models of their explicit and implicit contents in context, the method identifies the argumentative thrust of negotiation dialogues and shows systematically how the parties signal intent and commitment to one another. The paper illustrates the method by applying it to superpower interactions in the 1980s INF negotiations. The analysis indicates that American force deployments did not motivate the Soviet retreat from their early insistence on compensation for European missiles. The change in the Soviet position is better attributed to their strategic reconceptualization of the Cold War insecurity dilemma.
Evaluation Methods for Hospital Projects

The authors report the findings of a survey of hospital managers on the utilization of various project selection and evaluation methodologies. The focus of the analysis was the empirical relationship between a portfolio of project evaluation(1) methods actually utilized for a given project and several measures of perceived project success. The analysis revealed that cost-benefit analysis and top management support were the two project evaluation methods used most often by the hospital managers. The authors' empirical assessment provides evidence that top management support is associated with overall project success.
Blood levels do not predict behavioral or physiological effects of Δ9-tetrahydrocannabinol in rhesus monkeys with different patterns of exposure

Background Recent changes in the legality of cannabis have prompted evaluation of whether blood levels of Δ9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) or its metabolites could be used to substantiate impairment, particularly related to behavioral tasks such as driving. However, because marked tolerance develops to behavioral effects of THC, the applicability of a particular threshold of blood THC as an index of impairment in people with different patterns of use remains unclear. Studies relevant to this issue are difficult to accomplish in humans, as prior drug exposure is difficult to control.
IDENTIFICATION OF MULTIPLE PHOSPHOINOSITIDE-SPECIFIC PHOSPHOLIPASES D AS NEW REGULATORY ENZYMES FOR PHOSPHATIDYLINOSITOL 3,4,5-TRISPHOSPHATE

Abstract In the course of delineating the regulatory mechanism underlying phosphatidylinositol 3,4,5-trisphosphate (PI(3,4,5)P3) metabolism, we have discovered three distinct phosphoinositide-specific phospholipase D (PI-PLD) isozymes from rat brain, tentatively designated as PI-PLDa, PI-PLDb, and PI-PLDc. These enzymes convert [3H]PI(3,4,5)P3 to generate a novel inositol phosphate, d-myo-[3H]inositol 3,4,5-trisphosphate ([3H]Ins(3,4,5)P3) and phosphatidic acid. These isozymes are predominantly associated with the cytosol, a notable difference from phosphatidylcholine PLDs. They are partially purified by a three-step procedure consisting of DEAE, heparin, and Sephacryl S-200 chromatography. PI-PLDa and PI-PLDb display a high degree of substrate specificity for PI(3,4,5)P3, with a relative potency of PI(3,4,5)P3 ≫ phosphatidylinositol 3-phosphate (PI(3)P) or phosphatidylinositol 4-phosphate (PI(4)P) > phosphatidylinositol 4,5-bisphosphate (PI(4,5)P2) > phosphatidylinositol 3,4-bisphosphate (PI(3,4)P2). In contrast, PI-PLDc preferentially utilizes PI(3)P as substrate, followed by, in sequence, PI(3,4,5)P3, PI(4)P, PI(3,4)P2, and PI(4,5)P2. Both PI(3,4)P2 and PI(4,5)P2 are poor substrates for all three isozymes, indicating that the regulatory mechanisms underlying these phosphoinositides are different from that of PI(3,4,5)P3. None of these enzymes reacts with phosphatidylcholine, phosphatidylserine, or phosphatidylethanolamine. All three PI-PLDs are Ca2+-dependent. Among them, PI-PLDb and PI-PLDc show maximum activities within a sub-μm range (0.3 and 0.9 μmCa2+, respectively), whereas PI-PLDa exhibits an optimal [Ca2+] at 20 μm. In contrast to PC-PLD, Mg2+ has no significant effect on the enzyme activity. All three enzymes require sodium deoxycholate for optimal activities; other detergents examined including Triton X-100 and Nonidet P-40 are, however, inhibitory. In addition, PI(4,5)P2 stimulates these isozymes in a dose-dependent manner. Enhancement in the enzyme activity is noted only when the molar ratio of PI(4,5)P2 to PI(3,4,5)P3 is between 1:1 and 2:1.
A comparison of two home range modeling methods using Ugandan mountain gorilla data

Home range is the area over which animals traverse in the course of their normal daily activities. Home range measures are essential to understanding a species' behavioral ecology and can be critical information for biological conservation. In the realm of mountain gorilla Gorilla beringei beringei management at Bwindi Impenetrable National Park, home range is typically calculated using the minimum convex polygon MCP approach. However, geographic information system has enabled more robust measures of home range to be calculated from field data. In order to assess the potential utility of a new home range modeling method, local convex hull LoCoH, we compared LoCoH home ranges with those derived from MCP for several different gorilla groups. First, we evaluated the sensitivity of each method to outliers. Second, we compared the size of yearly home ranges for groups with distinctively different ranging behavior. Third, we compared the proportion of yearly home range found outside the park for two different groups. As anticipated, we found that LoCoH ranges are smaller ∼50% than MCP ranges, but contrary to expectation our data show that MCP is not more sensitive to outliers than LoCoH. Our comparison also illustrates that the two methods result in different proportions of home range found outside the park; overall, MCP had a tendency to underestimate relative to LoCoH. Our results illustrate the importance of selecting an appropriate home range model for the spatial pattern of the data being modeled, the environment and context where the data were collected, and the motivation of the research. Overall, we found LoCoH to be a more effective home range modeling method for mountain gorilla conservation management.
Some polymers and copolymers of vinyldiphenylphosphine

Vinyldiphenylphosphine has been homopolymerized with aluminumisobutyl/titanium tetrachloride catalysts and with boron fluoride etherate to give low molecular weight oily products. The same monomer has been copolymerized with ethylene and butadiene using Ziegler-type catalysts and with styrene using azobisisobutyronitrile as the initiator. None of the polymers has a high molecular weight, as indicated by inherent viscosity determinations.
Characterization of L-arginine uptake by plasma membrane vesicles isolated from cultured pulmonary artery endothelial cells.

We investigated the mechanisms of [3H]-L-arginine transport via System Y+ using plasma membrane vesicles derived from cultured pulmonary artery endothelial cells. [3H]-L-arginine uptake into plasma membrane vesicles was Na-independent, sensitive to trans-stimulation, unaffected by proton-conducting ionophores, and selectively inhibited by cationic amino acids. Kinetic experiments performed over a wide range of substrate concentrations revealed only one population of L-arginine transporters with Km = 130 microM. To elucidate the driving force for L-arginine transport, we measured [3H]-L-arginine uptake by plasma membrane vesicles at different transmembrane ion gradients. Plasma membrane vesicles accumulated [3H]-L-arginine only when a membrane potential was imposed across the vesicles, and the velocity of uptake was linearly related to the magnitude of the created membrane potential. The presence of potassium ions inside the vesicles was not essential for uptake of L-arginine into vesicles, but it was essential for trans-stimulation of L-arginine transport. [3H]-L-arginine accumulated in plasma membrane vesicles can be released by agents that dissipate transmembrane potassium gradients (e.g. saponin, gramicidin, and nigericin). Diazoxide and pinacidil, activators of K(+)-channels, had no significant effect on [3H]-L-arginine uptake, whereas tetraethylammonium chloride, 4-aminopyridine, and glibenclamide, inhibitors of K(+)-channels, caused decreases in [3H]-L-arginine transport by plasma membrane vesicles. This study demonstrates for the first time a specific role for potassium ions in the mechanism of L-arginine transport, particularly in the phenomenon of trans-stimulation.
On travelling waves in a suspension bridge model as the wave speed goes to zero

Abstract Travelling waves exist in nonlinearly supported beams. It is shown that as the wave speed goes to zero for a special type of nonlinearity, the amplitude of the waves must go to infinity.
Zebrafish DJ-1 is evolutionarily conserved and expressed in dopaminergic neurons.

Abstract Loss-of-function mutations in the human PARK7 gene, encoding DJ-1, are a rare cause of autosomal recessive Parkinson's disease (ARPD). To facilitate generation of a novel vertebrate model, in which to examine the biochemical functions of DJ-1 in vivo, we cloned and characterized the zebrafish orthologue of DJ-1 (zDJ-1). The 0.95 kb zDJ-1 mRNA is expressed in adult zebrafish brain, muscle and gut, and in the embryo from 24 h post-fertilization. The zDJ-1 transcript encodes a 19.8 kDa, 189 amino acid protein, which is 83% identical to human DJ-1. Residues thought to be functionally important sites of post-translational modification in human DJ-1, and critical positions affected by pathogenic missense mutations in ARPD patients, are conserved in zDJ-1. The 14 kb zDJ-1 gene contains six exons and is located on zebrafish chromosome 8; the structure of the gene is highly homologous to human DJ-1, except that there are no alternatively spliced non-coding 5′ exons. The single zDJ-1 first exon shows 5′ end heterogeneity, reflecting multiple transcription start sites. In the adult zebrafish brain, zDJ-1 immunoreactivity was prominent in the cytoplasm of most neurons, and in the neuropil, but was less evident within white matter tracts, consistent with neuronal somatic and dendritic localization. Dopaminergic neurons in each of the major forebrain and diencephalic TH-positive cell groups expressed zDJ-1. These studies show that zDJ-1 is very similar to human DJ-1 and delineate essential resources, allowing further examination of the function and regulation of DJ-1, using the zebrafish as a model.
Getting started on a contextual project

Field data gathering techniques such as Contextual Inquiry enable a design team to collect the detailed customer data they need for their projects. But when a team wants to apply contextual techniques to their own situation, they are faced with a host of problems. What project should they start with? Is it better to introduce them early or late in the process? Given all the different possible techniques, which will work best for the specific project chosen? How should the customers be chosen and how should visits to them be set up? Who should be on the project? It's no wonder people find it hard to get started with these new techniques in their own organizations.This tutorial gets participants over the roadblocks in the way of using contextual techniques in their projects. We walk through the different aspects of a contextual project, describing the issues that need to be resolved, the different approaches that can work, and the principles which guide making a choice. We use exercises to give participants the chance to plan aspects of their own projects, so they can do the thinking process themselves and raise any questions raised by their own situations.This tutorial is appropriate to anyone wishing to use field methods to gather customer data for their projects. Some familiarity with these methods is assumed.
Adrenocorticotropic hormone-responsive guanylate cyclase in the particulate fraction of rat adrenal glands.

Low concentrations of ACTH, 7 × 10-12M, caused a marked stimulation of the 100,000 × g paniculate guanylate cyclase without any detectable change in the adenylate cyclase activity. The lowest concentration of the hormone that elicited adenylate cyclase stimulation was 7 × 10-10M, a concentration 100–fold higher than that required to stimulate the guanylate cyclase. Although calcium was found to be obligatory in the hormonally–dependent guanylate cyclase activity, calcium alone could not duplicate the ACTH effect. Sodium nitroprusside and ascorbic acid inhibited the particulate guanylate cyclase activity. While ACTH was unable to stimulate the soluble guanylate cyclase, sodium nitroprusside markedly stimulated this enzyme. From these data, we conclude that the adrenal guanylate cyclase exists in two forms, particulate and soluble. The particulate form is specifically responsive to ACTH,and calcium is one of the essential coupling factors of this hormonally–responsive guanylate cyclase.
Are raccoons limited by the availability of breeding resources? Evidence of variability in fecundity at fine spatial scales

Despite their behavioral plasticity, recent research suggests raccoons (Procyon lotor) exhibit variability in demography and genetic structure among individual habitat patches in landscapes heavily affected by anthropogenic land use. Consequently, elucidation of vital rates at fine-spatial scales is needed to implement appropriate management strategies for this species. To evaluate the degree of variability in productivity that exists among individual habitat patches, we collected reproductive (n ¼ 170) and cemen- tum annuli age data (n ¼ 383) for raccoons occupying 30 forest patches varying in local and landscape-level habitat attributes within a highly fragmented agricultural ecosystem. Across all females sampled, pregnancy rates averaged 85% but were highly variable among ages (range: 47-100%). Average litter sizes ranged from 3.2 to 4.7, but did not differ as a function of age. At the landscape-level, we observed significant variability among habitat patches in the total number of offspring produced (range: 0-80), indicating that individual patches vary in their contribution to the overall size and stability of the global (landscape-level) population. Variability in productivity among habitat patches primarily was driven by local differences in the availability of denning resources, likely because of the influence of this variable on variability in the number, age structure, and reproductive rate of females. Our results suggest that in agricultural ecosystems, the repro- ductive potential and temporal stability of raccoons within individual habitat fragments is inextricably linked to the density of tree cavities. 2012 The Wildlife Society.
Electron affinity of Pa by 7p attachment and hyperfine structure constants for Pa

Valence shell relativistic configuration interaction calculations for the 7p attachment to the Pa I ground state yield one bound state, viz., ${\mathrm{Pa}}^{\mathrm{\ensuremath{-}}}$ 5${\mathit{f}}^{2}$6d7${\mathit{s}}^{2}$7p J=6, with electron affinity of 0.222 eV. We found no other J's for this configuration to be bound, nor are any of the ${\mathrm{Pa}}^{\mathrm{\ensuremath{-}}}$ 5${\mathit{f}}^{2}$6${\mathit{d}}^{2}$7${\mathit{s}}^{2}$ levels expected to be bound. The hyperfine structure constants for the $^{231}\mathrm{Pa}^{\mathrm{\ensuremath{-}}}$ bound state are A=741.3 MHz and B=1309 MHz. Although the core-valence correlation effects are absent the agreement between the theory (4736 ${\mathrm{cm}}^{\mathrm{\ensuremath{-}}1}$) and experiment (4121 ${\mathrm{cm}}^{\mathrm{\ensuremath{-}}1}$) for the position of the first excited state of Pa is good (15%). We review our previous studies for the np attachment in rare earths to systematically analyze the binding of ${\mathit{np}}_{1/2}$ and ${\mathit{np}}_{3/2}$ electrons, in these species. \textcopyright{} 1996 The American Physical Society.
CATHODE REGION OF A QUASI-STEADY MPD ARCJET.

Arc luminosity in cathode region of quasi-steady MPD arc jet, using high speed photography and electric and magnetic field probes
Identification of a His-Asp-Cys Catalytic Triad Essential for Function of the Rho Inactivation Domain (RID) of Vibrio cholerae MARTX Toxin

Vibrio cholerae is the causative agent of the severe diarrheal disease cholera. For V. cholerae to colonize the intestinal epithelium, accessory toxins such as the multifunctional autoprocessing repeats-in-toxin (MARTXVc) toxin are required. MARTX toxins are composite toxins comprised of arrayed effector domains that carry out distinct functions inside the host cell. Among the three effector domains of MARTXVc is the Rho inactivation domain (RIDVc) known to cause cell rounding through inactivation of small RhoGTPases. Using alanine scanning mutagenesis in the activity subdomain of RIDVc, four residues, His-2782, Leu-2851, Asp-2854, and Cys-3022, were identified as impacting RIDVc function in depolymerization of the actin cytoskeleton and inactivation of RhoA. Tyr-2807 and Tyr-3015 were identified as important potentially for forming the active structure for substrate contact but are not involved in catalysis or post translational modifications. Finally, V. cholerae strains modified to carry a catalytically inactive RIDVc show that the rate and efficiency of MARTXVc actin cross-linking activity does not depend on a functional RIDVc, demonstrating that these domains function independently in actin depolymerization. Overall, our results indicate a His-Asp-Cys catalytic triad is essential for function of the RID effector domain family shared by MARTX toxins produced by many Gram-negative bacteria. Background: The Vibrio cholerae MARTX toxin Rho inactivation domain (RIDVc) currently has an unknown mechanism of action. Results: Residues His-2782, Leu-2851, Asp-2854, and Cys-3022 are shown to be essential for RIDVc activity. Conclusion: His-Asp-Cys form a catalytic triad necessary for enzymatic modification of the cellular target. Significance: RID effectors are Clan CE cysteine endopeptidases essential for Rho GTPase inactivation.
Progressive freezing of composites analyzed by isotherm migration methods

The Isotherm Migration Method of numerically analyzing conduction with phase change is modified to handle surface and external resistances, appearance, and propagation of successive fronts into slabs of composite material of one or more constituents finely dispersed in a matrix, different components transforming at different temperatures. Procedures are developed for selecting temperature intervals between isotherms, initially locating isotherms by means of analytical approximations to the earliest stages, and thereafter inserting and removing isotherms as appropriate, particularly when each component gives rise to a separate front.
Collective Acceleration of Intense Ion Beams in Vacuum

We have developed a diode system with an insulated anode and rear target that operates in vacuum and produces 4 × 1010 neutrons per pulse. The system forms a pinch discharge that ejects a cluster of collectively accelerated ions that attain full energy in 7 cm. Target neutron data and activation analysis with multiple foils show that pulses of 1014 protons with energy up to 15 MeV have been achieved. Experiments with electrode materials and diode geometry have lead to large improvements in focusing and ion beams have been propagated 8 ft in vacuum. The presence of high-energy carbon ions indicates that the pinch has the capability of forming and accelerating multiple ionized high-Z ions.
Application of an Artificial Neural Network Simulation for Top-of-Atmosphere Radiative Flux Estimation from CERES

Abstract The Clouds and the Earth's Radiant Energy System (CERES) provides top-of-atmosphere (TOA) radiative flux estimates from shortwave (SW) and longwave (LW) radiance measurements by applying empirical angular distribution models (ADMs) for scene types defined by coincident high-resolution imager-based cloud retrievals. In this study, CERES ADMs are simulated using a feed-forward error back-propagation (FFEB) artificial neural network (ANN) simulation to provide a means of estimating TOA SW and LW radiative fluxes for different scene types in the absence of imager radiance measurements. In all cases, the ANN-derived TOA fluxes deviate from CERES TOA fluxes by less than 0.3 W m−2, on average, and show a smaller dependence on viewing geometry than TOA fluxes derived using ADMs from the Earth Radiation Budget Experiment (ERBE). The ANN-derived TOA SW and LW fluxes show a significant improvement in accuracy over the CERES ERBE-like fluxes when compared regionally.
A constrained backpropagation approach to solving Partial Differential Equations in non-stationary environments

A constrained-backpropagation (CPROP) training technique is presented to solve Partial Differential Equations (PDEs). The technique is based on constrained optimization and minimizes an error function subject to a set of equality constraints, provided by the boundary conditions of the differential problem. As a result, sigmoidal neural networks can be trained to approximate the solution of PDEs avoiding the discontinuity in the derivative of the solution, which may affect the stability of classical methods. Also, the memory provided to the network through the constrained approach may be used to solve PDEs on line when the forcing term changes over time, learning different solutions of the differential problem through a continuous nonlinear mapping. The effectiveness of this method is demonstrated by solving a nonlinear PDE on a circular domain. When the underlying process changes subject to the same boundary conditions, the CPROP network is capable of adapting online and approximate the new solution, while memory of the boundary conditions is maintained virtually intact at all times.
Treatment of Pediatric Restless Legs Syndrome

Objective. The primary aim was to determine if iron supplementation effectively treats children with restless legs syndrome (RLS), the time to improvement or resolution of symptoms, and patient characteristics (family history of RLS, secondary sleep disorders, medical diagnoses, and/or mental health diagnoses) that may affect outcome. Methods. This was a retrospective chart review of children between 5 and 18 years old who were diagnosed with RLS at the pediatric sleep disorders clinic at Children’s Hospital of Wisconsin in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. Documented RLS treatment approaches included supplemental iron, nonpharmacologic interventions, melatonin, gabapentin, clonidine, and dopamine agonists (pramipexole and ropinirole). Results. Ninety-seven children were diagnosed with RLS; 60.8% of children were between 5 and 11 years old. Most children (65%) received iron either as monotherapy or in combination with other treatments. Approximately 80% of the children who received iron and had follow-up had improvem...
Carotid artery disease: stenting vs endarterectomy

Summary Several multicentre, randomized trials have validated the efficacy of carotid endarterectomy (CEA). Comparative randomized trials are also currently developing insight into the role of carotid angioplasty and stenting (CAS), and identifying factors for optimal patient selection. Although these interventions are aimed at embolic stroke prevention, anaesthetic management might prevent the subset of strokes that are haemodynamic in nature by maintaining tight physiological control. The perioperative risk of myocardial events is increased in this population. Hence, preoperative attention to cardiovascular disease, hypertension, renal insufficiency, and diabetes mellitus might reduce neurological and cardiovascular complications. During carotid artery cross-clamping, the risk of cerebral ischaemia can be decreased by maintaining normal to high perfusion pressure. Although there is no demonstrable advantage of a specific anaesthetic technique for patients undergoing CEA, it is imperative that cerebral blood flow is optimized, that there is minimal cardiac stress, and that anaesthetic recovery is rapid. Carotid angioplasty and stenting is performed under light sedation with antithrombotic therapy and vigilance for bradycardia and hypotension. Tight haemodynamic control remains a priority in the immediate postoperative period for both interventions.
Gubernatorial Veto Powers and the Size of Legislative Coalitions

Few political institutions are as central to theories of lawmaking as the executive veto. Despite its importance, institutional continuity at the national level has precluded identification of empirical effects of the veto on legislative behavior. We address this limitation and present evidence from the states demonstrating how the veto affects the formation of legislative coalitions and, indirectly, executive influence over policymaking. We find consistent evidence that the presence and strength of gubernatorial veto powers affect the lawmaking behavior of state legislatures. Our analysis shows how institutional provisions condition executives' ability to affect policy outcomes in separation-of-powers systems.
Picosecond Dynamics Of Electron Transfer

We report the solution kinetics for the photo-excited, intramolecular electron transfer of malachite green leucocyanide (MGCN) to form the malachite green dye cation (MG+) and a cyanide anion (CN-). By analyzing picosecond resolved fluorescence emission and transient absorbance we have identified the ionizing state as the MGCN excited singlet. The solvent dielectric constant dramatically affected the kinetics of ion formation and the ultimate yield of ionization. The MG+ rise kinetics are not simple first order in the first 300 ps. The kinetics show a very fast rise that is almost independent of solvent dielectric constant (E) which is then followed by a slower rise that is very dependent on dielectric constant. More experiments to refine the solvent dependence are in progress. The apparatus included a synch pumped dye laser for fluorescence lifetime analysis and an amplified, synch pumped dye laser for transient absorption analysis.© (1982) COPYRIGHT SPIE--The International Society for Optical Engineering. Downloading of the abstract is permitted for personal use only.
Preoperative cerebral magnetic resonance imaging and white matter changes in pediatric cochlear implant recipients.

Summary Introduction Preoperative magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) can yield valuable information regarding the status of the inner ear in pediatric cochlear implant (CI) candidates. Incidentally, cerebral white matter changes are at times noted on these MRI scans. They may indicate post-infectious/postinflammatory changes or progressive neurodegenerative processes. Objective To evaluate the clinical significance of cerebral white matter changes in pediatric CI patients. Methods Retrospective chart review of pediatric CI recipients with preoperative MRI between March 2004 and January 2009 was performed. MRI reports along with postoperative audiology and speech and language outcomes were assessed. Results Fifty-seven patients were included in the study. There were 29 females and 28 males. Mean age was 58 months (range of 12–194 months). Abnormal MRI with varying degrees of white matter changes was noted in 10 (18%) children. Neurological assessments did not reveal any serious central nervous system diseases. Two of the 10 patients demonstrated significant delays and difficulties with postoperative CI performance. Conclusions Cerebral white matter abnormalities are not uncommon incidental findings in preoperative MRI scans in pediatric CI candidates. These changes may reflect remote or active pathology which may require neurological assessment. The significance of these findings is still uncertain and should be better clarified as we study more patients.
Determining Fundamental Properties of Matter Created in Ultrarelativistic Heavy-Ion Collisions

Posterior distributions for physical parameters describing relativistic heavy-ion collisions, such as the viscosity of the quark-gluon plasma, are extracted through a comparison of hydrodynamic-based transport models to experimental results from $100A\phantom{\rule{4.pt}{0ex}}\text{GeV}+100A\phantom{\rule{4.pt}{0ex}}\text{GeV}$ $\mathrm{Au}+\mathrm{Au}$ collisions at the Relativistic Heavy Ion Collider. By simultaneously varying six parameters and by evaluating several classes of observables, we are able to explore the complex intertwined dependencies of observables on model parameters. The methods provide a full multidimensional posterior distribution for the model output, including a range of acceptable values for each parameter, and reveal correlations between them. The breadth of observables and the number of parameters considered here go beyond previous studies in this field. The statistical tools, which are based upon Gaussian process emulators, are tested in detail and should be extendable to larger data sets and a higher number of parameters.
Phonon wave-packet simulations of Ar/Kr interfaces

The frequency- and direction-dependence of transmission coefficients at interfaces was investigated theoretically. The interfaces are formed by having two Lennard-Jones (L-J) materials differing in mass and interatomic potential equally divided at the center of an FCC lattice system. A single frequency wave-packet is generated at one end of the system and allowed to propagate through the system until all interactions with the interface are complete. The transmission coefficient is then calculated by comparing the energy of the packet that is transmitted with the original wave-packet. Results show a difference in transmission when the wave-packet originates from opposite sides.
The Role of Technology and Engineering Models in Transforming Healthcare

The healthcare system is in crisis due to challenges including escalating costs, the inconsistent provision of care, an aging population, and high burden of chronic disease related to health behaviors. Mitigating this crisis will require a major transformation of healthcare to be proactive, preventive, patient-centered, and evidence-based with a focus on improving quality-of-life. Information technology, networking, and biomedical engineering are likely to be essential in making this transformation possible with the help of advances, such as sensor technology, mobile computing, machine learning, etc. This paper has three themes: 1) motivation for a transformation of healthcare; 2) description of how information technology and engineering can support this transformation with the help of computational models; and 3) a technical overview of several research areas that illustrate the need for mathematical modeling approaches, ranging from sparse sampling to behavioral phenotyping and early detection. A key tenet of this paper concerns complementing prior work on patient-specific modeling and simulation by modeling neuropsychological, behavioral, and social phenomena. The resulting models, in combination with frequent or continuous measurements, are likely to be key components of health interventions to enhance health and wellbeing and the provision of healthcare.
Go forth, evolve and prosper: the genetic basis of adaptive evolution in an invasive species

Invasive species stand accused of a familiar litany of offences, including displacing native species, disrupting ecological processes and causing billions of dollars in ecological damage (Cox 1999). Despite these transgressions, invasive species have at least one redeeming virtue – they offer us an unparalleled opportunity to investigate colonization and responses of populations to novel conditions in the invaded habitat (Elton 1958; Sakai et al. 2001). Invasive species are by definition colonists that have arrived and thrived in a new location. How they are able to thrive is of great interest, especially considering a paradox of invasion (Sax & Brown 2000): if many populations are locally adapted (Leimu & Fischer 2008), how could species introduced into new locations become so successful? One possibility is that populations adjust to the new conditions through plasticity – increasing production of allelopathic compounds (novel weapons), or taking advantage of new prey, for example. Alternatively, evolution could play a role, with the populations adapting to the novel conditions of the new habitat. There is increasing evidence, based on phenotypic data, for rapid adaptive evolution in invasive species (Franks et al. 2012; Colautti & Barrett 2013; Sultan et al. 2013). Prior studies have also demonstrated genetic changes in introduced populations using neutral markers, which generally do not provide information on adaptation. Thus, the genetic basis of adaptive evolution in invasive species has largely remained unknown. In this issue of Molecular Ecology, Vandepitte et al. (2014) provide some of the first evidence in invasive populations for molecular genetic changes directly linked to adaptation.
Influenzavirus A2 Infections Presenting with Febrile Convulsions and Gastrointestinal Symptoms in Young Children

We present the clinical features of Influenzavirus A2 infection in 75 young children admitted to a children's hospital. The most common presenting features were febrile convulsions, vomiting, coughing, diarrhea, and anorexia. At any age, the illness may present with respira tory tract symptoms and signs but in young babies gastrointestinal symp toms are often the presenting complaint. Children aged one to three years often present with febrile convulsions. Only in older children does the adult pattern begin to emerge. Evidence is put forward to suggest that encephalitis in association with influenza can be due to direct in vasion of the central nervous system by the virus.
Creating a partnership with planning, programming, and test teams

The author emphasizes that, as user advocates, technical communicators (or information developers) need to become more involved with the design of products (including information). She suggests that essential to this involvement are partnerships of planners, programmers, testers, and information developers. She describes ways in which these people worked together as key participants in each other's work efforts on a new software product. >
Competing orders and the doping and momentum dependent quasiparticle excitations in cuprate superconductors

The low-energy quasiparticle excitations in hole- and electron-type cuprate superconductors are investigated via both experimental and theoretical means. It is found that the doping and momentum dependence of the empirical low-energy quasiparticle excitations is consistent with a scenario of coexisting competing orders and superconductivity in the ground state of the cuprates. This finding, based on zero-field quasiparticle spectra, is further corrobarated by the spatially resolved vortex-state scanning tunneling spectroscopy, which reveals pseudogap-like features consistent with a remaining competing order inside the vortex core upon the suppression of superconductivity. The competing orders compatible with empirical observations include the charge-density wave and spin-density wave. In contrast, spectral characteristics derived from incorporating the d-density wave as a competing order appear unfavorable in comparison with experiments.
Turbo TCM Coded OFDM Systems for Non-Gaussian Channels

The aim of this paper is to investigate the effect of impulsive noise on the performance of the Turbo TCM coded OFDM system. We construct a punctured parity-concatenated trellis code which functions as a turbo TCM code but with much lower complexity and explore their application in OFDM systems using 64QAM constellation to offer higher spectral efficiency. The conventional iterative bit MAP decoding algorithm is modified to catch up the corresponding impulsive noise statistical characteristics. The bit error rate (BER) performance of the TTCM coded OFDM systems over both AWGN channel and UWB channel with impulsive noise is evaluated through simulation. The study shows several essential requirements to achieve high data rate transmission for non-Gaussian channels.
The Energy and Angular Momentum Budgets of a Three-Dimensional Tropical Cyclone Model

Abstract Energy and angular momentum budgets are analyzed for a three-dimensional model hurricane described by Kurihara and Tuleya. Eddies which developed in the model are maintained in the mature stage by energy supply from both mean kinetic and total potential energy. In the evolution of eddies during the early development stage of the storm, the supply from potential energy is more important. Eddies export latent, internal, kinetic energy and relative angular momentum from the storm core region. They also contribute to the outward transfer of energy through pressure work. However, the mean flow dominates the transport by importing those quantities into the inner area and exporting potential energy. The energy and angular momentum budgets are primarily controlled by the mean flow, though the role of eddies is not negligible for the budgets of angular momentum, kinetic and latent energy in the inner region. For the maintenance of mean kinetic energy in the inner area, both generation and advection make p...
Green Views of Marx: Reinterpreting, Revising, Rejecting, Transcending

Is Marxist theory relevant or conducive to environmental political thought? This article considers responses to this question and the debate regarding possibilities of a red/green coalition through examination of four green theorists who represent positions of theoretical and historical significance: first, the argument that an enlightened reinterpretation of Marx reveals him to be an inherently ecological thinker; second, the belief that Marxist thought holds significant value for environmental theory but that crucial weaknesses demand essential revision; third, the rejection of Marx and his political theory as antagonistic to environmental protection; and, finally, social ecology’s use of dialectical naturalism to transcend Marx’s failings.