cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
A fast contact detection algorithm for 3-D discrete element method

Abstract In the discrete element method, determining the contact points between interacting particles and the associated contact normals at each time step is a critically important and time consuming calculation. Common-plane (CP) algorithm is one of the more effective methods for contact detection when dealing with two-dimensional polygonal or three-dimensional polyhedral particles. A new approach, called fast common plane (FCP) method, is proposed to find the common plane between polygonal particles. FCP approach recognizes that a common plane has identifying characteristics, which dramatically reduce the search space for the common plane. In two-dimensions, the CP is found by checking only 5 possible candidate planes. In three-dimensions, the candidate planes fall within 4 types related to the geometry of the particles and their relative positions. Numerical experiments reveal that in three dimensions FCP algorithm can be up to 40 times faster than available search methods for finding the common-plane.
6-thioguanine can cause serious liver injury in inflammatory bowel disease patients

Abstract Background & aims: Thioguanine (6-TG) has been studied as an alternative thiopurine in inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). Short-term safety and efficacy data were favorable. Experience with 6-TG in patients with acute lymphoblastic leukemia raised long-term safety concerns when implicated in nodular regenerative hyperplasia (NRH) of the liver and portal hypertension. The aim of this study was to describe the association between 6-TG and NRH in IBD. Methods: Liver chemistries and complete blood counts were monitored, and patients were encouraged to undergo liver biopsy. Clinical data were collected by chart review, and associations were tested by univariate and multivariable analyses. Patients were classified based on the presence (group 1) or absence (group 2) of laboratory abnormalities. Results: Laboratory abnormalities occurred in 29 of 111 patients (26%). Elevations of liver enzymes and a decrease in platelet counts ( P P P Conclusions: NRH is a common finding in 6-TG-treated patients with IBD. The progression or reversibility of NRH remains unknown. Our findings suggest that 6-TG should not be considered as therapy for patients with IBD.
The thermal history of interplanetary dust particles collected in the Earth's stratosphere

Fragments of 24 individual interplanetary dust particles (IDPs) collected in the Earth's stratosphere were obtained from NASA's Johnson Space Center collection and subjected to pulse-heating sequences to extract He and Ne and to learn about the thermal history of the particles. A motivation for the investigation was to see if the procedure would help distinguish between IDPs of asteroidal and cometary origin. The use of a sequence of short-duration heat pulses to perform the extractions is an improvement over the employment of a step-heating sequence, as was used in a previous investigation. The particles studied were fragments of larger parent IDPs, other fragments of which, in coordinated experiments, are undergoing studies of elemental and mineralogical composition in other laboratories. While the present investigation will provide useful temperature history data for the particles, the relatively large size of the parent IDPs (approximately 40 micrometers in diameter) resulted in high entry deceleration temperatures. This limited the usefulness of the study for distinguishing between particles of asteroidal and cometary origin.
Geographic information system design for network equilibrium-based travel demand models

Travel demand analyses are useful for transportation planning and policy development in a study area. However, travel demand modeling faces two obstacles. First, standard practice solves the four travel components (trip generation, trip distribution, modal split and network assignment) in a sequential manner. This can result in inconsistencies and non-convergence. Second, the data required are often complex and difficult to manage. Recent advances in formal methods for network equilibrium-based travel demand modeling and computational platforms for spatial data handling can overcome these obstacles. In this paper we report on the development of a prototype geographic information system (GIS) design to support network equilibrium-based travel demand models. The GIS design has several key features, including: (i) realistic representation of the multimodal transportation network, (ii) increased likelihood of database integrity after updates, (iii) effective user interfaces, and (iv) efficient implementation of network equilibrium solution algorithms.
Video image quality analysis for enhancing tracker performance

Object tracking in video data is fundamental to many practical applications, including gesture recognition, activity analysis, physical security, and surveillance. A fundamental assumption is that the quality of the video stream is adequate to support the analysis. In practice, however, the video quality can vary widely due to lighting and weather, camera placement, and data compression. These factors affect the performance of object tracking algorithms. We present a method for automated analysis of the video quality which can be used to adjust the object tracker appropriately. This paper extends earlier research, presenting a model for quantifying the quality of motion imagery in the context of automated exploitation. We present a method for predicting the tracker performance and demonstrate the results on a range of video clips. The model rests on a suite of image metrics computed in real-time from the video. We will describe the metrics and the formulation of the quality estimation model. Results from a recent experiment will quantify the empirical performance of the model. We conclude with a discussion of methods for enhancing tracker performance based on the real-time video quality analysis.
A method for the delivery of reinforcement during exercise.

The purpose of this study was to develop an automated system for positively or negatively reinforcing subjects while they exercised on an electronically braked bicycle ergometer. The circuitry used to interface the subject’s pedal speed responses with the delivery of auditory reinforcement is presented, as well as a study designed to test the utility of the system. Twenty 18- to 25-year-old male subjects exercised on an electronically braked ergometer at a constant workload of 50 W for three 5-min blocks. During the first 5 min, subjects pedaled at their preferred rate, and during the next two 5-min blocks, they pedaled faster or slower than their baseline pedal speed to turn on a comedy tape for positive reinforcement, or turn off 90 dB of white noise for negative reinforcement. Circuits that interfaced the subject’s pedal response with the delivery of reinforcement are discussed in detail. Both positive and negative reinforcement increased the targeted pedaling rates, with no differences as a function of targeting increased or decreased pedal speed. This system could be used with various reinforcers, such as video and other audio equipment to increase exercise behavior.
Advances in platelet function testing assessing bleeding complications in patients with coronary artery disease.

Antiplatelet therapy is the cornerstone of treatment in preventing ischemic events in patients with coronary artery disease (CAD), particularly in the setting of acute coronary syndromes and percutaneous coronary interventions. However, antiplatelet therapy is also associated with an increased risk of bleeding complications, which are more frequent with the use of more potent antiplatelet treatment regimens. Therefore, defining the balance between the risk of thrombotic events and the risk of bleeding is essential to improve overall clinical outcomes. The pharmcodynamic effects of antiplatelet agents vary broadly and may be associated with differences in outcomes. In particular, patients are at an increased risk of ischemic or bleeding complications if the pharmacodynamic effects are reduced or enhanced, respectively. Multiple platelet function assays are currently available to assess the pharmacodynamic effects of commonly used antiplatelet agents. The present manuscript will review the prognostic value ...
On thermal radiation across nanoscale gaps

It is shown that the analysis of radiative heat transport across a nanoscale gap cannot ignore the correlation between radiations from the different sides of the gap. This correlation can be neglected in two cases: when the gap is considerably wider than the dominant wavelength of radiation and when the temperatures on different sides of the gap are equal.
Agrarian Dreams: The Paradox of Organic Farming in California. By Julie Guthman

The article reviews the book "Agrarian Dreams: The Paradox of Organic Farming in California," by Julie Guthman.
Effect of Nitrogen Fertilizers on Zinc Accumulation in Fescue

Abstract This research evaluated effects of nitrogen fertilizers on availability of zinc (Zn) in soils. Two slit loams of the Hadley series (Typic Udifluvents) were used. Zinc sulfate was mixed with the soils to give Zn at 125, 250, 500, or 1,000 mg/kg and incubated for 14 days. Fertilizers (compost, cow manure, urea) were mixed with the soils to supply N at 200 mg/kg. Fourteen days after the fertilizers were mixed with the Zn‐treated soils, soil samples were taken for analysis of plant‐available Zn by extraction with Morgan's solution or water. After the soil samples were taken, fescue (Festuca arundinacea Schreb.) seeds were placed into pots to assess germination, growth, and Zn accumulation. Higher concentrations of Morgan's extractable Zn were detected in soils treated with compost (201 mg/kg) than with calcium nitrate (179 mg/kg), manure (153 mg/kg), or urea (152 mg/kg). However, with water extraction, higher Zn concentrations were detected in soils treated with calcium nitrate (36 mg/kg) with the lo...
Superior Vena Cava Syndrome

Superior vena cava syndrome occurs when there is acute or subacute stenosis or occlusion of the superior vena cava. Marked facial and upper extremity swelling results in dysphagia, dyspnea, and pain. Both benign and malignant processes can cause superior vena cava syndrome; the most common etiologies are tumor, indwelling catheters, and mediastinal fibrosis. The acuity of the obstructive process has important ramifications: a slowly occlusive process may allow collateral venous drainage (as seen in some hemodialysis patients) and remain relatively well compensated, and a rapid occlusion nearly always results in severe symptoms.
Microwave Scattering by Nonspherical Particles

A method for obtaining detailed dependence of extinction cross sections on the orientation of nonspherical particles is described. The results of experimental scattering studies of several different particles are presented.
Finite-difference outer-layer, analytic inner-layer method for turbulent boundary layers

A new turbulent boundary-layer method is developed which models the inner region with the law of the wall, whereas the outer region uses Clauser's eddy viscosity in Matsuno's finite-difference method. The match point between the inner and outer regions, as well as the wall shear stress, is determined at each marching step during the computation. Results obtained for incompressible, two-dimensional flow over flat plates and ellipses are compared with solutions from a baseline method that uses a finite-difference method for the entire boundary layer. Since the present method used the finite-difference method in the outer region only, the number of grid points required was about half that needed for the baseline method. Accurate displacement and momentum thicknesses were predicted for all cases. Skin Friction was predicted well for the flat plate but the accuracy decreased significantly for the ellipses. Adding a wake function to the law of the wall allows some of the pressure gradient effect to be taken into account, thereby increasing the accuracy of the method.
Following Ultrafast Radiationless Relaxation Dynamics With Strong Field Dissociative Ionization: A Comparison Between Adenine, Uracil, and Cytosine

We present the application of ultrafast time- and mass-resolved ion yield laser spectroscopy in conjunction with ab initio electronic structure calculations to track molecular excited-state dynamics. We discuss how molecular fragment ions can be associated with conformations the molecule assumes during its relaxation, and how various features of the pump-probe signal for those fragments can be used to infer details of the excited-state dynamics. We present results for radiationless relaxation in DNA and RNA bases adenine, cytosine, and uracil in the gas phase, pumped near a one-photon resonance transition to an excited state, and probed via strong-field near-IR dissociative ionization.
Transcriptional activation of the human immunodeficiency virus type 1 long terminal repeat by hepatitis B virus X-protein requires de novo protein synthesis

Human hepatitis B virus (HBV) X-gene, previously shown to be capable of trans-activating heterologous regulatory elements of the human beta-interferon gene, the human immunodeficiency virus type I (HIV-1) long terminal repeat (LTR), the simian virus 40 (SV40), and HBV, has the capacity to code for a 17-kDa polypeptide (designated pX17). We now report that pX17 synthesized in Escherichia coli can activate transcription controlled by the HIV-1 LTR using a protoplast fusion technique. Protoplasts of E. coli-containing presynthesized X-protein were fused with lymphocytic H938 cells harboring an integrated copy of a plasmid with the CAT gene under control of the HIV-1 LTR (HIV-1 LTR CAT) and a marked increase in the steady state expression of the CAT mRNA was observed. When the same fused cells were treated with the protein synthesis inhibitor cyclohexamide, the pX17-dependent activation of the HIV-1 LTR was abolished. This result indicates that the X-protein expressed in E. coli is biologically active and suggests that the HBV X-protein-mediated trans-activation of the HIV-1 LTR in this system requires de novo cellular protein synthesis.
Tree diversity change in remaining primary mixed-broadleaved Korean pine forest under climate change and human activities

Studying biodiversity change in existing typical ecosystems of the world under possible global climate change and local human activities is important for diversity conservation. An adapted forest dynamics model is used to simulate tree diversity change of the remaining primary mixed-broadleaved Korean pine forest (RPMKPF) in northeast China under global climate change and local human activities for the next 50 years. Human activities include logging, which removes all big trees (DBH > 50 cm), removing all individuals of each single species and all species of each functional type (shade tolerant, shade intolerant and medium type tree species). As results for RPMKPF, the α index of tree diversity decreases under climate change, but it increases significantly under a combination of climate change and logging. Removing all individuals of each single species significantly affects the tree diversity of the ecosystem. After the removal of shade tolerant species, both α and βc indices of tree diversity experience a significant change. The α index decreases significantly under climate change when shade intolerant or medium type tree species are removed, but the βc index does not change significantly. The results of this study have implications for tree diversity management in RPMKPF under climate change and human activities.
Hyper-Rayleigh scattering studies of silver, copper, and platinum nanoparticle suspensions

Abstract The optical frequency doubling properties of silver, copper, and platinum nanoparticles in aqueous solution are studied via hyper-Rayleigh scattering (HRS) spectroscopy. Substantial HRS responses are observed for silver and copper particles. The response is attributed to enhancement due to resonance of the nonlinearly scattered light with the particles' surface plasmon absorption band. Platinum particles, which lack visible-region plasmon absorption, do not display detectable HRS signals. The largest signals from silver particles are observed under conditions of two-photon resonance, qualitatively consistent with the predictions of available theory; smaller yet still impressive signals are observed under pre- and post-resonant conditions.
Variation in Capture Efficiency of a Beach Seine for Small Fishes

Abstract We determined the capture efficiency of a beach seine as a means of improving abundance estimates of small fishes in littoral areas. Capture efficiency for 14 taxa (individual species or species groups) was determined by seining within an enclosure at night over fine and coarse substrates in the John Day Reservoir, Oregon–Washington. Mean efficiency ranged from 12% for prickly sculpin Cottus asper captured over coarse substrates to 96% for peamouth Mylocheilus caurinus captured over fine substrates. Mean capture efficiency for a taxon (genus or species) was generally higher over fine substrates than over coarse substrates, although mean capture efficiencies over fine substrates were significantly greater for only 3 of 10 taxa. Capture efficiency generally was not influenced by fish density or by water temperature (range, 8–26°C). Conclusions about the relative abundance of taxa captured by seining can change substantially after capture efficiencies are taken into account.
Fragility of Hydraulic Elevators for Use in Performance-Based Earthquake Engineering:

New performance-based earthquake engineering methods developed by the Pacific Earthquake Engineering Research Center, the Applied Technology Council, and others include damage analysis at a highly detailed level, requiring the compilation of fragility functions for a large number of damageable generic structural and nonstructural components. This brief paper presents the development of a fragility function for hydraulic elevators. It uses post-earthquake survey data from 91 elevators in nine California locations after two earthquakes. Surveys were used to collect data on facilities and elevators. Ground-motion records from the California Integrated Seismic Network were used to estimate engineering demands at each site. Binary regression analysis was used to fit a fragility function, which takes the form of a lognormal cumulative distribution function with median value of PGA =0.42 g and logarithmic standard deviation of 0.3. The fragility function appears to be reasonable based on four criteria. DOI: 10.1193/1.2720902
MAKING STUDENT RETENTION AN INSTITUTIONAL PRIORITY

A study was conducted to determine the reasons behind the unusually high rate of student attrition at Mountain Empire Community College. The results, which suggested that work and family conflicts were the primary contributors to attrition, led to the formation of a task force that was charged with the development of a comprehensive student retention plan. A college‐wide retreat involving all faculty, staff, and administrators was conducted to inform all constituents about the college's retention effort and to involve the entire college community in working together to understand how to implement effective retention strategies. Finally, a standing retention committee was formed at the college to oversee implementation of the retention plan, a plan which is research‐based and reflective of the long‐term commitment the institution has made to the improvement of the student persistence rate.
The Effect of Tax-Related Material Weaknesses in Internal Controls on the Market Valuation of Unrecognized Tax Benefits

This paper examines the effect of tax-related material weakness in internal controls on investors’ valuation of unrecognized tax benefits (UTBs). Firms are required to record a UTB when their uncertain tax positions are unlikely to be sustained upon tax return audit. While Koester (2012) finds that investors positively value UTBs, we posit that a tax-related material weakness in internal controls over financial reporting (MWIC) represents information risk in the tax account, reducing the value-relevance of UTBs. We predict that the positive relation between market value of equity and UTBs is attenuated when firms report a tax-related MWIC, and our empirical tests reveal that the relation is completely mitigated in the presence of a tax-related MWIC. Falsification tests confirm that non-tax related MWICs do not attenuate the positive relation between market value of equity and UTBs, consistent with tax-related MWICs capturing low information quality specific to the tax account.
Stumbling, bumbling, teleporting and flying… librarian avatars in Second Life: selected bibliography

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to provide a selective bibliography for librarians and adminstrators in all types of libraries, with sources that can help them understand virtual worlds and their applications for libraries. Second Life is used as an example of virtual worlds.Design/methodology/approach – The authors describe a range of primarily recent publications (2004‐2006), which aim to provide practical advice and information, to aid librarians and administrators seeking to understand and utilize virtual worlds.Findings – Provides information about each source, indicating content and how the information can help. Acknowledges and explores the lack of knowledge among many librarians and administrators of expanded Web technologies like 3D virtual worlds and their reference, collections and information literacy applications, and provides an annotated list of helpful publications.Research limitations/implications – This is not an exhaustive list and is particularly limited in numbers of research p...
Live Attenuated Salmonella Vaccines Displaying Regulated Delayed Lysis and Delayed Antigen Synthesis To Confer Protection against Mycobacterium tuberculosis

Live recombinant attenuated Salmonella vaccine (RASV) strains have great potential to induce protective immunity against Mycobacterium tuberculosis by delivering M. tuberculosis antigens. Recently, we reported that, in orally immunized mice, RASV strains delivering the M. tuberculosis early secreted antigenic target 6-kDa (ESAT-6) protein and culture filtrate protein 10 (CFP-10) antigens via the Salmonella type III secretion system (SopE amino-terminal region residues 1 to 80 with two copies of ESAT-6 and one copy of CFP-10 [SopE(Nt80)-E2C]) afforded protection against aerosol challenge with M. tuberculosis. Here, we constructed and evaluated an improved Salmonella vaccine against M. tuberculosis. We constructed translational fusions for the synthesis of two copies of ESAT-6 plus CFP-10 fused to the OmpC signal sequence (OmpC(SS)-E2C) and amino acids 44 to 338 of antigen 85A (Ag85A(294)) flanked by the signal sequence (SS) and C-terminal peptide (CT) of β-lactamase (Bla(SS)-Ag85A(294)-Bla(CT)) to enable delivery via the Salmonella type II secretion system. The genes expressing these proteins were cloned as an operon transcribed from P(trc) into isogenic Asd(+)/MurA(+) pYA3681 lysis vector derivatives with different replication origins (pBR, p15A, pSC101), resulting in pYA4890, pYA4891, and pYA4892 for SopE(Nt80)-E2C/Ag85A(294) synthesis and pYA4893 and pYA4894 for OmpC(SS)-E2C/Ag85A(294) synthesis. Mice orally immunized with the RASV χ11021 strain engineered to display regulated delayed lysis and regulated delayed antigen synthesis in vivo and harboring pYA4891, pYA4893, or pYA4894 elicited significantly greater humoral and cellular immune responses, and the RASV χ11021 strain afforded a greater degree of protection against M. tuberculosis aerosol challenge in mice than RASVs harboring any other Asd(+)/MurA(+) lysis plasmid and immunization with M. bovis BCG, demonstrating that RASV strains displaying regulated delayed lysis with delayed antigen synthesis resulted in highly immunogenic delivery vectors for oral vaccination against M. tuberculosis infection.
Course‐related bibliographic instruction in the 1990s

Kirk discusses the history and development of the library instruction movement and of the Association of College and Research Libraries’ Instruction section, especially in relation to course‐related instruction as practiced at Earlham College. He reflects on the context, content, methods and terminology of course‐related instruction over the past 25 years.
Systematic use of gastric fundoplication in laparoscopic repair of paraesophageal hernias.

Background Early surgical treatment has been recommended in patients with paraesophageal hiatal hernias. Recently, the laparoscopic approach has emerged as an ideal way to perform the operation. But whether or not an antireflux procedure should be done remains controversial. Patients and Methods : Four patients with type II and eleven with type III hiatal hernias were treated. Twelve of them manifested symptoms of reflux preoperatively. The operative technique consisted of resection of the sac, closure of the crura and gastric fundoplication, anchored to the diaphragm. Results All but two patients were completed laparoscopically. Mean operative time was 320 (±49 SD) minutes, and mean hospital stay was 3 (±1.2 SD) days. Early postoperative complications were subcutaneous emphysema (two patients) and atrial fibrillation (one patient). At one year all patients were asymptomatic without disphagia, reflux, or recurrence of the hernia. Conclusion The addition of fundoplication to paraesophageal hernia repair restores competency of the sphincter in patients with reflux associated to the hernia and prevents postoperative gastroesophageal reflux that results from the extensive dissection required. In addition, it provides an ideal means of fixing the stomach in the subdiaphragmatic position, decreasing the long term-risk of recurrence.
Electromagnetic NDE signal inversion by function-approximation neural networks

In the magnetic flux leakage (MFL) method of nondestructive testing commonly used to inspect ferromagnetic materials, a crucial problem is signal inversion, wherein the defect profiles must be recovered from measured signals. This paper proposes a neural-network-based inversion algorithm to solve the problem. Neural networks (radial-basis function and wavelet-basis function) are first trained to approximate the mapping from the signal to the defect space. The trained networks are then used iteratively in the algorithm to estimate the profile, given the measurement signal. The paper presents the results of applying the algorithm to simulated MFL data.
Time-optimal trajectories for cooperative multi-manipulator systems

We present two schemes for planning the time-optimal trajectory for cooperative multi-manipulator system (CMMS) carrying a common object. We assume that the desired path is given and parameterizable by an arclength variable. Both approaches take into account the dynamics of the manipulators and object. The first approach employs linear programming techniques, and it allows us to obtain the time-optimal execution of the given task utilizing the maximum torque capacities of the joint motors. The second approach is a sub-time-optimal method that is computationally very efficient. In the second approach the given load is divided into a share for each robot in the CMMS in a manner in which the trajectory acceleration/deceleration is maximized, hence the trajectory execution time is minimized. This load distribution approach uses optimization schemes that degenerate to a linear search algorithm for the case of two robots manipulating a common load, and this results in significant reduction of computation time. The load distribution scheme not only enables us to reduce the computation time, but also gives us the possibility of applying this method in real-time planning and control of CMMS. Further, we show that for certain object trajectories the load distribution scheme yields truly time-optimal trajectories.
Line Stimulation Parallel to Myofibers Enhances Regional Uniformity of Transmembrane Voltage Changes in Rabbit Hearts

Abstract The sign of transmembrane voltage (Vm) change (ΔVm) in the heart during unipolar point stimulation is nonuniform, which introduces dispersion of states of Vm-dependent ion channels that depends on fiber orientation. We hypothesized that line stimulation parallel to cardiac fibers increases regional uniformity of the ΔVm sign. To test this, we evaluated electrode current distribution and ΔVm produced by unipolar line stimulation in isolated rabbit hearts. The Vm-sensitive fluorescent dye, di-4-ANEPPS, and a laser scanner provided ΔVm measurements at 63 spots in an 8×8-mm epicardial region. Line stimulation was tested at specific angles with respect to the fiber direction. Current peaks occurred at electrode ends. For electrodes parallel to fibers (0°), epicardium in regions beyond the ends exhibited a nonuniform ΔVm sign, whereas epicardium between the ends exhibited a uniform ΔVm sign that was essentially negative (hyperpolarized) during anodal pulses and positive (depolarized) during cathodal pu...
Epigenetic propagation of CD4 expression is established by the Cd4 proximal enhancer in helper T cells

The stability of a lineage program (cellular memory) is dependent on mechanisms that epigenetically maintain active or repressed states of gene expression (transcriptional memory). Although epigenetic silencing of genes has been clearly demonstrated from yeast to mammals, heritable maintenance of active transcription has been less clearly defined. To investigate the potential role of active transcriptional memory during lineage diversification, we employed targeted mutation of a positive-acting cis element in the Cd4 locus to determine the impact on CD4 expression and the differentiation of CD4(+) helper T cells in mice. We show that the proximal enhancer (E4(P)) of Cd4 is essential for CD4 expression in immature CD4(+)8(+) thymocytes. Furthermore, its loss resulted in reduced and unstable expression of CD4 in mature T cells. However, if the enhancer was deleted after cells had already committed to the helper T-cell lineage, CD4 expression remained high and was stable upon cell division. "Active" histone modifications, once initiated by E4(P), were also propagated independently of the enhancer. Thus, E4(P) is responsible for establishing an epigenetically inherited active Cd4 locus in the helper T-cell lineage. To our knowledge, this is the first genetic demonstration of active transcriptional memory in mammalian cells.
Chemical treatments for mobilizing arsenic from contaminated aquifer solids to accelerate remediation.

Abstract Arsenic is a prevalent contaminant at US Superfund sites where remediation by pump and treat systems is often complicated by slow desorption of As from Fe and Al (hydr)oxides in aquifer solids. Chemical amendments that either compete with As for sorption sites or dissolve Fe and Al (hydr)oxides can increase As mobility and improve pump and treat remediation efficiency. The goal of this work was to determine optimal amendments for improving pump and treat at As contaminated sites such as the Vineland Chemical Co. Superfund site in southern New Jersey. Extraction and column experiments were performed using As contaminated aquifer solids (81 ± 1 mg/kg), site groundwater, and either phosphate (NaH 2 PO 4 ·H 2 O) or oxalic acid (C 2 H 2 O 4 ·2H 2 O). In extraction experiments, phosphate mobilized between 11% and 94% of As from the aquifer solids depending on phosphate concentration and extraction time (1 mM–1 M; 1–24 h) and oxalic acid mobilized between 38% and 102% depending on oxalic acid concentration and extraction time (1–400 mM; 1–24 h). In column experiments, phosphate additions induced more As mobilization in the first few pore volumes but oxalic acid was more effective at mobilizing As overall and at lower amendment concentrations. At the end of the laboratory column experiments, 48% of As had been mobilized from the aquifer sediments with 100 mM phosphate and 88% had been mobilized with 10 mM oxalic acid compared with 5% with ambient groundwater alone. Furthermore, simple extrapolations based on pore volumes suggest that chemical treatments could lower the time necessary for clean up at the Vineland site from 600 a with ambient groundwater alone to potentially as little as 4 a with 10 mM oxalic acid.
Bounds on the Information Rate for Sparse Channels with Long Memory and i.u.d. Inputs

In this paper we propose new bounds on the achievable information rate for discrete-time Gaussian channels with intersymbol interference (ISI) and independent and uniformly distributed (i.u.d.) channel input symbols drawn from finite-order modulation alphabets. Specifically, we are interested in developing new bounds on the achievable rates for sparse channels with long memory. We obtain a lower bound which can be achieved by practical receivers, based on MMSE channel shortening and suboptimal symbol detection for a reduced-state channel. An upper bound is given in the form of a semi-analytical solution derived using basic information theoretic inequalities, by a grouping of the channel taps into several clusters resulting in a newly defined single-input multiple-output (SIMO) channel. We show that the so obtained time-dispersive SIMO channel can be represented by an equivalent single-input single-output (SISO) channel with a significantly shorter channel memory. The reduced computational complexity allows the use of the BCJR algorithm for the newly defined channel. The proposed bounds are illustrated through several sparse channel examples and i.u.d. input symbols, showing that the upper bound significantly outperforms existing bounds. Performance of our lower bound strongly depends on the channel structure, showing best results for minimum-phase and maximum-phase systems.
Exploring Massachusetts Health Care Reform Impact on Fee-for-Service-Funded Substance Use Disorder Treatment Providers

The Affordable Care Act (ACA) is forecast to increase the demand for and utilization of substance use disorder (SUD) treatment. Massachusetts implemented health reforms similar to the ACA in 2006-2007 that included expanding coverage for SUD treatment. This study explored the impact of Massachusetts health reforms from 2007 to 2010 on SUD treatment providers in Massachusetts, who relied on fee-for-service billings for more than 50% of their revenue. The changes across treatment facilities located in Massachusetts were compared to changes in other similar fee-for-service-funded SUD treatment providers in Northeast states bordering Massachusetts and in all other states across the US. From 2007-2010, the percentage changes for Massachusetts based providers were significantly different from the changes among providers located in the rest of the US for admissions, outpatient census, average weeks of outpatient treatment, residential/in-patient census, detoxification census, length of average inpatient and outpatient stays, and provision of medication-assisted treatment. Contrary to previous studies of publicly funded treatment providers, the results of this exploratory study of providers dependent on fee-for-service revenues were consistent with some predictions for the overall effects of the ACA.
Neutrophil IL-10 suppresses peritoneal inflammatory monocytes during polymicrobial sepsis

Septic peritonitis remains a major cause of death. Neutrophils and inflammatory monocytes are principal components of the innate immune system and are essential for defense against a range of microbial pathogens. Their role and interaction in polymicrobial sepsis have not been defined clearly. Using a murine model of CLP to induce moderate sepsis, we found that neutrophil depletion did not alter survival, whereas depletion of neutrophils and inflammatory monocytes markedly reduced survival. After neutrophil depletion, inflammatory monocytes had greater phagocytic capacity and oxidative burst, and increased expression of costimulatory molecules, TNF, and iNOS. Notably, peritoneal neutrophils produced IL-10 following CLP. Adoptive i.p. transfer of WT but not IL-10(-/-) neutrophils into septic mice reduced monocyte expression of TNF. In vitro experiments confirmed that monocyte suppression was mediated by neutrophil-derived IL-10. Thus, during septic peritonitis, neutrophils suppress peritoneal inflammatory monocytes through IL-10 and are dispensable for survival.
The Action of Antibiotics on Intestinal Flora of Poultry 1. Bacterial Counts in Chickens Fed Varying Levels of Aurofac

Abstract THE purpose of a series of investigations now in progress is to probe the effect of antibiotics on intestinal microorganisms in an attempt to elucidate the mechanism whereby antibiotics promote weight gains in poultry and other animals. Experimental data will be analyzed for compatibility with the several theories that have been suggested, as well as with other explanations which previously have not been given serious consideration. In this first report data are presented dealing with the effect of antibiotics on intestinal microbial counts. Although other investigators have made such determinations, it was hoped that the procedure followed in the present study might help to distinguish variation in counts due to chance alone from variation due to the presence of an antibiotic. Samples were taken from birds that had been fed five different levels of Aurofac, plus a control group, hence, changes in bacterial counts caused by the antibiotic might be …
A review of communication interference problems

Optimum useage of the spectrum can only occur if the problems are appreciated and intelligent solutions pursued. In particular transmitter splatter, impulse noise, and intermodulation have been treated in some detail. It is shown that under a different set of conditions each of the above factors may be the limiting factor on system performance. Comparisons are made between FM, SSB and AM, where appropriate. Other interference factors such as transmitter noise, and frequency stability are briefly considered. Channel splitting is discussed briefly in the light of the above problems.
Ischemia at rest is independent of the extent of ventricular dysfunction and arrhythmias in patients with coronary artery disease

To assess the relation between myocardial ischemia, ventricular arrhythmias (VA), and left ventricular (LV) dysfunction, we evaluated 74 patients with coronary artery disease (CAD) using radionuclide angiography (to determine the resting ejection fraction [EF]), resting thallium-201 scintigraphy (to ascertain the extent of resting ischemia), and 24-hour Holter monitoring (to assess VA). Thirty patients had resting ischemia, 26 had resting EF < 30%, and 27 had repetitive VA. Patients with and without ischemia had similar EFs (36 ± 14 vs 38 ± 14, p = NS). Further, patients with and without repetitive forms of VA had a similar number of resting ischemic segments (1.1 ± 1.7 vs 1.1 ± 2.2, p = NS). Patients with EFs < 30 had more VA than patients with EFs ≥ 30 (Holter class 4.3 ± 2.3 vs 3.0 ± 1.8, p < 0.01) but a similar extent of ischemia (1.4 ± 2.2 vs 1.0 ± 1.7, p = NS). Thus, while patients with lower EFs have more repetitive forms of VA, ischemia at rest is independent of VA and EF. These data suggest that prognostic stratification of patients with CAD for intervention studies should include a separate consideration of ischemia.
Constitutively Opa-Expressing and Opa-Deficient Neisseria gonorrhoeae Strains Differentially Stimulate and Survive Exposure to Human Neutrophils

The Neisseria gonorrhoeae (the gonococcus [Gc]) opacity-associated (Opa) proteins mediate bacterial binding and internalization by human epithelial cells and neutrophils (polymorphonuclear leukocytes [PMNs]). Investigating the contribution of Opa proteins to gonococcal pathogenesis is complicated by high-frequency phase variation of the opa genes. We therefore engineered a derivative of Gc strain FA1090 in which all opa genes were deleted in frame, termed Opaless. Opaless Gc remained uniformly Opa negative (Opa(-)), whereas cultures of predominantly Opa(-) parental Gc and an intermediate lacking the "translucent" subset of opa genes (ΔopaBEGK) stochastically gave rise to Opa-positive (Opa(+)) bacterial colonies. Loss of Opa expression did not affect Gc growth. Opaless Gc survived exposure to primary human PMNs and suppressed the PMN oxidative burst akin to parental, Opa(-) bacteria. Notably, unopsonized Opaless Gc was internalized by adherent, chemokine-primed, primary human PMNs, by an actin-dependent process. When a non-phase-variable, in-frame allele of FA1090 opaD was reintroduced into Opaless Gc, the bacteria induced the PMN oxidative burst, and OpaD(+) Gc survived less well after exposure to PMNs compared to Opa(-) bacteria. These derivatives provide a robust system for assessing the role of Opa proteins in Gc biology.
Threshold Determination and Engaging Materials Scientists in Ontology Design

This paper reports on research exploring a threshold for engaging scientists in semantic ontology development. The domain application, nanocrystalline metals, was pursued using a multi-method approach involving algorithm comparison, semantic concept/term evaluation, and term sorting. Algorithms from four open source term extraction applications (RAKE, Tagger, Kea, and Maui) were applied to a test corpus of preprint abstracts from the arXiv repository. Materials scientists identified 92 terms for ontology inclusion from a combined set of 228 unique terms, and the term sorting activity resulted in 9 top nodes. The combined methods were successful in engaging domain scientists in ontology design, and give a threshold capacity measure (threshold acceptability) to aid future work. This paper presents the research background and motivation, reviews the methods and procedures, and summarizes the initial results. A discussion explores term sorting approaches and mechanisms for determining thresholds for engaging scientist in semantically-driven ontology design and the concept of ontological empowerment.
Cross Polarization for Improved Digital Image Correlation

Digital image correlation (DIC) is a surface deformation measurement technique for which accuracy and precision are sensitive to image quality. This work presents cross polarization, the use of orthogonal linear polarizers on light source(s) and camera(s), as an effective method for improving optical DIC measurements. The benefits of cross polarization are characterized through quantitative and statistical comparisons from two experiments: rigid body translation of a flat sample and uniaxial tension of a superelastic shape-memory alloy (SMA). In both experiments, cross polarization eliminated saturated pixels that degrade DIC measurements, and increased image contrast, which enabled higher spatial precision by using smaller subsets. Subset sizes are usually optimized for correlation confidence interval (typically with subsets of 21×21 px or larger), but can be decreased to achieve the highest possible spatial precision at the expense of increased correlation confidence intervals. Smaller subset sizes (such as 9×9 px) require better images to maintain correlation within error thresholds. By comparing DIC results from a uniaxial SMA tension test with unpolarized and cross-polarized images, we show that for 9×9 px subsets, the loss of valid DIC data points was reduced almost ten-fold with cross polarization. The only disadvantage we see to cross polarization is the decrease in specimen illumination due to transmission losses through the polarizers, which can easily be accommodated with sufficiently intense light sources. With the installation of relatively inexpensive linear polarizing filters, an optimum optical DIC setup can provide even better DIC measurements by delivering images without saturated pixels and with higher contrast for increased DIC spatial precision.
Water Binding in the Articular Cartilage of Rabbits

Tritiated water and 14C-urea were introduced into one knee joint of twenty-one rabbits, and at intervals ranging from one to 360 minutes, articular cartilage from both knees and serum were assayed for retained radioactivity to provide a water or urea clearance for cartilage. By fifteen minutes less than 6 per cent of either isotope remained in the cartilage, and by thirty minutes equilibration with serum had occurred. In vitro incubation of slices of articular cartilage in 3H2O to assess the amount of retained water after vacuum dessication, or after oven drying for four to eighteen hours, showed that about 6 per cent of the retained water remained after mild dehydration (vacuum dessication) and that the amount diminished with harsher treatment but not to zero. The findings indicate that most of the water in the cartilage was mechanically trapped in a complex gel of matrix collagen and prdeoglycan and was freely exchangeable with both the synovial fluid and the blood stream.
The convergence of economic development and energy-transition policies in state-government plans in the United States

This study assesses one type of policy for which disagreements may be less heated: economic development targets for industrial sectors in U.S. state governments that support the renewable energy and clean technology (RE&CT) industrial sector
Low temperature sputter deposition of Ba0.96Ca0.04Ti0.84Zr0.16O3 thin films on Ni electrodes

The integration of high-K materials, such as ferroelectrics in the paraelectric state, in integrated circuits presents several challenges. If high-K materials are deposited on-chip after or between Al metalization steps, then these challenges include limits on processing gas composition, deposition temperature and electrode material. Specifically, the atmosphere present during deposition and annealing must be oxygen-free; the deposition and annealing temperatures must not exceed 450°C; and the electrode material must be etchable with chemical techniques. We studied rf magnetron sputtered Ba 0.96 Ca 0.04 Ti 0.84 Zr 0.16 O 3 (BCTZ) with Ni electrodes because this system meets all the above requirements. The BCTZ deposition process uses pure Ar as the sputter gas and a substrate temperature of 450°C. Subsequent anneals may be performed in a reducing (forming gas) atmosphere with little effect on either the dielectric constant or leakage current. The Ni electrodes provide a good substrate for BCTZ films and are much easier to integrate than Pt films. Observed values for the relative dielectric constant K, exceeding 100, were not as high as for BCTZ films on Pt electrodes, however these values are sufficient to provide a clear advantage over other, non-ferroelectric materials. Overall, the device characteristics observed prove that the Ni/BCTZ/Ni capacitor is a valuable technology for on-chip capacitor applications.
Soluble and insoluble fibronectin increases alveolar epithelial wound healing in vitro

Adhesive interactions between cells and extracellular matrix proteins are important in cell attachment, migration, and proliferation. The present work defines the role of fibronectin (soluble and insoluble) compared with type I and type IV collagen on in vitro alveolar epithelial wound healing. Repeated video microscopy experiments demonstrated that the half-time of wound closure was decreased in the presence of soluble fibronectin (6.6 +/- 2.1 vs. 17.4 +/- 0.8 h in serum-free medium, P < 0.05). Video microscopy, electron microscopy, and vinculin distribution demonstrated the contribution of two main events during the repair process: the migration of epithelial cell sheets and the spreading of the cells. During the wound healing, the internuclear distance between two adjacent cells at the migrating edge of the wound was significantly increased 10 h after wounding in the presence of soluble fibronectin (67 +/- 3.0 vs. 45 +/- 1.5 microns in serum-free medium, P < 0.05), indicating that cell spreading is involved as part of the mechanism for wound closure. Compared with type I and type IV collagen, insoluble fibronectin was the most potent stimulus for alveolar type II cell motility and wound healing in the absence of other serum factors. These results demonstrate that alveolar epithelial wound healing can be modulated in vitro by the composition of the extracellular matrix, an effect that may be mediated by changes in cell shape.