cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Urbanization in the Southeastern United States: Socioeconomic forces and ecological responses along an urban-rural gradient

Urbanization in the southeastern U.S. has progressed rapidly due to economic development and population growth. This is particularly the case in the Piedmont physiographic region of Georgia where an interdisciplinary group of researchers conducted a series of studies, collectively known as the West Georgia Project, to evaluate the causes and consequences of urbanization associated with a mid-size city (<200,000 pop). Although the results of this project have been presented as individual facets, in this manuscript, we will provide a comprehensive picture of the drivers and effects of urbanization across that landscape. First, socio-economic drivers of land use change in Georgia were identified. The feedback of urbanization influences on cultural responses, namely environmental knowledge, was studied in urban vs. rural watersheds. Additionally, an urban-rural gradient of selected watersheds was used to examine the effects of urban development on terrestrial and aquatic ecosystem structure and function. We hypothesized that negative feedbacks would occur as a result of environmental impacts that could alter the rate of development or its spatial distribution. These studies suggested that urbanization has greatly altered many environmental indices. However, environmental awareness seemed to decline as populations became more urbanized and, consequently, there was little indication that the previously mentioned negative feedbacks occurred. With continued conversion of forests to urban land expected through the foreseeable future, greater emphasis on outreach must occur in order to enhance environmental knowledge of rural and urban residents alike and to make urbanizing populations aware of any degradation of environmental quality.
An Analysis of the Outcomes of a Unified Teacher Preparation Program

This paper presents the findings of a study of learning gains made by students with disabilities and those without disability when taught by teacher candidates completing a unified teacher preparation program. The Student Academic Performance Sample, the culminating performance-based assessment of the program was the primary data source. This assessment permits analysis of student learning on a curriculum unit of instruction that is differentiated to meet the needs of all K-12 learners. Units of 20 teacher candidates were examined to determine: (a) the learning demonstrated by students with disabilities; and, (b) the teaching models and strategies used by the teacher candidates. Evidence of student learning was determined through analysis of disaggregated data from class-wide results. These data reveal that students with disabilities achieved within the range of their typical peers in 14 of the 20 units. The teaching model most frequently associated with learning by these students was cooperative learning...
A rate-transparent, self-clocking line code

A reliable and economical new transmission code is presented with the following properties: zero dc content, baseband bandwidth conservation, self-clocking capability, and data-rate-transparent decoding and synchronization. Simple encoder/decoder and clock extractor circuits are given. The code is demonstrated in a wavelength-multiplexed fiber-optic communication system.
MOS hydrogen sensor with very fast response based on ultra-thin thermal SiO2 film

Abstract An MOS capacitor-type hydrogen gas sensor was fabricated with the structure of Ni/SiO2/Si by using conventional silicon wafer technologies. Grown by dry oxidation at 900°C, the thickness of the SiO2 film was only 24 A. At 150°C, comparing to another MOS capacitor with 148 A-thick oxide and otherwise identical configurations, this sensor showed much faster response speed (the time interval to reach half of the magnitude of the steady-state signal, or t50%, was only 4 s in response to 1% H2 without deduction of the delay from the gas delivery system), as well as enhanced signal magnitude (about two times of the former for 1% H2). Based on the hydrogen-binding to the traps in the bulk SiO2, a mechanism was proposed to explain the very short response time on the device with the ultra-thin SiO2. The gate leakage in the device is also discussed. The presented sensor demonstrates a promising step in designing low-cost H2 detectors with very fast responses.
Induction of term labor with intravenous prostaglandin F2α (a comparison of two dosage schedules)

The efficacy of intravenous Prostaglandin F2α (PGF2α) infusion for induction of labor in two different dosage schedules was studied in 90 women between 36 and 43 weeks of gestation. The rate of PGF2α infusion was increased at four-hour intervals in 36 women in the low dosage group and every hour in 54 women in the high dosage group, never exceeding an infusion rate of 20 μg/min. in either group. Labor was successfully induced in approximately 90% of the patients in each group. There was no statistically significant difference in the mean induction-delivery interval between the two groups at the 5 percent level. Intravenous PGF2α was found to be effective and safe for both mother and infant in the dosage schedules used in this study for induction of labor.
Spontaneous decomposition of glutamine in cell culture media

Abstract The effect of temperatures and composition of the medium on the rate of decomposition of glutamine into pyrrolidone-carboxylic acid and ammonia was investigated. In pH 7.2 phosphate buffer and in two cell culture media the rate of the reaction was described by the same energy of activation (11.6 kcal./mole) for a temperature range of 4 to 37 °C. Thus, at 37 °C 10 per cent of the glutamine present decomposes per day, while at 4 °C a 10 per cent decomposition would take 9 days. Pyrrolidone-carboxylic acid in higher concentration than would be expected to be found in most media as a result of this decomposition was shown not to be toxic to cells in culture. No increase in glutamic acid could be detected during the course of the experiments. Thus, the only consequence of this decomposition is the removal of glutamine and the production of ammonia.
American Studies, Cultural History, and the Critique of Culture

For several decades historians have expressed reservations about how scholars of American studies have embraced theory and its jargons. The program for a recent American studies convention seems to confirm the field's turn from history and its embrace of the paradigms and practices of cultural studies. The nature of this gap is complicated by comparing scholarly work published since 2000 on the Gilded Age and Progressive Era in the respective flagship journals of each field. Scholars in both fields are committed to the study of culture, but they differ in how they understand historical agency and subjectivity. A historical overview of American studies scholars' engagement with cultural critique as well as a critical analysis of how two exemplary books in the field engage with historical change offer historians a way to understand such work not only as complementary to their own objectives, but necessary for a full understanding of the past and our relation to it.
Critical care in pregnancy—Is it different?

In the first part of this review, the epidemiology of obstetric critical care is discussed. This includes the incidence of severe morbidity in pregnancy, identification of critically ill and potentially critically ill patients, the incidence of obstetric ICU admissions, the type of critical illness by stage of pregnancy, ICU admission diagnoses, the severity of illness in obstetric ICU patients compared to non-obstetric patients, ICU mortality of obstetric patients, the ICU proportion of total maternal mortality, and the causes of death for obstetric patients in ICU. In the second part, the management of obstetric patients who happen to be admitted to a general ICU is discussed. Rather than focusing on the management of particular obstetric conditions, general principles of ICU management will be discussed as applied to obstetric ICU patients. These include drug safety, monitoring the fetus, management of the airway, sedation, muscle relaxation, ventilation, cardiovascular support, thromboprophylaxis, and radiology and ethical issues.
On the behavior of elastic composites with transverse isotropic symmetry

Abstract the effective elastic behavior of transversely isotropic composites made from two compressible elastic materials in prescribed proportions is examined. The set of all effective elasticity tensors for transversely isotropic finite rank laminar microstructures is described. The extremal property of this class of microstructures is used to derive new optimal bounds on the effective elastic moduli. For the special case of transversely isotropic fiber composites treated by Hashin we derive an optimal tensor inequality on the effective elastic tensor. The tensor inequality includes Hashin's and Hill's bounds on the transverse bulk modulus and Hashin's bounds on the transverse shear modulus and axial shear modulus.
Effects of amphetamine isomers and CNS catecholaminergic blockers on seizures in mice.

Abstract The effects of (+)- and (−)-amphetamine on intravenous pentylenetetrazol(PTZ)-induced clonic seizure threshold were studied in CD-1 mice. The (+)-isomer elicited a biphasic effect, increasing seizure threshold 5–21% at low doses (1.25–2.5 mg/kg) and decreasing PTZ-induced clonic seizure threshold 15–28% at high doses (10–15 mg/kg). (−)-Amphetamine (1.25–10 mg/kg) increased PTZ-induced clonic seizure threshold 28–49%; doses of 15–45 mg/kg were without effect. Studies utilizing blockers of α- and β-noradrenergic (phentolamine, azapetine, (−)-sotalol, and (−)-INPEA), and dopa-minergic (pimozide and haloperidol) receptors suggest that the biphasic effects of (+)-amphetamine may be dependent upon α- and β-noradrenergic activation, while the decrease in PTZ-induced clonic seizure threshold possibly also involves the dopaminergic system. The increase in PTZ-induced clonic seizure threshold by (−)-amphetamine is primarily mediated by the β-noradrenergic system with α-noradrenergic and dopaminergic involvement also possible. These results show quantitative differences in the relative potency of the amphetamine isomers, [(−)- > (+)], and suggest that qualitative differences may exist as well.
Modeling of antimony based subcell layers for higher photon absorption in novel multijunction solar cell

The main challenge in the solar cell industry is making the solar cells more cost effective. Mono and poly-crystalline Si, CdTe, CIGS, Quantum dot, Organic and Dye-sensitized solar cell technologies do not produce high efficiencies. A low bandgap semiconductor generates larger current due to photon absorption over broader spectral region but do not produce high open circuit voltage because it is limited by the dark current of the low bandgap material. We have introduced a novel quadruple junction solar cell comprised of AlGaInP/InGaAs/GaSb/InGaSb semiconductor subcell layers. We have simulated the quantum efficiency, current density vs. voltage, power density and comparative study of photon absorption of our novel design with state of art single junction and multijunction solar cells. Antimony based subcell layers help in higher photon absorption in the IR region. The combinations of subcell layers yield favorable photon absorption results for the entire solar radiation spectrum.
Expressions for first and second derivatives in least-squares refinements including extinction

Compact expressions are given for first and second derivatives necessary for inclusion of the Becker–Coppens isotropic extinction model in a least-squares procedure. Derivatives with respect to a scale factor, a structural parameter, and the two extinction parameters g and ρ are considered, for refinements on |F| and |F|2.
Optical absorption evidence for quantum confinement effects in porous silicon

Abstract Measurements of the optical and structural characteristics of various porous Si samples have been correlated. Although the photoluminescence peak wavelength shows no correlation with the Si nanoparticle size, the optical absorption edge exhibits a strong inverse correlation that is in excellent agreement with theoretical predictions for the optical gap in Si spheres or quantum dots. This constitutes direct evidence for quantum confinement effects in porous Si.
Talking to the Broadcasters on Twitter: Networked Gatekeeping in Twitter Conversations with Journalists

Drawing upon the theory of networked gatekeeping, this study describes how citizens engage in Twitter conversations with journalists and illustrates the power dynamic between traditional gatekeeper...
One-Step Real-Time Reverse Transcription–PCR for the Detection of Turkey Reoviruses

SUMMARY During late 2010 and early 2011, an unusual problem of lameness and swollen hock joints in commercial turkeys was reported in the upper Midwest, which continues to this day. The disease caused substantial economic losses to turkey producers. Reovirus was isolated from tendons and joint fluids of lame turkeys submitted to the Minnesota Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory. This study was undertaken to develop a TaqMan real-time reverse transcription-PCR (rRT-PCR) assay for the early detection of turkey reoviruses (both enteric and lameness strains). A primer probe set was designed from the conserved region of the S4 segment of the turkey reovirus genome. The newly developed rRT-PCR was specific for the detection of turkey reoviruses. The detection limit of this assay was 10 genome copies per reaction. For the TARV-MN4 strain of turkey arthritis reovirus, one 50% tissue culture infectious dose was equivalent to 11.6 ± 0.2 genome copies. The highest coefficient of variation for intraexperimental and inte...
Fast track article: Message ferries as generalized dominating sets in intermittently connected mobile networks

Message ferrying is a technique for routing data in wireless and mobile networks where one or more mobile nodes are tasked with storing and carrying data between sources and destinations. To achieve connectivity between all nodes, message ferries may need to relay data to each other. While useful as a routing technique for wireless mobile networks in general, message ferrying is particularly useful in intermittently connected networks where traditional MANET routing protocols are not usable. A wireless and mobile network is said to possess an intrinsic message ferrying capability if a subset of the nodes can act as message ferries by virtue of their own mobility pattern, without introducing additional nodes or modifying existing node mobility. Our goal in this work is to provide a formalism where one can characterize intrinsic message ferrying capability. We first observe that the use of message ferries is the mobile generalization of the well-known use of connected dominating set-based routing in wireless networks. We next consider the problem of identifying the set of nodes in a mobile network which can act as message ferries by virtue of their mobility pattern. To this end, we define the concept of a Connected Message Ferry Dominating Set (CMFDS) in a manner that achieves data delivery within certain performance bounds. We then develop algorithms that can be used to find such a set within a mobile, wireless network or identify that no such set exists. We provide some illustrative examples to show the application of our algorithms to several mobility patterns.
The Effect on Blood Pressure in the Right Heart, Pulmonary Artery and Systemic Artery of Cardiac Standstill Produced by Carotid Sinus Stimulation

In two patients with hypersensitive carotid sinus syndrome, cardiac standstill was induced while pressures were recorded in the pulmonary and femoral arteries and right heart. With onset of ventricular standstill, pressures in the right atrium and right ventricle equalized and gradually increased, that in the femoral artery decreased, and that in the pulmonary artery-fell until it became equal to right ventricular pressure, and then increased commensurately with it. All pressures then approached a uniform magnitude asymptotically: this uniform pressure is believed to correspond to the "static pressure." The manner in which the respective pressures returned to normal with resumption of normal cardiac rhythm is described, and certain unexpected findings are discussed.
Ultrasonication as a potential tool to predict solute crystallization in freeze-concentrates

We hypothesize that ultrasonication can accelerate solute crystallization in freeze-concentrates. Our objective is to demonstrate ultrasonication as a potential predictive tool for evaluating physical stability of excipients in frozen solutions. The crystallization tendencies of lyoprotectants (trehalose, sucrose), carboxylic acid buffers (citric, tartaric, malic, and acetic) and an amino acid buffer (histidine HCl) were studied. Aqueous solutions of buffers, lyoprotectants and mixtures of the two were cooled from room temperature to −20°C and sonicated to induce solute crystallization. The crystallized phases were identified by X-ray diffractometry (laboratory or synchrotron source). Sonication accelerated crystallization of trehalose dihydrate in frozen trehalose solutions. Sonication also enhanced solute crystallization in tartaric (200 mM; pH 5), citric (200 mM pH 4) and malic (200 mM; pH 4) acid buffers. At lower buffer concentrations, longer annealing times following sonication were required to facilitate solute crystallization. The time for crystallization of histidine HCl progressively increased as a function of sucrose concentration. The insonation period required to effect crystallization also increased with sucrose concentration. Sonication can substantially accelerate solute crystallization in the freeze-concentrate. Ultrasonication may be useful in assessing the crystallization tendency of formulation constituents used in long term frozen storage and freeze-drying.
Quark binding in the color SU(2) gauge model

The question of quark binding is examined in the context of a recently proposed gauge model of superstrong interactions which is both asymptotically free and devoid of infrared divergences. In this model, the color SU(2) symmetry is broken by the presence of a scalar gluon which is also responsible in part for the dynamics. We find in the static approximation that ${E}_{min}(q\overline{q})\ensuremath{\le}{E}_{min}(\mathrm{qq})$, but that ${E}_{min}(\mathrm{qqq})l{E}_{min}(qq\overline{q})$ only if three-body forces are operative. Further dynamical implications are also discussed.
High temperature tensile testing of modified 9Cr–1Mo after irradiation with high energy protons

Abstract This study examines the effect of tensile test temperatures ranging from 50 to 600 °C on the tensile properties of a modified 9Cr–1Mo ferritic steel after high energy proton irradiation at about 35–67 °C to doses from 1 to 3 dpa and 9 dpa. For the specimens irradiated to doses between 1 and 3 dpa, it was observed that the yield strength and ultimate strength decreased monotonically as a function of tensile test temperature, whereas the uniform elongation (UE) remained at approximately 1% for tensile test temperatures up to 250 °C and then increased for tensile test temperatures up to and including 500 °C. At 600 °C, the UE was observed to be less than the values at 400 and 500 °C. UE of the irradiated material tensile tested at 400–600 °C was observed to be greater than the values for the unirradiated material at the same temperatures. Tensile tests on the 9 dpa specimens followed similar trends.
The Difficulty of Listening to Time-Compressed Speech

Forty normal college students rated the difficulty of listening to samples of speech subjected to 20, 30, 40, and 50% time compression compared with a standard consisting of normal speech. A male a...
Structure of the steady-state solutions of lumped-parameter chemically reacting systems

Abstract A new, powerful mathematical technique enables a systematic determination of the maximal number of steady-state solutions of lumped parameter systems in which several chemical reactions occur simultaneously. The method can predict also the different types of diagrams describing the dependence of a state variable of the reactor on a design or operating variable. The technique is applied to several reaction networks giving new results and insight. For example, it is proven that when N independent, parallel exothermic reactions with equal and high activation energies occur in a CSTR there exist N ! distinct regions of parameters in each of which 2 N + 1 steady-state solutions exist.
PRESSURE-INDUCED CROSSOVER FROM LONG-TO SHORT-RANGE ORDER IN COMPOSITIONALLY DISORDERED SOFT MODE FERROELECTRICS

Results on a lanthanum-modified, lead zirconate-titanate have revealed (1) pressure-induced crossover from normal ferroelectric- (nFE-) to-relaxor (R) behavior; (2) the continuous evolution of the dynamics of the relaxation process; (3) a spontaneous R-to-nFE transition at a temperature well below the dynamic glass temperature of the R phase; and (4) the vanishing of this transition with pressure at a critical point. These results can be understood in terms of a large decrease in the correlation radius among polar nanodomains---a unique property of soft ferroelectric phonon mode systems.
Structure, function, and expression of Drosophila melanogaster FMRFamide-related peptides.

: In 1977, Price and Greenberg 1 identified the tetrapeptide FMRFamide as a cardioexcitatory molecule from mollusc. Subsequent to this discovery, FMRFamide-related peptides (FaRPs) have been identified in both invertebrates and vertebrates. 2, 3 Peptides in the FaRP family contain a common RFamide C-terminus and act as modulators and messengers of neural and gastrointestinal functions. 2, 3 Like other organisms, Drosophila melanogaster contains several genes 4–6 that encode for numerous FaRPs. 7, 8 Elucidating the processing and activities of multiple FaRPs encoded in a single precursor is critical to establishing their roles in physiology. In this manuscript, we describe the distribution of FMRFamide immunoreactive materials in the Drosophila central nervous system and gut, and correlate it with the expression of specific FaRPs and their activities. The unique distributions 9–13 and biological activities 14, 15 of Drosophila FaRPs suggest that the precursors are highly processed and the structurally related peptides are not functionally redundant. The complete distribution of FaRPs in the central nervous system and gut as detected by FMRFamide antisera is not accounted for by the sum of the individual expression patterns of the known Drosophila peptides. Thus, these data suggest that one or more Drosophila FaRPs or structurally related peptides remain to be discovered.
PHYSIOLOGIC RACES OF BUNT OF WHEAT

The discovery of physiologic races in covered smut of barley (2, 4) and in the loose and covered smuts of oats (6, 8) has greatly stimulated the study of host specialization in the other cereal smuts. From this standpoint, these parasites have previously been a neglected group, although physiologic specialization has long been known to be of wide occurrence among the parasitic fungi (5). This neglect is due, in part at least, to the fact that most collections of smut spores are capable of infecting a wide range of hosts, and thus relatively few varieties are of value in differentiating specialized races. Another factor in the situation is due to the peculiar mode of infection of the smuts. In most of them entrance of the fungus occurs through the young seedling by means of germinating smut spores present on the seed or in the adjacent soil. Various environal conditions such as soil temperature, soil moisture, etc., play a very large part in determining whether infection will occur and, unless the proper combination of conditions is present, very low percentages of infection take place and quite variable results are obtained with equally susceptible varieties. Faris (3), in his studies on the influence of various factors on the infection of wheat by Tilletia laevis Kuhn and T. tritici (Bjerk) Winter, obtained some evidence of a difference in the infection capacity of collections of bunt from different localities. In his experiments he used six collections of each smut, testing them on ten different varieties of winter wheat. The most definite evidence of specialization was observed in the reaction of the variety Kanred to certain collections of T. tritici. The writer has for several years studied the behavior of wheat varieties to both species of bunt (Tillelia laevis and T. tritici) although very little of the accumulated data has been published (7). However, collections of both species have been obtained from widely separated localities and tried out on many varieties of wheat. For the most part, winter varieties have been grown, and by far the larger number of those tested have been more or less severely infected by practically all the collections of bunt. A few varieties have, however, shown marked differences in their behavior to some of the bunt collections, and thus furnish striking evidence of the existence of physiologic races in both the species of Tilletia. A brief
The Next Giant Leap: NASA's Ares Launch Vehicles Overview

National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA)'s Constellation Program is developing new launch vehicles (Ares) and spacecraft (Orion) to send astronauts to the Moon, Mars, and beyond. This paper presents plans, projections, and progress toward fielding the Ares I and Ares V vehicles, and the Ares I-X test flight in 2009. NASA is building on both new research and aeronautical capabilities, as well as lessons learned from almost 50 years of aerospace experience. The Ares Projects Office (APO) completed the Ares I System Requirements Review (SRR) in 2006 and the System Definition Review in autumn 2007; and will focus on the Preliminary Design Review in 2008. Ares I is currently being refined to meet safety, operability, reliability, and affordability goals. The Ares team is simultaneously testing Ares I elements and building hardware for Ares I-X, while the Ares V is in the early design stage, with the team validating requirements and ensuring commonality with Ares I. Ares I and V are key to opening the space frontier for peaceful endeavors.
Heat-induced reversible and irreversible alterations in the structure of phaseolus vulgaris thylakoid proteins

Abstract Chloroplast thylakoids isolated from bean (Phaseolus vulgaris L.) leaves have been used as a model system to identify heat-induced changes in membrane protein structure. Susceptibility of SDS gel electrophoresis bands to trypsin digestion was used as an assay for altered structure of proteins comprising the bands. Both reversible and irreversible alternations in membrane protein structure have been observed as a result of exposure to 35 or 45°C for varying time periods.
Electron-phonon coupling and temperature-dependent shift of surface states on Be(101¯0)

The temperature dependence of two Schockley surface states $(S1$ and $S2)$ on $\mathrm{Be}(101\ifmmode\bar\else\textasciimacron\fi{}0),$ located in a wide bulk projected band gap from $\ifmmode \bar{A}\else \={A}\fi{}$ to $\overline{\ensuremath{\Gamma}},$ has been investigated with angle-resolved photoemission spectroscopy. The electron-phonon coupling of the surface states $S1$ and $S2$ at the zone boundary $(\ifmmode \bar{A}\else \={A}\fi{})$ were determined using both Debye and Einstein phonon models. Based on fitting, this analysis indicates that the surface optical phonon mode located around 64 meV contributes most strongly to the electron-phonon coupling of the $S1$ surface state, which is highly localized in the surface layer. The determined electron-phonon coupling parameter \ensuremath{\lambda} of $S1$ and $S2$ (0.647 and 0.491, respectively) is distinct from the bulk value $({\ensuremath{\lambda}}_{\mathrm{bulk}}=0.24).$ Both surface states $S1$ and $S2$ are observed to shift linearly with the temperature, but in opposite directions at the rates of $(\ensuremath{-}0.61\ifmmode\pm\else\textpm\fi{}0.3)\ifmmode\times\else\texttimes\fi{}{10}^{\ensuremath{-}4}\mathrm{e}\mathrm{V}/\mathrm{K}$ and $(1.71\ifmmode\pm\else\textpm\fi{}0.8)\ifmmode\times\else\texttimes\fi{}{10}^{\ensuremath{-}4}\mathrm{e}\mathrm{V}/\mathrm{K},$ respectively. The different behavior of the two surface states, with respect to both the electronic-phonon coupling and temperature-dependent shift of initial energy, is attributed to the higher surface charge localization of $S1$ than $S2.$
Monographic references and information science journal literature

Abstract The growing availability of full-text databases in the journal literature may eventually make it possible to perform automated citation analysis involving end-of-article references. This study explored the feasibility of automatically identifying and analyzing end-of-article monographic references in full-text databases for use in citation studies. Specific objectives were to (a) manually identify end-of-article references to a subset of monographic publications in 1987–1990 issues of three information science journals ( IPM, JASIS, JD ), to obtain insights relevant to the feasibility of applying automated methods; (b) verify the manual identification from the 1989–1990 issues of the journal with the highest number of references, i.e., IPM , by noting the monographic status coded in corresponding records in the OCLC bibliographic database; and (c) analyze the verified end-of-article references for more frequently appearing authors, titles, publication dates, and subjects. Citation patterns emerged from the limited manual analysis of 1989–1990 IPM issues, but more extensive studies should be undertaken using less time-consuming methods. The experience of conducting this exploratory study has suggested that the feasibility of automated identification and analysis of end-of-article references in full-text databases depends on establishment of the following: (a) a more complete source of monographic subject content information, and (b) uniform full-text publication style manual directions that would specify fields in which authors could structure and enhance end-of-article monographic reference content for retrieval purposes.
X-ray resolution tests of an off-plane reflection grating for IXO

ABSTRACT We describe the experimental apparatus in use to test an off-plane reflection grating for the soft x-ray (0.3-1.0 keV) bandpass. The grating is a prototype for the X-ray Grating Spectrometer on the International X-ray Observatory (IXO). It has holographically-ruled radial grooves to match the converging beam of a 6.5 m focal length telescope. Laboratory tests are ongoing, with ray tracing indicating that a resolution (' E/E) >3,000 is achievable across the 0.3-1.0 keV bandpass  the requirement to achieve IXO science goals.Keywords: x-ray spectroscopy; International X-ray Observat ory; diffraction grating; off-plane grating 1. INTRODUCTION High resolution x-ray spectroscopy of celestial sources has eluded astronomers for decades as they worked with proportional counters and low-resolution and inefficient spectrometers. With the International X-ray Observatory (IXO) on the horizon and the acknowledgement of the wealth of physics accessible only through spectroscopy, the push for improved resolution has increased: IXO science goals call for a resolution (R= ' E/E) greater than 3,000 in the soft x-ray bandpass (0.3-1.0 keV). Among other things, the high resolution (Figure 1) will allow measurements of redshifts of extragalactic sources and line broadening and improved diagnostics of hot interstellar gas by distinguishing blended lines.
On the origins of approximations for stochastic chemical kinetics

This paper considers the derivation of approximations for stochastic chemical kinetics governed by the discrete master equation. Here, the concepts of (1) partitioning on the basis of fast and slow reactions as opposed to fast and slow species and (2) conditional probability densities are used to derive approximate, partitioned master equations, which are Markovian in nature, from the original master equation. Under different conditions dictated by relaxation time arguments, such approximations give rise to both the equilibrium and hybrid (deterministic or Langevin equations coupled with discrete stochastic simulation) approximations previously reported. In addition, the derivation points out several weaknesses in previous justifications of both the hybrid and equilibrium systems and demonstrates the connection between the original and approximate master equations. Two simple examples illustrate situations in which these two approximate methods are applicable and demonstrate the two methods' efficiencies.
Lidocaine reduces intravenous diazepam pain.

Abstract We studied 41 consecutive patients receiving intravenous (IV) diazepam in the preoperative holding area to evaluate whether low-dose IV lidocaine could ameliorate pain of the diazepam injection. In a double-blind trial we found 1 cc of 1% lidocaine effective versus placebo at lowering the incidence of pain from 80% to 5% ( P
Improving uses of soils in Latin America

Abstract The employment of soil information for improving efficiency of land use can be increased in Latin America. Soil maps are being published with more detail at larger scales, and soil characterization is becoming more quantitative. Uses of soil information are expanding to include engineering and comprehensive planning aspects as well as agricultural recommendations for production increases. Opportunities exist for improving the usefulness of soil maps even further by interdisciplinary efforts of soil scientists with geographers, conservationists, planners, economists, engineers, anthropologists, and others in Latin America.
Comparison of Moderate versus Deep Sedation for Endobronchial Ultrasound Transbronchial Needle Aspiration

Rationale: Most bronchoscopic procedures are performed using moderate sedation achieved by combining a short-acting benzodiazepine with an opioid agent. Propofol (2.6-diisopropylphenol), a short-acting hypnotic agent, has been increasingly used to provide deep sedation in the endoscopy community with an acceptable safety profile.Objectives: To compare the impact of moderate versus deep sedation on the adequacy and diagnostic yield of endobronchial ultrasound-guided transbronchial needle aspiration (EBUS-TBNA).Methods: A retrospective review of prospectively collected data was performed at two academic institutions with interventional pulmonary fellowships using two methods of sedation during EBUS (deep vs. moderate sedation). Rapid on-site cytologic evaluation was used on all procedures in both groups. EBUS-TBNA nodal sampling was considered adequate if the aspirate yielded a specific diagnosis or lymphocytes. EBUS-TBNA was considered diagnostic if a lymph node aspirate yielded a specific diagnosis or if ...
Neuroplasticity and Positive Psychology in Clinical Practice: A Review for Combined Benefits

Research on using positive psychological perspectives to drive brain plasticity in a positive direction is increasingly encouraging and empowering for clinicians and clients. Increased lifespan with neuroplastic gains was found by Diamond in lab rats when they were held and spoken to. Improvements in brain chemistry, architecture and performance associated with lifestyle choices are now being documented in humans with increasing frequency of reports. Positive psychology can strengthen this trend toward increases in wellbeing by using this evolving research for motivation to increase healthy lifestyle choices, for reinforcement of successive approximation toward these goals and for the many gains associated with greater happiness.
Distributed camera control via moving horizon Bayesian optimization

Active distributed optimal control of PTZ (pan, tilt, zoom) camera networks can yield accurate target tracking with high resolution imagery at opportunistic time instants, even when the number of targets exceeds the number of cameras. However, one step ahead methods have limited ability to simultaneously tradeoff competing objectives, potentially sacrificing smoothness of the PTZ trajectory. In addition to mechanical wear, this causes video feed motion blur, making it unsuitable for analysis. To address this challenge, we use a distributed optimization algorithm over a moving horizon with target tracking and PTZ smoothness constraints. The planning horizon enables the immediate actions of the camera control module to consider future effects. The solution approach is designed using a Bayesian formulation within a game-theoretic framework. The Bayesian formulation enables automatic trading-off of objective maximization versus the risk of losing track of any target, while the game-theoretic design allows the global problem to be decoupled into local problems at each camera. The feasible PTZ parameter set is defined by constraints on target tracking performance and PTZ smoothness. Cameras alter their own PTZ sequences by using information received from neighboring cameras, and broadcast the updated sequences to their neighbors. This article presents the theoretical solution along with simulation results.
Respiratory health and ecosyndemics in a time of global warming

Respiratory risks to human health are on the rise around the globe, at least in part, because anthropogenic environmental changes are increasing and multiplying the likelihood of respiratory disease comorbidity and disease interaction, a health consequence termed an ecosyndemic. The immediate objective of this paper is to examine the nature and growing prevalence of ecosyndemics under conditions of mounting environmental imbalance and climate change as exemplified by asthma and other increasingly frequent respiratory diseases. More broadly, the paper seeks to contribute to increased understanding of the critical role of syndemics in shaping global health and the value of a political ecology of respiratory health perspective.
Core sampling versus field-measured data for modeling drainage in field soils: validity of the equivalent media approach

Abstract Natural or field soils are characterized, in general, by the existence of macropores. Two approaches to modeling flow in such soils can be identified in the literature. The first describes the flow in two distinct domains: one in the soil and another in macropores, with appropriate interaction between the two systems. The second treats the whole system as a continuum with properties that are averaged over a representative control volume. This study is aimed at assessing the success of both field- and laboratory-based soil-data in representing the behavior of field soils under drainage, within a Darcian, continuum framework. Based on available data, three approaches to defining the hydraulic properties are adopted. The first two models represent closely data from undisturbed core-samples that were obtained independently from drainage measurements. The third is an approximate data model with parameters that are determined from field-measured tensiometric data during drainage. For each data model, available data are used to their fullest extent without any adjustment. The approximate data model represents best the behavior of the field soil under drainage conditions. The laboratory-based hydraulic functions, although estimated from undisturbed samples, are less successful in representing the behavior of such soils. When compared to elaborated sampling and laboratory analyses, estimating the hydraulic properties from in-situ measured tensiometric data is not only more convenient, but can also be more accurate. The study concludes that the equivalent porous-media approach is valid for modeling drainage in well-drained field soils.
Objective evaluation of adjunctive glaucoma therapy

Purpose: To measure adherence with electronic monitoring in two populations of subjects: those using once-daily prostaglandin analogs (q.d.), and those on adjunctive medicine to the prostaglandin analog. Methods: Single-site, open-label, non-randomized, parallel, 60 day study. 62 open angle glaucoma or ocular hypertension adult subjects currently using either a topical prostaglandin as sole ocular hypotensive medical therapy q.d. (“1-drug” subjects, n=31) or a topical prostaglandin plus an adjunctive topical ocular hypotensive product either q.d., twice-daily (b.i.d.), or three-times-daily (t.i.d.) in the same eye(s) (“2-drug” subjects, n = 31). An electronic event medication monitoring device was used to record each opening of the bottle containing the ocular hypotensive medication. The main outcome measures were dosing errors (number of under or over-adherence events) and coverage (proportion of pharmacological duration covered by dosing) relative to ophthalmologist-prescribed regimen. Results: Adherence to the prostaglandins q.d. was good in both groups by all measures (≤10% of subjects with >5 dosing errors and mean coverage of 97.2±6.1%). Adherence to the second medication in the 2-drug group was poorer (37% of subjects with > 5 dosing errors and mean coverage of 85.6 ± 12.6%). For the subjects on β-adrenoceptor antagonists, 24.8±18.4% of doses were taken at less than 10 hour intervals (over-adherence). Conclusions: The use of electronic monitoring provides more information than simple “pill count,” bottle weighing methods, or prescription refill rate, as it incorporates a time component. We found that more complex dosing regimens result in poorer adherence, although q.d. drugs in a complex dosing regimen were found to have good adherence.
Grasping the Nature of Pictures

The role of experience in the development of pictorial com- petence has been the center of substantial debate. The four studies pre- sented here help resolve the controversy by systematically documenting and examining manual exploration of depicted objects by infants. We report that 9-month-old infants manually investigate pictures, touching and feeling depicted objects as if they were real objects and even trying to pick them up off the page. The same behavior was observed in babies from two extremely different societies (the United States and the Ivory Coast). This investigation of pictures occurs even though infants can discriminate between real objects and their depictions. By the time infants are 19 months of age, their manual exploration is replaced by pointing at depicted objects. These results indicate that initial uncer- tainty about the nature of pictures leads infants to investigate them. Through experience, infants begin to acquire a concept of "picture." This concept includes the fact that a picture has a dual nature (it is both an object and a representation of something other than itself), as well as knowledge about the culturally appropriate use of pictures. Most people think they know what a picture is, anything so familiar must be simple. They are wrong. (Gibson, 1980, p. xvii)
THE RELATIONSHIP OF INTERPERSONAL INVOLVEMENT AND AFFECTIVENESS OF CONTENT TO THE VERBAL COMMUNICATION OF SCHIZOPHRENIC PATIENTS

Despite the importance accorded schizophrenic communicative disturbances, few experimental efforts have been made to examine conditions which seem functionally related to them. Two such conditions suggested by the literature are interpersonal involvement, and affectiveness of communication content. That interpersonal involvement affects schizophrenic communication is suggested by general interpersonal theory. It is perhaps most explicitly stated in a remark of Will (1954, p. xiv) which noted Sullivan's observation of the defensive aspect of schizophrenic language. Will proposed that, having experienced considerable anxiety in interpersonal relationships, the schizophrenic attempts to withdraw from them, either physically or by talking in a way that puzzles and irritates the listener. Few studies have manipulated the interpersonal variable experimentally and most of them have used some kind of written or drawn material as the interpersonal situation (Rabin & King, 19S8, pp. 237-238).
Ubiquitination of α-synuclein by Siah-1 promotes α-synuclein aggregation and apoptotic cell death

Point mutations and gene multiplication of alpha-synuclein cause autosomal dominant familial Parkinson's disease (PD). Moreover, alpha-synuclein- and ubiquitin-positive inclusion bodies are the pathological hallmarks of PD and several other neurodegenerative diseases, such as dementia with Lewy bodies and multiple system atrophy. Despite the presence of ubiquitinated alpha-synuclein species in Lewy bodies, the regulation of alpha-synuclein ubiquitination and its role in Lewy body formation and neurodegeneration remain poorly understood. Here, we report that alpha-synuclein interacts and colocalizes with mammalian seven in absentia homologue-1 (Siah-1), a RING-type E3 ubiquitin-protein ligase. Siah-1 binds the brain-enriched E2 ubiquitin-conjugating enzyme UbcH8 and facilitates mono- and di-ubiquitination of alpha-synuclein in vivo. The ubiquitination of alpha-synuclein by Siah-1 is disrupted by the PD-linked A30P mutation but not by A53T mutation. We find that Siah-1-mediated ubiquitination does not target alpha-synuclein for degradation by the proteasome, but rather, it promotes alpha-synuclein aggregation and enhances alpha-synuclein toxicity. Our findings suggest that Siah-1-mediated alpha-synuclein ubiquitination may play a critical role in Lewy body formation and PD pathogenesis.
Sensorimotor Contributions of the Basal Ganglia: Recent Advances

In the last decade, a great deal of research has been aimed at ascertaining the manner in which the basal ganglia (BG) contribute to the control of movement. The formation of workable hypotheses, however, has been limited by the great variety of putative roles reported in the literature. Reported functions have often been in direct conflict. Recent developments, however, provide new perspectives from which to view seemingly discordant functions. Data reviewed in this article suggest a distinct anatomical topography within the BG, allowing for highly specialized subfunctions. In parallel, BG cellular activity has been found primarily in association with specific sensory and task-related dimensions relevant to particular movements. The multiple sensorimotor contributions of the BG therefore are not contradictory, but represent BG contributions within different functional contexts. These multiple roles of the BG offer particular clinical insights.
Nano-Scale Effects in the Sliding and Rolling of a Cylinder on a Substrate

The behavior of a nano-scale cylindrical body (e.g., a fiber), lying on a substrate and acted upon by a combination of normal and tangential forces, is the subject of this investigation. As the scale decreases to the nano level, adhesion becomes an important issue in this contact problem. Thus, this investigation treats the two-dimensional plane strain elastic deformation of both the cylinder and the substrate during a rolling/sliding motion, including the effect of adhesion using the Maugis model. For the initiation of sliding, the Mindlin approach is used, whereas for rolling, the Carter approach is utilized. Each case is modified for nano-scale effects by including the effect of adhesion on the contact area and by using the adhesion theory of friction for the friction stress. Analytical results are given for the normal and tangential loading problems, including the initiation of sliding and rolling in terms of dimensionless quantities representing adhesion, cylinder size, and applied forces.