cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
A regression strategy for analyzing environmental data generated by spatio-temporal processes

Highly complex spatio-temporal environmental data sets are becoming common in ecology because of the increasing use of large-scale simulation models and automated data collection devices. The spatial and temporal dimensions present real and difficult challenges for the interpretation of these data. A particularly difficult problem is that the relationship among variables can vary in dramatically in response to environmental variation; consequently, a single model may not provide adequate fit. The temporal dimension presents both opportunities for improved prediction because explanatory variables sometimes exert delayed effects on response variables, and problems because variables are often serially correlated. This article presents a regression strategy for accommodating these problems and exploiting serial correlation. The strategy is illustrated by a case study of simulated net primary production (SNPP) that compares ocean-atmosphere indices to terrestrial climate variables as predictors of SNPP across the conterminous United States, and describes spatial variation in the relative importance of terrestrial climate variables towards predicting SNPP. We found that the relationship between ocean-atmosphere indices and SNPP varies substantially over the United States, and that there is evidence of a substantive link only in the western portions of the United States. Evidence of multi-year delays in the effect of terrestrial climate effects on SNPP were also found.
Review Of The Sugar End Disorder In Potato ( Solanum tuberosum , L.)

Processing quality has become increasingly important to the potato industry. A serious defect in product quality is the physiological disorder known as sugar ends, also referred to as dark ends, jelly ends, translucent ends, and/or glassy ends. Symptoms of the most common type of sugar end include relatively low starch and high sugar content in the basal end of the tuber. Tubers with the sugar end disorder produce French fries that are dark on one end, making the fries unacceptable to consumers. Sugar end potatoes cause time and profit losses at the processing plant and may require blending of loads to meet product specifications, along with the need to change processing protocols. Sugar end can be costly to growers if the tubers have insufficient quality and the crop is rejected for processing. Conditions conducive to the development of sugar ends include high soil temperatures, transitory soil moisture deficits, and insufficient or excess nitrogen fertilization. Tubers are most sensitive to these stresses during early bulking. Historically, several theories have been proposed concerning the mechanism of sugar end development. Research shows that stressed plants produce adequate amounts of assimilate to support continued tuber growth, but accumulate large amounts of sucrose in the basal tissues of the tuber immediately following stress. Accumulated evidence suggests that heat stress and water deficit induce changes in the activities of certain key carbohydrate metabolizing enzymes shifting the tuber from a starch synthesizing function to one of starch mobilization. Genetic resistance to sugar end development is known and the identified traits are highly heritable. This review summarizes sugar end investigations to-date, and presents a list of research-based crop management recommendations that assist potato producers in minimizing the potential for sugar end development in the field.
Adolescent potential for participation in health care.

The factors that influence the ability of the adolescent to participate in his own health care are discussed. The use of nursing process in including adolescents is built on Dorothea Orem's concept of self-care. Traditional developmental theorists are considered in explaining social and intellectual competence. Potential and limitation in assuming self-care are discussed. The article concludes with a variety of suggestions for planning adolescent care that is developmentally appropriate and sensitive to the needs of individual adolescents.
A scalable solution framework for stochastic transmission and generation planning problems

Current commercial software tools for transmission and generation investment planning have limited stochastic modeling capabilities. Because of this limitation, electric power utilities generally rely on scenario planning heuristics to identify potentially robust and cost effective investment plans for a broad range of system, economic, and policy conditions. Several research studies have shown that stochastic models perform significantly better than deterministic or heuristic approaches, in terms of overall costs. However, there is a lack of practical solution techniques to solve such models. In this paper we propose a scalable decomposition algorithm to solve stochastic transmission and generation planning problems, respectively considering discrete and continuous decision variables for transmission and generation investments. Given stochasticity restricted to loads and wind, solar, and hydro power output, we develop a simple scenario reduction framework based on a clustering algorithm, to yield a more tractable model. The resulting stochastic optimization model is decomposed on a scenario basis and solved using a variant of the Progressive Hedging (PH) algorithm. We perform numerical experiments using a 240-bus network representation of the Western Electricity Coordinating Council in the US. Although convergence of PH to an optimal solution is not guaranteed for mixed-integer linear optimization models, we find that it is possible to obtain solutions with acceptable optimality gaps for practical applications. Our numerical simulations are performed both on a commodity workstation and on a high-performance cluster. The results indicate that large-scale problems can be solved to a high degree of accuracy in at most 2 h of wall clock time.
An on-chip chemiresistive polyaniline nanowire-based pH sensor with self-calibration capability

A pH sensor based on chemiresistive polyaniline nanowires, which makes use of the pH responsive conductivity of the polymer, requires an electrochemical system during measurements in order to maintain its oxidation state. In this work, we have developed an integrated electrochemical device where a reference, a counter, and a pair of working electrodes are all fabricated on a single chip. The polyaniline nanowires are grown between this pair of working electrodes that are separated by a microscale gap. This device can easily be connected to the external circuit for potential control and current measurements. Taking advantage of the fact that polyaniline becomes insulating when it is fully oxidized or fully reduced, the pH sensor can be electrically reset by controlling the electrochemical potential of the polymer. This paper presents the pH sensing results and the performance of the resetting function of the developed integrated device.
Eu+2 fluorescence in BaCl2

Abstract The Ba 1− x Eu x Cl 2 system was studied over wide ranges of x , particularly regarding the fluorescent emission of Eu 2+ . In addition to the commonly observed 5 d → 4 f band emission sharp line, f → f transitions were observed. Single crystals of Eu 2+ containing BaCl 2 were grown via the Czochralski technique and many of the optical properties, such as transmission, fluorescence, and excitation, were measured. X-ray and thermal parameters for the Ba 1− x Eu x Cl 2 system are also reported.
Irineochytrium, a new genus in Chytridiales having zoospores and aplanospores.

Many described chytrids exhibit distinct morphological features that permit positive identification by light microscopy. Chytriomyces annulatus is one such species. It has a flap-like operculum and its sporangial wall is ornamented with multiple collar-like annulations proximal to the rhizoidal axis, features that, in combination, do not occur in any other described chytrid. Recent molecular phylogenies placed C. annulatus in the Chytridiaceae (Chytridiales) lineage, which is characterized by a Group II zoospore. Here we use light microscopy and transmission electron microscopy to examine thallus morphology of an isolate (JEL 729) of C. annulatus to confirm its identity and transmission electron microscopy to examine zoospore ultrastructure to confirm its phylogenetic placement. Light microscopic examinations confirmed its identity, and transmission electron microscopy analysis revealed both motile spores (zoospores) and nonmotile spores (aplanospores). Zoospores had a unique suite of ultrastructural feat...
Examining In-Home Care Needs and Work Responsibilities for Parents with Children with A Rare Trisomy Condition

AbstractBalancing in-home care needs and work responsibilities can present many challenges for families. This can be especially true with a family member with a disability. Mothers with children with severe disabilities are often not able to continue working in the job they held before their children’s birth or had hoped to attain after becoming a parent. The present study explores parent perspectives related to in-home care needs and work responsibilities for their child with a rare trisomy condition, themselves, and their spouses. Results describe the interplay of children’s daily caregiving needs, time management, mothers’ change in work status, and spouse’s work outside the home. Daily caregiving largely contributed to mothers not working outside of the home due to their children’s basic and medically related needs as well as a lack of suitable caregivers. In addition, parents in this study often had to reduce work hours or leave the workforce to care for their child. A call for additional research is...
Eclogitic and glaucophane amphibolites in Venezuela

Several occurrences of amphibolites with sodic pyroxenes and am phiboles are found in association with garnet amphibolites within the metamorphosed sedimentary rocks of northern Venezuela. They are interpreted as having been, originally, shallow basic intrusive rocks and perhaps tuffaceous sediments. Some of these rocks have affinities with eclogites, and are interpreted as a type of metastable mineral assemblage formed under the physical conditions of medium grade dynamothermal regional metamorphism. The rocks in question do not belong to as high temperature and high pressure facies as is held for other eclogites. The glaucophane schists seem to have had a similar origin though perhaps formed under lower grade conditions of metamorphism, The conditions that are conducive to the formation of these metastable assemblages are not known. There is a possibility that they may be due to a particular bulk composition, to the action of permeating solutions during metamorphism, or to the catalytic action of shearing stress.
Median dermatology base incomes in senior academia and practice are comparable, but a significant income gap exists at junior levels

Background The perception that dermatologists in practice have substantially higher incomes than in academics is often cited as the primary reason people choose to practice outside academic institutions. Objective We sought to compare the incomes of dermatologists in academics versus various practice settings. Methods Data from various surveys of dermatologists from 2002 to 2004 were adjusted for annual inflation to the year 2004 and compared. Benefits and bonuses were not included. The income level of clinical instructors, who are 7.0% of all academic dermatology faculty, were not available for inclusion. Results Median dermatology faculty income (combined average of assistant, associate, and professor levels) was $192,267, 12.0% less than the median practice income of $215,303. There was substantial variation across regions, institutions, and types of nonacademic practice. Median starting incomes for dermatology residency graduates were comparable in practice across multiple data sources ($182,116-$200,000) and private universities ($189,336); however, both were significantly higher than median starting incomes in public universities ($83,349). Limitations This study relied on self-reported data. Although all attempts were made to use comparable information, variances in how data were collected and classified may exist. Conclusions Initial income for those entering practice is equivalent to those entering academia in private universities; however, incomes for both of these groups are 2- to 3-fold higher than those entering academia in public universities. This discrepancy may discourage some recent trainees, some of whom have high debt and high expenses, from entering the field of academic dermatology. Because incomes in academia increase predictably with increasing rank, overall self-reported incomes for established dermatologists in practice and senior academia are comparable.
STOCK MARKET RETURNS AND INFLATIONARY EXPECTATIONS: ADDITIONAL EVIDENCE FOR 1975–1979

This research investigates the impacts that inflationary expectations and errors in those expectations had upon the stock market during 1975 to 1979. Expected rates of inflation were obtained via (1) Box-Jenkins time-series analysis and (2) naive extrapolation. Statistical analysis indicates only weak support for a Fisher effect in determining stock prices. However, the analysis consistently indicates that unanticipated changes in inflation are negatively related to stock market returns.
PHAGOCYTOSIS OF LATEX BEADS BY ACANTHAMOEBA CASTELLANII (NEFF) III. Isolation of the Phagocytic Vesicles and Their Membranes

A method is described for the rapid and efficient isolation of phagocytic vesicles from large scale cultures of Acanthamoeba castellanii (Neff) that have been incubated with polystyrene latex beads. Cells were allowed to phagocytose latex beads for 30 min and then were homogenized, and the phagocytic vesicles were isolated by one centrifugation through several layers of sucrose. Identity and purity of the phagocytic vesicles were determined by electron microscopy, chemical analyses, and assays of acid phosphatase, alpha- and beta-glucosidase, and reduced nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide dehydrogenase. When phagocytosis was allowed to occur for longer periods the phagocytic vesicles appeared to fuse with each other and perhaps with digestive vacuoles. The resultant vesicles which contained many beads were heavier than those which consisted of only one bead or a few beads with a closely applied membrane. Ultrasonication ruptured the isolated vesicles, and the membranes could then be isolated in 30-50% yield based on phospholipid analysis. These membranes were essentially free of acid hydrolases and, presumably, other soluble proteins, as was also indicated by their low ratio of protein to phospholipid. The membranes have been prepared both as closed vesicles and as open sheets.
Isolation and characterization of the gene for a yeast mitochondrial import receptor.

WE have previously identified an integral membrane protein (p32) from Saccharomyces cerevisiae as a receptor for protein import into mitochondria, and have localized it to the mitochondrial outer membrane at contact sites1. Here we report isolation of the corresponding mitochondrial import receptor gene, termed MIR1 The deduced amino-acid sequence of p32 shows roughly 40% identity with proteins of bovine heart2 and rat liver3 that have been suggested to be mitochondrial phosphate carriers. Haploid cells carrying a disrupted MIR1 allele were unable to grow on a non-fermentable carbon source but grew in media containing glucose, indicating that the MIR1 protein is essential for mitochondrial function. Compared with wild type, amounts of some mitochondrial proteins were markedly reduced in cells containing a disrupted MIR1 allele, whereas levels of others were unchanged. This indicates that yeast contains more than one pathway for protein import into mitochondria.
Using personal and family variates to predict patients' adjustment after stroke.

Forty patients diagnosed with strokes were evaluated to examine the contribution of typical stroke-outcome correlates toward personal adjustment. Multiple regression analyses indicated that significant variance in personal adjustment was accounted for by caregivers' anxiety. Compared to community norms, stroke patients were significantly more confused and depressed, but they were no different on interpersonal adjustment. Results may help in developing methods to identify stroke patients at risk for poor adjustment.
UPTAKE OF INORGANIC NITROGEN BY CODIUM FRAGILE SUBSP. TOMENTOSOIDES (CHLOROPHYTA)1

The uptake of nitrate, nitrite and ammonium by Codium fragile subsp. tomentosoides (van Goor) Silva was measured at different combinations of temperature (6–30 C) and irradiance (0–140 μEin.m-2. s-1). Uptake of all three forms of N was greater at 12–24 C than at 6 and 30 C. Although uptake was stimulated by light, saturation occurred at relatively low irradiance (7–28 μEin m-2 s-1, depending on the N source and temperature). The Michaelis-Menten uptake constants (Vmax K)varied with temperature. Vmax was greatest at intermediate temperatures and K was lowest at lower temperatures. The Vmaxfor NH4+ was higher and the K, for NH4+was lower than those for NO3-- and NO2--. Codium was capable of simultaneously taking up all three forms of inorganic N although the presence of NH4+ reduced the uptake of both NO3-- and NO2--. The results of this study indicate that part of the ecological success of Codium in a N-limited environment may be due to its N uptake capabilities.
Death Concern: Measurement and Correlates:

Psychological research on death concern has been impeded by the absence of measuring instruments with high reliability and by the dearth of systematic research into the relationships of death concern with other personality variables. The present paper describes the construction of a Death Concern Scale with a high level of internal consistency and stability. Relationships between the Death Concern Scale and State Anxiety, Trait Anxiety, Manifest Anxiety, Repression-Sensitization, as well as needs Heterosexuality, Succorance, and Change of the Edwards Personal Preference Schedule are presented and discussed.
trans‐3,6‐Endomethylene‐1,2,3,6‐tetrahydrophthaloyl Chloride

[707-80-2] C9H18Cl2O2 (MW 219.06) InChI = 1S/C9H8Cl2O2/c10-8(12)6-4-1-2-5(3-4)7(6)9(11)13/h1-2,4-7H,3H2/t4?,5?,6-,7-/m0/s1 InChIKey = KANQIAARVSWKKG-FTDRKVFOSA-N (scavenger of nucleophilic species) Alternative Names: 5-norbornene-2,3-dicarbonyl chloride; bicyclo[2.2.1]hept-5-ene-2,3-dicarbonyl dichloride; 3,6-endomethylene-1,2,3,6-tetrahydrophthaloyl chloride; NSC 512760; endo-3,6-methylene-1,2,3,6-tetrahydrophthaloyl chloride; trans-5-norbornene-2,3-dicarbonyl chloride. Physical Data: bp 114–118 °C/11 mmHg, . Solubility: sol organics (CH2Cl2, DMF, THF); reacts with alcohols, amines, and water. Preparative Methods: this reagent is widely available from commercial sources as a colorless to yellow liquid. Alternatively, this reagent can be prepared in a one-step procedure as reported by Sankar and coworkers via a simple Diels–Alder cycloaddition between cyclopentadiene and fumaryl chloride. Handling, Storage, and Precautions: trans-3,6-endomethylene-1,2,3,6-tetrahydrophthaloyl chloride is an acid chloride and should be protected from moisture and heat. This is a corrosive reagent that can cause burns and is readily absorbed through skin, harmful by inhalation, in contact with skin, and if swallowed.
Statistical characterization of fatigue damage in high temperature composite laminates

Since high temperature polymer composites are receiving special attention because of their potential applications to high speed transport airframe structures and aircraft engine components exposed to elevated temperatures, the long term durability and associated damage mechanisms of these materials is of great concern. This study focuses on fatigue matrix cracking in transverse layers of a carbon/epoxy composite proposed for high temperature applications and cracking multiplication prediction under fatigue loading, which play important roles in predicting its long term behavior. Fatigue damages at both room and elevated temperatures are characterized experimentally. Furthermore, Fatigue Monte Carlo technique is applied to simulate the nondeterministic transverse cracking procedure based on shear lag model, stress-life curve and damage accumulation models. It is shown that the simulation based on Miner’s rule agrees better with experimental results at both room and high temperatures.
Smart-antenna systems for mobile communication networks. Part 1. Overview and antenna design

This paper focuses on the interaction and integration of several critical components of a mobile communication network using smart-antenna systems. This wireless network is composed of communicating nodes that are mobile, and its topology is continuously changing. One of the central motivations for this work comes from the observed dependence of the overall network throughput on the design of the adaptive antenna system and its underlying signal processing algorithms. Part 1 of this two-part paper gives a brief overview of smart-antenna systems, including the different types of smart-antenna systems, and the reason for their having gained popularity. Moreover, details of typical antenna array designs suitable for the wireless communication devices are included in this part.
Single spatial light modulator joint transform correlator

We describe a joint Fourier transform image correlator that employs thresholding at both the input plane and the Fourier plane. This suggests using a single binary spatial light modulator (SLM) to read in sequentially the binarized input signal and the binarized Fourier transform interference intensity. The performance of the single SLM joint Fourier transform correlator (JTC) is compared with that of the classical JTC in the areas of correlation peak intensity, peak-to-sidelobe ratio, signal-to-noise ratio (SNR), and correlation width. We show that the single SLM JTC outperforms the classical JTC in all such areas. Using a single binary SLM results in significant reduction in cost, size and complexity of the system.
A Model for Silicon Dendrite Growth During Laser/Plasma Deposition from a Silane Discharge

A model for dendrite growths in polycrystalline Si films formed during laser/plasma deposition with a silane discharge and a pulsed KrF laser has been developed. The model assumes a thin (less than 10 nm) amorphous silicon (a-Si) film is deposited on a substrate prior to phase transformation due to laser heating. The observed dendritic structure of the overall polycrystalline Si films is attributed to Si crystals shooting from an excessively supercooled Si liquid bath. Supercooled liquid forms since the melting point for a-Si can be reached at relatively low KrF laser fluences. Latent heat evolved at the solid-liquid interface induces an interface temperature higher than that of the melt and the requisite negative temperature gradient for absolute bath supercooling. Since the formation of an undercooled liquid by fast melting a-Si is also an important first step in explosive crystal regrowth studies, these results may have important implications for crystal growth and transient annealing. A conical approximation model is used in this study to characterize the stability of the dendrite tip in terms of local temperature gradients, i.e., the degree of undercooling at the tip of the parabolic dendrite. The degree of undercooling and hence the tip radius appears to bemore » significantly affected by small changes in the laser fluence. Stability criteria lead to a relationship between regrowth velocity, V, and the tip radius, R, of the form VR/sup 2/ = constant. The size and stability of the dendrite tip is determined from a balance between the destabilizing force due to thermal diffusion and the stabilizing capillary force. Based on the observed tip radii formed at laser fluences from 0.13 to 0.25 J/cm/sup 2/, the model predicts regrowth velocities in a range between 2.0 and 20 m/s - values consistent with transient annealing studies of a-Si.« less
The equivalence between infinite-horizon optimal control of stochastic systems with exponential-of-integral performance index and stochastic differential games

A new method, based on the theory of large deviations from the invariant measure, is introduced for the analysis of stochastic systems with an infinite-horizon exponential-of-integral performance index. It is shown that the infinite-horizon optimal exponential-of-integral stochastic control problem is equivalent to a stationary stochastic differential game for an auxiliary system. As an application of the developed technique, the infinite-horizon risk-sensitive LQG problem is analyzed for both the completely observed and partially observed case. >
Miniature Monolithic Rectilinear Ion Trap Arrays by Stereolithography on Printed Circuit Board

This paper reports the creation and characterization of monolithic arrays of miniature rectilinear ion traps (RIT) with common electronic packaging materials. Miniature ion traps benefit from a lower operating voltage as their dimensions decrease. Their integration into circuit board materials facilitates smaller and more integrated sensor systems. Arrays of ion traps provide a larger ion trap storage volume to increase sensitivity lost from size reduction. A new technique, integrating stereolithography-produced ion traps on planar rigid substrates, makes possible the 3-D isolation techniques for more complex monolithic structures. A description of the fabrication process is included. Performance-limiting metrics of the mass analyzer, such as geometrical and electrical deviations, are analyzed to determine their magnitudes for design improvement. The integration of the array with the PCB replaces complex wiring schemes with traces routed within existing multilayer substrates. The substrate can serve as the integration platform for an entire mass spectrometer in a package.
Morphology and Magneto-optical Properties of Amorphous AlN Films Doped with Nickel

Structural and magneto-optical properties of Ni-doped amorphous AlN layers (a-AlN) deposited by radio frequency (rf) sputtering on Silicon (001) substrates were investigated. The as-grown material exhibits weak ferromagnetic behavior as evidenced by the magneto-optic Kerr effect (MOKE) measurement with Kerr rotation less than 100 µrad at room temperature regardless of the Ni fraction. The samples with a Ni concentration below 10 at.% show a weak but monotonically increasing MOKE signal with post-growth annealing temperature. A hundred-fold increase in the Kerr rotation value was observed for samples with Ni content exceeding 20 at.% after thermal annealing at 450°C in nitrogen; and the Kerr rotation value abruptly decreases above that temperature. The morphology of as-grown and annealed a-AlN:Ni films were characterized by small angle x-ray scattering and transmission electron microscopy. It was found that the as-deposited film contains nano-particles of different sizes with average diameters less than 30 nm. The size distribution of nano-particles in the thermally annealed a-AlN:Ni was studied as a function of annealing time and temperature. The results correlate well with those obtained from the MOKE measurements.
Effects of Dietary Protein on Body Weight and Reproductive Performance of Male Turkeys

Abstract Body weights and reproductive performance of Large White male breeder turkeys fed corn-soybean meal diets of varying protein levels were examined. Eight-week-old male turkeys were divided into 4 groups of 53 turkeys each and fed ad libitum diets containing 11, 13, 15, and 17% protein supplemented with methionine. Reducing dietary protein decreased feed consumption and decreased body weight gain. Semen was collected weekly from 24 turkeys in each group. At 35 weeks of age 25, 55, and 100% of the turkeys were producing semen in the 13, 15, and 17% protein groups, respectively. Semen production did not start in the 11% protein group until 42 weeks of age. The age and body weight at which 85% of the turkeys in each group were producing semen was: 28 wk, 15 kg (17% protein); 37 wk, 17 kg (15% protein); 39 wk, 15 kg (13% protein); 43 wk, 11 kg (11% protein). Semen production was maintained until the end of the experiment when the turkeys were 52 weeks old. Protein level had no effect on semen volume or sperm concentration in turkeys producing semen. During the last 10 weeks, hens were inseminated weekly with pooled semen from each group. Dietary protein level had no effect on semen fertility on the basis of 7-day-candling fertility; fertility exceeded 90% for all levels of protein.
Observations of Transient Linear Organization and Nonlinear Scale Interactions in Lake-Effect Clouds. Part I: Transient Linear Organization

Abstract The cold-air outbreak of 13–14 January 1998 during the Lake-Induced Convection Experiment was characterized by large positive buoyancy flux and moderate wind shear. Although theory predicts only cellular organization in these conditions, transient linear organization was observed. Time series of vertical velocity obtained with the Pennsylvania State University 94-GHz vertically pointing cloud radar, which is sensitive to cloud droplets and ice crystals, were used to document the changes in organization that occurred during this wintertime lake-effect event. The cloud radar was deployed on the downwind shore of southern Lake Michigan and measured high-temporal-resolution vertical velocity data at several in-cloud heights. The duration of the event was 18 h, encompassing three cycles of linear organization switching to cellular organization. In Part I of this two-part series the authors document the transient nature of the linearly organized convection and evaluate the role of atmospheric condition...
The P-value illusion: how to improve (psychiatric) genetic studies.

There is an emerging appreciation that genome-wide association studies (GWAS) have failed to live up to expectations and deliver major advances to date. A “surge” strategy, of pooling resources and increasing number of subjects tested, is underway. We argue that, while useful, it will not be enough by itself. Complementary approaches are needed to mine these large datasets. We describe a series of problems, opportunities, and offer a potential comprehensive solution. © 2010 Wiley-Liss, Inc.
In Vitro Assessment of a Novel Dual Probe Ultrasonic Intracorporeal Lithotriptor

Purpose: The Cyberwand (Cybersonics, Erie, Pennsylvania) is a novel intracorporeal lithotrite that uses coaxial ultrasonic elements operating at 2 frequencies. We compared this device to the LithoClast® Ultra, which we previously noted is the most efficient commercially available intracorporeal lithotripsy device.Materials and Methods: An in vitro test system was used to assess the efficiency of stone penetration for the Cyberwand and the LithoClast Ultra. The devices were mounted upright with the probe tip up in a modified irrigation sheath. A gypsum artificial stone was centered on the probe tip and a mass was placed atop the stone to provide a constant force. The manufacturer recommended setting was selected for the Cyberwand, while for the LithoClast Ultra a pneumatic frequency of 12 Hz with an ultrasonic power setting of 100% was selected, representing optimal settings in previous in vitro tests. The time required for complete stone penetration was measured. Differences in mean stone penetration time...
XtalView/Xfit--A versatile program for manipulating atomic coordinates and electron density.

Xfit is a model-building and map viewing program in XtalView that is used by the structural biology community including researchers in the fields of crystallography, molecular modeling, and electron microscopy. Among its distinguishing features are built-in fast Fourier transforms that allow users flexibility in map calculations including the creation of OMIT maps and the updating of structure factors to reflect model changes from within the program. Written in C and using the freely available XView toolkit, it is highly portable to almost any X-windows based workstation including Intel-based LINUX systems. Its user interface is designed to aid in facile model-building and contains a semiautomated fitting system that allows the user to interactively and rapidly build chainde novointo an electron density map. The program is highly optimized to allow such features as interactive contour levels and map calculations to be completed within a few seconds. Features in the latest version including phase-combination, solvent-flattening, automated water addition, and small-probe dot contact surfaces, as well as basic design features, are discussed.
Surveillance Computed Tomographic Arteriogram Does Not Change Management before 3 Years in Patients Who Have a Normal Post-EVAR Study

Background Standard surveillance after endovascular abdominal aortic aneurysm repair (EVAR) consists of periodic computed tomographic arteriographies (CTAs) usually performed at postoperative months 1, 6, and 12, and then annually. This imaging regimen is expensive and exposes patients to the hazards of radiation and intravenous contrast. We hypothesized that a normal 1-month CTA after EVAR with no endoleak or other significant abnormality predicts a low rate of future complications, which would justify a reduction in frequency of subsequent CTAs. Methods We identified 106 consecutive patients who underwent EVAR at a single hospital from 2003 to 2010 and reviewed all their CTAs. Fifteen patients for whom we could not review a postoperative CTA were excluded. Of the remaining 91 patients, 70 (76.9%) had no abnormality on their CTA at 1 month after EVAR. The medical records of these 70 patients were analyzed for subsequent complications and interventions related to EVAR. Results The mean patient follow-up was 3.4 ± 2.1 years. Five of the 70 (7.1%) patients with a normal post-EVAR CTA developed late complications consisting of 1 type I endoleak, 3 type II endoleaks, and 1 case of endotension. Only the type I endoleak and one of the type II endoleaks met criteria for intervention, and in both cases, the endoleaks were discovered >3 years after EVAR. Log-rank test showed a statistically significant increased freedom from aneurysm sac expansion in patients with a normal compared with an abnormal 1-month CTA ( P Conclusions For patients who have a normal CTA with no endoleak 1 month after EVAR, it is reasonable to consider less-frequent CTA surveillance because no significant complications requiring intervention occurred before 3 years. This would decrease unnecessary CTAs and health care expenditures as well as minimize patient exposure to radiation and intravenous contrast.
JDBC checker: a static analysis tool for SQL/JDBC applications

In data-intensive applications, it is quite common for the implementation code to dynamically construct database query strings and execute them. For example, a typical Java servlet Web service constructs SQL query strings and dispatches them over a JDBC connector to an SQL-compliant database. The servlet programmer enjoys static checking via Java's strong type system. However, the Java type system does little to check for possible errors in the dynamically generated SQL query strings. For example, a type error in a generated selection query (e.g., comparing a string attribute with an integer) can result in an SQL runtime exception. Currently, such defects must be rooted out through careful testing, or (worse) might be found by customers at runtime. In this paper, we describe JDBC Checker, a sound static analysis tool to verify the correctness of dynamically generated query strings. We have successfully applied the tool to find known and unknown defects in realistic programs using JDBC. We give a short description of our tool in this paper.
Einstein-Weyl from Kaluza-Klein

Abstract We discuss the Kaluza–Klein reduction of spaces with (anti-)self-dual Weyl tensor and point out the emergence of the Einstein–Weyl equations for the reduction from four to three dimensions. As a byproduct we get a simple expression for the gravitational instanton density in terms of the Kaluza–Klein functions.
Analysis and correction of motion artifacts in diffusion weighted imaging

For diffusion-weighted magnetic resonance imaging and under circumstances where patient movement can be modeled as rigid body motion, it is shown both theoretically and experimentally that translations and rotations produce phase errors which are zero- and first-order, respectively, in position. Whlile a navigator echo can be used to correct the imaging data for arbitrary translations, only when the diffusion gradient is applied in the phase encode direction is there sufficient information to correct for rotations around all axes, and therefore for general rigid body motion. Experiments in test objects and human brain imaging confirm theoretical predictions and demonstrate that appropriate corrections dramatically improve image quality in vivo.
Morphology of the nasal fossae and associated structures of the hamster (Mesocricetus auratus).

The hamster nasal cavity consists of vestibular, non-olfactory and olfactory portions. Much of the non-olfactory nasal cavity surface is lined by cuboidal, stratified cuboidal, and low columnar epithelia, devoid of cilia. Goblet cells and ciliated respiratory epithelium are present over only a small portion of the nasal cavity surface. The largest glandular masses in the hamster nose are the maxillary recess glands, the vomeronasal glands and the lateral nasal gland 1; these three glands contain neutral mucopolysaccharides (PAS-positive). Other nasal glands contain both acidic and neutral mucopolysaccharides; the staining reaction for acidic mucopolysaccharide is stronger in goblet cells and olfactory glands than in the other nasal glands. The ducts which open into the nasal vestibule are the excretory ducts of compound tubuloacinar serous glands. The one major PAS-positive gland whose duct opens into the nasal vestibule is the lateral nasal gland 1. The ducts of the compound tubuloacinar vomeronasal glands open into the lumen of the vomeronasal organ, which is connected to the ventral nasal meatus by means of the vomeronasal duct. The ducts of the branched tubuloacinar maxillary recess glands open into the maxillary recess. Few ducts open into the caudal half of the nasal cavity.
Hearth and Campfire Influences on Arterial Blood Pressure: Defraying the Costs of the Social Brain Through Fireside Relaxation

The importance of fire in human evolutionary history is widely acknowledged but the extent not fully explored. Fires involve flickering light, crackling sounds, warmth, and a distinctive smell. For early humans, fire likely extended the day, provided heat, helped with hunting, warded off predators and insects, illuminated dark places, and facilitated cooking. Campfires also may have provided social nexus and relaxation effects that could have enhanced prosocial behavior. According to this hypothesis, calmer, more tolerant people would have benefited in the social milieu via fireside interactions relative to individuals less susceptible to relaxation response. Using a randomized crossover design that disaggregated fire's sensory properties, pre-posttest blood pressure measures were compared among 226 adults across three studies with respect to viewing simulated muted-fire, fire-with-sound, and control conditions, in addition to tests for interactions with hypnotizability, absorption, and prosociality. Results indicated consistent blood pressure decreases in the fire-with-sound condition, particularly with a longer duration of stimulus, and enhancing effects of absorption and prosociality. Findings confirm that hearth and campfires induce relaxation as part of a multisensory, absorptive, and social experience. Enhancements to relaxation capacities in the human social brain likely took place via feedback involving these and other variables.
Future climate affects management strategies for maintaining forest restoration treatments.

Forests adapted to frequent-fire regimes are being treated to reduce fuel hazards and restore ecosystem processes. The maintenance of treatment effects underfuture climatesis a critical issue. Wemodelled forest changeunder differentclimatescenariosfor100yearsonponderosapinelandscapesinthesouth-westernUSA,comparingmanagement regimes that included prescribed burning, tree cutting, and no-management. We applied the Forest Vegetation Simulator (1)initsstandardform,and(2)withmodificationsofreducedtreegrowthandincreasedmortalitytosimulatetheeffectsof two levels of climate change. Without climate change effects, several management regimes, including the use of frequent burning similar to the historical fire frequency (,5 year), maintained future forest structure within a target range of variability. In contrast, simulations that accounted for climate change effects indicated that burning intervals should be lengthened (,20 year) and future tree thinning should be avoided to minimise forest decline. Although it has been widely predicted that future climate conditions will support more burning (warmer, drier fuels, longer fire season), our modelling suggests that the production of fuels will decline, so there will eventually be a trade-off between increased fire, driven by climate, v. reduced fuel, also driven by climate.
Interleukin-1β Expression after Inhibition of Protein Phosphatases in Endotoxin-Tolerant Cells

Endotoxin (lipopolysaccharide [LPS]) is a potent activator of a number of inflammatory genes in blood leukocytes, including interleukin-1 (IL-1). Blood leukocytes isolated from patients with septic shock fail to produce IL-1 in response to LPS, a phenomenon known as endotoxin tolerance. To study the regulation of IL-1 expression in endotoxin-tolerant cells, the protein phosphatase inhibitor okadaic acid was used to examine the effects of protein phosphorylation on IL-1β gene expression. We found that endotoxin-tolerant cells produced normal levels of IL-1β when protein phosphatases were inhibited. In the human pro-monocytic cell line THP-1, okadaic acid increased mRNA accumulation and synthesis of IL-1β protein. Normal and endotoxin-tolerant THP-1 cells accumulated IL-1β mRNA and protein with similar delayed kinetics. Okadaic acid stabilization of IL-1β mRNA appears to be the primary mechanism through which endotoxin-tolerant cells accumulate IL-1β mRNA and protein. Endotoxin-tolerant cells were unable to activate transcription in response to okadaic acid. However, the transcription factor NF-κB, which is known to be involved in IL-1β expression, was translocated to the nucleus in both normal and endotoxin-tolerant cells after treatment with okadaic acid. These studies revealed that protein phosphorylation can affect gene expression on at least two distinct levels, transcription factor activation and mRNA stability. Endotoxin-tolerant cells have decreased transcription activation potential, while IL-1β mRNA stability remains responsive to protein phosphorylation.
Behavior Management Instructional Practices and Content of College/University Physical Education Teacher Education (PETE) Programs.

Background: Since 1969, the annual United States Educational Gallup Poll has reported the ability to manage behavior and motivate students as a major challenge for teachers and the primary reason why novice teachers leave the profession prematurely. Indeed, over one-third of all new teachers resign within three years due to this perceived incapacity and their resultant frustration. The rate of teacher attrition globally in the first three years of teaching varies by country with such rates as high as 40% in the UK, to less than 5% in Germany, and in France the percentage is reported as insignificant. Although it is common for physical education teacher education (PETE) majors to graduate with knowledge and skills grounded in scientific principles, many do not develop the ability to manage problematic student behaviors. Consequently, physical educators, particularly those who are new to the profession, often have difficulty designing an environment that enhances student learning and promotes self-regulatio...
Power-controlled channel access protocol for wireless networks with full-duplex and OFDMA capabilities

Recent research has demonstrated the feasibility of full-duplex (FD) communication over the same frequency channel. This capability, facilitated by new self-interference suppression techniques, has great potential to increase the network capacity. However, exploiting FD in the context of a multi-user, multi-channel network is still being debated. This paper focuses on the channel access issue and presents a novel multi-channel MAC (MMAC) protocol for wireless ad hoc networks with FD and orthogonal frequency-division multiple access (OFDMA) capabilities. Through these capabilities, a node can simultaneously carry out multiple transmissions and/or receptions over the same or different channels. In our MMAC protocol, a pair of nodes negotiate data channels, transmission rates, transmission powers, and transmission modes (e.g., FD or half-duplex) in a distributed manner so that their spectral usages are minimized while their rate demands are still met. Extensive ns3 simulations show that our MMAC protocol increases the end-to-end network goodput by up to 150% and decreases the end-to-end delay by up to 300% compared with an OFDMA-based protocol without FD.
Full-scale 3-D finite element modeling of a two-loop pressurized water reactor for heat transfer, thermal–mechanical cyclic stress analysis, and environmental fatigue life estimation

Abstract This paper discusses a system-level finite element model of a two-loop pressurized water reactor (PWR). Based on this model, system-level heat transfer analysis and subsequent sequentially coupled thermal–mechanical stress analysis were performed for typical thermal–mechanical fatigue cycles. The in-air fatigue lives of example components, such as the hot and cold legs, were estimated on the basis of stress analysis results, ASME in-air fatigue life estimation criteria, and fatigue design curves. Furthermore, environmental correction factors and associated PWR environment fatigue lives for the hot and cold legs were estimated by using estimated stress and strain histories and the approach described in US-NRC report: NUREG-6909.
Safety of Cable-Supported Bridges during Fire Hazards

AbstractUnderstanding of the performance of critical bridges, such as cable-supported bridges, during accidental fire is necessary for developing mitigation strategies against potential fire damage. In this research, the structure–fire interaction of long-span cable-supported bridges, in particular, anchored suspension bridges, self-anchored suspension bridges, and cable-stayed bridges, was investigated through nonlinear finite-element analysis. To investigate the stability of these bridges during fire, a typical steel orthotropic box girder was exposed to different fire scenarios representing fires during ship and truck accidents. The stability of the three bridges during two fire scenarios was investigated in terms of fire intensity and duration and axial compressive force in the deck. Simulation results indicate that the existing axial force in the deck negatively affected the structural performance by causing buckling failure under fire loads. Generally, anchored suspension bridges had the largest saf...
A Level Set Analysis and A Nonparametric Regression on S&P 500 Daily Return

In this paper, a level set analysis is proposed which aims to analyze the S&P 500 return with a certain magnitude. It is found that the process of large jumps/drops of return tend to have negative serial correlation, and volatility clustering phenomenon can be easily seen. Then, a nonparametric analysis is performed and new patterns are discovered. An ARCH model is constructed based on the patterns we discovered and it is capable of manifesting the volatility skew in option pricing. A comparison of our model with the GARCH(1,1) model is carried out. The explanation of the validity on our model through prospect theory is provided, and, as a novelty, we linked the volatility skew phenomenon to the prospect theory in behavioral finance.
An Enterobryus from the Milliped Boraria Carolina (Chamberlin)

SUMMARYEnterobryus borariae, a new species of Eccrinales from the hindgut of the milliped Boraria carolina (Chamberlin), is described and illustrated. Unusual instances are reported of spores and h...