cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
The influence of sulfur on interfacial reaction kinetics in the decarburization of liquid iron by carbon dioxide

The kinetics of decarburization of continuously carbon-saturated liquid iron by CO2 have been studied between 1280 and 1600‡C at sulfur concentrations between 0.01 and 1 wt pct. The results are consistent with a surface blockage mechanism by chemisorbed sulfur which shows an essentially ideal adsorption isotherm. The adsorption coefficient of sulfur, in (wt pct)-1, is given by the equation logK = 3600/T + 0.57 for carbon-saturated alloys. A small residual rate at apparent surface saturation is observed. This leaves about 1.4 pct of the active surface sites available for reaction, essentially independent of temperature. Studies with varying carbon concentration suggest that to a first approximation, and above about 3 wt pct C, the adsorption equilibrium for sulfur depends only on the thermodynamic activity of sulfur.
An improved synthesis and purification of tetratellurafulvalene (TTeF)

Abstract The synthesis of tetratellurafulvalene (TTeF) was accomplished in a five-step, one-pot reaction from (Z)-1,2-bis-(trimethylstannyl)ethylene (1). Compound 1 was allowed to undergo two consecutive transmetallation/tellurium insertion steps. The resultant 1,2-dilithioditelluraethylene was treated with tetrachloroethylene which provided a 36% crude yield (5% purified). We have found that the use of tetrabromoethylene increases the yield (after rigorous purified). We have found that the use of tetrabromoethylene increases the yeild accomplished with the platinum reagent, cis-Pt(PPh3)2Cl2, and using this method we have shown that the tetrachloroethylene step, in the original TTeF synthesis, was a relatively low yield step in the reaction.
Temporal linear relaxation in IBM ILOG CP Optimizer

IBM ILOG CP Optimizer is a constraint solver that implements a model-and-run paradigm. For scheduling problems, CP Optimizer provides a relatively simple but very expressive modeling language based on the notion of interval variables. This paper presents the temporal linear relaxation (TLR) used to guide the automatic search when solving scheduling problems that involve temporal and resource allocation costs. We give the rationale of the TLR, describe its integration in the automatic search of CP Optimizer, and present the relaxation of most of the constraints and expressions of the model. An experimental study on a set of classical scheduling benchmarks shows that using the TLR is essential for problems with irregular temporal costs and generally helps for problems with resource allocation costs.
Consummatory behavior in meadow voles (Microtus pennsylvanicus) and mongolian gerbils (Meriones unguiculatus).

Abstract Consumption of water and adulterated fluids was measured under choice and no choice situations in voles and gerbils. Voles consumed more water throughout, and were clearly less able to tolerate challenges presented by adulteration of available solutions in the no choice situation. Intake of both species under choice conditions was more affected (although differentially) by fluid adulteration than it had been when no choice was available. Male and female differences were noted but typically these differences were in magnitude rather than direction of the consummatory response. The data were taken to illustrate the need for comparative studies and careful specification of stimulus conditions surrounding testing so that general principles of physiological and behavioral regulation can be separated from species specific differences.
High-bandwidth routing in dynamic peer-to-peer streaming

A fundamental problem in peer-to-peer streaming is building and maintaining high-bandwidth routing structure, which optimizes the receiver throughput. In this paper, we aim to design practical routing algorithms to this problem. The desired solution should accommodate the reality that nodes can frequently join and leave the overlay session, avoid global reorganization of the routingstructure, let each node decide on its own how to attach to the existing tree, and maximally utilize the partial knowledge of the underlying physical network to optimize its performance. Based on these objectives, we design the dynamic high-bandwidth routing algorithm for peer-to-peer streaming. We prove the algorithm's approximation bound to the optimal rate. Experimental results show our algorithm to greatly outperform its theoretical bound at low management overhead and small number of multicast trees.
The Quality Measurement of China High-Technology Exports

The foreign-led processing trade is an important driving factor in the process of China's rapid economic growth. Since the reform and opening up, China's foreign trade is growing rapidly with the product structure upgrading. Even so, the products made in China are still the byword of the low quality. To a large extent, China's export structure is not due to the local enterprises improving the technical content of the export, but to the processing trade and foreign enterprises participation. More and more study is focusing on the export product quality analysis and its influencing factors. However, it also obscures the real quality of Chinese exports, especially high-tech products. This paper measures the true quality level of Chinese high-tech exports by quality index model, and compares it with the obscured quality and exports quality of 14 countries.
Neuronal coupling via connexin36 contributes to spontaneous synaptic currents of striatal medium‐sized spiny neurons

Gap junctions provide a means for electrotonic coupling between neurons, allowing for the generation of synchronous activity, an important contributor to learning and memory. Connexin36 (Cx36) is largely neuron specific and provides a target for genetic manipulation to determine the physiological relevance of neuronal coupling. Within the striatum, Cx36 is more specifically localized to the interneuronal population, which provides the main inhibitory input to the principal projection medium-sized spiny neurons. In the present study, we examined the impact of genetic ablation of Cx36 on striatal spontaneous synaptic activity. Patch-clamp recordings were performed from medium-sized spiny neurons, the primary target of interneurons. In Cx36 knockout mice, the frequencies of both excitatory and inhibitory spontaneous postsynaptic currents were reduced. We also showed that activation of dopamine receptors differentially modulated the frequency of GABAergic currents in Cx36 knockout mice compared with their wild-type littermates, suggesting that dopamine plays a role in altering the coupling of interneurons. Taken together, the present findings demonstrate that electrical coupling of neuronal populations is important for the maintenance of normal chemical synaptic interactions within the striatum.
Reports to the Vaccine Adverse Event Reporting System after hepatitis A and hepatitis AB vaccines in pregnant women.

Objective To characterize adverse events (AEs) after hepatitis A vaccines (Hep A) and hepatitis A and hepatitis B combination vaccine (Hep AB) in pregnant women reported to the Vaccine Adverse Event Reporting System (VAERS), a spontaneous reporting surveillance system. Study Design We searched VAERS for AEs reports in pregnant women who received Hep A or Hep AB from Jan. 1, 1996-April 5, 2013. Clinicians reviewed all reports and available medical records. Results VAERS received 139 reports of AEs in pregnant women; 7 (5.0%) were serious; no maternal or infant deaths were identified. Sixty-five (46.8%) did not describe any AEs. For those women whose gestational age was available, most were vaccinated during the first trimester, 50/60 (83.3%) for Hep A and 18/21 (85.7%) for Hep AB. The most common pregnancy-specific outcomes following Hep A or Hep AB vaccinations were spontaneous abortion in 15 (10.8%) reports, elective termination in 10 (7.2%), and preterm delivery in 7 (5.0%) reports. The most common nonpregnancy specific outcome was urinary tract infection and nausea/vomiting with 3 (2.2%) reports each. One case of amelia of the lower extremities was reported in an infant following maternal Hep A immunization. Conclusion This review of VAERS reports did not identify any concerning pattern of AEs in pregnant women or their infants following maternal Hep A or Hep AB immunizations during pregnancy.
The role of chelation and binding equilibria in iron metabolism.

Abstract Experiments are presented which indicate that the rate of iron uptake from serum transferrin by rabbit liver slices is enhanced by the presence of chelating agents. The initial rate of iron uptake is shown also to be directly controlled by the availability and affinity of the various proteins which specifically are involved in the metabolism of the ion.
Fuel cell techno-personal milestones 1984–2006

Abstract This paper is based on my award acceptance talk on the occasion of receiving the Grove Medal for Fuel Cell Science and Technology, at the 2006 Grove meeting in Torino, Italy. I chose to name the talk: “Fuel Cell Techno-Personal Milestones 1984–2006”, trying to reflect on important milestones in the history of the science and technology of hydrogen/air and methanol/air polymer electrolyte fuel cells, in which I was fortunate to be involved for over 20 years.
Vibrational modes in LiBC: theory and experiment

Abstract The search for other superconductors in the MgB2 class currently is focussed on Li1−xBC, which when hole-doped (concentration x) should be a metal with the potential to be a better superconductor than MgB2. Here we present the calculated phonon spectrum of the parent semiconductor LiBC. The calculated Raman-active modes are in excellent agreement with a recent observation, and comparison of calculated IR-active modes with a recent report provides a prediction of the LO–TO splitting for these four modes, which is small for the B–C bond stretching mode at ∼1200 cm −1 , but large for clearly resolved modes at 540 and 620 cm −1 .
Approximation of stochastic systems: Reduced-order estimator & controller

A new algorithm for reducing continuous-time stochastic systems is presented. First, using the theory of canonical variables and the canonical decomposition of the Hankel operator a new algorithm for obtaining balanced stochastic realization (BSR) is developed. Next, using the insight obtained from this result a direct approach for obtaining BSR is presented. Model reduction is achieved by picking an appropriate subsystem of the BSR. Asymptotic stability of the reduced-order model, as well as the inverse of the reduced-order model is established. This leads to a new design for reduced-order Kalman-Bucy filters. Finally the spectral domain interpretations of the BSR are given. Also a reduced order controller for the LQR problem is developed.
A mechanism-based inactivator of E. coli β-hydroxydecanoyl thiolester dehydrase designed to crosslink active site amino acids

Abstract 1-Diazo-4-undecyn-2-one, a potential active site crosslinking agent, is shown to be a mechanism-based inactivator of E. coli α-hydroxydecanoyl thiolester dehydrase. 1-Diazo-4-undecyn-2-one, a potential active site crosslinking agent, is shown to be a mechanism-based inactivator of E. coli β-hydroxydecanoyl thiolester dehydrase.
Orbital-moments analysis of ionic radii in silver and copper halides

We present a linear relation between traditional ionic radii and ab initio orbital moments for ${\mathrm{Ag}}^{+}$, ${\mathrm{Cu}}^{+}$, halide, and, for comparison, alkali ions. Based on the connection of first and second orbital moments with repulsive and attractive interionic forces, respectively, we introduce a quantity $q$ which indicates an ion's contribution to the dominant short-range interaction in a crystal. Some peculiar properties of silver and copper halides are interpreted in terms of strong van der Waals interaction.
We Need a Deeper Sense of Time

Discussing examples of climate change in Earth's past, Stager furnishes a balanced look at how humans should weigh their long-term effects on the planet's future.
Kinetics of Enol Formation from Reaction of OH with Propene

Kinetics of enol generation from propene has been predicted in an effort to understand the presence of enols in flames. A potential energy surface for reaction of OH with propene was computed by CCSD(T)/cc-pVDZ//B3LYP/cc-pVTZ calculations. Rate constants of different product channels and branching ratios were then calculated using the Master Equation formulation (J. Phys. Chem. A 2006, 110, 10528). Of the two enol products, ethenol is dominant over propenol, and its pathway is also the dominant pathway for the OH + propene addition reactions to form bimolecular products. In the temperature range considered, hydrogen abstraction dominated propene + OH consumption by a branching ratio of more than 90%. Calculated rate constants of enol formation were included in the Utah Surrogate Mechanism to model the enol profile in a cyclohexane premixed flame. The extended model shows consistency with experimental data and gives 5% contribution of ethenol formation from OH + propene reaction, the rest coming from ethen...
Relation of Borderline Peripheral Arterial Disease to Cardiovascular Disease Risk

Peripheral arterial disease (PAD) is a well-established risk factor for clinical cardiovascular disease (CVD). The impact of a low ankle-brachial index (ABI), higher than the generally recognized 0.9 cutpoint for PAD, on CVD risk is not well characterized. We analyzed data from the 1999 to 2002 National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (n = 4,895), a nationally representative sample of United States adults, to determine the prevalence of PAD (ABI
Interchange technology for applications to facilitate generic access to heterogenous data formats

An Interchange Technology facilitates seamless interactions between applications, tools and services with datasets in heterogeneous formats. The Information Technology and Systems Center at the University of Alabama in Huntsville is currently developing this technology focused on Earth Science data, in general, and particularly on the vast amounts of remotely sensed data. The Earth Science Markup Language (ESML) is one such interchange technology and is comprised of description files and a related library of programming utilities. ESML is based on the eXtensible Markup Language (XML/spl trade/) and allows data "descriptions" to be written in a standard fashion. ESML is unique in that it not only describes the content and structure of the data, but also provides semantic information for the end user application to utilize. Another advantage is that the effort involved to describe legacy data formats in ESML will be small. ESML and the associated library will allow wider interoperability of Earth Science services and tools, enabling Earth Scientists to author, discover, and interpret Earth Science information, and to work more easily with data in a variety of formats and structures. This interchange technology will facilitate the development of dataset-independent searches, visualization, and analysis tools without requiring data to be in any particular format. This paper will describe this interchange technology and provide examples of generic access to heterogeneous remotely sensed data sets.
A Tale of Two Industries: An Interpretive Analysis of Media Reports on Textiles and Apparel in North Carolina

This qualitative study explores recent textile and apparel industry dynamics from the point of view of the news media to understand how such dynamics are presented to the general public. North Carolina, having been home to many jobs in these industries, was used as a case study. Data were a total of 600 articles from two of the state’s primary newspapers spanning the period from 1998 to 2003. Content of these articles was analyzed via a hermeneutic, interpretative framework to develop a thematic interpretation of the image of the two industries provided by the news media. Several themes were tied together through three broad topical areas—industry changes, strategic initiatives, and the impact of loss—and provide a multidimensional view of the industries as presented to the public. Further research is needed to understand the impact this image might have on public perceptions of the future of these industries.
Symmetry within the sequence-pair representation in the context of placement for analog design

This paper addresses the problem of device-level placement for analog layout, focusing mainly on symmetry-related aspects. Different from most of the existent analog placement approaches, employing basically simulated annealing optimization algorithms operating on flat (absolute) spatial representations, our model uses a more recent topological representation called sequence-pair, which has the advantage of not being restricted to slicing floorplan topologies. In this paper, we explain how specific features essential to analog placement, such as the ability to deal with complex symmetry constraints (for instance, an arbitrary number of symmetry groups of cells), can be easily handled by employing the sequence-pair representation. Several analog examples substantiate the effectiveness of our placement tool, which is already in use in an industrial environment.
Gaining a Competitive Advantage with Disability Inclusion Initiatives

This study examines disability inclusion initiatives as a strategy to gaining a competitive advantage, especially in industries with high turnover such as hospitality and retail. The author of this study used qualitative methods and collected data from two leaders in disability inclusion: Walgreens Co. and Mohegan Sun Resort and Casino. Disability inclusion has proven valuable to the aforementioned companies, in which persons with disabilities have exhibited strong loyalty, lower turnover, dependability and improved productivity, and workplace physical and psychological safety. Creating a disability-friendly culture that is favorable and supportive to employees with disabilities is vital in overcoming biases and stereotypes.
Pre‐ejection period reactivity and psychiatric comorbidity prospectively predict substance use initiation among middle‐schoolers: A pilot study

Youth with conduct problems (CPs) or depression are at high risk for early initiation of substance use, and for future substance use disorders (SUDs). Comorbid CPs and depression increase risk even further, yet understanding how these conditions interact remains elusive. One hypothesis is that altered mesolimbic dopamine function contributes to symptoms of CPs, depression, and SUDs. Cardiac pre-ejection period (PEP) reactivity to incentives is linked theoretically and functionally to central dopamine responding. We evaluated PEP reactivity to reward as a prospective biomarker of substance use in a study of 206 youth with depression, CPs, CPs and depression, or no psychiatric condition. Children were 8–12 years old at the first of three annual assessments. Reduced PEP reactivity was associated with increased likelihood of future alcohol use, and CPs interacted with anxiety and depression to double risk for marijuana and other substance use.
A survey of hierarchical routing algorithms and a new hierarchical hybrid adaptive routing algorithm for large scale computer communication networks

A survey is presented of present algorithms, with emphasis of a proposed scheme, the hierarchical hybrid adaptive routing algorithm (HHARA). HHARA reduces the size of routing database by dynamically organizing nodes into hierarchically structured clusters so that only partial information is stored and maintained in each site. The responsibility for routing is shared by the routing hierarchy so that the algorithm can maintain the global routing optimality and the local adaptivity at the same time. In this way, the storage, maintenance, communication, and computation overheads can be reduced while the response time to local status changes is kept small. HHARA can be used with either diagram routing or virtual circuit routing. Due to its ability to adapt to the network changes, it is specially useful for dynamic networks such as large military computer communication networks. >
A simulation of business in group discussion classes

The author presents an end‐of‐semester project for students in a discussion class. A number of variables are discussed.
The effect of collector resistance upon the high current capability of n-p-&#957;-n transistors

It is shown that the onset of conductivity modulation of the bulk collector resistance causes an abrupt decrease in h FE at high current density and consequently limits the current range in which a transistor exhibits usable gain. Data are presented which demonstrate the accurate measurement of equilibrium collector resistance from a curve-tracer display. Experimental results showing the effect of partial saturation upon transistor switching time are also presented. Recognition of this phenomenon suggests a reappraisal of the importance of other potential causes of high current h FE decrease.
Metabolic Roles of the M3 Muscarinic Acetylcholine Receptor Studied with M3 Receptor Mutant Mice: A Review

The M3 muscarinic acetylcholine (ACh) receptor (M3 mAChR) is expressed in many central and peripheral tissues. It is a prototypic member of the superfamily of G protein-coupled receptors and preferentially activates G proteins of the Gq family. Recent studies involving the use of newly generated mAChR mutant mice have revealed that the M3 mAChR plays a key role in regulating many important metabolic functions. Phenotypic analyses of mutant mice that either selectively lacked or overexpressed M3 receptors in pancreatic β -cells indicated that β -cell M3 mAChRs are essential for maintaining proper insulin release and glucose homeostasis. The experimental data also suggested that strategies aimed at enhancing signaling through β -cell M3 mAChRs might be beneficial for the treatment of type 2 diabetes. Recent studies with whole body M3 mAChR knockout mice showed that the absence of M3 receptors protected mice against various forms of experimentally or genetically induced obesity and obesity-associated metabol...
Construction of anatomically correct models of mouse brain networks

The Mouse Brain Web (MBW), a web-organized database, provides for the construction of anatomically correct models of mouse brain networks. Each web page in this database provides the position, orientation, morphology, and putative synapses for each biologically observed neuron. The MBW has been designed to support (1) mapping of the spatial distribution and morphology of neurons by type; (2) wiring of the network–synaptic assembly; (3) projection of neuron morphology and synapses to geometric multi-compartmental models; (4) search for motifs and basic circuits in the brain networks using customized web-crawlers; and (5) the mapping of anatomically correct networks to physiologically correct network simulations. c
Context-aware recommender systems

The importance of contextual information has been recognized by researchers and practitioners in many disciplines, including e-commerce personalization, information retrieval, ubiquitous and mobile computing, data mining, marketing, and management. While a substantial amount of research has already been performed in the area of recommender systems, most existing approaches focus on recommending the most relevant items to users without taking into account any additional contextual information, such as time, location, or the company of other people (e.g., for watching movies or dining out). In this chapter we argue that relevant contextual information does matter in recommender systems and that it is important to take this information into account when providing recommendations. We discuss the general notion of context and how it can be modeled in recommender systems. Furthermore, we introduce three different algorithmic paradigms – contextual prefiltering, post-filtering, and modeling – for incorporating contextual information into the recommendation process, discuss the possibilities of combining several contextaware recommendation techniques into a single unifying approach, and provide a case study of one such combined approach. Finally, we present additional capabilities for context-aware recommenders and discuss important and promising directions for future research.
Work in progress - bridging the technology gap: An analysis of industry needs and student skills

Discussions with individuals in industry and with students uncovered a potential disconnect in technological skills. The computer skills students are acquiring might not fully match up with the current needs in the workforce. As members of Engineering and Computer Science departments, the responsibility often falls on us to provide service courses in technology. But is this the correct approach, and if so, what should be provided? The goal of this research project is to detect any gaps in computer knowledge that might exist between academia and industry. To this end various PLNU alumni in diverse and distinguished areas of employment were interviewed and surveyed in order to discover the technological skills needed by professionals in their fields. Additionally, all undergraduate students at PLNU were given the opportunity to respond to a survey to determine their fluency with key computer skills. Suggestions are made regarding how to address the possible disparity between knowledge and need.
KINETIC ANALYSIS OF THE RADIATION POLYMERIZATION OF METHYL METHACRYLATE- KAOLIN CLAY COMPOSITES.

In the first of a two-part series, a kinetic study has been made on the effects of gamma rays (60Co) in air and inert gas on the polymerization of a 50:50 weight-mixture methyl methacrylate (MMA)–kaolin clay system. The effect of dose rate (7.35–24.9 rads/sec), temperature (25° to 75°C), and total dose on the percentage conversion of monomer to polymer was studied. The rate of formation of polymer at 25°C in the composite system was found to be faster when compared to a bulk MMA system at the same dose rate. This acceleration showed that the clay had a catalytic effect on the formation of polymer. The effect decreased as temperature increased. Two types of poly(methyl methacrylate) (PMMA) were formed in the composite. One type was called homopolymer and could be removed from the composite by extraction with organic solvents. The other type was called inserted polymer and could only be removed by dissolving the clay matrix with hydrofluoric acid. The total polymer conversion was the summation of these two types of polymer formed. The kinetic analysis examined the orders of reaction and activation energies of the homopolymer, inserted polymer, and total polymer. The initial reaction orders of the homopolymer and total polymer based on dose were −0.46 and −0.49, respectively. These indicate a definite free-radical reaction. The reaction order of the inserted polymer was temperature dependent. The activation energies for the homopolymer and total polymer in both atmospheres were approximately 1 kcal/mole less than the bulk activation energy at the same conditions. The inserted polymer had an activation energy which was dose rate dependent.
Left-Hemisphere Dominance for Motion Processing in Deaf Signers

Evidence from neurophysiological studies in animals as well as humans has demonstrated robust changes in neural organization and function following early-onset sensory deprivation. Unfortunately, the perceptual consequences of these changes remain largely unexplored. The study of deaf individuals who have been auditorily deprived since birth and who rely on a visual language (i.e., American Sign Language, ASL) for communication affords a unique opportunity to investigate the degree to which perception in the remaining, intact senses (e.g., vision) is modified as a result of altered sensory and language experience. We studied visual motion perception in deaf individuals and compared their performance with that of hearing subjects. Thresholds and reaction times were obtained for a motion discrimination task, in both central and peripheral vision. Although deaf and hearing subjects had comparable absolute scores on this task, a robust and intriguing difference was found regarding relative performance for lef...
The Impact of Hazardous Wastes on Property Values: The Effect of Lead Pollution

This paper examines the impact of lead pollution on property values in Anniston, Alabama, one of the most polluted cities in the US. A hedonic house price analysis allows us to examine the extent of capitalization of lead contamination's effect on property values there, as well as property value losses due to the presence of an Army Depot. We estimated that lead cleanup would provide an increased property value of $1,140 per household and found that living 1 km closer to the polluting sites reduces property values by approximately 2%, a figure consistent with previous research regarding the connection between environmental disamenities and property values.
Formal Models of Bureaucracy

In the past decade, political science has witnessed a substantial amount of research using formal models to explicate the rationale for and effects of myriad aspects of bureaucratic institutions. Whereas previous waves of formal modeling on bureaucratic structure emphasized bureaucracy as a device for making policy commitments last, more recent formal research has grappled with information asymmetries and more explicitly considered the principal-agent relationship between bureaucracies and political authorities. We review several major recent themes in this literature, particularly the effects and development of bureaucratic hierarchies, the agency dilemmas inherent when policy-making authority is delegated to bureaucrats, and the effects of institutional structure on the development and sharing of expertise and capacity in bureaucracies.
Considerations for the Design and Construction of a Synthetic Platform Cell for Biotechnological Applications

The design and construction of an artificial bacterial cell could revolutionize biotechnological processes and technologies. A functional platform cell that can be easily customized for a pre-defined task would be useful for applications from producing therapeutics to decontaminating waste streams. The platform cell must be robust and highly efficient. A biotechnological platform cell is related to the concept of a minimal cell, but several factors beyond those necessary for a minimal cell must be considered for a synthetic organism designed for biotechnological applications. Namely, a platform cell must exhibit robust cell reproduction, decreased genetic drift, a physically robust cell envelope, efficient and simplified transcription and translation controls, and predictable metabolic interactions. Achieving a biotechnological platform cell will benefit from insights acquired from a minimal cell, but an approach of minimizing an existing organism's genome may be a more practical experimental approach. Escherichia coli possess many of the desired characteristics of a platform cell and could serve as a useful model organism for the design and construction of a synthetic platform organism. In this article we review briefly the current state of research in this field and outline specific characteristics that will be important for a biotechnologically relevant synthetic cell that has a minimized genome and efficient regulatory structure.
Real time global orbit feedback system for NSLS X-ray ring

The authors report on the design and commissioning of a real-time harmonic global orbit feedback system for the NSLS (National Synchrotron Light Source) X-ray ring. This system uses 8 pick-up electrode position monitors and 16 trim dipole magnets to eliminate 3 harmonic components of the orbit fluctuations. Because of the larger number of position monitors and trim magnets, the X-ray ring feedback system differs from VUV (vacuum ultraviolet) ring system in that the Fourier analysis and harmonic generation networks are comprised of MDAC (multiplying digital-to-analog converter) boards controlled by computer. The implementation of the global feedback system has resulted in a dramatic improvement in orbit stability, by more than a factor of five everywhere. Simultaneous operation of the global and several local bump feedback systems has been achieved. >
Travel Adaptations Among the Elderly1

Concern has been expressed about the impact of rising transportation costs on the rural elderly, though little is actually known about how the elderly have responded and whether there are difference,s among them in adaptive behavior. Using data col lected from 180 rural elderly vehicle owners, this study examined the adoption of travel-change strategies that could potentially reduce or minimize increases in gasoline expenditures. The analysis indicated that older persons making spatial changes of reducing travel activity and shopping closer to home were distinguished from others by a lower income and a greater decline in financial and health status. Adopters of nonspatial changes were distinguished from others by the possession of personal resources-greater physical mobility in the case of those combining more trip purposes and a higher income in the instance of those purchasing a more fuel- efficient vehicle. Implications of the findings for the provision of rural transportation services are discussed.
Stochastic pyramids for multiscale signal synthesis and analysis

Multiscale techniques require that signals are fitted to pyramid structures, with each level of the pyramid corresponding to a reduced-resolution approximation of the signal. Unlike deterministic pyramids, stochastic pyramids can be applied to signals characterized by some form of uncertainty. A number of fundamental properties of stochastic pyramids are studied, and advantages and disadvantages of various pyramid structures are discussed. Furthermore, the stochastic pyramid transform is proposed, as a solution to all problems associated with traditional stochastic pyramids. We briefly argue that this transform naturally leads to the multigrid Monte Carlo method, proposed by Goodman and Sokal (1989), which is mainly used to generate Markov random field images. >
Jaw Angle Modulation in Response to Different Feeding Scenarios in Poecilia sphenops

Abstract The molly (Poecilia sphenops) has an unusual feeding mechanism among fishes in that its jaw is essentially “doublejointed”. They possess an extra joint within the lower jaw, or mandible, called an Intramandibular Joint (IMJ). Because of this joint, these fish are capable of opening their mouths to extreme angles. We wanted to understand how this mechanism functions during feeding and if the joint angles could be actively altered by the fish in different feeding situations. We asked specifically if there was a difference in the gape angle (the angle formed by the tip of upper jaw, the jaw joint, and the tip of the lower jaw) and intramandibular joint angle when offered food in the water column versus on the substrate, as well as with different food types in the water column. Feeding events were captured using high-speed video and the resulting footage analyzed using the software Image J. The average gape angle produced during midwater feedings was significantly larger than that produced during ben...
Top 10 Facts to Know About Inpatient Glycemic Control

Uncontrolled hyperglycemia in hospitalized patients with or without a previous diagnosis of diabetes is associated with adverse outcomes and longer lengths of hospital stay. It is estimated that one-third of hospitalized patients will experience significant hyperglycemia, and the cost associated with hospitalization for patients with diabetes accounts for half of all health care expenditures for this disease. Optimizing glycemic control should be a priority for all health care providers in the inpatient setting. Appropriate management strategies should include identification of appropriate glycemic targets, prevention of hypoglycemia, initiation of appropriate basal-plus-bolus insulin regimens, and planning for the transition from inpatient to outpatient therapy before hospital discharge.
Essentiality and Function of Silicon

Silicon, considered heretofore an environmental contaminant, is one of the most recent trace elements to be established as “Essential” for higher animals. A series of experiments contributed to the establishing of silicon as an essential element beginning with in vitro studies on young bone, suggesting a physiological role for silicon in bone calcification processes. This was followed by in vivo studies showing an effect of silicon on the rate of bone mineralization. The conclusive evidence showing that silicon is essential for animals was reported in 1972 with the establishment of a deficiency state in chicks incompatible with normal growth, and the contrasting normal growth on a diet containing a silicon supplement. The effect on growth was marked, suggesting that silicon must play an important role in the body’s metabolic processes. Later work demonstrates the importance of silicon in connective tissue metabolism. An in vivo requirement for silicon is established in articular cartilage and connective tissue formation involving glycosaminoglycans. Furthermore silicon is shown to be a component of glycosaminoglycan-protein complexes and collagen. More recently silicon has been shown to be a cellular component of connective tissue, its presence being demonstrated in osteogenic cells where it is found to be a major anion. And most recently, skull and other bone abnormalities associated with reduced collagen content have been produced in silicon deficient chicks under conditions promoting near optimal growth using a semi-synthetic diet. The findings demonstrate that silicon has a significant effect on the bone matrix, independent of vitamin D and are strong confirmatory evidence of silicon’s essentiality for bone formation and for a physiological role for silicon in chicks growing at a near maximal rate. A relationship established between silicon and aging is probably related to glycosaminoglycan changes.
The Podcast “Chitlin' Circuit”: Black Podcasters, Alternative Media, and Audio Enclaves

This article explores how an informal network of Black podcasters, some of whom refer to themselves as the “Chitlin' Circuit” or “urban podcasters,” functions as a contemporary digital iteration of enclaved Black social spaces. The conversational nature of these podcasts and their use of Black American cultural commonplaces, combined with the intimate qualities of radio-style audio, reproduce a sense of being in Black social spaces such as the barber/beauty shop or church. Mobile technologies not only allow listeners to listen anywhere, but listening via headphones also potentially adds an element of immersion through the practice of sensory gating.
Reaction norms of Arabidopsis . IV. Relationships between plasticity and fitness

The study of the association between fitness and reaction norms is of primary importance given the hypothesized role for phenotypic plasticity in shaping evolutionary patterns: in microevolution, as one of mechanism for maintaining genetic variation, and in macroevolution, as a means of generating phenotypic novelties. In a glasshouse experiment, we investigated variation in reaction norms to nutrient availability in populations of Arabidopsis thaliana, and the relationship between this variation and reproductive fitness. We found evidence for across-treatment directional selection on the means for leaf number, flowering time, plant height, branching and growth rate; across-treatment stabilizing selection was detected for growth rate; and across-treatment disruptive selection was significant for leaf number. We also uncovered selection on the plasticity of some traits: directional for the plasticity of branching, and stabilizing for the plasticity of both branching and growth rate. When the two environments were considered separately, directional selection for height was detected under low nutrients; under high nutrients, we found evidence for directional selection on leaf number and height, and for disruptive selection on flowering time. The genetic correlation between a trait's expression in one environment and its expression in the alternate environment was positive and highly significant only for flowering time and growth rate. A principle components analysis revealed possible constraints on future selection responses, because of correlations among character means and among character plasticities.
Potential Cardiovascular Effects of the Glucagon-like Peptide-1 Receptor Agonists

In patients with type 2 diabetes, cardiovascular risk reduction represents an important clinical goal in light of the elevated risk of cardiovascular mortality in this patient population; thus, it is important that glucose-lowering drugs have no negative effects and potentially some positive effects on cardiovascular risk. The glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonists (GLP-1RAs), which were designed to resist degradation by the enzyme dipeptidyl peptidase-4, are among the newer glucose-lowering agents for the treatment of type 2 diabetes. There are a number of agents within this class, including exenatide, liraglutide, albiglutide, lixisenatide, and dulaglutide. Preclinical research efforts in animal models have identified a number of favorable cardiovascular effects of GLP-1RAs beyond glucose lowering. Although the underlying basis for these cardiovascular effects has not yet been elucidated, a number of potential mechanisms have been suggested. Accumulating data from randomized clinical trials and retrospective/post hoc pooled analyses of clinical trials support the favorable effects of GLP-1RAs on blood pressure and lipid profiles. Although some observations have suggested that GLP-1RAs may lead to an increase in heart rate, a recent post hoc analysis including 11 studies of exenatide once weekly versus active comparators or placebo shows that mean increases in heart rate are small and transient, increases are more common in patients with low baseline heart rate, and that heart rate elevations become less prevalent over time. In addition, no association was observed between major adverse cardiac events and small mean increases in heart rate. Individual clinical trials in patients with type 2 diabetes also have provided evidence of protection against post-myocardial infarction ischemic damage, as well as the ability to improve circulating biomarker levels. Forthcoming data from phase 3 and 4 cardiovascular outcome trials of GLP-1RAs will provide further insight into their cardiovascular safety and cardioprotective potential in various settings.
Preservation of the greater occipital nerve during suboccipital craniectomy results in a paradoxical increase in postoperative headaches.

BACKGROUND Injury to the greater occipital nerve (GON) during suboccipital/retrosigmoid craniectomy (SOC) has been postulated as an etiology of postoperative headaches (HAs). We hypothesized that severe postoperative HAs may be due to the division of the GON during dissection. OBJECTIVE To determine whether the GON plays an important role in the development of postoperative HAs. METHODS A retrospective review of prospectively accrued patients undergoing SOC by 1 neurosurgeon at Johns Hopkins from 1995 to 2009 was performed. A total of 280 patients were included in the study. HA was categorized into 3 groups according to the severity and impact on daily activities. Data were analyzed using a stepwise multivariate logistic regression analysis to identify independent factors associated with HA development. Patients with a history of preoperative HAs and migraine were excluded from the analysis. RESULTS In this cohort, new postoperative severe HAs at last follow-up visit were found in 19% of patients. By multivariate analysis, only GON preservation (relative risk: 1.49; 95% confidence interval: 1.00-2.34; P = 0.05) and wound infection (relative risk: 2.29; 95% confidence interval: 0.91-4.25; P = 0.07) were statistically significant. By univariate analysis, positive dependent associations included GON preservation (P < .01), reconstruction of the porus with hydroxyapatite cement (P = 0.02), and wound infection (P < 0.01). Statistically significant differences in the incidence of HA after surgery were found in patients in whom the GON was preserved compared with patients in whom the GON was divided (P = 0.035). CONCLUSION Postoperative debilitating HAs are a common complication after SOC. Although these HAs are probably multifactorial in nature, preservation of the GON during SOC is independently associated with postoperative debilitating HAs.
Abstract 5484: Childhood leukemia and lymphoma: African experience supports a role for environmental factors

Major differences exist in the nature of leukaemia and lymphoma (Le/Ly) in low-income African children (LIAC) compared to those of high-income world (HIW). These include the absence of the peak incidence of acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) in the first quinquennium (FQ) that characterizes the disease in HIW. Conversely, chloroma association with acute myelogenous leukemia (CA-AML) and Burkitt9s lymphoma (BL) are rare in HIW. In 1982-1984, using standard international study protocol, we performed immunophenotypic characterisation (IPC) in 86 Le/Ly patients, including 18 2x10 6 ) were studied for spatial clustering, while the incidence (x10 −5 ) of childhood ALL (CAL) subtypes was estimated and compared with those of contemporary populations elsewhere. Reduced incidence of CAL in Ibadan was due to depletion of c-ALL and absence of FQ-ALL, and correlated inversely with the incidence of Burkitt9s lymphoma (BL) and of chloroma-associated AML (CA-AML). C-ALL predominated in low-density/higher socio-economic (SES), vis-a-vis BL and CA-AML in high-density/lower SES lifestyle areas. The aberrant response model, which has been hypothesized for the high prevalence of c-ALL in HIW may also serve to explain the opposite pathology in LIAC. It is proposed that either an identical or closely related etiological pathway is shared by all three disorders. Citation Format: {Authors}. {Abstract title} [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 103rd Annual Meeting of the American Association for Cancer Research; 2012 Mar 31-Apr 4; Chicago, IL. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2012;72(8 Suppl):Abstract nr 5484. doi:1538-7445.AM2012-5484
Laboratory Studies on Resistance of the Pacific Spider Mite to Acaricides

A strain of the Pacific spider mite, Tetranychus pacificus McGregor, which had developed resistance in the field to demeton treatments was subjected in the laboratory to parathion selection pressure at the 70% mortality level through 10 selections without further change in the degree of cross resistance to parathion. Starting with a susceptible strain, six to nine such selections with parathion and ethion resulted in high degrees of resistance to both accuracies. Similar selection procedures using Aramite® (2-( p-tert -butylphenoxy) isopropyl 2-chloroethyl sulfite) resulted in a 10-fold increase in resistance after 15 selections; but using Chlorobenzilate® (ethyl 4,4′-dichlorobenzilate or Kelthane® (1, 1-bis( p -chlorophenyl)-2,2,2-trichloroethanol) resulted in no change in susceptibility after 23 or 22 selections, respectively. In cross resistance evaluations parathion- and ethion-resistant strains were cross resistant to the other organ phosphorus accuracies evaluated but not to the specific acaricides. Aramite-, Chlorobenzilate-, and Kelthane-selected strains were cross resistant to some organophosphorus compounds but not to other specific acaricides. This response is contrasted with the response of house flies ( Musca domestica L.) to selection pressure with insecticides.
Bleeding Avoidance Strategies, Performance Measures, and the Emperor’s New Clothes

“The Emperor's New Clothes” is a short fairy tale by Hans Christian Andersen about 2 swindlers posing as weavers who promised a vain emperor the finest, best new suit of clothes from a fabric that was invisible to those who were stupid or incompetent [(1)][1]. Although the Emperor and his
Applications of Automobile Clock Spring

The paper elaborates the definition of automobile clock spring and its applications,introduces some items needed to be paid attention to when it loses the effectiveness,during it is assembled,and puts forward the quality control requirements and methods during it is manufactured.