cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Beamforming issues in modern MIMO Radars with Doppler

In traditional beamforming radar systems, the transmitting antennas send coherent waveforms which form a highly focused beam. In the MIMO radar system, the transmitter sends noncoherent (possibly orthogonal) broad (possibly omni-directional) waveforms. These waveforms can be extracted by a matched filterbank at the receiver. The extracted signals can be used to obtain more diversity or improve the clutter resolution. This paper focuses on space-time adaptive processing (STAP) for MIMO radar systems which improves the clutter resolution. The size of the MIMO STAP steering vector can be much larger than the traditional SIMO STAP steering vector because of the extra dimension. An accurate estimation of clutter rank for the subspace method is developed, and is a generalization of Brennan's rule to the MIMO radar case. A data independent method for estimating the clutter subspace is also described.
Reflection and Transmission by an Array of Spherical Voids in an Elastic Solid

Studies of scattering by porosity are often based on single scattering theory, in which the interaction between the voids is either neglected or taken into account in some approximate manner. In this paper we consider a case where the analysis can be carried out without approximations, and the effect of multiple scattering can be rigorously accounted for. The particular configuration concerns a doubly periodic array of spherical cavities in an elastic solid. The cavities are all of equal radius d, their centers are all located in a single plane (the x1-x2 -plane), and the centers are located at positions x1 = ma, x2 = nb, where −∞ < m,n < ∞, as shown in Fig. 1. The incident wave is a plane longitudinal wave which propagates in the x3 -direction.
Systematic development of an abbreviated protocol for screening breast magnetic resonance imaging

Rationale & objectives We sought to develop an abbreviated protocol (AP) for breast MRI that maximizes lesion detection by assessing each lesion not seen on mammography by each acquisition from a full diagnostic protocol (FDP).
Modeling propellant-based stimulation of a borehole with peridynamics

Abstract A non-local formulation of classical continuum mechanics theory known as peridynamics is used to study fracture initiation and growth from a wellbore penetrating the subsurface within the context of propellant-based stimulation. The principal objectives of this work are to analyze the influence of loading conditions on the resulting fracture pattern, to investigate the effect of in-situ stress anisotropy on fracture propagation, and to assess the suitability of peridynamics for modeling complex fracture formation. It is shown that the loading rate significantly influences the number and extent of fractures initiated from a borehole. Results show that low loading rates produce fewer but longer fractures, whereas high loading rates produce numerous shorter fractures around the borehole. The numerical method is able to predict fracture growth patterns over a wide range of loading and stress conditions. Our results also show that fracture growth is attenuated with increasing in-situ confining stress, and, in the case of confining stress anisotropy, fracture extensions are largest in the direction perpendicular to the minimum compressive stress. Since the results are in broad qualitative agreement with experimental and numerical studies found in the literature, suggesting that peridynamics can be a powerful tool in the study of complex fracture network formation.
The dynamics of radicalization: a relational and comparative perspective/Organized violence after civil war: the geography of recruitment in Latin America/Networks of rebellion: explaining insurgent cohesion and collapse

Scholars of democratization have long recognized that when autocrats take steps to liberalize their regimes, they often face unintended consequences that can lead to their political demise. As Sara...
Sex Differences in Doctoral Student Publication Rates

Women in the sciences who earn PhDs are less likely than their male counterparts to pursue tenure-track positions at research universities. Moreover, among those who become STEM researchers, men ha...
Class IC antiarrhythmic drugs for suspected premature ventricular contraction-induced cardiomyopathy.

Background Class IC antiarrhythmic drugs (IC-AADs) can effectively suppress premature ventricular contractions (PVCs). However, IC-AADs increase mortality in patients with PVCs and left ventricular dysfunction after myocardial infarction. Whether IC-AADs can be safely used to treat premature ventricular contraction–induced cardiomyopathy (PVC-CM) remains to be established. Objective The purpose of this study was to determine the safety and efficacy of IC-AADs in patients suspected of having PVC-CM. Methods The electronic medical records at the Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania were screened to identify all patients suspected of having PVC-CM treated with flecainide or propafenone. Clinical, electrocardiographic, and imaging studies were reviewed. Results Twenty patients suspected of having PVC-CM were treated with IC-AADs. Patients had undergone an average of 1.3 ± 0.2 previous unsuccessful ablations. Six had an implantable or wearable defibrillator. With IC-AAD treatment, mean PVC burden decreased from 36.2% ± 3.5% to 10.0% ± 2.4% (P Conclusion In patients suspected of having PVC-CM, IC-AADs effectively suppressed PVCs, leading to LVEF recovery in the majority. No adverse events occurred in this small cohort.
Capsule Commentaries: Selected Oral Antifungal Drug-Drug Interactions with Itraconazole and Terbinafine

This article provides a review of selected drug-drug interactions with itraconazole and terbinafine that are clinically relevant with potential for toxicity. These include itraconazole and certain statin agents, itraconazole and digoxin, and terbinafine and some antidepressants, with commentary suggestions on management.
Static to Dynamic: Kazan Chemists and the Transformation from Chemical Structure to Reaction Regiochemistry.

During the sesquicentennial of the first publication of Markovnikov's Rule, it is appropriate to re-visit the development of A. M. Butlerov's version of the theory of chemical structure, and its extension from molecular structure (static) to reaction regiochemistry (dynamic) by Butlerov's student (disciple!), V. V. Markovnikov.
Costs of adjuvant breast cancer treatments.

Breast cancer is the leading incident cancer and the second highest cause of cancer mortality in the U.S. In 2004, breast cancer treatment expenditures were $8.1 billion [1], and may account for as much as 1% of healthcare expenditures in the U.S. [2]. Increased early detection has led to a shift towards diagnosis of early stage cancer and with the array of adjuvant therapies available, average survival has improved over time [3]. Primary therapy for early breast cancer is commonly surgery. Following surgery, chemotherapy and endocrine therapy are used alone or in combination to kill cancer cells that have spread throughout the body, because a high percentage of patients with localized disease have undetectable metastases [4].
Well-being of asylum-seeking and refugee children

The well-being of children represents a challenge not yet fully confronted and The Handbook of Child Well-being supplies its readers with a thorough overview of the complexities and implications regarding the scientific and practical pursuit of children's well-being. The handbook addresses the concept of well-being through an in-depth analysis of the perspectives and vocabularies of various disciplines such as, philosophy, theology, psychology and sociology. It covers important issues in child well-being and the problems of the general politics of well-being as well as the implementation of interventional programs and measures. In addition the handbook deals with the methods of measuring well-being for a scientifically grounded understanding and also for policy-making. The interdisciplinary set up of the handbook makes it a unique work that offers readers from a vast scope of child-related disciplines and professions a profound overview of the complexities and implications of the scientific and practical pursuit of children’s well-being.
Inferring the Nonlinear Mechanisms of a Reversible Network

A key open question for transient polymer networks is the molecular reason underlying their elastic stiffening and viscous thickening nonlinearities, with the two prevailing conventional hypotheses...
Emerging Approaches for Ocular Surface Regeneration.

In this manuscript, the recent advancements and novel approaches for regeneration of the ocular surface are summarized. Following severe injuries, persistent inflammation can alter the rehabilitative capability of the ocular surface environment. Limbal stem cell deficiency (LSCD) is one of the most characterized ocular surface disorders mediated by deficiency and/or dysfunction of the limbal epithelial stem cells (LESCs) located in the limbal niche. Currently, the most advanced approach for revitalizing the ocular surface and limbal niche is based on transplantation of limbal tissues harboring LESCs. Emerging approaches have focused on restoring the ocular surface microenvironment using (1) cell-based therapies including cells with capabilities to support the LESCs and modulate the inflammation, e.g., mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs), (2) bioactive extracellular matrices from decellularized tissues, and/or purified/synthetic molecules to regenerate the microenvironment structure, and (3) soluble cytokine/growth factor cocktails to revive the signaling pathways. Ocular surface/limbal environment revitalization provides promising approaches for regeneration of the ocular surface.
Development of a Deep Learning Model for Dynamic Forecasting of Blood Glucose Level for Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus: Secondary Analysis of a Randomized Controlled Trial

Background: Type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) is a major public health burden. Self-management of diabetes including maintaining a healthy lifestyle is essential for glycemic control and to prevent diabetes complications. Mobile-based health data can play an important role in the forecasting of blood glucose levels for lifestyle management and control of T2DM. Objective: The objective of this work was to dynamically forecast daily glucose levels in patients with T2DM based on their daily mobile health lifestyle data including diet, physical activity, weight, and glucose level from the day before. Methods: We used data from 10 T2DM patients who were overweight or obese in a behavioral lifestyle intervention using mobile tools for daily monitoring of diet, physical activity, weight, and blood glucose over 6 months. We developed a deep learning model based on long short-term memory–based recurrent neural networks to forecast the next-day glucose levels in individual patients. The neural network used several layers of computational nodes to model how mobile health data (food intake including consumed calories, fat, and carbohydrates; exercise; and weight) were progressing from one day to another from noisy data. Results: The model was validated based on a data set of 10 patients who had been monitored daily for over 6 months. The proposed deep learning model demonstrated considerable accuracy in predicting the next day glucose level based on Clark Error Grid and ±10% range of the actual values. Conclusions: Using machine learning methodologies may leverage mobile health lifestyle data to develop effective individualized prediction plans for T2DM management. However, predicting future glucose levels is challenging as glucose level is determined by multiple factors. Future study with more rigorous study design is warranted to better predict future glucose levels for T2DM management.
The Determinants of GNMA Prepayments: a Pool-by-Pool Analysis

This study examines GNMA prepayment determinants as a function of interest-rate factors and the pure aging effect. While we find both interest-rate and age factors to be important, these relationsh...
A Practical Approach to Sales Compensation: What Do We Know Now? What Should We Know in the Future?

A Practical Approach to Sales Compensation: What Do We Know Now? What Should We Know in the Future?
Design of an Axial Flux Machine With an Integrated Hydraulic Pump for Off-Highway Vehicle Electrification

Axial flux machines offer an inherent torque density advantage over conventional radial flux machines and are increasingly being considered for transportation electrification applications. Electrification of off-highway vehicles is notoriously challenging due to extreme power density requirements. This paper investigates the use of axial flux machines for off-highway vehicle electrification. To maximize the power density, a hydraulic pump is integrated with the axial flux machine, resulting in a single modular, electric/hydraulic machine. This paper first compares three popular axial flux machine variants using an FEA-based design optimization approach. The single rotor, single stator variant is identified to be the most promising for integration with the hydraulic pump. Next, a multi-physics framework of the complete integrated hydraulic pump and axial flux machine is developed to search the design space. The results indicate promising potential for this concept to realize efficiency over 85% and power density over 5kW/kg for the complete machine (electric machine, hydraulic pump, and thermal management system), while utilizing conventional materials (thin gauge silicon steel, N45 magnets, and magnet wire).
Stellar Variability in the Metal-rich, Obscured Globular Cluster Terzan 5

We present the results of a search for variability in and near the core of the metal-rich, obscured globular cluster Terzan 5, using the near-infrared camera and multiobject spectrometer (NICMOS) on board the Hubble Space Telescope. This extreme cluster has approximately solar metallicity and a central density that places it in the upper few percent of all clusters. It is estimated to have the highest interaction rate of any galactic globular cluster. The large extinction toward Terzan 5 and the severe stellar crowding near the cluster center present a substantial observational challenge. Using time-series analysis, we discovered two variable stars in this cluster. The first is an RRab Lyrae variable with a period of ~0.61 days, a longer period than that of field stars with similar high metallicities. This period is shorter, however, than the average periods of RR Lyraes found in the metal-rich globular clusters NGC 6441, NGC 6388, and 47 Tuc. The second variable is a blue star with a 7 hr period sinusoidal variation and a likely orbital period of 14 hr. This star is probably an eclipsing blue straggler or (less likely) the infrared counterpart to the low-mass X-ray binary known in Terzan 5. Because of the extreme crowding and overlapping Airy profile of the IR point-spread function, we fall short of our original goal of detecting cataclysmic variables via Paα emission and detecting variable infrared emission from the location of the binary millisecond pulsar in Terzan 5.
Association of Gun Violence With Emergency Department Visits for Stress-Responsive Complaints.

Study objective We evaluate the association between living near a neighborhood shooting and emergency department (ED) utilization for stress-responsive complaints. Methods In this location-based before-and-after neighborhood study, we examined variability in ED encounter volume for stress-responsive complaints after neighborhood shooting incidents around 2 academic hospitals. We included patients residing within 1/8- and 1/2-mile-diameter buffers around a shooting (place) if their ED encounter occurred 7, 30, or 60 days before or after the shooting (time). Prespecified outcomes were stress-responsive complaints (chest pain, lightheadedness, syncope, hypertension, shortness of breath, asthma, anxiety, depression, and substance use) based on prior literature for stress-responsive diseases. Conditional logistic regression was used to calculate the odds of presentation to the ED with a stress-responsive complaint after, compared with before, a neighborhood shooting incident. Results Between January 2013 and December 2014, 513 shooting incidents and 19,906 encounters for stress-responsive complaints were included in the analysis. Mean age was 50.3 years (SD 22.3 years), 61.5% were women, and 91% were black. We found increased odds of presenting with syncope in 2 place-time buffers: 30 days in the 1/8-mile buffer (odds ratio 2.61; 99% confidence interval 1.2 to 5.67) and 60 days in 1/8-mile buffer (odds ratio 1.56; 99% confidence interval 0.99 to 2.46). No other chief complaints met our statistical threshold for significance. Conclusion This study evaluated the relationship between objectively measured gun violence exposure and short-term health effect at a microspatial scale. Overall, this was a study with largely negative results, and we did not find any consistent dose-response pattern in time or space regarding neighborhood shootings and stress-responsive presentations to the ED. Theoretic links make this relationship plausible, however, and further investigation is needed to understand the short-term health consequences of violence exposure, and whether those vary based on the circumstances that are experienced inherently by residents of a given neighborhood.
Returning Home: Midwestern Farmers’ Protests and Refiguring the Past, 1931–1934

After briefly outlining the events that led to the formation of the Farmers’ Holiday Association in May 1932, the movement’s two main actions are compared: blockading cities in late 1932 and the popular foreclosure disruptions throughout the first half of 1933. The former reflected the newer farmer identity: producers who could manipulate the market as they perceived other businesses did. These attempts violated the moral worldview of the Midwestern agricultural community. By contrast, protesters and the broader community generally embraced the foreclosure protests. These actions resembled an era when the local community had more control over the economy and the state: the protesters had embodied a bygone social order, bringing a sense of justice, community, and reminiscence to the region during a crisis period.
Achieving Zero ADC Production Test Time with Self-calibration and BIST

There is a widespread trend to reduce and even eliminate analog IP production test time specially ADCs because of the need to add special components on the ATE tester board and the tester time cost. We developed a 12 bit 4 MSPS SAR ADC in 16 nm TSMC FinFET process with on-chip self-calibration to trim the mismatches of the capacitor arrays (Both single ended and differential) to better than 12 bit resolution. Once the ADC is calibrated, internal built in self tests (BIST) are executed to verify basic ADC functionalities. As a result, the ADC will not require any production test time and will therefore reduce SOC cost. The ADC measures 750 nm x 600 nm, achieves 72 dB SNR and consumes 5 mW.
Hubble Space Telescope ACS Images of the GG Tauri Circumbinary Disk

Hubble Space Telescope Advanced Camera for Surveys images of the young binary GG Tauri and its circumbinary disk in V and I bandpasses were obtained in 2002 and are the most detailed of this system to date. They confirm features previously seen in the disk including a "gap" apparently caused by shadowing from circumstellar material, an asymmetrical distribution of light about the line of sight on the near edge of the disk, enhanced brightness along the near edge of the disk due to forward scattering, and a compact reflection nebula near the secondary star. New features are seen in the ACS images: two short filaments along the disk, localized but strong variations in the disk intensity ("gaplets"), and a "spur" or filament extending from the reflection nebulosity near the secondary. The back side of the disk is detected in the V band for the first time. The disk appears redder than the combined light from the stars, which may be explained by a varied distribution of grain sizes. The brightness asymmetries along the disk suggest that it is asymmetrically illuminated by the stars due to extinction by nonuniform circumstellar material or that the illuminated surface of the disk is warped by tidal effects (or perhaps both). Localized, time-dependent brightness variations in the disk are also seen.
Soil inoculations with Anabaena cylindrica improve aggregate stability and nutrient dynamics in an arable soil and exhibit potential for erosion control

Cyanobacteria are promising platforms for improving soil structure and fertility in the challenge of preserving and enhancing the soil resource and limiting environmental impacts of agriculture. To advance applications in agricultural settings, further understanding is needed on different soils and agroecological regions. This study aimed to evaluate the effects of inoculating an arable Mollisol from the U.S. Upper Midwest with the dinitrogen (N2)-fixing cyanobacterium Anabaena cylindrica. Three laboratory experiments were conducted to examine (1) soil structure and nutrient dynamics, (2) soil loss and soil and water nutrient levels after high intensity rain simulations, and (3) soil mineralization of cyanobacterial biomass. The first experiment showed that inoculation increased the water stability of macroaggregates (3–5 and 5–9 mm) after 6 weeks of incubation and increased soil soluble organic carbon (C), nitrogen (N), available phosphorus (P), and decreased C:N ratio. Rain simulations indicated that inoculation significantly decreased soil loss by runoff in one of eight rain events, with no other differences between treatments, although differences within treatments occurred with time. Soil inoculation led to increased soluble nutrient levels in runoff water, with highest nutrient mobilization in the first rain events. Finally, soil mineralization of cyanobacterial biomass indicated a gradual release of plant available N and P. These results confirm that soil cyanobacterial inoculations can increase aggregate stability, enhance resistance to water erosion and provide plant available nutrients, benefiting soil fertility. The study supports the advancement of cyanobacteria-based applications to reduce our reliance on chemical fertilizers and promote sustainability and resiliency in agriculture.
Race Politics in Britain and France: Ideas and Policymaking since the 1960s

Britain and France have developed substantially different policies to manage racial tensions since the 1960s, in spite of having similar numbers of post-war ethnic minority immigrants. This book provides the first detailed historical exploration of race policy development in these two countries. In this path-breaking work, Bleich argues against common wisdom that attributes policy outcomes to the role of powerful interest groups or to the constraints of existing institutions, instead emphasizing the importance of frames as widely-held ideas that propelled policymaking in different directions. British policymakers' framing of race and racism principally in North American terms of color discrimination encouraged them to import many policies from across the Atlantic. For decades after WWII, by contrast, French policy leaders framed racism in terms influenced largely by their Vichy past, which encouraged policies designed primarily to counter hate speech while avoiding the recognition of race found across the English Channel.
Infant and Caretaking Environment Investigation and Conceptualization of Adaptive Behavior in a System of Increasing Complexity

The assignment of bringing together one’s “research perspective, research philosophy, methods, and findings” in one autobiographical account presents some rather obvious and many more subtle difficulties. It is obvious that such a contribution cannot be in the usual format of a scientific paper. And it is difficult to generate a personal synthesis and at the same time to offer it as a research contribution. It has seemed feasible for me only to try to organize and communicate in some reasonably concrete way the course that my work and thought have taken over the last score of years. During that score of years my career in clinical child psychiatry has become largely a commitment to certain problems of early developmental research, in particular, a concern with the question of organization itself in personality development.
Some Applications of Time Series Models to Climate Study (Southern Oscillation): Modelling, Forecasting and Predictability

The Southern Oscillation (SO) is the most dominant mode in short-term climate variations over the globe, particularly in the tropics and midlatitudes, accounting for a significant portion of the variance in the global climate system. In a compact expression, the SO is a large-scale phenomenon in which atmospheric masses are exchanged between centres in the Pacific and Indian Oceans. Climate variability and hydrological cycle in many parts of the world (e.g. southern Europe) are intimately related to the SO. The state of the SO is generally described by an index (SOI), which is the normalized sea level pressure difference between Tahiti and Darwin, Australia.
Priority queues are not good concurrent priority schedulers

The need for priority scheduling arises in many algorithms. In these algorithms, there is a dynamic pool of lightweight, unordered tasks, and some execution orders are more efficient than others. Therefore, each task is given an application-specific priority that is a heuristic measure of its importance for early scheduling, and the runtime system schedules these tasks roughly in this order. Concurrent priority queues are not suitable for this purpose. We show that by exploiting the fact that algorithms amenable to priority scheduling are often robust to small deviations from a strict priority order, and by optimizing the scheduler for the cache hierarchy of current multicore and NUMA processors, we can implement concurrent priority schedulers that improve the end-to-end performance of complex irregular benchmarks by orders of magnitude compared to using state-of-the-art concurrent priority queues.
Envy-Free Allocations for Budgeted Bidders

We study the problem of identifying prices to support a given allocation of items to bidders in an envy-free way. A bidder will envy another bidder if she would prefer to obtain the other bidder's item at the price paid by that bidder. Envy-free prices for allocations have been studied extensively; here, we focus on the impact of budgets: beyond their willingness to pay for items, bidders are also constrained by their ability to pay, which may be lower than their willingness. In a recent paper, Aggarwal et al. show that a variant of the Ascending Auction finds a feasible and bidder-optimal assignment and supporting envy-free prices in polynomial time so long as the input satisfies certain non-degeneracy conditions. While this settles the problem of finding a feasible allocation, an auctioneer might sometimes also be interested in a specific allocation of items to bidders. We present two polynomial-time algorithms for this problem, one which finds maximal prices supporting the given allocation (if such prices exist), and another which finds minimal prices. We also prove a structural result characterizing when different allocations are supported by the same minimal price vector.
RTSIM: A Computer Model of Real-Time Radiography

Real-time X-ray inspection is replacing film radiography in more and more applications. The rapid feedback provided by such systems greatly enhances throughput, especially in the case of complex objects requiring multiple views for complete inspection. When these systems are combined with powerful computing techniques, rapid image capture and enhancement and storage is possible. The productivity of these techniques would be increased with the ability to predict the sensitivity of a particular inspection without having to set up the equipment. Computer modeling of the inspection procedures can provide such information.
Antiviral Action of Mouse Interferon in Heterologous Cells

Buckler, Charles E. (National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, Bethesda, Md.), and Samuel Baron. Antiviral action of mouse interferon in heterologous cells. J. Bacteriol. 91:231–235. 1966.—The antiviral action of mouse interferon in cell cultures of mouse, hamster, rat, chicken, and monkey origin was investigated. Using a vesicular stomatitis virus (VSV) plaque reduction test, we found that mouse serum interferon, assayed on closely related rat or hamster cells, exerted 5% of its homologous antiviral activity. This activity was characterized as interferon by its temperature of inactivation, trypsin sensitivity, nonsedimentability, stability at pH 2, lack of inactivation by antibody to virus, and inability to be washed off cells. In the more distantly related chicken and monkey cells, mouse interferon had less than 0.1% of its homologous activity. Conflicting reports of heterologous activity of chicken and mouse interferon preparations may result in part from the observed action of noninterferon inhibitors of vaccinia virus. These inhibitors, like interferon, are stable at pH 2. They are present in mouse serum, mouse lung extracts, and allantoic fluid, and they prevent the development of vaccinia plaques when allowed to remain in contact with cells during virus growth. Unlike interferon the inhibitors are removed by adequate washing of cells prior to virus challenge, and they are not active in the VSV assay system. These findings reemphasize the need for thorough characterization of interferon preparations.
Single-mask multiple lateral nanodiamond field emitter structure microfabrication technique

An efficient microfabrication process technique developed to realize multiple lateral diamond field emitter structures on the same chip using a single mask is reported. Nanodiamond films with grain size as small as 5 nm have been realized through the process of CH4/H2/N2 MPECVD in an ASTeXreg machine with a 1.5 kW generator operating at 2.45 GHz. Arrays of lateral diode and triode geometries with inter-electrode spacing as small as 2 mum have been achieved, enabling the lateral devices to operate at a low voltage. The uniform deposition capability of nanodiamond on large areas (wafer-scale) permits batch-fabrication of these lateral emitters. The nanodiamond lateral devices are applicable to vacuum nanoelectronics, sensors, and NEMS systems
Patients with active Crohn's disease have elevated serum antibodies to antigens of seven enteric bacterial pathogens.

Abstract A variety of bacterial pathogens including Campylobacter, Yersinia, Listeria, Brucella , and Mycobacteria have been suggested as potential etiologic agents for Crohn's disease. To assess the role of these organisms we studied responses to eight antigens in sera from patients with active Crohn's disease and healthy age- and sex-matched controls. In complement-fixation assays, the sera from the Crohn's disease patients had enhanced reactivity compared with the control sera to all seven orally ingested pathogens studied; however, only the difference in distribution of liters to Yersinia pseudotuberculosis was statistically significant (p
Modification of the American Public Health Association Procedure for Counting Yeast and Mold in Cottage Cheese

The American Public Health Association method for counting low numbers of yeast and mold in cottage cheese was unsatisfactory due to altered pH of the culture medium. A modification of this method is presented.
CD8− Dendritic Cell Activation Status Plays an Integral Role in Influencing Th2 Response Development

Whether dendritic cells (DC) play a passive or active role in Th2 response induction is poorly understood. In this study, we show that CD8- DC pulsed with Th2-polarizing Ag (soluble egg Ag (SEA)) from Schistosoma mansoni potently stimulate Th2 responses in vivo and in vitro while failing to undergo a conventional maturation process. Thus, in contrast to DC pulsed with the Th1 response inducing Ag Propionebacterium acnes, SEA-exposed DC exhibit a phenotype that is most similar to that of immature DC, failing to up-regulate expression of CD40, CD54, CD80, CD86, or OX40L; producing no detectable IL-4, IL-10, or IL-12; and displaying only a minor increase in MHC class II expression. Importantly, in vitro derived DC exposed to SEA were phenotypically similar to CD8- DC isolated from active S. mansoni infection. By discriminating between different types of pathogen and responding appropriately, CD8- DC play a major role in the decision process to mount either a Th1 or Th2 response.
Effect on Eyewitness Accuracy When Witnesses Are Told versus Not Told That They Will Be Allowed a Second Viewing

Lindsay, Lea, and Fulford (J Appl Psychol 76:741–745, 1991) found that false identifications increased, correct rejections decreased, and correct identifications minimally increased when witnesses were allowed a second viewing of a sequential lineup. We conducted a similar study in which we allowed mock witnesses a second viewing of a sequential lineup. Results indicated that participants who were allowed a second viewing made mostly incorrect identifications. Participants correctly identified the perpetrator more often when they were not told in advance that they would have a second viewing than when they were told. Additionally, those participants who were told that they would be allowed a second viewing incorrectly rejected the lineup more often than those who were not told. The findings yielded conclusions similar to those of Lindsay et al. (J Appl Psychol 76:741–745, 1991) suggesting that witnesses should not be allowed to view the lineup a second time. The results also suggest that, if a repeated lineup is used, witnesses should not be informed of that in advance.
Structure of the La motif: a winged helix domain mediates RNA binding via a conserved aromatic patch

The La protein is a ubiquitous nuclear phosphoprotein that recognizes the 3′ uridylates found in all newly synthesized RNA polymerase III transcripts. La binding stabilizes these transcripts from exonucleases and may also assist their folding. Here we present the first structural insights into how the La protein specifically interacts with its RNA substrates. The most conserved region of the La protein is the La motif, a domain also found in several other RNA-binding proteins. We have determined the structure of the La motif from the Trypanosoma brucei La protein to 1.6 A resolution (PDB code 1S29). The La motif adopts a winged helix–turn–helix architecture that has a highly conserved patch of mainly aromatic surface residues. Mutagenesis experiments support a critical role for this patch in RNA binding and show that it partly determines binding specificity for RNAs ending in 3′ hydroxyl, a defining characteristic of the La protein. These findings reveal that the La motif is essential for high-affinity binding and also contributes to specificity.
Plasma corticosterone increases produced by extinction of operant behavior in rats

Abstract Male Long-Evans rats were conditioned to lever press for water on a continuous reinforcement schedule. Plasma corticosterone concentrations were determined following reinforced sessions and extinction sessions. All animals were sampled under both conditions, using a balanced repeated measures design. In addition, the pre-session or basal concentration of plasma corticosterone was measured in one subgroup. Plasma corticosterone levels were significantly elevated as a function of extinction, while reinforced responding produced no change compared to the basal level. The results show a major physiological change occurring as a consequence of extinction of an appetitive task; this and other findings suggest that the pituitary-adrenal hormone system plays a role in extinction of appetitive behavior.
Optimal dynamic pricing for morning commute parking

Morning commute parking is a challenging issue for both commuters and transportation planners. This paper proposes a procedure to maximise the benefits of parking management by optimal dynamic park...
An invariance principle for a class of monotone systems and application to degenerate parabolic equations

En etendant le concept de fonctionnelle de Lyapunov pour definir un operateur de Lyapunov dans un espace de Banach ordonne, on developpe une methode de demonstration de la stabilisation des solutions pour une classe de systemes monotones. On utilise cette methode pour demontrer que des solutions de certaines equations paraboliques degenerees approchent l'equilibre quand t→∞
Maturation alters the contribution of potassium channels to resting and 5HT-induced tone in small cerebral arteries of the sheep

Abstract To address the hypothesis that maturation alters the contribution of K-channels to resting and agonist-induced tone in small cerebral arteries, second branch middle cerebral arteries (∼200 μm) were taken from term fetal (139–141 days gestation) and adult sheep, denuded of endothelium, and mounted in myographs. After determination of length–tension relations, the arteries were stretched to 55, 100, and 145% of optimum length. At each level of stretch, contractile responses to 5 mM 4-aminopyridine (4-AP, voltage-sensitive K-channel blocker), 100 nM iberiotoxin (calcium-sensitive K-channel blocker), 10 μM glibenclamide (ATP-sensitive K-channel blocker), or 10 μM Ba2+ (inward rectifier K-channel blocker) were recorded. In separate experiments, concentration–response relations were determined for 5-HT in the presence and absence of each of the four K-channel blockers at the same concentrations. Both 4-AP and iberiotoxin produced stretch-dependent contractions of greater magnitude in adult (37% for 4-AP and 43% for iberiotoxin at 100% optimum) than in fetal (5% for 4-AP and 7% for iberiotoxin at 100% optimum) arteries. 4-AP also enhanced the pD2 for 5-HT in adult (from 7.15 to 7.49), but not in fetal, arteries. Conversely, glibenclamide attenuated the pD2 for 5-HT in fetal (from 7.02 to 6.71), but not in adult, arteries. Iberiotoxin enhanced the pD2 for 5-HT in both fetal (from 7.05 to 7.51) and adult (from 7.15 to 7.75) arteries. In addition, iberiotoxin enhanced maximum responses to 5-HT (from 59 to 82%) in adult but not fetal arteries. Finally, 4-AP enhanced the maximum responses to 5-HT in both fetal (from 67 to 85%) and adult (from 59 to 79%) arteries. These results indicate that maturation modulates the contribution of KV, KCa, and KATP, but not KIR channels to basal and/or 5HT-induced cerebrovascular tone, and demonstrate that KV and KCa channels are coupled to stretch-sensitive receptors, and that KV and KCa limit contractile responses to 5-HT. To the extent that changes in pD2 values reflect changes in agonist–ligand interactions, the data also suggest that KV, KCa, and KATP channels may possibly influence ligand–receptor binding for 5-HT.
Selecting fruits with carbon nanotube sensors.

Sensor strategy bears fruit: A nature-inspired Cu(I) complex was employed to fabricate single-walled carbon nanotube sensors that can selectively detect ethylene gas at concentrations as low as 0.5 ppm. Such nanosensors may be used to monitor ethylene gas emitted from fruits to monitor their ripening.
Systematic review of interventions to support well-informed person-centered decision making for dementia care

Introduction: Creating dementia care plans can reduce caregiver burden and prolong aging in place. However, family caregivers state that surrogate decision making is a primary source of burden and a barrier to creating care plans. Decision support interventions (e.g. patients’ decision aids, decision coaching, etc.) have been shown to improve information comprehension, communication, decisional conflict, and engagement in decision making. However, the quantity, quality, and effects of decision support interventions for dementia families remain unclear. Therefore, this systematic review critically assessed the scientific literature regarding the following research question: Compared with usual care, do individuals with dementia and/or their family caregivers who receive a decision support intervention have improved information comprehension, decisional conflict, or engagement in decision making? Methods: Two research librarians searched the MEDLINE, CINAHL, EMBASE, Cochrane, Web of Knowledge, Google Scholar, PsychInfo, and related dissertation libraries for “dementia”,”decision support”, and related sub-terms. Three researchers hand-searched abstracts from relevant academic society meetings, and spoke with identified experts in the field. Eligibility criteria included papers about individuals with dementia or their family caregivers using any form of intervention designed to support health care decision making. Primary outcomes included information comprehension, decisional conflict, and engagement in decision making. Critical appraisal followed the Cochrane and GRADE guidelines. Results: Two blinded reviewers reviewed 5,922 abstracts and 131 full text manuscripts to yield 14 included papers reporting on 9 decision aids designed specifically for dementia care. These papers were published in 2001-2012 and describe studies in the United States, United Kingdom, Canada, France, Germany, The Netherlands, and Australia. Nine decision aids were identified covering topics such as advanced care plan options, respite care, antibiotics, feeding tubes, goals of care, long term care, and memory medications. These decision aids exist in paper workbook and video/DVD media. Three decision aids are reported available on the Internet, but studies evaluating Internet-delivery were limited. The majority of studies (66%) focused on caregivers’ decision making. Critical analyses suggest moderate effects on information comprehension and decisional conflict; however, insufficient information was provided to critically assess the effect on engagement in decision making. Risk of bias varied, as many studies reported on early development stages. Conclusions: Since 2001, nine patients’ decision aids have been developed internationally for decisions related to dementia care. Early evidence suggests dementia care decision aids can improve information comprehension and decisional conflict similar to other decision aids; however, gaps remain in the evidence regarding their effect on engagement in creating care plans.
Effectiveness of a physical activity intervention for Head Start preschoolers: a randomized intervention study.

OBJECTIVES. The level of children's motor skill proficiency may be an important determinant of their physical activity behaviors. This study assessed the efficacy of an intervention on gross motor skill performance, physical activity, and weight status of preschoolers. METHOD. The Food Friends: Get Movin' With Mighty Moves(®) program was conducted in four Head Start centers. Measurements included the Peabody Developmental Motor Scales, pedometer counts, and body mass index (BMI) z scores. RESULTS. The intervention led to significant changes in gross motor skills in the treatment group (n = 98) compared with the control group (n = 103) and was a strong predictor of overall gross motor performance (gross motor quotient), locomotor, stability, and object manipulation skills. No intervention effect was found for physical activity levels or weight status. CONCLUSION. The intervention dose was adequate for enhancing gross motor skill performance but not for increasing physical activity levels or reducing BMI. Language: en
The influence of secondary atmospheric moistureupon carbon monoxide flames

Abstract Premixed CP grade carbon monoxide-dry air flames are highly sensitive to secondary atmosphericmoisture, which diffuses into the reaction zone. This increases the burning velocity but does not change greatly the shape of its dependence upon composition. The curve appears to possess a maximum much nearer stoichiometric composition than is the case for commercial carbon monoxide. Shielding from atmospheric moisture produces new evidence that the burning velocity of pure carbon monoxide-air flames is approximately zero.
On the sample complexity of pac-learning using random and chosen examples

Membership queries have been used to efficiently and exactly learn a concept class C that is too difficult to pac-learn using random examples. We ask whether using membership queries--in conjunction with or instead of random examples--can serve a new purpose: helping to reduce the total number of examples needed to pac-learn a concept class C already known to be pac-learnable using just random examples. We focus on concept classes that are dense in themselves, such as half-spaces of * , rectangles in the plane, and the class I = { [ 0, a ] : 0 # a > 1 } of initial segments of [0, 1].
Do song-phrase production rate and song versatility honestly communicate male parental quality in the Gray Catbird?

Sexual selection theory proposes that elaborate male secondary sexual characteristics, including complex song, may increase the attractiveness of males by honestly communicating to females their genetic quality or ability to provide material reproductive resources such as parental care. The Gray Catbird (Dumetella carolinensis) is sexually monochromatic, but males sing complex songs during the breeding season while females do not. We tested the hypotheses that song-phrase versatility and rate of song-phrase production are honest indicators of male parental effort. We predicted that both song-phrase versatility and rate of production would be positively correlated with paternal chick feeding rate. Paternal chick feeding rate was not significantly related to song-phrase versatility, but it was positively and significantly correlated with song-phrase production rate. Thus, song-phrase production rate may serve as a more reliable indicator of male parental quality than song versatility in the Gray Catbird.
Strong Dunford-Pettis sets and spaces of operators (Monatsh. Math. 144, 275–284 (2005))

In a recent paper, Ghenciu and Lewis studied strong Dunford-Pettis sets and made the following two assertions: (1) The Banach space X* contains a nonrelatively compact strong Dunford-Pettis set if and only if l∞ ↪ X*. (2) If c0 ↪ Y and H is a complemented subspace of X so that H* is a strong Dunford-Pettis space, then W(X, Y) is not complemented in L(X, Y). While the statements are correct, the proofs are flawed. The difficulty with the proofs is discussed, and a fundamental result of Elton is used to establish a simple lemma which leads to quick proofs of both (1) and (2).
Design and analysis of a depolarizer for the NASA MODerate-resolution Imaging Spectrometer-Tilt (MODIS-T)

The design and analysis of a depolarizer for the NASA MODIS-T spectrometer is presented. The theory of spatial pseudodepolarizer operation and its effect on linear polarization sensitivity is described. Details of the HV depolarizer design and issues of depolarizer location and material are discussed. The image doubling and aberrations induced by the depolarizer and the trade-offs between increased polarization performance and decreased image quality are also addressed. The issues considered apply directly to depolarizer design for other remote sensing instruments.
Spin correlation functions of some frustrated ultra-small classical Heisenberg clusters

Abstract We obtain analytical expressions for the spin correlation functions and zero-field susceptibility of small clusters of classical Heisenberg spins. The clusters consist of three, four and five spins interacting with antiferromagnetic exchange interaction where the exchange interaction between one of the spins and the other spins may be different from the n-n exchange between the remaining spins placed in a ring. These systems provide a useful theoretical framework for calculating the magnetic properties of several recently synthesized molecular magnets.