cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
The other side of teledermatology: patient preferences

We studied patient preferences for a real-time teledermatology consultation or a conventional dermatology consultation. Dermatology patients were given the option of being seen by a dermatologist at their outlying primary care site via telemedicine or of being examined face-to-face by the same dermatologist at the primary care site. The same dermatologist provided the teleconsultations and the conventional consultations. During a 16-month study period, 52 patients were evaluated via telemedicine and 46 patients were seen face-to-face. The demographics for both study groups were similar. Those patients who selected telemedicine were more likely to have seen a dermatologist fewer than twice during the previous year, more likely to self-describe themselves in excellent health and more likely to choose a face-to-face evaluation when presenting with a possible skin cancer or a mole. Patients aged 56 years or less tended to be more likely to be seen via telemedicine, although the association with age was not si...
Developing a Pedagogy for Globalization: A Marketing and Political Science Multi-Disciplinary and Transnational Approach

One of the greatest challenges facing social science and marketing programs in the start of the 21st century is how to “globalize” our curriculums, so that our tech-savvy, but often internationally and cross-culturally inexperienced students have, understand, and are prepared to embrace the diverse opportunities that will be an increasing part of their futures. This article presents the work of two professors from Marketing and Political Science disciplines, who developed a cross-disciplinary course addressing lessons of macro and micro political economy and marketing strategies, in an in-classroom setting, with an optional international experience.
Business education in emerging economies

Higher education has become the basic education of the knowledge economy. Yet in transitioning, emerging and developing countries, resources for higher education, and indeed higher educational systems themselves, remain inadequate. Urgent action is needed to expand and diversify the supply of educational avenues to meet the fast rising demand. This review paper, based on the ongoing research of the authors, defines business education as the collection of skills and abilities given by the business disciplines and enabling the development of an entrepreneurial society. We contend that the institutionalisation of world-class management programmes to produce a continuous and self-renewing stream of intellectual capital and its retention in the emerging economies of the world is possibly the most significant challenge faced by business and management education in the coming generation.
Poly-N-acetyllactosamine alterations of Thy-1 glycoprotein in lymphocyte differentiation.

Abstract Developmental changes in murine lymphocyte Thy-1 include both quantitative and qualitative alterations involving N -linked oligosaccharides. Comparison of immature with mature T-cells has shown that the oligosaccharides of Thy-1 are characterized by an increase in the number of sialic acid residues responsible for the acidic pI of peripheral T-cell Thy-1, and a decrease in those oligosaccharides responsible for M , heterogeneity of thymoctye Thy-1. The research reported here suggests that the basis of the large M , heterogeneity in Thy-1 of immature T-cells is the presence of repeating N -acetyllactosamine (R.'Ga.lβl,4Glc N Acβl,3R″) units in the oligosaccharide portion of the molecule. Lymphocytes were surface iodinated and 125 I-Thy-1 was purified by immunoprecipitation and preparative nonequilibrium pH gradient electrophoresis. The minimal M r , of unglycosylated Thy-1 after endoglycosidase F digestion was 15,000–16,000. Digestion of Thy-1 with endo-β-galactosidase suggested that the complex type N -linked glycans in thymocytes, but not in lymph node T-cells, contained increased levels of polylactosamine. The presence of polylactosamine was confirmed by binding to a Datura stramonium lectin column which retarded and bound approx. 50% of thymocyte Thy-1 and only about 18% of lymph node T-cell Thy-1. Affinity chromatography using anti-i antibody immobilized on agarose beads indicated that the polylactosamine is probably present in a predominantly linear form. Since alterations of polylactosamine structures have been implicated in development and transformation in several systems, the present results suggest an important role for these glycans in immune-cell differentiation.
A new method of proving theorems on chromatic index

Abstract V.G. Vizing proved that the edge-chromatic number x1 of any multigraph M with maximum degree Δ(M) and maximum multiplicity μ(M) is Δ(M)+μ(M). In this paper we present a new method for proving this and other related results that are due to Gol'dberg, Anderson, Ore, Shannon, and Vizing. In our proofs we replace arguments about ‘fan sequences’ with counting arguments.
Factors affecting farmer adoption of remotely sensed imagery for precision management in cotton production

This research evaluated the factors that influenced cotton (Gossypium hirsutum L.) producers to adopt remote sensing for variable-rate application of inputs. A logit model estimated with data from a 2005 mail survey of cotton producers in 11 southern USA states was used to evaluate the adoption of remote sensing. The most frequently made management decisions using remote sensing were the application of plant growth regulators, the identification of drainage problems and the management of harvest aids. A producer who was younger, more highly educated and had a larger farm with irrigated cotton was more likely to adopt remote sensing. In addition, farmers who used portable computers in fields and produced their own map-based prescriptions had a greater probability of using remote sensing. The results suggest that value-added map-making services from imagery providers greatly increased the likelihood of a farmer being a user of remote sensing.
A survival-analysis-based simulation model for Russian wheat aphid population dynamics

Abstract A simulation model for Russian wheat aphid (RWA), Diuraphis noxia (Mordvilko), populations is built by integrating survival-analysis-based development and survivor functions and the same-shape reproduction distribution model in the framework of Leslie [Leslie, P.H., 1945. On the use of matrices in certain population mathematics. Biometrika 33, 183–212] matrix structure. Survival analysis is utilized to model both the development and survival of RWA populations, and the Cox (1972) proportional hazards model is fitted with the data sets from our laboratory observation of 1800 RWA individuals under 25 factorial combinations of five temperature regimes and five barley plant-growth stages. Rather than using simple age-specific survivor rates as in the traditional Leslie matrix, the survivor functions based on survival analysis describe age-specific, temperature and plant stage-dependent RWA survival probabilities. Similarly, a probability model from survival analysis to estimate the probability that an individual will reach mature adult stage is utilized to describe the development process; this makes the transition from nymphal stage to mature adult stage dependent on RWA age as well as temperature and plant-growth stage. Inspired by the same-shape distribution and rate-summation approach for modeling insect development, a similar approach for modeling insect reproduction under variable temperature is developed. This new same-shape reproduction distribution model incorporates individual variation in reproduction capability, as well as the effects of RWA age, temperature and plant-growth stage. Consequently, the same-shape reproduction distribution model replaces the simple age-specific fecundities in Leslie matrix model. To the best of our knowledge, this work is the first to introduce survival analysis to simulation modeling in entomology and ecology and also the first to integrate our newly developed same-shape reproduction distribution model into application.
Conflict of interest reporting in otolaryngology clinical practice guidelines.

Clinical practice guidelines (CPGs) have become increasingly important in recent years due to an increasing emphasis on evidence-based practice, as well as serious discussions in academic, medical, and legal circles about their possible role in measuring physician performance, setting provider reimbursement strategy, and establishing protection from litigation in the future. At the same time, CPGs are costly to develop. Thus, as CPGs gain influence in medical practice, it will become essential that CPGs are developed using trustworthy standards and that the authors of CPGs are not being unduly influenced by financial pressures from external stakeholders. Since 2004, the 9 CPGs sponsored by the American Academy of Otolaryngology—Head and Neck Surgery Foundation have been developed with full disclosure and appropriate management of potential financial conflicts of interest. This commentary discusses the potential for conflict of interest in otolaryngology CPGs and how the otolaryngology guideline developmen...
Optimum fiber spacing in a hollow fiber bioreactor.

A high surface area hollow fiber reactor was developed for mammalian cell culture. The reactor employs an interfiber gel matrix of agar or collagen for cell support. A model was developed to predict cell density as a function of fiber spacing. Optimum spacings are calculated for two sizes of Celgard hollow fibers. Ehrlich Ascites Tumor (EAT) cells were grown to an estimated density of 1.1 × 108 viable cells/mL in the extracapillary space—corresponding to an overall reactor density of 7 × 107 cells/mL. On the basis of available kinetic and diffusivity data, the model predicts that lactate accumulation may limit cell growth in the early stage of medium utilization, while oxygen delivery becomes limiting at later stages.
Magnetoresistance and Hall effect near the metal-insulator transition of Cd 1 − x Mn x Se

Resistivity and Hall measurements were made on n-type ${\mathrm{Cd}}_{1\mathrm{\ensuremath{-}}\mathrm{x}}$${\mathrm{Mn}}_{\mathrm{x}}$Se samples with x=0.01, 0.05, and 0.10 at temperatures 0.3\ensuremath{\le}T\ensuremath{\le}300 K and in magnetic fields H\ensuremath{\le}80 kOe. For each value of x, several samples with different room-temperature carrier concentrations ${n}_{\mathrm{RT}}$ were studied. They cover the range from slightly below ${n}_{c}$ to ng${n}_{c}$, where ${n}_{c}$ is the carrier concentration at the metal-insulator transition. The zero-field data indicate that for samples grown in the same manner ${n}_{c}$ increases with increasing x. For T\ensuremath{\le}4.2 K a large magnetoresistance (MR), and large changes in the Hall coefficient R with H, are observed. In some cases the H-induced change in the resistivity exceeds a factor of 10. At low H the MR is always positive. For samples with x=0.05 and 0.10 the MR goes through a maximum at a field ${H}_{\mathrm{max}}$, and it then decreases at higher H. The value of ${H}_{\mathrm{max}}$ decreases with decreasing T. For x=0.01 the resistivity at T\ensuremath{\gtrsim}2 K increases monotonically with H, but well below 2 K a weak peak in the MR is observed. The variation of the shape of the MR curve with x and with ${n}_{\mathrm{RT}}$ is discussed. The positive MR at low H is accompanied by an increase in \ensuremath{\Vert}R\ensuremath{\Vert}, but the behavior of R at high fields depends on x and on ${n}_{\mathrm{RT}}$. A strong correlation between the MR and the magnetization of the Mn spins is found. This correlation indicates that the s-d interaction is primarily responsible for the MR. Several competing mechanisms by which the s-d interaction can produce large MR effects are discussed. However, the precise mechanisms which are responsible for the effects observed here have not been identified as yet.
Complementary Information Distribution to Improve Team Performance in Military Helicopter Operations: An Experimental Study

This study compared a complementary information distribution, that is, purposeful distribution to individual crewmembers of the information needed for their individual tasks, to the current distribution where all crewmembers can access all information in the flight deck. The complementary information distribution is intended to foster a complementary mental model that promotes each team member's access to information according to his or her immediate tasks. The hypothesis—that the complementary information distribution would improve performance and team interaction—was tested in a high-fidelity military helicopter flight simulator with 20 Army aviators. The complementary information distribution was found to have no effect or a positive effect (and no negative effects) on measures of individual's task performance and error rates, with greater positive effects on most measures in off-nominal compared to nominal flight conditions. In addition, measures of team communication and awareness of fellow crewmembe...
Ventricular septal defect: a correlative clinical and physiologic study of fifty cases.

Abstract The clinical and catheterization data of 50 cases of ventricular septal defect were presented. It is concluded that in general the clinical data permit not only the diagnosis but a reasonably accurate estimation of the dynamic abnormality. A case with a large right-to-left shunt despite normal right ventricular pressure was presented and discussed in relation to various theories and viewpoints on the determinants of shunts in ventricular septal defect.
Coherent detector for low-energy neutrinos

The design of a coherent neutrino detector, based on total reflection of low-energy neutrinos from a plane surface, is reanalyzed using the standard model of neutrino interactions. An alternative design, using refraction in a thin-ruled surface, is shown to have the same sensitivity and simpler construction.
Teachers and Technology: Enhancing Technology Competencies for Preservice Teachers

In addition to possessing content knowledge required to teach students, today's teachers must be well equipped with appropriate technology skills and tools to guide and support student learning. The identification of this need has led teacher education programs to mandate all preservice teachers to enroll in technology courses as part of their teacher preparatory curriculum. Similarly, the International Society for Technology in Education ISTE has established the National Education Technology Standards for teachers NETS-T to help promote teacher technology competencies. The purpose of the study was to evaluate preservice teachers' self-assessed technology competency to determine whether preservice teachers perceived that their technology class enabled them to meet ISTE's required standards. Specifically, this paper explores the extent to which an educational technology course at a participating midwest college helped to improve preservice teachers' technology skills as well as to prepare them attain ISTE NETS-T.
Computational algebraic geometry of projective configurations

This article deals with algorithmic and structural aspects related to the computer-aided study of incidence configurations in plane projective geometry. We describe invariant-theoretic algorithms and complexity results for computing the realization space and deciding the coordinatizability of configurations. A practical procedure for automated theorem proving in projective geometry is obtained as a special case. We use the final polynomial technique of Bokowski and Whiteley for encoding the resulting proofs, and we apply Buch-berger's Grobner basis method for computing minimum degree final polynomials and final syzygies, thus attaining the bounds in the recent effective versions of Hubert's Nullstellen-satz.
Theory of diffuse phase transition in complex perovskite relaxor ferroelectrics

Abstract A Landau type mean field theory of diffuse phase transition in complex perovskite relaxor ferroelectrics considering a gradual condensation of local clusters of polarizations was proposed. Numerical calculations for Pb(Mg1/3Nb2/3)O3 (PMN) and highly B-site ordered Pb(Sc1/2Ta1/2)O3 (PST) were conducted with appropriate phenomenological parameters. It was shown that, no macroscopic phase transition occurs in PMN in a short observation time scale, whereas in the case of highly ordered PST, a macroscopic first order transition occurs with the existence of the local clusters of frozen polarizations. These results confirm a picture of diffuse phase transition in relaxor ferroelectrics, the existence of local clusters and a gradual condensation of local polarizations in these clusters.
Polishing Large NaCl Windows On A Continuous Polisher

The Helios and Antares CO2 fusion laser systems incorporate numerous large sodium chloride windows. These must be refinished periodically, making necessary a consistent and predictable polishing capability. A continuous polisher (or annular lap) which might fulfill this requirement was purchased and a process development program was undertaken at Kirtland's Developmental Optical Facility. Large NaC1 windows had not been polished on this type of machine. The machine has proven itself capable of producing λ/16 figures at 633 nm (HeNe) with extremely smooth surfaces on glass. Since then, we have been working exclusively on NaCl optics. Due to different polishing parameters between NaC1 and glass, and the slight solubility of the pitch in the slurry, this phase presents new problems. The work on glass will be reviewed. Results on NaCl to date will be reported. The potential of this type of machine relative to prisms, thin and irregularly shaped optics will be discussed.
Issues in Obtaining Promotion

The choice of an academic career is highly attractive for its creative opportunities and its collegial working environment. Basic scientists and clinicians share a devotion to discovery of new knowledge, a desire to teach, and a desire to apply that knowledge by advancing the field or by tending to the welfare of others. Those who embark on this career path may do so with varying degrees of self-confidence that their hopes will be fulfilled. Yet, all faculty members of allopathic and osteopathic medical schools as well as universities and colleges anticipate that their careers will be advanced by promotion. In earlier work, we advanced the idea that the relationship between faculty and the institution constitutes a covenantal interaction rather than a mere contractual one [1]. We examined the state of tenure [2] and analyzed the effects of a relative value unit (RVU)-based system on the function of the university as a whole [3]. More recently, we described transitions in academic life [4]. Here we focus on what is for many the most important transition—promotion.
Low pH accelerates dissociation of receptor-bound insulin.

We have examined the effect of pH of the kinetics of [125I]insulin binding in isolated rat adipocytes and found that a lowering of extracellular pH from 7.8 to 7.0 reduced tracer insulin binding (0.2 ng/ml) from 3.3% to 1.0% due to a decrease in receptor affinity. Further studies, performed at 16 C to eliminate the confounding affects of insulin internalization on binding kinetics, revealed that the t½ of insulin dissociation was shortened from 44 min at pH 7.8 to 8 min at pH 7.0, while the association rate constant was slightly increased from 1.61 × 109 to 2.09 × 109 M−1 min−1 at pH 7.8 and 7.0, respectively. Thus, the overall decrease in binding affinity at low pH is due predominantly to an accelerated rate of insulin dissociation. Kinetic studies performed at 37 C also revealed an effect of pH to accelerate insulin dissociation; however, the magnitude of the effect was greatly reduced. This was explained by the observation that when [125I]insulin was prebound to adipocytes at 37 C approximately half of...
Wireless power transfer system design for implanted and worn devices

Witricity, a highly efficient wireless power transfer method using mid-range resonant coupling, was reported in recent literature. Based on this method, we present a wireless power transfer scheme using thin film resonant cells for medical applications. The thin film cells, consisting of a tape coil in the exterior layer and conductive strips in the interior layer separated by an insulation layer, are made light and flexible to provide comfort for users during wear. The wireless power transfer scheme presented displays great potential for delivering energy to implantable and worn devices, with range much larger than the current technology for powering implantable devices.
A force field for difluoramine

From the infra-red spectral data for gaseous difluoramine (NHF2), and difluoroamine-d (NDF2), a set of quadratic valence potential energy constants has been obtained. The constants for the N-H and N-F stretchings are respectively 5·6474 and 4·0681 mdyn/A. These values are somewhat less than the corresponding values for NH3 and NF3 and are consistent with slightly longer N-H and N-F distances in difluoroamine.
Enriched finite element-penalty function method for modeling interface cracks with contact

Abstract In this paper the enriched finite element method is combined with a penalty function technique, to investigate the interface crack problem in an infinite plate, when the crack surfaces are in large-scale contact. Such problems arise under conditions of mixed mode loading and the correct treatment of the problem requires the solution of the nonlinear ‘global’ crack/contact problem. Comparisons are given which demonstrate the error that arises when large-scale crack surface contact is neglected. Additionally, it is shown that the total strain energy release rates, at both crack tips in an embedded interface crack subjected to mixed loading, are equal. This is true even when one crack tip exhibits large-scale contact and the other does not.
TerraNNI: natural neighbor interpolation on a 3D grid using a GPU

With modern focus on LiDAR technology the amount of topographic data, in the form of massive point clouds, has increased dramatically. Furthermore, due to the popularity of LiDAR, repeated surveys of the same areas are becoming more common. This trend will only increase as topographic changes prompt surveys over already scanned terrain, in which case we obtain large spatio-temporal data sets.In dynamic terrains, such as coastal regions, such spatio-temporal data can offer interesting insight into how the terrain changes over time. An initial step in the analysis of such data is to create a digital elevation model representing the terrain over time. In the case of spatio-temporal data sets those models often represent elevation on a 3D volumetric grid. This involves interpolating the elevation of LiDAR points on these grid points. In this paper we show how to efficiently perform natural neighbor interpolation over a 3D volumetric grid. Using a graphics processing unit (GPU), we describe different algorithms to attain speed and GPU-memory trade-offs. Our algorithm extends to higher dimensions. Our experimental results demonstrate that the algorithm is efficient and scalable. Categories and Subject.
Personality and the Etiology and Expression of PTSD: A Three‐Factor Model Perspective

This review provides an overview of research on the influence of personality on the development, course, and behavioral expression of posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD). The existing literature is discussed in relation to three broad-band personality traits that have been emphasized in personality and psychopathology research: negative emotionality (NEM), positive emotionality (PEM), and constraint/inhibition (CON). The primary conclusion derived from this review is that high NEM is the primary personality risk factor for the development of PTSD whereas low CON and low PEM serve as moderating factors that influence the form and expression of the disorder through their interaction with NEM. From this standpoint, a premorbid personality characterized by high NEM combined with low PEM is thought to predispose the trauma-exposed individual towards an internalizing form of posttraumatic response characterized by marked social avoidance, anxiety, and depression. On the other hand, high NEM combined with low CON is hypothesized to predict an externalizing form of posttraumatic reaction characterized by marked impulsivity, aggression, and a propensity towards antisociality and substance abuse.
DCCA: a versatile paradigm for the description and development of concurrent communicating systems

Few methodologies exist that facilitate the formal specification and prototyping of distributed systems. We describe certain features of the Dynamic Coordinated Concurrent Activities (DCCA) model. Any DCCA specification consists of a set of largely independent processes, each of which, however, needs to coordinate with several of its "peers" in the course of its execution. Several diverse real-world applications subscribe to such a paradigm-for example, a distributed control system for an automated factory, and a multiprocessor cache coherence system. DCCA is versatile enough to facilitate the specification of the protocols in both these systems on the same basis. Rapid prototyping and validation is also possible for DCCA models, as we describe in this paper. DCCA, and the attendant toolset could be of great use to a software engineer. >
Dietary protein and risk of ischemic heart disease in middle-aged men

Background: Prospective studies in US women have suggested an inverse relation between dietary protein and risk of ischemic heart disease (IHD). However, no large-scale prospective studies have been conducted in US men. Objective: The objective was to examine the association between dietary protein and risk of IHD in a prospective study of US men. Design: Intakes of protein and other nutrients were assessed by using a validated food-frequency questionnaire at 4 time points during follow-up of 43,960 men participating in the Health Professionals Follow-Up Study. Cox proportional hazards models were used to calculate multivariable-adjusted relative risks (RRs) and 95% CIs. Results: During 18 y of follow-up, we documented 2959 incident cases of IHD. The RR of IHD was 1.08 (95% CI: 0.95, 1.23; P for trend = 0.30) comparing the top with the bottom quintile of percentage of energy from total protein. RRs for animal and vegetable protein were 1.11 (95% CI: 0.97, 1.28; P for trend = 0.18) and 0.93 (95% CI: 0.78, 1.12; P for trend = 0.49), respectively. When the population was restricted to “healthy” men (those free of hypertension, hypercholesterolemia, and diabetes at baseline), the RR of IHD was 1.21 (95% CI: 1.01, 1.44; P for trend = 0.02) for total protein, 1.25 (95% CI: 1.04, 1.51; P for trend = 0.02) for animal protein, and 0.93 (95% CI: 0.72, 1.19; P for trend = 0.65) for vegetable protein. Conclusions: We observed no association between dietary protein and risk of total IHD in this group of men aged 40–75 y. However, higher intake of animal protein may be associated with an increased risk of IHD in “healthy” men.
Shaped-pattern synthesis using pure real distributions

Shaped patterns can be produced by properly excited equispaced linear arrays. An earlier synthesis procedure, which accomplishes this with control ripple in the shaped region and controlled sidelobe levels elsewhere, results in array distributions that are generally complex. It is shown here that if the shaped pattern is symmetric and has 2M filled nulls, there are 2/sup M/ complex symmetric distributions, and 2/sup M/ pure real asymmetric distributions, and 2/sup 2M/-2/sup M+1/ complex asymmetric distributions that will produce the desired pattern. By adding 2M elements to the array, one can find a symmetric pure real distribution that will achieve the same result. A representative example illustrates the procedure. The results have application to standing-wave-fed planar arrays with quadrantal symmetry via use of the collapsed distribution principle. >
Interchangeable adaptors regulate mitochondrial dynamin assembly for membrane scission

Mitochondrial fission is mediated by the dynamin-related GTPases Dnm1/Drp1 (yeast/mammals), which form spirals around constricted sites on mitochondria. Additional membrane-associated adaptor proteins (Fis1, Mdv1, Mff, and MiDs) are required to recruit these GTPases from the cytoplasm to the mitochondrial surface. Whether these adaptors participate in both GTPase recruitment and membrane scission is not known. Here we use a yeast strain lacking all fission proteins to identify the minimal combinations of GTPases and adaptors sufficient for mitochondrial fission. Although Fis1 is dispensable for fission, membrane-anchored Mdv1, Mff, or MiDs paired individually with their respective GTPases are sufficient to divide mitochondria. In addition to their role in Drp1 membrane recruitment, MiDs coassemble with Drp1 in vitro. The resulting heteropolymer adopts a dramatically different structure with a narrower diameter than Drp1 homopolymers assembled in isolation. This result demonstrates that an adaptor protein alters the architecture of a mitochondrial dynamin GTPase polymer in a manner that could facilitate membrane constriction and severing activity.
Matching pursuits with a wave-based dictionary

The method of matching pursuits utilizes a nonlinear iterative procedure to project a given waveform onto a particular dictionary. For scattering problems, the most appropriate dictionary is composed of wave objects that are consistent with the underlying wave phenomenology. A signal scattered from most targets of interest can be decomposed in terms of wavefronts, resonances, and chirps-and each of these subclasses can be further subdivided based on characteristic wave physics. Here, we investigate the efficacy of applying the method of matching pursuits with a wave-based dictionary for the processing of scattering data. The performance of this algorithm is examined for scattering data with and without additive noise.
Sexual dimorphism and resource allocation in male and female shrubs of Simmondsia chinensis.

Desert populations of the evergreen dioecious shrub Simmondsia chinensis exhibit sex-related leaf and canopy dimorphisms not present in populations from more mesic coastal environments. Leaves on female shrubs have characteristically larger sizes, greater specific weights, and greater water-holding capacity than male leaves in desert habitats. In coastal scrub environments no significant difference is present, with leaf characteristics of both sexes similar to those of desert male shrubs. Desert female shrub canopies are typically relatively open with little mutual branch shading. In male shrubs canopies are more densely branched with considerable mutual shading of branches. Female plants allocate a greater proportion of their vegetative resources to leaves than do male plants. Considering total biomass, male plants allocate 10–15% of their resources (biomass, calories, glucose-equivalents, nitrogen, phosphorus) to reproductive tissues. Female allocation is dependent on seed set. At 100% seed set females would allocate 30–40% of their resources to reproduction, while female reproductive investment would equal that of males at approximately 30% seed set. Sexual dimorphism and the associated physiological characteristics in Simmondsia act as an alternative to differential habitat selection by male and female plants. Female plants respond to limited water resources in desert areas by increasing their efficiency in allocating limited resources to reproductive structures.
Examining social competence, self-perception, quality of life, and internalizing and externalizing symptoms in adolescent females with and without autism spectrum disorder: a quantitative design including between-groups and correlational analyses.

Adolescent females with an autism spectrum disorder (ASD) are an understudied population, yet are also quite vulnerable, due to the increased complexities of social interaction and increased risk for internalizing symptoms in adolescence. Most research literature currently focuses on males with ASD, limiting our understanding of social experiences for females with ASD, and thus the potential to better inform supports and intervention to promote social-emotional functioning. This study examined similarities and differences in selected indicators of social-emotional health (social competence, self-perception, quality of life) and problematic behaviors such as externalizing and internalizing symptoms for adolescent females with and without ASD. This study employed a quantitative design utilizing correlational analysis as well as t test comparisons to examine selected indicators of social-emotional health and problematic symptoms using the Social Skills Improvement System (SSIS), Youth Quality of Life Instrument (YQOL), and the Self-Perceptions Profile for Adolescents (SPPA) for adolescent females with ASD in relation to their typically developing peers. Significant differences were found between females with and without ASD in terms of their self-ratings of social-emotional health and problematic behaviors. The no-ASD group rated themselves higher across all areas of social-emotional health. Findings also suggest strong relationships between these constructs, especially for females without ASD. Parent reports of autism symptoms and social-emotional health indicated that as symptoms of autism are more severe, so too was the impact on individuals’ social competence. Adolescent females with ASD perceive themselves as having lower social competence, self-worth, and quality of life and higher levels of internalizing and externalizing symptoms as compared to their typically developing peers. Parent ratings indicate that higher levels of autism symptoms relate to lower levels of social competence. These findings lend support to the postulate that adolescent females with ASD are more vulnerable than their typically developing counterparts due to the compounded impact of ASD symptoms on social-emotional health and the higher risk for internalizing disorders for adolescent girls. Limitations and implications for further research and intervention are discussed.
On contextual ranking queries in databases

In this paper, we identify a novel and interesting type of queries, contextual ranking queries, which return the ranks of query tuples among some context tuples given in the queries. Contextual ranking queries are useful for olap and decision support applications in non-traditional data exploration. They provide a mechanism to quickly identify where tuples stand within the context. In this paper, we extend the sql language to express contextual ranking queries and propose a general partition-based framework for processing them. In this framework, we use a novel method that utilizes bitmap indices built on ranking functions. This method can efficiently identify a small number of candidate tuples, thus achieves lower cost than alternative methods. We analytically investigate the advantages and drawbacks of these methods, according to a preliminary cost model. Experimental results suggest that the algorithm using bitmap indices on ranking functions can be substantially more efficient than other methods.
Editorial: Communications--A New Section in Optical Engineering

assistance. This is notmeantto be a "letterto the editor"section where writers comment on issues of the day,whether political or scientific. Contributions must betechnical in nature and add something positive to ourfurtherunderstanding ofourfield ofoptical science andengineering.I encourage your submissions to our new "Commu-nications."
A Classroom Experiential Exercise for Studying Materials Management Decision-Making

The growth in the use of experiential exercises in the classroom reflects the value of these exercises in providing realistic simulations of business decision-making. This article describes in detail a materials management experiential exercise. The exercise can be used alone or in combination with a related physical distribution exercise to form a business logistics simulation.
A Study on Correlations Between the Initial Optical and Scintillation Properties and Their Radiation Damage for Lead Tungstate Crystals

This paper presents a study of correlations between the initial optical and scintillation properties and their radiation damage for mass produced lead tungstate crystals. A correlation was observed between crystal's initial light outputs and the values of its initial longitudinal transmittance at 360 nm. A strong correlation was found between the emission weighted radiation induced absorption coefficients and the relative losses of the longitudinal transmittance at 440 nm. Correlations were also observed between the relative losses of crystal's light output and the relative losses of its longitudinal transmittance at 440 nm, or the emission weighted radiation induced absorption coefficients. No correlations were observed between crystal's radiation hardness and its initial longitudinal transmittance or the slope of the initial longitudinal transmittance across the band edge
The Internet Downturn: Finding Valuation Factors in Spring 2000

During the spring of 2000, the market values of internet companies declined 61% in 10 weeks. Using a sample of internet direct and support (infrastructure) firms, this paper investigates whether the stock market decline could be attributed to new disclosures over the period (buy/sell recommendations, analyst forecast revisions, and web traffic measures) or to information that caused a "reassessment" of the implications of pre-existing accounting information. In addition, we focus attention on the non-cash purchases of goods and services using equity instruments, such as stock warrants and options. We find little evidence that the spring 2000 decline was precipitated by new disclosures of web traffic statistics, earnings or earnings forecasts. In contrast, the valuation of internet firms, particularly support firms, declined sharply in relation to certain 1999 accounting measures. Firms that earned greater gross profit in 1999 experienced a relatively smaller stock price decline in spring 2000, while firms that spent more on research and development in 1999 experienced a relatively larger stock price decline. Valuations before and after the downturn reflected the speed with which firms consumed cash and marketable securities as well as the use of equity instruments to acquire facilities, goods and services. Finally, we find evidence that employee stock option grants are viewed positively by investors, most likely due to their effect on employee retention.
Ascorbate Oxidation: UV Absorbance of Ascorbate and ESR Spectroscopy of the Ascorbyl Radical as Assays for Iron

Catalytic transition metals are an absolute requirement for the aerobic oxidation of ascorbate monoanion. Thus, for example. the concentration of iron can be determined by the metal-dependent rate ...
Abstract PR04: Prostate cancer risk and dietary folate in a multiethnic population: Higher intake increases risk in the California Collaborative Prostate Cancer Study.

Background: High intake of dietary folate has been associated with both increased and decreased risk of prostate cancer in some previous epidemiologic studies which included mostly non-Hispanic white men. Timing of high folate intake may determine its impact on lesion development. In studies of colon cancer, for instance, high dietary folate appears protective in prelesion men, whereas high folate consumption in postlesion men accelerates cancer cell proliferation. We investigated the association between dietary folate intake and risk of advanced and localized prostate cancer among African American and White men from the California Collaborative Prostate Cancer Study. Methods: We examined 737 African American cases (233 advanced stage at diagnosis; 264 localized) and controls (N=240); and 1357 White cases (905 advanced stage; 452 localized) and controls (N=855). Folate intake during the reference year (1 year prior to diagnosis for cases or study selection for controls) was assessed by modified Block Food Frequency Questionnaire and categorized by quartiles. Risk was estimated by fitting conditional logistic regression models adjusted for race/ethnicity, age, and family history of prostate cancer. Results: Dietary folate intake was linearly related to risk of prostate cancer (p 632 mg/day) were at 45% increased risk compared to men in the lowest quartile (OR=1.45, 95% CI 1.16-1.81). The associations for advanced (OR=1.41, 95% CI 1.11, 1.81) and localized (OR=1.57, 95% CI 1.17, 2.11) disease were similar. The results were similar for African Americans and Whites. Conclusions: Recent high folate intake appears to be a risk factor. Men who consume high levels of dietary folate in the postlesion period may be at substantially greater risk for both advanced stage and localized prostate cancer in this multi-ethnic study. This abstract is also presented as Poster B43 . Citation Format: Glovioell W. Rowland, Esther M. John, Sue A. Ingles. Prostate cancer risk and dietary folate in a multiethnic population: Higher intake increases risk in the California Collaborative Prostate Cancer Study. [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the Fifth AACR Conference on the Science of Cancer Health Disparities in Racial/Ethnic Minorities and the Medically Underserved; 2012 Oct 27-30; San Diego, CA. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Epidemiol Biomarkers Prev 2012;21(10 Suppl):Abstract nr PR04.
Selective renal-vein renin sampling in hypertensive patients with segmental renal lesions.

Abstract Selective intrarenal catheterization was used to obtain venous blood draining a lesion affecting only a segment of one kidney in nine hypertensive patients (four segmental infarcts, four renal-artery branch stenoses and one renin-secreting tumor). The main renal-vein renin ratio between the affected and contralateral kidneys (Ra/Rc) was > 1.5 in only four of nine patients (mean ratio ± S.E. 2.1 ± 0.5), whereas the ratio when the segmental sample (Rseg/Rc) was used was significantly higher: > 1.5 in all (4.5 ± 1.1). By contrast, neither plasma renin activity in segmental samples from normal areas of the affected kidney nor that in intrarenal samples of two patients with main renal-artery stenosis exceeded plasma renin activity of the affected kidney. Selective renal-vein renin sampling can specifically identify a localized source of renin that may be overlooked by main renal-vein sampling and facilitate the detection of patients with surgically remediable lesions. (N Engl J Med 290:1153–1157, 1974)
Optimizing Experimental Study on Phase Transition Property of Sodium Acetate Trihydrate

In the solidification process,sodium acetate trihydrate(SAT) has serious phenomenons of supercooling and stratification. But it can be solved by adding different nucleating agents and thickening agents such as CMC.In this paper,the best formula of the material was obtained by experiments on the five kinds of better-nucleating agents,in which the best proportion of SAT,DSP and CMC was 100∶8∶4. And it also indicated the heating temperature also had a greate impact on the nature of SAT,too high temperature would lead to large supercooling degree phase even directly without phase transition. The experiments showed the maximum heating temperature was 82℃ when using SAT as phase change material.
Simultaneous semantic segmentation of a set of partially labeled images

Semantic segmentation, by which an image is decomposed into regions with their respective semantic labels, is often the first step towards image understanding. Existing research on this regard is mainly performed under two conditions: the fully-supervised setting that relies on a set of images with pixel-level labels and the weakly-supervised one that uses only image-level labels. In both cases, the labeling task is time-consuming and laborious, and thus training data are always limited. In practice, there are voluminous on-line images, which unfortunately often have only incomplete image-level labels (tags) but would otherwise be potentially useful for a learning-based algorithm. Only limited efforts have been attempted on using such coarsely and incompletely labelled data for semantic segmentation. This paper proposes a new approach to semantic segmentation of a set of partially-labelled images, using a formulation considering information from multiple visual similar images. Experiments on several popular datasets, with comparison with existing methods, demonstrate evident performance improvement of the proposed approach.
Parenting and Adolescent Substance Use: Moderation Effects of Community Engagement

Supportive parenting practices including autonomy granting and non-parental factors including adolescents’ connections to their communities are significantly associated with adolescent substance use outcomes; however, few longitudinal studies have considered both factors concurrently in nationally representative samples. Using longitudinal data from a nationally representative sample of adolescents in grades 7–12 (n = 12,139; 51% male), results indicated that community engagement significantly moderated the association between parental autonomy granting and substance use into emerging adulthood. Results also suggested that community disadvantage was a significant risk factor for adolescents’ substance use. These results further indicated that substance use among emerging adults was also high when accounting for prior levels of community engagement and parental-autonomy, and while controlling for substance use during adolescence.
Flash Ironmaking from Magnetite Concentrate in a Laboratory Reactor: Experimental and CFD Work

A flash ironmaking process is being developed at the University of Utah in which iron is produced directly from magnetite concentrate. The kinetics of magnetite reduction by a mixture of H2 and CO gases was determined in the temperature range 1150–1600 °C. Over 90% reduction degree was achieved at a temperature as low as 1250 °C within 4–6 s which is the typical residence time available in a flash reactor. The kinetics results were applied to experimental data obtained in a laboratory flash reactor in which H2 and CO gas mixtures were produced from in situ partial oxidation of natural gas with oxygen. CFD was used to simulate the laboratory reactor, and the results were in good agreement with the experimental data.
The Association of Perceived Memory Loss with Osteoarthritis and Related Joint Pain in a Large Appalachian Population.

Objective Previous studies have documented memory impairment in several chronic pain syndromes. However, the potential link between memory loss and osteoarthritis (OA), the second most common cause of chronic pain, remains little explored. In this cross-sectional study, we examine the association of perceived memory loss to OA and assess the potential mediating influence of sleep and mood disturbance in a large Appalachian population. Design Cross-sectional. Setting US Ohio Valley. Subjects A total of 21,982 Appalachian adults age 40 years or older drawn from the C8 Health Project (N = 19,004 adults without and 2,478 adults with OA). All participants completed a comprehensive health survey between 2005 and 2006. Medical history, including physician diagnosis of OA, lifestyle factors, short- and long-term memory loss, sleep quality, and mood were assessed via self-report. Results After adjustment for demographic, lifestyle, health-related, and other factors, participants with OA were almost three times as likely to report frequent memory loss (adjusted odds ratios [ORs] for short- and long-term memory loss, respectively = 2.7, 95% confidence interval [CI] = 2.2-3.3, and 2.6, 95% CI = 2.0-3.3). The magnitude of these associations increased significantly with rising frequency of reported joint pain (adjusted OR for OA with frequent joint pain vs no OA = 3.3, 95% CI = 2.6-4.1, Ptrend < 0.00001). Including measures of mood and sleep impairment attenuated but did not eliminate these associations (ORs for any memory loss = 2.0, 95% CI = 1.6-2.4, and 2.1, 95% CI = 1.7-2.8, adjusted for sleep and mood impairment, respectively; OR = 1.8, 95% CI = 1.4-2.2, adjusted for both factors). Conclusions In this large cross-sectional study, OA and related joint pain were strongly associated with perceived memory loss; these associations may be partially mediated by sleep and mood disturbance.