cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
As-S/Ag systems for integrated optics

The advantages of the use of metal-chalcogenide systems, and the As-S/Ag system in particular, in integrated optics such as optical interconnections are described. The As-S/Ag system has a number of desirable properties which make it attractive for applications in integrated optics, and these are discussed. It is shown that the metal photodissolution effect has an inherently high spatial resolution, well into the submicron range using optical lithography and on the scale of a few tens of nanometers or less with electron-beam exposure. This unusual combination of properties, their easy fabrication in thin- and thick-film form, and the ability to selectively etch either the undoped or doped material make the chalcogenide compounds uniquely appropriate to a variety of applications in integrated optics. >
T1α/podoplanin deficiency disrupts normal lymphatic vasculature formation and causes lymphedema

Within the vascular system, the mucin‐type transmembrane glycoprotein T1α/podoplanin is predominantly expressed by lymphatic endothelium, and recent studies have shown that it is regulated by the lymphatic‐specific homeobox gene Prox1 . In this study, we examined the role of T1α/podoplanin in vascular development and the effects of gene disruption in mice. T1α/podoplanin is first expressed at around E11.0 in Prox1‐positive lymphatic progenitor cells, with predominant localization in the luminal plasma membrane of lymphatic endothelial cells during later development. T1 α/ podoplanin−/− mice die at birth due to respiratory failure and have defects in lymphatic, but not blood vessel pattern formation. These defects are associated with diminished lymphatic transport, congenital lymphedema and dilation of lymphatic vessels. T1α/podoplanin is also expressed in the basal epidermis of newborn wild‐type mice, but gene disruption did not alter epidermal differentiation. Studies in cultured endothelial cells indicate that T1α/podoplanin promotes cell adhesion, migration and tube formation, whereas small interfering RNA‐mediated inhibition of T1α/podoplanin expression decreased lymphatic endothelial cell adhesion. These data identify T1α/podoplanin as a novel critical player that regulates different key aspects of lymphatic vasculature formation.
Microphysics of Clouds with the Relaxed Arakawa-Schubert Scheme (McRAS). Part II: Implementation and Performance in GEOS II GCM

Abstract A prognostic cloud scheme named the Microphysics of Clouds with the Relaxed Arakawa–Schubert Scheme (McRAS) and the Simple Biosphere Model have been implemented in a version of the Goddard Earth Observing System (GEOS) II GCM at a 4° latitude × 5° longitude × 20 sigma-layer resolution. The McRAS GCM was integrated for 50 months. The integration was initialized with the European Centre for Medium-Range Weather Forecasts analysis of observations for 1 January 1987 and was forced with the observed sea surface temperatures and sea-ice distribution; on land, the permanent ice and vegetation properties (biomes and soils) were climatological, while the soil moisture and snow cover were prognostic. The simulation shows that the McRAS GCM yields realistic structures of in-cloud water and ice, and cloud-radiative forcing (CRF) even though the cloudiness has some discernible systematic errors. The simulated intertropical convergence zone (ITCZ) has a realistic time mean structure and seasonal cycle. The sim...
Learning Application Models for Utility Resource Planning

Shared computing utilities allocate compute, network and storage resources to competing applications on demand. An awareness of the demands and behaviors of the hosted applications can help the system to manage its resources more effectively. This paper proposes an active learning approach that analyzes performance histories to build predictive models of frequently used applications; the histories consist of measures gathered from noninvasive instrumentation on previous runs with varying assignments of compute, network and storage resources. An initial prototype uses linear regression to predict application interactions with candidate resources and combines them to forecast completion time for a candidate resource assignment. Experimental results from the prototype show that the mean forecasting errors range from 1% to 11% for a set of batch tasks captured from a production cluster. Examples illustrate how a system can use the learned models to guide task placement and data staging.
Intravascular ultrasound identification of intraluminal embolic plaque material during carotid angioplasty with stenting.

Introduction: Carotid angioplasty with stenting (CAS) has evolved as a viable method for treating patients at high risk for carotid endarterectomy. Strokes complicating CAS are most commonly caused by the liberation and distal embolization of embolic material from plaque during the procedure. Methods: CAS with distal embolic protection (DEP) was performed using the assistance of intravascular ultrasound (IVUS) in a 68-year-old man with asymptomatic carotid artery stenosis. Evaluation of the plaque pretreatment was performed using virtual histology software. IVUS evaluation was also performed after prestent angioplasty, stenting, and poststent angioplasty. Results: Initial degree of angiographic stenosis was 78.9%. Final degree of stenosis was 15.7%. By IVUS, stenosis by minimum lumen diameter and minimum lumen area were 75.6% and 93.4% pretreatment, respectively, and 42.2% and 47.1% posttreatment, respectively. An intraluminal lesion was noted in the distal aspect of the stent after poststent angioplasty but before DEP device removal. Ultrasonographic characteristics of the intraluminal defect were consistent with ruptured plaque material. Angiographic runs failed to demonstrate the lesion. A repeat IVUS run performed ∼10 min later failed to depict the lesion, suggesting that distal embolization had occurred. Embolic material was noticed in the DEP device after removal. The patient did not experience any ischemic neurological symptoms. Conclusions: IVUS can identify intraluminal plaque material, which may be a precursor for embolism and delayed ischemic events after CAS. IVUS may allow for treatment before distal embolization of plaque material. Virtual histology IVUS software may help to identify carotid lesions at higher risk for significant embolization during CAS. © 2006 Wiley-Liss, Inc.
Some Comments about Sufficiency and Unbiased Estimation

Abstract This pedagogical note discusses some aspects of sufficiency, completeness, and unbiased estimation for the purpose of making the classroom teaching of these notions more informative and clearer.
Reflectance optimization of second-surface silvered glass mirrors for concentrating solar power and concentrating photovoltaics application

Methods developed to maximize the overall reflectance of the second-surface silvered glass used in concentrating solar power (CSP) and concentrating photovoltaics (CPV) solar systems are reported. The reflectance at shorter wavelengths is increased with the aid of a dielectric enhancing layer between the silver and the glass, while at longer wavelengths it is enhanced by use of glass with negligible iron content. The calculated enhancement of reflectance, compared to unenhanced silver on standard low-iron float glass, corresponds to a 4.5% increase in reflectance averaged across the full solar spectrum, appropriate for CSP, and 3.5% for CPV systems using triple junction cells. An experimental reflector incorporating these improvements, of drawn crown glass and a silvered second-surface with dielectric enhancement, was measured at National Renewable Energy Laboratory to have 95.4% solar weighted reflectance. For comparison, nonenhanced, wet-silvered reflectors of the same 4-mm thickness show reflectance ranging from 91.6% to 94.6%, depending on iron content. A potential drawback of using iron-free drawn glass is reduced concentration in high concentration systems because of the inherent surface errors. This effect is largely mitigated for glass shaped by slumping into a concave mold, rather than by bending. Finally, an experiment capable of determining which junction limits the triple junction cell is demonstrated.
The Role of RaxST, a Prokaryotic Sulfotransferase, and RaxABC, a Putative Type I Secretion System, in Activation of the Rice XA21-Mediated Immune Response

Tyrosine sulfation is an important posttranslational modification that determines the outcome of serious diseases in plants and animals. We have recently demonstrated that the plant pathogen Xanthomonas oryzae pv. oryzae (Xoo) carries a functional sulfotransferase (RaxST). raxST is required for activation of rice Xa21-mediated immunity indicating the critical, but unknown, function of raxST in mediating the Xoo/rice interaction. The raxST gene resides in the same operon (raxSTAB) as components of a predicted type I secretion and processing system (RaxA and RaxB). These observations suggest a model where RaxST sulfates a molecule that contains a leader peptide, which is cleaved by the peptidase domain of the RaxB protein and secreted outside the bacterial cell by the RaxABC T1SS.
Ranking Low Guardrail Sites for Remedial Treatment

A scoring procedure has been developed for prioritizing low guardrail sites for remedial treatment. The relative hazard of individual guardrail sections is estimated based on traffic volume and speed, roadway curvature, soil conditions, and severity of vehicular penetration as well as height, length, type and location of the guardrail. An intermediate step is provided which estimates the expected number of guardrail impacts per year. The procedure draws heavily on the guidelines developed for the installation of permanent and temporary barriers and on empirical results of a variety of highway studies.
How Important is Asset Allocation to Financial Security in Retirement

Financial advice tends to focus on financial assets, but other levers may be more important for most households. This paper proceeds in three stages. The first section reports a simple Excel spreadsheet exercise that provides a stylized example of the tradeoff between returns and time spent in the labor force. The second section uses data from the Health and Retirement Study (HRS) on pre-retirees aged 51-64 to see how the gap between retirement needs and retirement resources is affected by working longer, taking out a reverse mortgage, controlling spending, and shifting all assets to equities with no risk. The third section uses a simple dynamic programming model to calculate a risk-adjusted measure of the value for the average household of moving from a typical conservative portfolio to an optimal portfolio. The answer from all three exercises is the same: the focus on asset allocation is misplaced.
Finite element simulation of a stress history during the manufacturing process of thin film stacks in VLSI structures

High levels of interconnection line stress are a serious reliability problem for the integrated circuit industry. These stresses, which are due to the thermal expansion coefficient difference between the line and its surroundings, as well as to nonequilibrium film growth, can lead to failure mechanisms such as voiding and cracking. Historically, stresses in these lines have typically been modeled using a fixed configuration at the final process step. The stresses are calculated as the model Is cooled to room temperature. We have developed models to calculate stresses in interconnection structures as a function of process step, such as film deposition, etching, and thermal cycles. During processing both thermal and intrinsic stresses are induced, and continuously changed by subsequent process steps. This paper presents such an analysis of simple interconnection structures which contain two-level aluminum (Al) metal layers and a tungsten (W) via connection. Stress histories of the metal and via layers are obtained and discussed. This paper also discusses the effects on interconnection stress when intrinsic stresses in various layers are taken into account.
Aggressive Acts Increase Commitment to New Groups Zombie Attacks and Blocked Shots

How do individuals who switch between opposing sides develop a sense of commitment to their new groups? Study 1 examined these dynamics in a live-action tag game known as Humans versus Zombies, in ...
America's richest farms and ranches.

Dun and Bradstreet, Inc. directories list the richest operators of farmland in the United States. Nearly 800 firms, organized primarily for crop and livestock production, symbolize achievement in commercial agriculture during the late 1970s. Distributions of these rich farms and ranches show areas of economic power for different agricultural types, while names like Boswell, First Colony, Garst, King, Taggares, and Tenneco West signify regional as well as national and international influences in agricultural affairs. Operating details for selected wealthy farming businesses reveal a complex geography involving control of land, access to resources, and connections to markets.
Learning Policy Improvements with Path Integrals

With the goal to generate more scalable algorithms with higher e!ciency and fewer open parameters, reinforcement learning (RL) has recently moved towards combining classical techniques from optimal control and dynamic programming with modern learning techniques from statistical estimation theory. In this vein, this paper suggests the framework of stochastic optimal control with path integrals to derive a novel approach to RL with parametrized policies. While solidly grounded in value function estimation and optimal control based on the stochastic Hamilton-Jacobi-Bellman (HJB) equations, policy improvements can be transformed into an approximation problem of a path integral which has no open parameters other than the exploration noise. The resulting algorithm can be conceived of as modelbased, semi-model-based, or even model free, depending on how the learning problem is structured. Our new algorithm demonstrates interesting similarities with previous RL research in the framework of probability matching and provides intuition why the slightly heuristically motivated probability matching approach can actually perform well. Empirical evaluations demonstrate significant performance improvements over gradient-based policy learning and scalability to high-dimensional control problems. We believe that Policy Improvement with Path Integrals (PI 2 ) o"ers currently one of the most e!cient, numerically robust, and
Development of a Nitrogen Fertigation Program for Grape Tomato

ABSTRACT Grape tomatoes (Solanum lycopersicon L. var. cerasiform) have recently gained in popularity among consumers because they can be eaten without being cut, they are deep red in color, and their flavor is intense and pleasant. Current nitrogen (N) fertilization recommendations were developed for determinate tomato varieties that have a 3-month long growing season, whereas that of the indeterminate grape cultivars may be up to six months. ‘Tami G’ grape tomatoes were grown on a Lakeland fine sand at the North Florida Research and Education Center—Suwannee Valley, near Live Oak, FL in Springs 2005 and 2006 using standard plasticulture practices under 0%, 33%, 66%, 100%, 133%, and 166% of the current recommended N rate for round tomato (224 kg/ha). Due to a longer growing season in 2006, plants received an additional three weekly injections of 22 kg/ha of N each in the 100% rate, that were also proportionally applied to the other treatments. Tomatoes were transplanted March 24, 2005 and April 4, 2006 an...
A Successive Differences Method for Growth Curves with Missing Data and Random Observation Times

Abstract Incomplete growth curve data can be analyzed by the successive differences (SD) method, which uses the difference in consecutive pairs of observations for all subjects having two or more repeated measures. We have generalized it to handle varying observation times as well by partitioning the time interval spanned by all repeated measures into subintervals. The model is developed, including test statistics for the hypotheses of parallelism and of no change in response level over time, assuming parallelism. This generalized SD method is then applied to repeated serum cholesterol measurements on a subsample of 1,072 men from a prospective cohort study of 8,006 Hawaiian Japanese men living on Oahu.
Altered Disposition of Acetaminophen in Nrf2-null and Keap1-knockdown Mice

Acetaminophen (AA) is a widely used antipyretic drug that causes hepatotoxicity at high doses. Nuclear factor erythroid 2–related factor 2 (Nrf2) is a transcription factor that mitigates electrophilic stress from AA by inducing genes, such as NAD(P)H:quinone oxidoreductase 1 (Nqo1), multidrug resistance–associated proteins (Mrps), and glutathione (GSH) synthesis enzymes. To determine whether Nrf2 activation alters the biotransformation and excretion of AA, male wild-type, Nrf2-null, and Keap1 (Kelch-like ECH-associated protein 1)-knockdown (Keap1-kd) mice (which have increased activation of Nrf2) were administered a single subtoxic dose of AA (50 mg/kg, iv), after which, AA and its metabolites (AA-glucuronide [AA-GLUC]; AA-sulfate [AA-SULF]; AA-glutathione [AA-GSH]) were quantified in plasma, bile, and liver. AA-GLUC concentrations were reduced in plasma and elevated in livers of Nrf2-null mice due to decreased glucuronidation activity and lower expression of the basolateral efflux transporter Mrp3. In contrast, Keap1-kd mice had higher plasma and lower hepatic AA-GLUC concentrations, due to higher Mrp3 expression. Lower glucuronidation activity of Nrf2-null mice increased the proportion of AA available for sulfation, resulting in elevated AA-SULF concentrations in plasma, bile, and liver. Decreased AA-sulfation activity in Keap1-kd mice resulted in lower AA-SULF concentrations. AA-GSH conjugates were increased in Nrf2-null mice and tended to be lower in Keap1-kd mice. Furthermore, Nqo1, an enzyme capable of detoxifying the reactive intermediate of AA metabolism, N-acetyl-p-benzoquinone imine (NAPQI), had 85% lower activity in Nrf2-null mice and 415% higher activity in Keap1-kd mice relative to wild-type. In conclusion, lack of Nrf2 results in decreased AA glucuronidation, leading to increased AA available for NAPQI formation and decreased efflux of AA-GLUC via Mrp3; however, activation of Nrf2, as in Keap1-kd mice, results in decreased sulfotransferase activity, decreased AA-SULF formation, and enhanced elimination of AA-GLUC due to increased expression of Mrp3.
Studies in Cognition: The Problems Solved and Created by Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation

The application of transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) to investigate important questions in cognitive neuroscience has increased considerably in the last few years. TMS can provide substantial insights into the nature and the chronometry of the computations performed by specific cortical areas during various aspects of cognition. However, the use of TMS in cognitive studies has many potential perils and pitfalls. Although TMS can help bridge the gap between psychological models and brain-based arguments of cognitive functions, hypothesis-driven carefully designed experiments that acknowledge the current limitations of TMS are critical.
The Gaze of the Optimist

Two studies used eye tracking to investigate the attentional preferences of optimists and pessimists to negative emotional stimuli. In both studies, optimistic and pessimistic college students viewed three types of visual stimuli while having their eye movements tracked: skin cancer (melanoma) images, matched schematic line drawings, and neutral faces. In the first study, participants were asked to view the images naturally, whereas in the second study, some participants received a relevance manipulation. Percentage of fixation time to the different images was measured. Optimists showed selective inattention to the skin cancer images, even after controlling for attention to matched schematic line drawings. This relationship remained significant in both studies after controlling for the effects of neuroticism, affect, anxiety, relevance, and perceptual variables. These data suggest that optimists may indeed wear “rose-colored glasses” in their processing of information from the world.
Optimization of intensity-modulated radiotherapy plans based on the equivalent uniform dose

Abstract Purpose : The equivalent uniform dose (EUD) for tumors is defined as the biologically equivalent dose that, if given uniformly, will lead to the same cell kill in the tumor volume as the actual nonuniform dose distribution. Recently, a new formulation of EUD was introduced that applies to normal tissues as well. EUD can be a useful end point in evaluating treatment plans with nonuniform dose distributions for three-dimensional conformal radiotherapy and intensity-modulated radiotherapy. In this study, we introduce an objective function based on the EUD and investigate the feasibility and usefulness of using it for intensity-modulated radiotherapy optimization. Methods and Materials : We applied the EUD-based optimization to obtain intensity-modulated radiotherapy plans for prostate and head-and-neck cancer patients and compared them with the corresponding plans optimized with dose-volume-based criteria. Results : We found that, for the same or better target coverage, EUD-based optimization is capable of improving the sparing of critical structures beyond the specified requirements. We also found that, in the absence of constraints on the maximal target dose, the target dose distributions are more inhomogeneous, with significant hot spots within the target volume. This is an obvious consequence of unrestricted maximization target cell kill and, although this may be considered beneficial for some cases, it is generally not desirable. To minimize the magnitude of hot spots, we applied dose inhomogeneity constraints to the target by treating it as a “virtual” normal structure as well. This led to much-improved target dose homogeneity, with a small, but expected, degradation in normal structure sparing. We also found that, in principle, the dose-volume objective function may be able to arrive at similar optimum dose distributions by using multiple dose-volume constraints for each anatomic structure and with considerably greater trial-and-error to adjust a large number of objective function parameters. Conclusion : The general inference drawn from our investigation is that the EUD-based objective function has the advantages that it needs only a small number of parameters and allows exploration of a much larger universe of solutions, making it easier for the optimization system to balance competing requirements in search of a better solution.
Paralysis of the serratus anterior in a world class marksman A case study

The medical literature has produced a wide array of descriptive articles concerning paralysis of the serratus anterior; however, there has been no work on the role of sports in producing this condition. The functional anatomy, pathophysiology, and clinical evaluation are presented. A case study demonstrates the symptoms and progression of a typical patient with paralysis of the serratus anterior.
Estimate σ12/σ22, Normal Populations

We first discuss the non-fuzzy confidence intervals for the ratio of the variances. We then construct a fuzzy estimator for σ 1 2 /σ 2 2 from these crisp confidence intervals and show it is biased (see Chapter 6). Then we find an unbiased fuzzy estimator.
Macrophages sustain HIV replication in vivo independently of T cells

Macrophages have long been considered to contribute to HIV infection of the CNS; however, a recent study has contradicted this early work and suggests that myeloid cells are not an in vivo source of virus production. Here, we addressed the role of macrophages in HIV infection by first analyzing monocytes isolated from viremic patients and patients undergoing antiretroviral treatment. We were unable to find viral DNA or viral outgrowth in monocytes isolated from peripheral blood. To determine whether tissue macrophages are productively infected, we used 3 different but complementary humanized mouse models. Two of these models (bone marrow/liver/thymus [BLT] mice and T cell–only mice [ToM]) have been previously described, and the third model was generated by reconstituting immunodeficient mice with human CD34+ hematopoietic stem cells that were devoid of human T cells (myeloid-only mice [MoM]) to specifically evaluate HIV replication in this population. Using MoM, we demonstrated that macrophages can sustain HIV replication in the absence of T cells; HIV-infected macrophages are distributed in various tissues including the brain; replication-competent virus can be rescued ex vivo from infected macrophages; and infected macrophages can establish de novo infection. Together, these results demonstrate that macrophages represent a genuine target for HIV infection in vivo that can sustain and transmit infection.
The use of biomarkers in psychiatric research: how serotonin transporter occupancy explains the dose-response curves of SSRIs.

This column reviews why signal detection in psychiatric research has been problematic, how the use of biomarkers can help, how and why fixed dose studies are done, and how these studies differ from what clinicians do in practice. The fixed dose studies done with selective serotonin reuptake inhibito
Occurrence and Distribution Patterns of Mediterranean Fruit Fly (Diptera: Tephritidae) Desert Areas in Chile and Peru

The occurrence and distribution of the Mediterranean fruit fly, Ceratitis capitata (Wiedemann), in desert areas near the Peru–Chilean border were monitored with protein- and trimedlure-baited traps. The results showed a distinct pattern of increase and decline related to C. capitata population trends in Tacna Valley, Peru. C. capitata was most abundant in the Aeropuerto frontier location and the inland Gallinazo location. All frontier locations showed similar seasonal population trends and yearly variation in total catches between trap sites related to long-range fly movement. The synchronous population dispersal pattern of males and females suggests it is an important survival behavior mechanism for C. capitata populations in the arid areas of Chile and Peru.
Review of Flow Through Heterogeneous Geologic Media

Tian-Chyi “Jim” Yeh, Raziuddin Khaleel, and Kenneth C Carroll. Cambridge University Press, 2015. 343 pp. ISBN: 978-1-107-07613-6. $74.99 This book, Flow Through Heterogeneous Geologic Media , authored by T.-C. Yeh, R. Khaleel, and K.C. Carroll, with nine chapters and 343 pages, fills a gap from
Emotions and Daily Life in Colonial Mexico. Edited by Javier Villa-Flores and Sonya Lipsett-Rivera.

Emotions and Daily Life in Colonial Mexico . Dialogos Series. Edited by Javier Villa-Flores and Sonya Lipsett-Rivera. (Albuquerque: University of New Mexico Press, 2014. ix + 261 pp. Illustrations, glossary, notes, bibliography, index. $29.95, paper.) To write about emotions in another time and in another society requires discipline and understanding: discipline to keep from conflating modern sentiments with past ones and understanding to grasp another community’s complex of intertwined emotional expectations. Not all authors are comfortable in removing themselves from familiar anchors … seed5{at}uci.edu
Roles of nitric oxide in growth of plant root

The roles of nitric oxide(NO),a significant gas signaling molecule,in regulating plant physiology progress and modulating signal transduction is being a novel hotspot of researches.In recent decades,a great deal of important progress have been achieved on the roles of NO in the generation and development of plant root,especially on the generation of endogenous NO from plant roots,the details of NO-participated progress of root generation and development,and the related signaling pathways.In order to get further understanding of the roles of NO in plants,the update advances in studying the generation of endogenous NO in plant root and the mechanisms and signaling pathways of NO in promoting generation and development of plant root are reviewed.
Evaluation of clusters competition ability by the GEM model

In view of the problems of imperfect competitiveness evaluation methods in the current development of China's company clusters,on the basis of studying the enterprise clusters' characteristics,this paper makes use of the application of correlation evaluation method to improve and perfect evaluation model-GEM model that studies competition abilities of the enterprise clusters,in order to make it more objective and accurate to evaluate cluster′s competition ability.Practice proves that this estimate model has made up for the subjectivity in appraising process in the past.
Night workers with circadian misalignment are susceptible to alcohol-induced intestinal hyperpermeability with social drinking

Alcohol-induced intestinal hyperpermeability (AIHP) is a known risk factor for alcoholic liver disease (ALD), but only 20-30% of heavy alcoholics develop AIHP and ALD. The hypothesis of this study is that circadian misalignment would promote AIHP. We studied two groups of healthy subjects on a stable work schedule for 3 mo [day workers (DW) and night workers (NW)]. Subjects underwent two circadian phase assessments with sugar challenge to access intestinal permeability between which they drank 0.5 g/kg alcohol daily for 7 days. Sleep architecture by actigraphy did not differ at baseline or after alcohol between either group. After alcohol, the dim light melatonin onset (DLMO) in the DW group did not change significantly, but in the NW group there was a significant 2-h phase delay. Both the NW and DW groups had no change in small bowel permeability with alcohol, but only in the NW group was there an increase in colonic and whole gut permeability. A lower area under the curve of melatonin inversely correlated with increased colonic permeability. Alcohol also altered peripheral clock gene amplitude of peripheral blood mononuclear cells in CLOCK, BMAL, PER1, CRY1, and CRY2 in both groups, and inflammatory markers lipopolysaccharide-binding protein, LPS, and IL-6 had an elevated mesor at baseline in NW vs. DW and became arrhythmic with alcohol consumption. Together, our data suggest that central circadian misalignment is a previously unappreciated risk factor for AIHP and that night workers may be at increased risk for developing liver injury with alcohol consumption.
School Psychology and Infantile Autism An Overview and Presentation of a Model Approach

This paper presents an overview of infantile autism which includes theories of aetiology, definition of the condition, overlapping conditions, assessment procedures and prognosis. A model treatment...
Cardiac pacing and atrial arrhythmias.

DDD pacing appears superior to VVI in limiting the occurrence of atrial fibrillation and its associated negative sequela. Sick sinus syndrome, a prior history of atrial fibrillation, and advanced age predispose patients with DDD devices to postimplant atrial fibrillation, yet the majority of these high-risk patients are manageable in DDD throughout their followup. DDD patients at significant risk for developing atrial arrhythmias require special attention regarding the selection and programming of their devices. The combined use of AV node ablation and pacing to manage patients with refractory atrial tachyarrhythmias is becoming increasingly accepted.
Protocols for Cofactor Isolation of Nitrogenase

The iron-molybdenum cofactor (FeMoco) of the nitrogenase MoFe protein has remained a focal point in the field of bioinorganic chemistry for decades. This unique metal cluster has long been regarded as the actual site of dinitrogen reduction, and it is structurally complex and chemically unprecedented. A detailed characterization of the isolated FeMoco is crucial for elucidating the physiochemical properties of this biologically important cofactor. Such a study requires an effective technique to extract FeMoco intact, and in high yield, from the MoFe protein. A method involving the acid treatment of the MoFe protein and the subsequent extraction of FeMoco into an organic solvent was developed over 30 years ago and has been improved upon ever since. FeMoco isolated by this strategy is catalytically active and spectrally interesting, which provides a useful platform for future structure-function analyses of this unique cofactor. A general working protocol for FeMoco isolation is described in this chapter, along with some of the major modifications reported in the past years.
Variation among Angus cows in response to endophyte-infected fescue seed in the diet, as related to their past calf production

Production of 18, 12-yr-old Angus cows was summarized as the averaged weaning weight deviations of each cow's calves from their like-aged, like-sexed and similarly managed contemporaries. These cows had spent a large part of their productive lives on pastures dominated by endophyte-infected tall fescue, so differences among them in calf production might have been induced partly by differences in susceptibility to fescue toxicosis. Cows were divided randomly into two groups for a 31-d summer feeding trial. In a crossover design, cows were fed 0 or .9 kg per cow per day of endophyte-infected fescue seed. Various traits were monitored to quantify differences among cows in response to the endophyte-infected fescue seed. Baseline serum prolactin concentration was depressed by fescue seed feeding, but differences among cows in the amount of depression were not related to past calf production. Prolactin release in response to thyrotropin-releasing hormone tended to be depressed by fescue, but the response also was sensitive to factors such as ambient temperature. Serum cholesterol and body weight change did not respond significantly to the fescue challenge. The experiment was not successful in unambiguously differentiating among cows in susceptibility to fescue toxicosis or in relating differential susceptibility to past calf production.
[The urethral anastomosis in orthotopic neobladder following robot-assisted radical cystectomy (RARC) at German-speaking centres].

Nach roboterassistierter radikaler Zystektomie (RARC) und extrakorporaler Rekonstruktion werden zur urethroneovesikalen Anastomose beim orthotopen Blasenersatz robotisch fortlaufend genahte Techniken und solche mit offen oder robotisch vorlegten Einzelknopffaden verwendet. In einer online Umfrage wurde an 62 deutschsprachigen Robotikzentren erfragt, ob an den jeweilige Zentren RARCs durchfuhrt werden. Wurde die Frage bejaht, wurden weitere Fragen zur Art des Blasenersatzes und zur Technik der urethroneovesikalen Anastomose gestellt. Die Rucklaufquote der online Fragebogen lag bei 80% (n=50). 44% (n=22) der Zentren mit Ruckantwort gaben an, die RARC durchzufuhren. Der Umfrage zu folge berichteten alle Zentren bis auf eins, die Rekonstruktion der Neoblase extrakorporal durchzufuhren [Studerblase 73% (n=16), Hautmannblase 18% (n=4) und andere 9% (n=2)]. Nach Rekonstruktion der Neoblase gaben 36% (n=8) der Robotikteams an, die Anastomose mit offen operativ vorgelegten, 24% (n=5) die Anastomose mit robotisch vorgelegten Einzelfaden zu knoten und 40% (n=9) sie fortlaufend robotisch nach Neuandocken des Roboterstativs oder im Rahmen der intrakorporalen Rekonstruktion zu nahen. Nach der vorliegenden Umfrage werden im deutschsprachigen Raum nach extrakorporaler Rekonstruktion meist mit einer Studer Blase am haufigsten Anastomosentechniken mit vorgelegten Einzelknopfnahten verwendet. Diese bieten den Vorteil, dass auf ein Neuandocken des Roboters verzichtet werden kann. Allerdings muss uber die Laparotomie genugend Platz zum offenen Knoten der Anastomose vorhanden sein.
Stability of core language skill across the first decade of life in children at biological and social risk.

Background Command of language is a fundamental skill, a cornerstone of multiple cognitive and socioemotional aspects of development, and a necessary ingredient of successful adjustment and functioning in society. Little is known about the developmental stability of language in at-risk youth or which biological and social risk factors moderate stability. Methods This four-wave 10-year prospective longitudinal study evaluated stability of core language skill in 1,780 children in varying categories of biological and social risk in a multiage, multidomain, multimeasure, and multireporter framework. Results Structural equation modeling supported loadings of diverse age-appropriate measures of child language on single latent variables of core language skill at 15 and 25 months and 5 and 11 years, respectively. Core language skill was stable over the first decade of life; significant and comparable stability coefficients were obtained for children with diverse biological and social risks, including poor health, welfare status, teen motherhood, ethnicity, gender, birth order, and families that changed in income and maternal education over the study period; stability in language was strong even accounting for child nonverbal intelligence and social competence, maternal education and language, and the family home environment. Conclusions Core language skill varies in stability with age but is robustly stable in children regardless of multiple biological and social risk factors.
Tribal membership requirements and the demography of ‘old’ and ‘new’ Native Americans

This paper examines the twentieth-century population recovery of Native Americans with reference to urbanization, intermarriage, and differing definitions of the Native American population from census and tribal enrollment data. The recent increase in the Native American population reflected in regular US decennial censuses since 1960 is discussed in terms of changing self-identification of individuals as ‘Native American’. Also discussed are criteria for enrollment in Native American tribes, particularly blood quantum requirements. Census enumerations are compared with tribal enrollment data, and it is illustrated that a large proportion of those identifying as ‘Native American’ in the census are not enrolled in Native American tribes. Special attention is given to how Native American tribal enrollment criteria might impact future population size.
DNA Immunization Against Melanoma Antigens Enhances Tumor Immunity in Mice Following Sub-Lethal Irradiation and Immune Reconstitution.

The development of successful cancer vaccines is contingent on the ability to induce effective anti-tumor immunity against self-antigens that do not typically elicit immunity. We are working on strategies to overcome immunologic tolerance/ignorance to cancer through the use of gene products closely related to self-antigens, including xenogeneic DNA and mutated DNA, and have initiated clinical trials of DNA vaccines in patients with advanced melanoma or prostate cancer. Recent studies have demonstrated that homeostasis-driven T-cell proliferation in the reconstituted lymphodepleted host could enhance the efficacy of whole-cell tumor vaccines. We hypothesized that immunization of sub-lethally irradiated and immune reconstituted mice against specific tumor antigens could increase anti-tumor immunity. B6 mice were irradiated with 600 cGy and immediately reconstituted with 30 x 106 syngeneic splenocytes. Weekly DNA immunization using either human tyrosinase-related protein (TRP)-2 DNA (xenogeneic melanoma differentiation antigen (MDA) or Opt-Tyrp1 DNA (a mutated MDA, which has been optimized for CD8 epitopes), was begun on day 1. We have found that: (1) by day 14 after irradiation and reconstitution, recipients have considerable numbers of splenic T cells, including de novo generated donor T cells, which suggests that vaccination aimed at T cells might be feasible; (2) DNA immunization against a single tumor antigen can provide protection from a tumor challenge that is significantly greater than that observed in immunized non-irradiated hosts (Figure); (3) DNA immunization induces higher levels of tumor-specific CD8+ T cells in the irradiated and reconstituted recipients (detected by intracellular cytokine flow cytometry assay); and (4) the effects of DNA immunization after lymphodepletion with immune reconstitution on both tumor-free survival and CD8+ T cell responses have been validated for two different DNA vaccine strategies (TRP-2 DNA and Opt-Tyrp1 DNA). These results demonstrate that DNA immunization following sub-lethal irradiation and immune reconstitution can induce potent anti-tumor effects. Furthermore, they provide a strong rationale for the development of novel therapeutic strategies that combine lymphodepletion with immune reconstitution and DNA immunization in human clinical trials. ![Figure][1] [1]: pending:yes
Palaeoclimate: Carbon–ocean gateway links

A global cooling trend culminated in the glaciation of Antarctica during the Eocene–Oligocene transition. Simulations suggest that ocean circulation changes and enhanced drawdown of atmospheric carbon dioxide can explain this climate shift.
Optimal droop surface control of dc microgrids based on battery state of charge

For a microgrid with a high penetration level of renewable energy, energy storage use becomes more integral to the system performance due to the stochastic nature of most renewable energy sources. This paper examines the use of droop control of an energy storage source in dc microgrids in order to optimize a global cost function. The approach involves using a multidimensional surface to determine the optimal droop parameters based on load and state of charge. The optimal surface is determined using knowledge of the system architecture and can be implemented with fully decentralized source controllers. The optimal surface control of the system is presented. Derivation of a cost function along with the implementation of the optimal control are included. Results were verified using a hardware-in-the-loop system.
Cock-a-Doodle-U: Examining University Brand Personality and Visual Identity at Coastal Carolina University

ABSTRACTThe purpose of this study was to extend previous literature on brand personality and visual brand identity through exploring the constructs at a unique intercollegiate athletic department [i.e., Coastal Carolina University (CCU)]. To meet these goals branding constructs were deconstructed and a three- part Likert-type survey was created to measure brand personality and visual identity. Upon completion, the survey was distributed and completed by 319 fans attending a CCU football game. Examination of the respondents summated averages showed fans identified CCU as a family friendly brand that represented success and fun. Fans were found to like images of the team mascot, football stadium, and football team celebrating and found them to represent CCU athletics well. Furthermore, analysis of variance revealed minor differences in brand perceptions existed between students and non-students. Such findings do well to add to the literature on branding in sport and provide insight for scholars and practiti...
New Hope for the Oceans: Engaging Faith-Based Communities in Marine Conservation

Science alone cannot mitigate threats to the oceans. Whereas scientists can identify problems and empirical steps toward their resolution, support for research, problem solving, and implementation of solutions must come from societal sources. Among the most promising are religious communities whose members are motivated by their faith to collaborate with marine scientists in achieving shared goals. Many reasons prevail for engaging faith communities in mitigating assaults on the oceans and protecting them from threats to their functioning. Participants in the open forum convened by the Religion and Conservation Biology Working Group of the Society for Conservation Biology during the 4th International Marine Conservation Congress shared their insights on (1) why and how marine researchers and conservation practitioners can best involve faith communities, (2) actions and attitudes that deter constructive engagement with faith communities, and (3) ways forward that the SCB should consider facilitating. Among ways forward identified are the Best Practices Project initiated recently by the RCBWG, adding cultural values and ethics as disciplines SCB members should probe when addressing conservation problems, regularly including cultural values and ethics in panels with other disciplines at international and regional SCB congresses, and appointing an associate editor of SCB publications who will assure the inclusion of articles in which religious and spiritual worldviews, values, and ethics are integrated with the conservation sciences.
Pore structure–CO2 adsorption property relations of supported amine materials with multi-pore networks

Conventional supported amine adsorbents to date are known to suffer from the trade-off between increasing amine content and decreasing access to amine sites. In this work, we propose a solution to this known issue by introducing substrates with multiple pore networks where each pore channel can be used for amine loading and gas diffusion. It was hypothesized that these types of substrates with a multi-pore system would allow for a high amine content without a decrease in diffusion speed or amine efficiency. As a proof of concept, a 3-dimensional silica mesoporous framework composed of agglomerated spheres of microporous zeolite beta was loaded with large or small amine-containing molecules. The resulting hybrid adsorbents include mesopores loaded with large amine molecules or micropores incorporating small amine molecules, where molecular recognition using different pore dimensions allows selective incorporation of amine groups according to their molecular size. As a result of this selective amine loading, the supported amine adsorbent system proposed here demonstrates fast sorption kinetics at all amine loadings while maintaining amine efficiencies near the theoretical maximum value, which has not been achieved in supported amine adsorbents of this class as yet. Thus, this work may unlock new opportunities for the study of solid amine adsorbents with high efficiency amine utilization and fast achievement of near equilibrium capacities.
Multi-tier Priority Queues and 2-tier Ladder Queue for Managing Pending Events in Sequential and Optimistic Parallel Simulations

The choice of data structure for managing and processing pending events in timestamp priority order plays a critical role in achieving good performance of sequential and parallel Discrete Event Simulation (DES). Accordingly, we propose and evaluate the effectiveness of our novel multi-tiered (2 and 3 tier) data structures and our 2-tier Ladder Queue, for both sequential and optimistic parallel simulations, on distributed memory platforms. Our assessments use (a fine-tuned version of) the Ladder Queue, which has shown to outperform many other data structures for DES. The experimental results based on 2,500 configurations of PHOLD benchmark show that our 3-tier heap and 2-tier ladder queue outperform the Ladder Queue by 10% to 50% in simulations, particularly those with higher concurrency per Logical Process (LP), in both sequential and Time Warp synchronized parallel simulations.
Empirical Underidentification with the Bifactor Model: A Case Study

Bifactor models are commonly used to assess whether psychological and educational constructs underlie a set of measures. We consider empirical underidentification problems that are encountered when fitting particular types of bifactor models to certain types of data sets. The objective of the article was fourfold: (a) to allow readers to gain a better general understanding of issues surrounding empirical identification, (b) to offer insights into empirical underidentification with bifactor models, (c) to inform methodologists who explore bifactor models about empirical underidentification with these models, and (d) to propose strategies for structural equation model users to deal with underidentification problems that can emerge when applying bifactor models.