cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Organic burial site on Mars

The Nili Fossae region on Mars is one of the places earmarked for the search of evidence for life. A combination of geomorphological and mineralogical data from the area suggest ideal conditions for the burial of organic matter.
Rhodium pyrazolate complexes as potential CVD precursors.

Reaction of 3,5-(CF3)2PzLi with [Rh(μ-Cl)(η2-C2H4)2]2 or [Rh(μ-Cl)(PMe3)2]2 in Et2O gave the dinuclear complexes [Rh(η2-C2H4)2(μ-3,5-(CF3)2-Pz)]2 (1) and [Rh2(μ-Cl)(μ-3,5-(CF3)2-Pz) (PMe3)4] (2) respectively (3,5-(CF3)2Pz = bis-trifluoromethyl pyrazolate). Reaction of PMe3 with [Rh(COD)(μ-3,5-(CF3)2-Pz)]2 in toluene gave [Rh(3,5-(CF3)2-Pz)(PMe3)3] (3). Reaction of 1 and 3 in toluene (1 : 4) gave moderate yields of the dinuclear complex [Rh(PMe3)2(μ-3,5-(CF3)2-Pz)]2 (4). Reaction of 3,5-(CF3)2PzLi with [Rh(PMe3)4]Cl in Et2O gave the ionic complex [Rh(PMe3)4][3,5-(CF3)2-Pz] (5). Two of the complexes, 1 and 3, were studied for use as CVD precursors. Polycrystalline thin films of rhodium (fcc-Rh) and metastable–amorphous films of rhodium phosphide (Rh2P) were grown from 1 and 3 respectively at 170 and 130 °C, 0.3 mmHg in a hot wall reactor using Ar as the carrier gas (5 cc min−1). Thin films of amorphous rhodium and rhodium phosphide (Rh2P) were grown from 1 and 3 at 170 and 130 °C respectively at 0.3 mmHg in a hot wall reactor using H2 as the carrier gas (7 cc min−1).
Decomposition of Heterogeneous Classification Problems

In some classification problems the feature space is heterogeneous in that the best features on which to base the classification are different in different parts of the feature space. In some other problems the classes can be divided into subsets such that distinguishing one subset of classes from another and classifying examples within the subsets require very different decision rules, involving different sets of features. In such heterogeneous problems, many modeling techniques including decision trees, rules, and neural networks evaluate the performance of alternative decision rules by averaging over the entire problem space, and are prone to generating a model that is suboptimal in any of the regions or subproblems. Better overall models can be obtained by splitting the problem appropriately and modeling each subproblem separately.This paper presents a new measure to determine the degree of dissimilarity between the decision surfaces of two given problems, and suggests a way to search for a strategic splitting of the feature space that identifies regions with different characteristics. We illustrate the concept using a multiplexor problem, and apply the method to a DNA classification problem.
Discrepancy Measures of Role Stress Revisited: New Perspectives on Old Issues

Abstract Researchers (e.g., Berger-Gross & Kraut, 1984; Johns, 1981) have recommended the abandonment of role disagreement, defined as the differences among a worker′s self-reported role expectations and the perceived and actual role expectations held for the worker by the supervisor. The reasons given were that they are typically not reliable, valid, or parsimonious measures. We argue that the psychometric properties of role disagreement have not been adequately explored in prior research. With a sample of public sector employees ( N = 208), we show that careful operationalizations of role disagreement can be reliable measures that have valid relations with several job-related attitudinal criteria beyond the effects of their component variables, role expectations, and attitudinal role stress. The role-expectations measures overall are reliable but not significant predictors of outcomes. The implications of our findings for future research on organizational role stress are discussed.
Of mice and not humans: How reliable are animal models for evaluation of herpes CD8+-T cell-epitopes-based immunotherapeutic vaccine candidates?

Herpes simplex virus type 1 and type 2 (HSV-1 and HSV-2)-specific CD8(+) T cells that reside in sensory ganglia, appear to control recurrent herpetic disease by aborting or reducing spontaneous and sporadic reactivations of latent virus. A reliable animal model is the ultimate key factor to test the efficacy of therapeutic vaccines that boost the level and the quality of sensory ganglia-resident CD8(+) T cells against spontaneous herpes reactivation from sensory neurons, yet its relevance has been often overlooked. Herpes vaccinologists are hesitant about using mouse as a model in pre-clinical development of therapeutic vaccines because they do not adequately mimic spontaneous viral shedding or recurrent symptomatic diseases, as occurs in human. Alternatives to mouse models are rabbits and guinea pigs in which reactivation arise spontaneously with clinical herpetic features relevant to human disease. However, while rabbits and guinea pigs develop spontaneous HSV reactivation and recurrent ocular and genital disease none of them can mount CD8(+) T cell responses specific to Human Leukocyte Antigen- (HLA-)restricted epitopes. In this review, we discuss the advantages and limitations of these animal models and describe a novel "humanized" HLA transgenic rabbit, which shows spontaneous HSV-1 reactivation, recurrent ocular disease and mounts CD8(+) T cell responses to HLA-restricted epitopes. Adequate investments are needed to develop reliable preclinical animal models, such as HLA class I and class II double transgenic rabbits and guinea pigs to balance the ethical and financial concerns associated with the rising number of unsuccessful clinical trials for therapeutic vaccine formulations tested in unreliable mouse models.
Atomic structure of the Σ5 (310)/[001] symmetric tilt grain boundary in molybdenum

Abstract Atomistic simulations offer an important route towards understanding and modeling materials behavior. Incorporating the essential physics into the models of interatomic interactions is increasingly difficult as materials with more complex electronic structures than f.c.c. transition metals are addressed. For b.c.c. metals, interatomic potentials have been developed that incorporate angularly dependent interactions to accommodate the physics of partially filled d-bands. A good test of these new models is to predict the structure of crystal defects and compare them with experimentally observed defect structures. To that end, the Σ5 (310)/[001] symmetric tilt grain boundary in Mo has been fabricated and characterized by HREM. The experimentally observed structure is found to agree with predictions based on atomistic simulations using angular-force interatomic potentials developed from model generalized pseudopotential theory (MGPT), but disagrees with predictions based on radial-force potentials, such as those obtained from the Finnis–Sinclair method or the embedded atom method (EAM).
Probing the Interdigitated Phase of a DPPC Lipid Bilayer by Micropipette Aspiration

We used micropipette aspiration of giant unilamellar vesicles to directly measure the areal expansion of gel (L β' ) phase 1,2-dipalmitoyl-sn-glycero-3-phosphocholine (DPPC) lipid bilayers induced by exposure to ethanol/water mixtures. Areal expansion began in 7 vol% ethanol and increased monotonically as the concentration of ethanol was increased to 15 vol% at which point areal expansion reached a plateau of 50%. This ethanol concentration range is in good agreement with that of the interdigitated phase (L β I) of DPPC, therefore, we believe that this is the first direct measurement of the areal expansion accompanying interdigitation of gel-phase lipids. Our observations are consistent with the presence of coexisting L β I and L β' phases in ethanol concentrations between 7% and 15 vol% and 100% L β I phase in 15 vol% ethanol and higher. We observed a bimodal distribution of areal expansion (0% and 20%) induced by 7 vol% ethanol indicating that at the threshold concentration, interdigitation is induced in only a portion of DPPC vesicles. Areal expansion could not be easily reversed, consistent with kinetic trapping of the LpI phase. DPPC vesicles exposed to butanol at the known threshold and plateau concentrations for the L β I phase displayed areal expansion behavior consistent with our ethanol observations. However, the area expanded significantly faster for DPPC bilayers exposed to butanol vs. ethanol, which we attribute to enhanced partitioning of the longer-chained butanol into the lipid headgroups. Ethanol-induced areal expansion of DPPC bilayers was inhibited by inclusion of 10 mol% and 25 mol% cholesterol in the bilayer. However, areal expansion could be induced by application of tensions (∼8 mN/m) similar to the phenomena of interdigitation induced by high pressure. The presence of 20 vol% ethanol significantly decreased surface cohesion of DPPC bilayers containing 25 mol% cholesterol as evidenced by a decreased area compressibility modulus and lysis tension.
Southern stingray (Dasyatis americana) feeding on lancelets (Branchiostoma floridae)

A southern stingray from the shallow sand flats of Tampa Bay, Florida, had its gut filled almost exclusively with lancelets. The absence of small lancelets from the gut contents indicated a pharyngeal sieving mechanism by the ray.
Minimal cooperation between mutant Hras and c-myc or TGFα in the regulation of mouse hepatocyte growth or transformation in vivo.

Background: Liver carcinogenesis is associated with multiple genetic changes in affected cells, including alterations in the Hras signalling pathway. Aim: To define the biological contributions of Hras to mouse hepatocarcinogenesis, we quantified in vivo interactions between mutant Hras and other genetic alterations frequently associated with liver cancer, including overexpression of the transcription factor c-myc and the epidermal growth factor receptor ligand transforming growth factor alpha (TGFα). Methods: To accomplish this aim, we initiated expression of an activated Hras in hepatocytes of adult mice with or without simultaneous overexpression of either c-myc or TGFα. Potential interactions also were assessed through the use of the comparative hepatocyte growth assay, a hepatocyte transplantation assay that measures effects of altered gene expression on hepatocyte growth in vivo. Results: Hras expression caused diffuse liver enlargement (hepatomegaly), and this phenotype was not changed by coexpression of c-myc or TGFα. Using the transplant system, we found that expression of mutant Hras alone was sufficient to induce hepatocyte focus growth in a quiescent liver. Paradoxically, adding expression of TGFα or c-myc reversed this Hras effect. Finally, the frequencies of transplant foci with the preneoplastic feature of extreme growth potential and of liver neoplasms were increased for Hras and both combinations when compared with control hepatocytes, but did not differ among oncogene-expressing groups. Conclusions: Hras-associated hepatocyte growth deregulation is not complemented by activation of c-myc or TGFα growth signalling pathways in mouse liver. This finding emphasizes the tissue-specific character of molecular growth regulation.
Knowledge Monitoring, Goal Orientations, Self-Efficacy, And Academic Performance: A Path Analysis

The purpose of this study was to examine the relationship between knowledge monitoring and motivation as defined by self-efficacy and goal orientations. A path model was proposed to hypothesize the causal relations among predictors of the students’ total score in the Educational Psychology course. The sample consisted of undergraduate students enrolled in two sections of the Educational Psychology course at a large Midwestern university. The data collection process took place during two semesters (Fall 2010 and Spring 2011). Subjects completed a knowledge monitoring assessment (KMA) and combined scale of self-efficacy and goal orientations online. Results of the study confirmed the positive correlations between knowledge monitoring, selfefficacy, mastery goals, and total exam score. The path analysis revealed that two predictors had significant direct effects on total score, knowledge monitoring and mastery goals. Self-efficacy had a significant direct effect on mastery goals. Although self-efficacy significantly correlated with total score, the parameter between self-efficacy and total score was not significant. Knowledge monitoring did not significantly correlate with self-efficacy and mastery goals. The path analysis revealed no significant exogenous parameters from or to performance goals. The current study provided some insights in understanding the relationship between knowledge monitoring and motivation as defined by self-efficacy and goal orientations. Recommendations and suggestions for future research were discussed.
Secure communications using quantum cryptography

The secure distribution of the secret random bit sequences known as {open_quotes}key{close_quotes} material, is an essential precursor to their use for the encryption and decryption of confidential communications. Quantum cryptography is an emerging technology for secure key distribution with single-photon transmissions, nor evade detection (eavesdropping raises the key error rate above a threshold value). We have developed experimental quantum cryptography systems based on the transmission of non-orthogonal single-photon states to generate shared key material over multi-kilometer optical fiber paths and over line-of-sight links. In both cases, key material is built up using the transmission of a single-photon per bit of an initial secret random sequence. A quantum-mechanically random subset of this sequence is identified, becoming the key material after a data reconciliation stage with the sender. In our optical fiber experiment we have performed quantum key distribution over 24-km of underground optical fiber using single-photon interference states, demonstrating that secure, real-time key generation over {open_quotes}open{close_quotes} multi-km node-to-node optical fiber communications links is possible. We have also constructed a quantum key distribution system for free-space, line-of-sight transmission using single-photon polarization states, which is currently undergoing laboratory testing. 7 figs.
The application of acoustic Doppler current profilers to measure the timing and patterns of coral larval dispersal

An experiment was conducted along the reefs off west Maui, Hawaii, during the summer of 2003 to monitor the spawning of the reef-building coral Montipora capitata and to determine the role of ocean currents in dispersing the larvae from the natal reef. Instruments documented the environmental forcing during the coral spawning season; drifters were deployed on three successive nights following direct observations of coral spawning. Both the timing and relative magnitude of the coral spawning were identifiable in acoustic backscatter data and correlated to plankton tow data. Each drifter track showed that the surface water containing coral eggs and planula larvae were transported rapidly offshore and not locally retained. Wind and current patterns during the previous year and during subsequent coral spawning events later in the summer were similar to those observed during the drifter releases. This suggests that the trajectories observed during the focused experiment are representative of the general pattern of larval dispersal off west Maui. These findings demonstrate the application of acoustic profilers for remotely imaging coral spawning and predicting their initial dispersal patterns.
Optical Polarimeters in Astronomy

The optimum choice of detector array and polarizing optics for an optical polarimeter is discussed.© (1977) COPYRIGHT SPIE--The International Society for Optical Engineering. Downloading of the abstract is permitted for personal use only.
The Dynamic Lives and Static Institutions of the “Two Armies”: Data from the Survey of Active Duty Personnel

The U.S. Army consists of two distinct functional components: soldiers serving in combat roles, on the one hand, and those who serve in support positions, on the other. Do these two functionally di...
The generation of solar magnetic activity: Photospheric flows and coronal fields

We describe the current status of our observational and theoretical comprehension of the fundamental activity mechanism of the sun, whereby subsurface motions slowly drive the coronal magnetic field into a stressed state that may suffer a loss of equilibrium or become disruptively unstable, leading to the rapid release of energy. Our empirical knowledge proceeds from modern measurements of surface magnetic and flow fields. The former, derived from vector magnetograms, can be used to construct a quantitative model (within resolution and accuracy limits) of the coronal field of an active region. The stored magnetic energy and current density can also be computed at this instant in time. The photospheric flow fields can then, in principle, be used to drive the active-region magnetic field to a subsequent higher-energy state. One can then create model three-dimensional computational simulations of these evolutionary motions which show transitions to instability and eruption that are characteristic of observed solar flare activity.
Preparation and Characterization of Molybdenum Disulfide Microcrystals in Colloidal Dispersion

We report the preparation and general, optical and resonant Raman scattering characterization of MoS2 platelets suspended in an insulating organic liquid. Structural results indicate that the platelets are predominantly 2H in structure and are about 500A in diameter and 50–90 A thick. The optical constants of the composite are close to those expected from the simple Maxwell-Garnett effective medium theory. We have observed resonant enhancement of the Raman cross-section for the MoS2 phonon mode at 408 cm−1 as the laser excitation energy is scanned through the “B” exciton.
Analogue pattern matching in a dendritic spine model based on phosphorylation of potassium channels

Modification of potassium channels by protein phosphorylation has been shown to play a role in learning and memory. If such memory storage machinery were part of dendritic spines, then a set of spines could act as an 'analogue pattern matching' device by learning a repeatedly presented pattern of synaptic activation. In this study, the plausibility of such analogue pattern matching is investigated in a detailed circuit model of a set of spines attached to a dendritic branch. Each spine head contains an AMPA synaptic channel in parallel with a calcium-dependent potassium channel whose sensitivity depends on its phosphorylation state. Repeated presentation of synaptic activity results in calcium activation of protein kinases and subsequent channel phosphorylation. Simulations demonstrate that signal strength is greatest when the synaptic input pattern is equal to the previously learned pattern, and smaller when components of the synaptic input pattern are either smaller or larger than corresponding components of the previously learned pattern. Therefore, our results indicate that dendritic spines may act as an analogue pattern matching device, and suggest that modulation of potassium channels by protein kinases may mediate neuronal pattern recognition.
The glabra1 mutation affects the stomatal patterning of Arabidopsis thaliana rosette leaves

Abstract. In Arabidopsis thaliana, the GLABRA 1 (GL1) gene encodes a R2R3-MYB transcription factor that regulates epidermal genes necessary to promote trichome initiation. To determine whether the GL1 gene is also involved in the stomatal patterning of rosette leaves, the epidermal cell pattern of a glabrous mutant (gl1-1) was compared to that of the wild type Columbia ecotype. The gl1-1 mutant was found to have lower stomatal densities and greater distances between stomata as compared to the Columbia ecotype. These findings suggest that stomatal patterning and trichome developmental processes share genetic components to specify cell fate and identity.
Narrowing the Gap between China and Japan: Three Dimensions of National Identity and the Korean Factor

In 2010–12, Sino-Japanese relations deteriorated without the Yasukuni Shrine or Chinese human rights violations in the forefront. To improve relations, attention should turn to what I label the ideological, sectoral, and horizontal dimensions of a national identity gap between these countries. They have each figured in the decline and offer more promise than the temporal dimension, with its symbols of wartime memories, and the vertical dimension, where sensitive Chinese internal affairs are at stake. The sectoral dimension comprises political, economic, and also cultural national identity, each of which has grown more intense in China, while cultural identity is still a force in Japan. Establishing an East Asian community is now the centerpiece in the hope that the horizontal dimension will be an impetus for mutual understanding, yet the notion of community is repeated with no sign of a shared vision of the outside world, whether the US role or the international arena and regionalism. With South Korea, their partner in trilateralism and North Korea's transformation at the crux of all three of these dimensions, this paper emphasizes the way divergent views of the peninsula keep growing in importance for bilateral relations. It suggests ways to reframe relations through cooperation over Korea. As difficult as Korean relations are for both states, it is a test case for their identity gap.
Smith–Lemli–Opitz syndrome

Smith-Lemli-Opitz syndrome (SLOS) is an autosomal recessive, multiple congenital malformation and intellectual disability syndrome, with clinical characteristics that encompass a wide spectrum and great variability. Elucidation of the biochemical and genetic basis for SLOS, specifically understanding SLOS as a cholesterol deficiency syndrome caused by mutation in DHCR7, opened up enormous possibilities for therapeutic intervention. When cholesterol was discovered to be the activator of sonic hedgehog, cholesterol deficiency with inactivation of this developmental patterning gene was thought to be the cause of SLOS malformations, yet this explanation is overly simplistic. Despite these important research breakthroughs, there is no proven treatment for SLOS. Better animal models are needed to allow potential treatment testing and the study of disease pathophysiology, which is incompletely understood. Creation of human cellular models, especially models of brain cells, would be useful, and in vivo human studies are also essential. Biomarker development will be crucial in facilitating clinical trials in this rare condition, because the clinical phenotype can change over many years. Additional research in these and other areas is critical if we are to make headway towards ameliorating the effects of this devastating condition.
Thermal Evaporation of Pure Ag in SOFC-Relevant Environments

The effects of exposure time/temperature, gas flow rate, and environment on the evaporation of pure Ag at 750-900°C studied. The Ag evaporation rate increased linearly with air flow rate initially and became constant for the air flow ra ∼ 1.0 cm s -1 . An activation energy of 280 kJ mol -1 was obtained for Ag evaporation in both air and Ar + 5% H 2 + 3% H 2 C exposure environment had no measurable influence on the Ag evaporation rate as well as its dependence on the gas flow while different surface morphological features were developed after thermal exposure in the oxidizing and reducing environn The relevance of the results to the application of Ag as solid oxide fuel cell (SOFC) contact material is discussed.
Alignment of Hurricane-like Vortices on f and β Planes

A nonlinear, two-layer, vortex-tracking semispectral model (i.e., Fourier transformed in azimuth only) is used to study the evolution ofdry,butotherwisehurricane-like,initiallytiltedvorticesinquiescentsurroundings on f and b planes. The tilt projects onto vorticity asymmetries that are dynamically vortex Rossby waves. Since the swirling wind in the principal mean vortex used here decays exponentially outside the eyewall, it has an initial potential vorticity (PV) minimum. The resulting reversal of PV gradient meets the necessary condition for inflectional (i.e., barotropic or baroclinic) instability. Thus, the vortex may be inflectionally stable or unstable. On an f plane, the tilt precesses relatively slowly because the critical radius, where the phase speeds of the waves match the mean swirling flow, is far from the center. An alternative Gaussian-like PV monopole that has a monotonicoutward decrease of PV is stable to inflectional instability. It has a smaller critical radius and rapid tilt precession. Generally, vortices with fast tilt precession are more stable, as are stronger vortices in higher latitudes. On a b plane, the interaction between the symmetric vortex and the planetary PV gradient induces b gyres that push the vortex poleward and westward. The interaction between the b gyres and the planetary PV gradient may either create a PV minimum or intensify a minimum inherited from the initial condition. Thus, the nonlinear b effect reduces the ability of the vortex to recover from initial tilt, relative to the same vortex on an f plane. This result contrasts with previous studies of barotropic vortices on f planes, where the linear and nonlinear solutions were nearly identical.
Using Sociograms to Identify Social Status in the Classroom

Classroom climate, though difficult to define and assess, affects student learning especially in the elementary schools. Much of the current research focuses on the primary architect of classroom climate — the teacher. There is little doubt that teacher behaviors determine the overall climate of the classroom, but peer actions and reactions also significantly affect classroom climate for individual students. This article briefly highlights peer relationship’s impact on student motivation and performance. An informal method, sociogram, is described for use by school psychologists in collaboration with teachers to confirm social peer status and hierarchy in the classroom. Results of a class sociogram help to identify the need for individual and/or classroom-wide intervention; and the data can also be used to assess effects of such interventions. Sociograms can supplement teacher observations to promote a positive learning environment for all students.
The Plant U1 Small Nuclear Ribonucleoprotein Particle 70K Protein Interacts with Two Novel Serine/Arginine–Rich Proteins

The U1 small nuclear ribonucleoprotein particle (U1 snRNP) 70K protein (U1-70K), one of the three U1 snRNP-specific proteins, is implicated in basic and alternative splicing of nuclear pre-mRNAs. We have used the Arabidopsis U1-70K in the yeast two-hybrid system to isolate cDNAs encoding proteins that interact with it. This screening has resulted in the isolation of two novel plant serine/arginine-rich (SR) proteins, SRZ-22 and SRZ-21 (SRZ proteins). Neither the N-terminal region nor the arginine-rich C-terminal region of U1-70K alone interact with the SRZ proteins. The interaction of U1-70K with the SRZ proteins is confirmed further in vitro using a blot overlay assay. The plant SRZ proteins are highly similar to each other and contain conserved modular domains unique to different groups of splicing factors in the SR family of proteins. SRZ proteins are similar to human 9G8 splicing factor because they contain a zinc knuckle, precipitate with 65% ammonium sulfate, and cross-react with the 9G8 monoclonal antibody. However, unlike the 9G8 splicing factor, SRZ proteins contain a glycine hinge, a unique feature in other splicing factors (SC35 and ASF/SF2), located between the RNA binding domain and the zinc knuckle. SRZ-22 and SRZ-21 are encoded by two distinct genes and are expressed in all tissues tested with varied levels of expression. Our results suggest that the plant SRZ proteins represent a new group of SR proteins. The interaction of plant U1-70K with the SRZ proteins may account for some differences in pre-mRNA splicing between plants and animals.
Exploring MapReduce efficiency with highly-distributed data

MapReduce is a highly-popular paradigm for high-performance computing over large data sets in large-scale platforms. However, when the source data is widely distributed and the computing platform is also distributed, e.g. data is collected in separate data center locations, the most efficient architecture for running Hadoop jobs over the entire data set becomes non-trivial. In this paper, we show the traditional single-cluster MapReduce setup may not be suitable for situations when data and compute resources are widely distributed. Further, we provide recommendations for alternative (and even hierarchical) distributed MapReduce setup configurations, depending on the workload and data set.
Optical nonlinearities of tea studied by Z-scan and four-wave mixing techniques

Optical nonlinearities of black-tea extract dissolved in water are studied using the Z-scan and the four-wave mixing techniques with 7-ns, 532-nm pulses from a Q-switched Nd:YAG laser. The magnitude of the third-order nonlinear optical susceptibility of tea in water is comparable with that of carbon disulfide. The nonlinearity is identified to be of thermal origin.
Comprehensive systematic surveillance for adverse effects of Anthrax Vaccine Adsorbed, US Armed Forces, 1998–2000

Routine vaccinations of US military personnel with Anthrax Vaccine Adsorbed began in 1998. To systematically identify clinical diagnoses reported more frequently after vaccination than before, all military personnel were retrospectively assigned to pre- or post-vaccination cohorts. Cohort assignments were based on vaccination statuses each day of the 3-year surveillance period. For each cohort, rates of hospitalizations and ambulatory visits for 843 specific diagnoses were calculated using data in a public health surveillance system. Compared to the pre-vaccination cohort, the post-vaccination cohort had statistically higher rates of hospitalizations for 17 diagnoses, of ambulatory visits for 34 diagnoses, and in both clinical settings for one diagnosis (malaria). After accounting for systematic differences in coding/reporting and residual confounding, the number and nature of clinical diagnoses more frequent after anthrax vaccination than before were consistent with expectations due to random variation. This surveillance suggests that Anthrax Vaccine Adsorbed has few, if any, clinically significant adverse effects.
Carbon nanotube anodes for lithium ion batteries

Highly purified single-wall carbon nanotubes (SWCNT) were investigated for use as an anode material for thin film lithium ion batteries. The high purity nanotubes were obtained through chemical refinement of soot generated by pulsed laser ablation. The purity of the nanotubes was determined via thermogravimetric analysis, scanning electron microscopy, and transmission electron microscopy. The specific surface area and lithium capacity of the SWCNT’s was compared to that of other conventional anode materials (i.e., carbon black, graphite, and multi-walled carbon nanotubes). The Brunauer, Emmett, and Teller (BET) technique based on nitrogen adsorption was used to measure the specific surface area of the various anode materials. The SWCNT’s exhibited a specific surface area on the order of 915 m2/g, much higher than the other carbonaceous materials. Cyclic voltammetric behavior and the lithium-ion capacity of the materials were measured using a standard 3-electrode electrochemical cell. The cyclic voltammetry showed evidence of “staging” that was similar to other carbonaceous materials. The electrochemical discharge capacity of the purified single walled carbon nanotubes was in excess of 1300 mAh/g after 30 charge/discharge cycles when tested using a current density of 20μA/cm2.
Characteristics of log and clast bed-steps in step-pool streams of northwestern Montana, USA

The role of log and clast steps was studied in 53 step-pool reaches in 32 streams in northwestern Montana. In each reach, 20 consecutive steps were sampled. Drainage areas ranged from 0.5 to 11.5 km2. Mean step spacing was found to be proportional to channel gradient, width of the bankfull channel, and drainage area; mean step height was proportional to the width of the channel. No significant difference exists between clast and log steps with regard to step spacing and step height. This suggested either that (1) woody debris is mobile in even the smallest channels in the study area, or (2) channel flows arrange clast steps around immobile woody debris. Calculations of theoretical entrainment and transport of sediment suggest that the coarse clasts forming steps are capable of being entrained at bankfull discharge in most channels. The presence of immobile log steps (composed of living roots) in the upstream reaches, an increase in the percentage of log steps with gradient, and a decrease in this percentage with the width of the bankfull channel and drainage area, imply that woody debris is mobile primarily in the downstream reaches. Calculations of flow resistance suggest that most steps serve to maximize flow resistance. These results support the second hypothesis, that the height and spacing of clast steps are adjusted around immobile log steps to maintain consistent step characteristics.
“Our Ancestors the Gauls”: Archaeology, Ethnic Nationalism, and the Manipulation of Celtic Identity in Modern Europe

De l'erection de la statue de Vercingetorix a Alesia au discours de F. Mitterand au Mont Beuvray, les rappels ideologiques a l'histoire gauloise ne manquent pas. Tous les pays europeens se servent de l'histoire celtique pour rallier les consciences populaires contre l'envahisseur romain. L'A. montre que ce discours est toujours d'actualite dans l'identite de l'Europe moderne qui se construit
Freemasonry, the Brethren, and the Twists of Edgar Allan Poe in THE CASK OF AMONTILLADO

Freemasonry is defined as “a beautiful system of morality, veiled in allegory and illustrated by symbols” (Mackey, “Symbolism”). For ages, this system has been used by Freemasons all over the world...
Detection of Borrelia lonestari in Amblyomma americanum (Acari: Ixodidae) from Tennessee

Genetic sequences characteristic of Borrelia lonestari (Barbour et al. 1996) were detected in two pools of adult Amblyomma americanum (L.) from Tennessee, corresponding to an estimated minimum field infection rate of 8.4 infected ticks/1000 adults. DNA amplification was conducted using primers derived from the B. lonestari flagellin gene that would also amplify Borrelia burgdorferi (Johnson, Schmid, Hyde, Steigerwalt, and Brenner). Species-specific, internal probes were then used to differentiate between genetic sequences of the spirochetes. Subsequent nucleotide sequencing confirmed the presence of B. lonestari in A. americanum; B. burgdorferi was not detected. This represents the first report of B. lonestari from Tennessee, and suggests that Lyme-like illness may occur in Tennessee.
Measurement Reliability of Phonation Quotient Derived From Three Aerodynamic Instruments

Summary Objective The purpose of this study was to examine parallel forms reliability between two hand-held spirometers and a pneumotachograph-based system for vital capacity and derived phonation quotient measurements. Study design This is a prospective , repeated measures design. Methods A total of 20 adult males were tested using three aerodynamic instruments—Baseline windmill-type spirometer, Contec SP10 digital spirometer and the Pentax Medical Phonatory Aerodynamic System (PAS), Model 6600 for measures of vital capacity. Phonation quotient was calculated using vital capacity from each instrument along with maximum phonation time. Repeated measures analyses of covariance (ANCOVAs) were performed to test for main effects of the instruments on vital capacity and phonation quotient, with age as a covariate. Pearson Product Moment correlation was performed to assess measurement reliability between the instruments. Results Statistically significant differences on ANCOVA were seen in vital capacity measures for the digital spirometer compared with the windmill spirometer and PAS. No differences were found between any of the instruments for phonation quotient. Large and positive correlations were present between all three instruments for both vital capacity and phonation quotient measurements. Conclusions Strong parallel forms reliability in measures of vital capacity and derived phonation quotient was seen among the three instrument systems, although measurement precision was different when comparing the digital spirometer to two other instrument types.
Quantifying Flexibility of Commercial and Residential Loads for Demand Response using Setpoint Changes

Abstract This paper presents a novel demand response estimation framework for residential and commercial buildings using a combination of EnergyPlus and two-state models for thermostatically controlled loads. Specifically, EnergyPlus models for commercial and multi-dwelling residential units are applied to construct exhaustive datasets (i.e., with more than 300M data points) that capture the detailed load response and complex thermodynamics of several building types. Subsequently, regression models are fit to each dataset to predict DR potential based on key inputs, including hour of day, set point change and outside air temperature. For single residential units, and residential thermostatically controlled loads (i.e. water heaters and refrigerators) a two-state model from the literature is applied. For commercial office building and Multiple Dwelling Units (MDUs) building, the fitted regression model can predict DR potential with 80–90% accuracy for more than 90% of data points. The coefficients of determination (i.e. R 2 value) range between 0.54 and 0.78 for the office buildings and 0.39–0.81 for MDUs, respectively. The proposed framework is then validated for commercial buildings through a comparison with a dataset composed of 11 buildings during 12 demand response events. In addition, the use of the proposed simplified DR estimation framework is presented in terms of two cases (1) peak load shed prediction in an individual building and (2) aggregated DR up/down capacity from a large-scale group of different buildings.
Resiliency Planning: Prioritizing the Vulnerability of Coastal Bridges to Flooding and Scour☆

Abstract Bridge owners are faced with the daunting task of maintaining or replacing aging infrastructure over the next century. Added to this challenge are climate change projections such as rising sea levels. A major concern to bridge owners is the need to strengthen the resiliency of their bridges while utilizing a limited amount of financial resources. This paper will offer a methodology for prioritizing the vulnerability to flooding and scour for a state department of transportation's bridge inventory. Through the use of geographic information system (GIS) software, data is mined from the National Bridge Inventory (NBI) - making this methodology applicable to any state agency in the country. The New York City metropolitan region will be presented as a case study.
Maintaining Lateral Wound and Canthal Regularity in External Midface Lifts

Irregularity at the lateral canthus may be an unintended outcome of cheeklifting. Sometimes redundant lateral canthal tissue will need to be resected or imbricated. Intraoperative assessment and meticulous attention to the canthal angle are useful in preventing these abnormalities.
Understanding Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses

Systematic reviews should be distinguished from narrative reviews. In the latter, an editor asks an expert to sum up all of the information that is known about a particular topic. However, the expert is under no constraints regarding what he or she does, or does not, choose to include in the review. As a result, his or her bias can influence the final message. A systematic review, which may or may not be written by experts, typically asks a narrower question, and then answers it using the entirety of the medical literature. The systematic review process includes computer searches to identify the pertinent literature, a statement of the inclusion and exclusion criteria for identified studies, a list of items of interest to extract from each study, a method to assess the quality of each study, a summary of the evidence that has been found (which may or may not involve attempts to combine data), a discussion of the evidence and the limitations of the conclusions, and suggestions for future research efforts. If the data are combined, that process is called meta-analysis. In meta-analysis, an estimate of the reliability of each study is made, and those that appear to be more reliable are weighed more heavily when the data are combined. While systematic reviews depend on a more preplanned method and thus, unlike narrative reviews, contain sections on method, they can be easily read once the reader becomes familiar with the vocabulary.
Tourette's Syndrome

The prevalence of Gilles de la Tourette's syndrome (TS) in school children from Monroe County, New York, was examined in the Depts of Psychiatry, Neurology and Pediatrics, University of Rochester Medical Center, Rochester, NY.
Moving the Dial for Students With Emotional and Behavioral Disorders: Ensuring Early Access to Intensive Supports

For many years, the field has struggled to provide effective supports and interventions for students with emotional and behavioral disorders (EBDs). Rarely are EBDs identified and treated early. Additionally, students with EBDs who require intensive supports often have a myriad of needs, which can be difficult to address. Thus, the long-term outcome for many of these students is poor. As illustrated in this special issue, the science behind our intervention practices has advanced; but these advancements have not necessarily translated into authentic school settings across the nation. To move the dial for students with EBDs, we need to be more proactive as a field by providing early identification and intervention for students with EBDs and ensure access to high quality intensive services and supports for all students across the nation.
Tissue chips to aid drug development and modeling for rare diseases

ABSTRACTIntroduction: The technologies used to design, create and use microphysiological systems (MPS, ‘tissue chips’ or ‘organs-on-chips’) have progressed rapidly in the last 5 years, and validation studies of the functional relevance of these platforms to human physiology, and response to drugs for individual model organ systems, are well underway. These studies are paving the way for integrated multi-organ systems that can model diseases and predict drug efficacy and toxicology of multiple organs in real-time, improving the potential for diagnostics and development of novel treatments of rare diseases in the future.Areas covered: This review will briefly summarize the current state of tissue chip research and highlight model systems where these microfabricated (or bioengineered) devices are already being used to screen therapeutics, model disease states, and provide potential treatments in addition to helping elucidate the basic molecular and cellular phenotypes of rare diseases.Expert opinion: Microph...
Questioning Assumptions Beneath Conflict Transformation

This essay argues that ongoing reflection of conflict transformation methods is essential. Key to such reflection is an interrogation of the assumptions that underlie the work of research and practice. Edward Queen questions assumptions about conflict itself, human beings, the purposes of transformation, and notions of time. The final portion of the essay calls for conflict transformation researchers and practitioners to practice self-critical awareness regarding their attentiveness to certain conflicts and not others. All of this work is required as a task of practical wisdom, the ongoing reflection and interrogation of what we do and why.
Salt Marsh and Fringing Oyster Reef Transgression in a Shallow Temperate Estuary: Implications for Restoration, Conservation and Blue Carbon

The importance of intertidal estuarine habitats, like salt marsh and oyster reef, has been well established, as has their ubiquitous loss along our coasts with resultant forfeiture of the ecosystem services they provide. Furthering our understanding of how these habitats are evolving in the face of anthropogenic and climate driven changes will help improve management strategies. Previous work has shown that the growth and productivity of both oyster reefs and salt marshes are strongly linked to elevation in the intertidal zone (duration of aerial exposure). We build on that research by examining the growth of marsh-fringing oyster reefs at yearly to decadal time scales and examine movement of the boundary between oyster reef and salt marsh at decadal to centennial time scales. We show that the growth of marsh-fringing reefs is strongly associated to the duration of aerial exposure, with little growth occurring below mean low water and above mean sea level. Marsh-shoreline movement, in the presence or absence of fringing oyster reefs, was reconstructed using transects of sediment cores. Carbonaceous marsh sediments sampled below the modern fringing oyster reefs indicate that marsh shorelines within Back Sound, North Carolina are predominantly in a state of transgression (landward retreat), and modern oyster-reef locations were previously occupied by salt marsh within the past two centuries. Cores fronting transgressive marsh shorelines absent fringing reefs sampled thinner and less extensive carbonaceous marsh sediment than at sites with fringing reefs. This indicates that fringing reefs are preserving carbonaceous marsh sediment from total erosion as they transgress and colonize the exposed marsh shoreline making marsh sediments more resistant to erosion. The amount of marsh sediment preservation underneath the reef scales with the reef’s relief, as reefs with the greatest relief were level with the marsh platform, preserving a maximum amount of carbonaceous sediments during transgression by buffering the marsh from erosional processes. Thus, fringing oyster reefs not only have the capacity to shelter shorelines but, if located at the ideal tidal elevation, they also keep up with accelerating sea-level rise and cap carbonaceous sediments, protecting them from erosion, as reefs develop along the marsh.
Thank You for the Music: Musical Activities as Therapy for Autistic Children

Music therapy, developed over the years by numerous musicians and educators, such as Carl Orff, Jacques-Dalcroze, and Kodaly, have proven to stimulate social interaction, improve selective attention and aid in numerous other developmental milestones. These findings are not only important for parents and school curricula, but also have profound meaning for children with autism. Numerous studies, including work done by Koelsch, as well as Winsler, Ducenne, and Koury, found that children who participated in a music and movement program developed greater self-regulation skills, such as private speech, showed greater improvement in coordination, and fostered positive social interaction between researcher and subject. Autistic children who were exposed to music therapy held eye contact longer, engaged in dialogue, and reduced negative behaviors such as head-banging, avoidance, or self-stimulatory behaviors. Diverse methods of music therapy, including playing instruments, listening to sounds, and other musical activities, could greatly improve the social, emotional, and educational development of autistic children.