cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
The nature of the active site for vinyl acetate synthesis over Pd-Au

Abstract The surface composition of a Pd–Au alloy was determined using low energy ion scattering spectroscopy (LEISS). A stable surface composition was found between 700 and 1000 K with substantial enrichment in Au compared to the bulk. Infrared reflection absorption spectroscopy (IRAS) and temperature programmed desorption (TPD) were used to investigate the surface adsorption sites and ensembles. The isolated Pd sites, PdAu6 for Pd–Au on Mo(1 1 0) and for Pd/Au(1 1 1), and PdAu4 for Pd/Au(1 0 0), were observed by controlling the Pd amount and the annealing temperature. Acetoxylation of ethylene to vinyl acetate (VA) was used to investigate the mechanism of the promotional effect of Au in a Pd–Au alloy catalyst. The enhanced rates of VA formation for low Pd coverages relative to high Pd coverages on Au single crystal surfaces demonstrate that the critical reaction site for VA synthesis consists of two, non-contiguous, suitably spaced Pd monomers. The results show that the role of Au is to isolate single Pd sites that facilitate the coupling of critical surface species to product while inhibiting the formation of undesirable reaction by-products.
Dietary Patterns and Prevalence of Food Insecurity Among Low-Income Families Participating in Community Food Assistance Programs in a Midwest Town

The purpose of this study is to determine the dietary patterns and prevalence of food insecurity in low-income families participating in community food assistance programs. A total of 236 head of households are selected as a convenience sample and interviewed using the Radimer/Cornell Hunger Questionnaire and food frequency table. Pearson Chi-square is used to analyze the prevalence of food insecurity and the association between food insecurity and dietary intake. Fifty-one percent of households with children are food secure, 24.3% are food insecure without hunger, 12.2% are food insecure with moderate hunger, and 12.2% report food insecurity with severe hunger. Ten percent of households without children are food insecure with moderate hunger, and 5% report food insecurity with severe hunger. Results also show that consumption of foods from the food groups recommended by the U.S. Department of Agriculture decreases as the presence of food insecurity increases.
Weathering and the fallout plume of heavy oil from strong petroleum seeps near Coal Oil Point, CA.

The Coal Oil Point (COP) seeps offshore Goleta, CA, are estimated to release 20−25 tons of oil daily, providing an ideal natural laboratory to investigate the fate of oil in the coastal ocean. To address the long-term fate of COP oil, we collected 15 sediment samples down current from the seeps and quantified petroleum content and individual biomarkers using traditional and comprehensive two-dimensional gas chromatography. Similarities in the distributions of hopane biomarkers link the oil in the sediments to fresh seep oil (n = 5) and underlying reservoirs (n = 3), although sediment oil is heavily weathered. The spatial distribution of oil forms a plume along the continental shelf that we suggest represents a chronic fallout pattern for heavy oil from the persistent surface slicks; average surface currents appear to modulate the distribution of the fallout over a period of 0.4−5 days. The extent of hydrocarbon loss is consistent for all sediments, indicating a common limit to oil weathering with contribu...
Efficient ionisation of calcium, strontium and barium by resonant laser pumping

Efficient ionization has been observed when an atomic vapor of strontium, barium or calcium was illuminated with a long pulse tunable laser at the frequency of the atomic resonance line. The variation in the degree of ionization with neutral density and laser intensity has been measured using the 'hook' method. The maximum ionization observed was 94%. Excited state populations were measured yielding an excitation temperature (depending on exact experimental conditions) in the region of 0.4 eV. The decay of ion density after the laser pulse was monitored and the recombination coefficients determined. The results are interpreted in terms of an electron heating model.
Severe maternal separation and adult emotional reactivity in BALB/c mice

BALB/c mice were subjected to severe maternal separation during the first 18 days of life, and data on adult emotional reactivity was later obtained. Mothers were removed from the pups for a period of 10 h out of every 12, beginning 24 h after birth until weaning at 18 days. After weaning, experimental and control groups were divided into isolate/nonisolate groups. At 45 days of age, all animals were tested for 3 consecutive days in an automated open field on three dependent measures: defecation, activity level, and quadrants traversed. The data obtained on activity level and quadrants traversed offer some evidence that severe maternal separation using intact litters may result in decreased emotional reactivity. The defecation data, however, were in the opposite direction of increased emotional reactivity. The implications of this and similar studies are discussed.
Statistical Downscaling of Precipitation Using Machine Learning with Optimal Predictor Selection

Various methods have been proposed to downscale the coarse resolution general circulation model (GCM) climatological variables to the fine-scale regional variables; however, fewer studies have been focused on the selection of GCM predictors. Additionally, the results obtained from one downscaling technique may not be robust and the uncertainties related to the downscaling scheme are not realized. To address these issues, the writers employed independent component analysis (ICA) for predictor selection that determines spatially independent GCM variables. Cross-validation of the independent components is employed to find the predictor combination that describes the regional precipitation over the upper Willamette basin with minimum error. These climate variables, along with the observed precipitation, are used to calibrate three downscaling models: multilinear regression (MLR), support vector machine (SVM), and adaptive-network-based fuzzy inference system (ANFIS). The presented method incorporates several ...
Human-Automated Judgment Learning: A Methodology to Investigate Human Interaction with Automated Judges

Human-automated Judgment Learning (HAJL) is a methodology for investigating human-automated judgment system interaction capturing the judgment processes of the human and automated judge, features of the task environment, and relationships between them. HAJL provides measures for conflict between the judges, compromise by the human judge, adaptation of the human judge to the automated one, and for assessing how well the human judge understands the automated one. HAJL was empirically tested using a simplified air traffic conflict prediction task. Two between-subjects manipulations were crossed to investigate HAJL's sensitivity to training and design interventions. Statistically significant differences were found with respect to 1) males outperforming females judgment performance before feedback from the automated judge was available while the judge's subsequent output eliminated this difference; 2) participants tended to compromise with the automated judge over time. HAJL also identified a trend for partici...
Axisymmetric laser welding of ceramic and metallic materials: finite element modelling

In this paper, finite element techniques are used to model laser spot welding of both metallic and ceramic materials. The materials modelled were aluminum and alumina, a typical ceramic. In the formulation, the steady state mass, momentum, and energy conservation equations are considered with surface tension and buoyancy forces driving the fluid flow. The results indicate that fluid flow must be considered in order to accurately model molten pool characteristics for ceramics since the coupling of fluid flow to heat flow is more important for ceramics than for metals.
Theoretical investigation of the lasing characteristics of several GRIN-SCH quantum well lasers

Abstract The investigation of the gains and threshold currents is carried out for several quantum well lasers of differing potential well shape. The theoretical threshold current density as a function of laser cavity length compares very well with the result obtained from experiments. The gain and photon density as a function of time are reported for several GRIN-SCH potentials of differing shape. The gain of multiple quantum well potentials shows a narrower spectrum than single quantum well potentials. The oscillation frequency of a laser when it is excited by short current pulse is linear with the square root of the power, in agreement with experiments.
Improving Outcomes For College Students With Disabilities: Ten Strategies For Instructors

Federal legislation has increased the participation of students with disabilities in higher education, but they are less likely to attain a postsecondary degree than students without disabilities. In this paper, I discuss reasons for academic failure and illustrate ten strategies that instructors can implement to increase the academic success of students with disabilities. The ten strategies are an accessible syllabus, study objectives, study guides, frequent tests, remedial activities, guided notes, response cards, peer tutoring, fluency building, and feedback.
Miniature devices: Voyage of the microrobots.

Nanobots — tiny robots that can be injected into the body to perform medical procedures — are the stuff of science fiction. Swimming microrobots propelled by artificial flagella bring that fantasy closer to reality.
Autoimmune murine thyroiditis. Relationship of humoral and cellular immunity to thyroiditis in high and low responder mice

Good responder (C57/Br/cd) and poor responder (C57BL/10) mice were immunized with mouse thyroid extract in Freund's complete adjuvant. The good responder mice first showed antibody to thyroglobulin on the seventh day while the poor responder animals had slightly lower titers and antibody did not appear until day 12. The first signs of thyroid infiltration appeared on day 4 in the responder strain, and severe lesions were seen between the third and fifth week. In contrast, the poor responder mice showed almost no evidence of infiltration. The macrophage disappearance reaction, a measure of cell-mediated immunity, was similar in the responder and nonresponder strains.
Recovery of Graded Response Model Parameters: A Comparison of Marginal Maximum Likelihood and Markov Chain Monte Carlo Estimation

Markov chain Monte Carlo (MCMC) methods enable a fully Bayesian approach to parameter estimation of item response models. In this simulation study, the authors compared the recovery of graded response model parameters using marginal maximum likelihood (MML) and Gibbs sampling (MCMC) under various latent trait distributions, test lengths, and sample sizes. Sample size and test length explained the largest amount of variance in item and person parameter estimates, respectively. There was little difference in item parameter recovery between MML and MCMC in samples with 300 or more respondents. MCMC recovered some item threshold parameters better in samples with 75 or 150 respondents. Bias in threshold parameter estimates depended on the generating value and the type of threshold. Person parameters were comparable between MCMC and MML/expected a posteriori for all test lengths.
Free as in puppies: compensating for ict constraints in citizen science

Citizen science is a form of collaborative research engaging the public with professional scientists. Information and communication technologies (ICT) are a leading factor in the recent spread of this phenomenon. A common assumption is that money and ICT are the ideal solutions to issues of data quality and participant engagement. The reality is instead that resource limitations often require adopting suboptimal ICT, including tools that are "free as in puppies" with hidden costs from poor usability and lack of appropriate functionality. A comparative case study of three citizen science projects, eBird, The Great Sunflower Project, and Mountain Watch, found that projects with few ICT resources employed a broader range of strategies to address these issues than expected. The most practical and effective strategies integrated available ICT with other resources to open up new solutions and options for supporting citizen science outcomes in spite of resource limitations.
Indenyl zirconium dinitrogen chemistry: N2 coordination to an isolated zirconium sandwich and synthesis of side-on, end-on dinitrogen compounds.

Exposure of the isolable zirconocene sandwich compounds, (eta(5)-C5Me5)(eta(5)-C9H5-1-R(1)-3-R(2))Zr (R(1) = Me, (i)Pr, (t)Bu; R(2) = Me) to one atmosphere of dinitrogen resulted in N2 coordination. X-ray diffraction and NMR spectroscopy establish that the resulting dimeric dinitrogen compounds contain an unusual mu2,eta(2)-bridging indenyl ring and a weakly activated N2 ligand. N2 coordination from the isolable zirconium sandwich compounds is extremely sensitive to the number and size of the indenyl subsituents. Compounds bearing two [(i)Pr] or three methyl substituents are stable as eta(9) sandwich compounds for weeks under dinitrogen likely due to the inability to dimerize through a two-atom N2 bridge. Performing the reduction of (eta(5)-C5Me5)(eta(5)-C9H5-1-R(1)-3-R(2))ZrCl2 (R(1) = (i)Pr, (t)Bu; R(2) = Me; R(1) = R(2) = SiMe3) under an N2 atmosphere produced a different outcome; rare examples of side-on, end-on zirconium dinitrogen compounds were isolated and in one case, crystallographically characterized. Protonolysis studies with weak Bronsted acids were used to evaluate the relative activation of the bridging dinitrogen ligands.
Applications of Multivariate Polykays to the Theory of Unbiased Ratio-Type Estimation

Abstract The multivariate polykays, or multipart k-statistics, are obtained as a slight extension of results given by Tukey [4] for the univariate polykays. The relationship between this system and the system of multivariate symmetric means is indicated and multiplication formulas are given. An application of these results to the construction of unbiased ratio-type estimators and variance estimates for finite populations is given as a further illustration of the usefulness of polykays.
Tomato Yield Loss as a Result of Simulated Colorado Potato Beetle (Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae) Feeding

Tomato crop losses resulting from feeding by the Colorado potato beetle, Leptinotarsa decemlineata (Say), were estimated. Because of the difficulty in restricting adult beetle movement, feeding was simulated by removing foliage three times a week. The quantity of foliage removed was calculated from a model developed earlier. The effects were measured of foliage removal by the offspring of simulated beetle densities of 0.0006, 0.002, 0.006, 0.017, 0.05, 0.15, 0.45, and 1.35 fertile female beetles per plant at the beginning of the season on fruit weight and number of a determinate and an indeterminate tomato cultivar. Regression equations provided an excellent projection of crop losses. The indeterminate cultivar had significant yield loss above a level of 0.002 initial females per plant, and the determinate cultivar above a level of 0.017 initial females per plant. Yields accumulated over 14 weeks showed when significant yield reduction occurred. For the determinate cultivar at harvest time, the yield was reduced significantly at initial beetle levels of ca. 0.05 females per plant and higher. For the indeterminate cultivar, 0.05 females per plant had no significant effect on yield until week 8 of harvesting.
EFFECTS OF TRANSVERSE SHEARING ON CYLINDRICAL BENDING, VIBRATION, AND BUCKLING OF LAMINATED PLATES

The displacements for cylindrical bending and stretching of laminated and thick plates are expressed through-the-thickness by a few algebraic terms and a complete set of trigonometric terms. Only a few terms of this series are needed to get sufficiently accurate results for laminated and thick plates. Equations of equilibrium based on a sufficient number of terms of this series for displacements are determined using variational theorems from three-dimensional elasticity. Several examples are worked out. The displacements and stresses are obtained for simply supported isotropic and layered beams with a rectangular cross section and a sinusoidal lateral load distribution. These results are compared to an exact elasticity solution. Results for several approximations are obtained for a simply supported and a clamped beam with a rectangular cross section loaded at the center and results are compared to experimental results. Results are also obtained for isotropic and layered beams with a rectangular cross section for several approximations for the lowest natural frequency and buckling load.
Substitutionally Doped II–VI Semiconductor Films and Layered Structures

Photoassisted molecular beam epitaxy (PAMBE), in which the substrate is illuminated during film growth, is being employed in a new approach to controlled substitutional doping of II-VI compound semiconductors. Substitutional doping of these materials has been a long standing problem which has severely limited their applications potential. The PAMBE technique gives rise to dramatic changes in the electrical properties of as-grown epilayers. In particular, highly conducting n-type and p-type CdTe films have been grown using indium and antimony as n-type and p-type dopants, respectively. Double-crystal x-ray rocking curve data indicate that the doped epilayers are of high structural quality. Successful n-type doping of CdMnTe, a dilute magnetic semiconductor, with indium has also been achieved. Most recently, the photoassisted growth technique has been employed to prepare doped CdMnTe-CdTe quantum well structures and superlattices. In addition, HgCdTe films which exhibit excellent optical and electrical properties as well as exceptional structural perfection have been grown by the PAMBE technique.
Controlling contact transition

Successful control of contact transitions is an important capability of dextrous robotic manipulators. We examine several methods for controlling the transition from free motion to constrained motion, with an emphasis on minimizing end-effector load oscillations during the transition. A new approach, based on input command shaping, is discussed and compared with several methods developed in prior research. The various techniques were evaluated on a one-axis impact testbed, and we present results from those experiments. The input shaping method was found to be comparable, and in some cases superior, to existing techniques of contact transition control. >
An Economic Analysis of Fact Witness Payment

In this paper we discuss the disparate treatment of perceptual (‘‘fact’’) witnesses and expert witnesses in the legal system. We highlight the distinction between the perceptual act of witnessing and the act of testifying, and argue that although there might be good reasons to regulate payments to fact witnesses, the customary prohibition on paying them for their services is not justified by reference to economic theory. We propose considering a court mediated system for compensating fact witnesses so as to encourage witnessing of legally important events. We construct a simple model of witness incentives, and simulate the effects of several possible payment mechanisms. Although it is possible that any system that offers a financial incentive will induce some unreliable witness testimony, we argue that the current system also provides incentives for biased testimony, so it is not clear that a payment system would lower the quality of witness testimony.
The Vital Importance of the Uterovaginal Sperm-Host Glands for the Turkey Hen

Abstract Pooled semen from turkey males was kept at 27°C. in a vacuum flask, was used within one hour, and was introduced in 0.05 ml. dosages into paired groups of hens by the intravaginal and intramagnal route, respectively. These procedures, with fresh pooled semen in each trial, were repeated in two paired groups—for a total of 47–51 hens—over two 8-week experimental periods. All hens artificially inseminated intramagnally by surgical technique had hard-shelled eggs in their uteri. All hens inseminated intravaginally had just oviposited or were in the missed day of their clutch as determined by cloacal palpation. In every instance comparisons of fertility over 4-week intervals following insemination between surgical (intramagnal A.I.) and control (intravaginal A.I.) groups indicated that the former hens were distinctly inferior for this reproductive trait. Significant differences between the two groups existed in terms of duration of fertility in days as shown in the following comparisons, where the surgical group values are expressed first: 21.3 vs. 33.6 (early in the season); and 13.4 vs. 20.8 days (late in the season). Comparisons in other reproductive traits such as percent egg production, early embryonic mortality and hatchability between the two groups were less informative. These findings indicated that the uterovaginal glands (at the bottom) rather than the infundibular glands (at the upper) in the turkey oviduct are superior storage sites for spermatozoa, and it is essential that they be filled in order to maintain optimal levels of fertility in this species.
Specific Interaction between Casein Kinase 2 and the Nucleolar Protein Nopp140

Casein kinase 2 (CK2) is a multifunctional second messenger-independent protein serine/threonine kinase that phosphorylates many different proteins. To understand the function and regulation of this enzyme, biochemical methods were used to search for CK2-interacting proteins. Using immobilized glutathione S-transferase fusion proteins of CK2, the nucleolar protein Nopp140 was identified as a CK2-associated protein. It was found that Nopp140 binds primarily to the CK2 regulatory subunit, β. The possible in vivo association of Nopp140 with CK2 was also suggested from a coimmunoprecipitation experiment in which Nopp140 was detected in immunoprecipitates of CK2 prepared from cell extracts. Further studies using an overlay technique with radiolabeled CK2 as a probe revealed a direct CK2-Nopp140 interaction. Using deletion mutants of CK2β subunits, the binding region of the CK2β subunit to Nopp140 has been mapped. It was found that the NH2-terminal 20 amino acids of CK2β are involved. Since Nopp140 has been identified as a nuclear localization sequence-binding protein and has been shown to shuttle between the cytoplasm and the nucleus, the finding of a CK2-Nopp140 interaction could shed light on our understanding of the function and regulation of CK2 and Nopp140.
A Refractive INdex Gradient (RING) diagnostic for transient discharges or expansions of vapor or plasmas

The refractive index gradient (RING) diagnostic described uses a fast, silicon, photodiode quadrant detector with a differential amplifier to temporally detect the refraction of a CW laser by transient discharges or expansions of vapor, gas, or plasma. The method is a local one-dimensional time-resolved, quantitative, species-discriminating (i.e., atoms or electrons) Schlieren technique. The diagnostic is easy to field, sensitive (the minimum deflection angles detectable are approximately=0.3 mu rad), and fast (risetime=11+or-1 ns). Circuit design, performance, and diagnostic theory are discussed. To illustrate the utility of this technique, examples of measurements on LEVIS (laser evaporation ion source), a laser-produced, active, lithium ion source, are given. Measured properties include vapor/plasma production thresholds, expansion velocities, and time-resolved gradient and density spatial profiles. Comparisons of the RING results with measurements using a Faraday cup and a double-floating Langmuir probe are presented. >
The impact of marital status on epilepsy-related health concerns.

Summary Social support from marriage has been linked with better health outcomes. Persons with epilepsy (PWE) are significantly less likely to be married than persons without epilepsy. No previous studies have examined the impact of marriage on epilepsy-related health concerns. Outpatient PWE (n = 267) were asked to identify their top five concerns on the Epilepsy Foundation Concerns Index. After controlling for clinical factors (seizure frequency, age of epilepsy diagnosis and disability status) PWE who were married were significantly less likely to report “Fear of being injured during a seizure” Odds Ratio (OR) 0.33, “Holding down a job” OR 0.29, “Getting the work or education you want” OR 0.29, “Medical costs of your epilepsy” OR 0.21 and “Lack of people's understanding of epilepsy” OR 0.27. Once we controlled for both clinical factors and demographic factors only one concern “Medical costs of your epilepsy” OR 0.24 remained significant. Our findings support several theories examining the health benefits of marriage related to selection, protection and economic resources. PWE are particularly prone to economic disparities due to lower educational attainment and unemployment. Earlier intervention especially for those with childhood onset epilepsy may help mitigate these disparities and their impact on social relationships and marriage.
Motivated Skepticism in the Evaluation of Political Beliefs

We propose a model of motivated skepticism that helps explain when and why citizens are biased-information processors. Two experimental studies explore how citizens evaluate arguments about affirmative action and gun control, finding strong evidence of a prior attitude effect such that attitudinally congruent arguments are evaluated as stronger than attitudinally incongruent arguments. When reading pro and con arguments, participants (Ps) counterargue the contrary arguments and uncritically accept supporting arguments, evidence of a disconfirmation bias. We also find a confirmation bias—the seeking out of confirmatory evidence—when Ps are free to self-select the source of the arguments they read. Both the confirmation and disconfirmation biases lead to attitude polarization—the strengthening of t2 over t1 attitudes—especially among those with the strongest priors and highest levels of political sophistication. We conclude with a discussion of the normative implications of these findings for rational behavior in a democracy.
Segmenting magnetic resonance images via hierarchical mixture modelling

We present a statistically innovative as well as scientifically and practically relevant method for automatically segmenting magnetic resonance images using hierarchical mixture models. Our method is a general tool for automated cortical analysis which promises to contribute substantially to the science of neuropsychiatry. We demonstrate that our method has advantages over competing approaches on a magnetic resonance brain imagery segmentation task.
Conservation genetics: where are we now?

Genetic studies in endangered species have become widespread in the past decade, and with new information from various genome projects, new applications and insights are forthcoming. Generally, neutral variants are used for conservation applications, and when combined with highly variable loci and/or many more markers, these approaches should become much more informative. Conservation genetics is also concerned with detrimental and adaptive variation, which are more difficult to identify and characterize; however, the ability to predict the extent of such variation might become more successful and applied in future conservation efforts. Neutral variants might be used to identify adaptive variants, but the overlay of different mutational processes and selective regimes suggests that extreme caution should be used in making such identifications.
Work as Meaning: Individual and Organizational Benefits of Engaging in Meaningful Work

We review the literature on work as meaning and propose a theoretical model of factors that support engagement in meaningful work. We argue that meaningful work arises when people have a clear sense of self, an accurate understanding of the nature and expectations of their work environment, and understand how to transact with their organizations to accomplish their work objectives. We argue that this comprehension of the self in work provides the foundation for people to develop a sense of purpose and mission about their work that both motivates their engagement and performance and helps them transcend their own immediate interests to achieve concern for their contributions to their organization and the greater good. We describe potential and documented benefits of meaningful work to individuals and organizations and provide some suggestions for practical applications and future research.
A Black-Scholes Approach to Satisfying the Demand in a Failure-Prone Manufacturing System

The goal of this paper is to use a financial model and a hedging strategy in a systems application. In particular, the classical Black-Scholes model, which was developed in 1973 to find the fair price of a financial contract, is adapted to satisfy an uncertain demand in a manufacturing system when one of two production machines is unreliable. This financial model together with a hedging strategy are used to develop a closed formula for the production strategies of each machine. The strategy guarantees that the uncertain demand will be met in probability at the final time of the production process. It is assumed that the production efficiency of the unreliable machine can be modeled as a continuous-time stochastic process. Two simple examples illustrate the result.
The Canadian Shift in two Ontario cities: The Canadian Shift in two Ontario cities

: The Canadian Shift, a change-in-progress that is affecting the lax vowel subsystem of Canadian English, has been found to be active in a number of cities across Canada. Very little is known about the geolinguistic history and spread of the shift, however. Combining apparent time data from Thunder Bay, Ontario, with a comparison of lax vowel pronunciation in the speech of young people from both Thunder Bay and Toronto, the current study presents evidence against the hypothesis that the Canadian Shift has spread to Thunder Bay by way of a gravity model of diffusion. Although not identical, the vowel configurations are quite similar in the speech of young people from the two cities, and the apparent time findings suggest that the shift in Thunder Bay has not lagged behind the shift in Toronto. Results support the proposal that the English of Thunder Bay and Toronto share a common source and that the low back vowel merger, the pre-cursor for the shift, was brought westward with the settlers to Thunder Bay in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. Subsequently, the Canadian Shift occurred simultaneously in both areas. Evidence of more urban features in the pronunciation of several Thunder Bay teenagers also raises questions about the future impact of mobility on the local dialect.
Combining Airspace Sectors for the Efficient Use of Air Traffic Control Resources

A greedy heuristic algorithm for combining under-utilized airspace sectors to conserve air trac control resources is suggested and analyzed. Simulations using historical air trac data suggest that systematically combining under-utilized airspace sectors within centers can lead to signicantly fewer sectors and therefore a more ecient utilization of air trac control resources. The eciency gains are more modest when sectors are only allowed to combine with sectors in the same controller area of specialization. Parameters can be adjusted to ensure that this approach to combining sectors works well with operational procedures as well as to trade o eciency and the likelihood of sectors exceeding their capacity. Quantitative analyses show that the likelihood of sectors exceeding their capacities can be decreased eectively without signicant sacrices of eciency gains by changing the minimum capacity gap parameter.
Children and Added Sugar: The Case for Restriction

It is increasingly clear that children's excessive consumption of products high in added (or extrinsic) sugar causes obesity and obesity-related health problems like type 2 diabetes, cardiovascular disease, and metabolic syndrome. Less clear is how best to address this problem through public health policy. In contrast to policies that might conflict with adult's right to self-determination — for example sugar taxes and soda bans — this article proposes that children's access to products high in added sugars should be restricted in the same way that children's access to tobacco products is restricted. The article first considers how the recommended policy will protect a child's right to an open future while not violating parental rights. The article then explores how the implementation of the recommended policy can help transform the social meaning of sugar and thereby curb the parental supply of added sugar to children — a central cause of obesity. The article also addresses several potential objections.
AUA White Paper on the Beers Criteria for Potentially Inappropriate Medication Use in Older Adults

AbstractIntroduction: Medication related problems are common but may be preventable outcomes of prescribing choices. Risks associated with medications in the older adult population are greater due to changes in physiological function with age or disease. Older adults and those with significant comorbidities are often excluded from the clinical trials used to develop medications. In 2012 the American Geriatrics Society published the most recent update of the Beers Criteria for Potentially Inappropriate Medication Use in Older Adults. Several medications included in sections of the Beers Criteria are frequently used in clinical urology, including nitrofurantoin, alpha-1 blocker medications, and antimuscarinic anticholinergic medications for the treatment of urge incontinence and overactive bladder. We describe the challenges and considerations that are useful in prescribing medications for geriatric patients.Methods: A literature review was performed targeting publications from 2003 to 2013 on the topics of...
Female Citizenship, Independence, and Consent in Conrad’s the Secret Agent

After all you must not take it [The Secret Agent] too seriously. The whole thing is superficial and it is but a tale. I had no idea to consider Anarchism politically—or to treat it seriously in its...
Economic feasibility of mobile processing units for small-scale pasture poultry farmers

The use of mobile processing units (MPUs) for pasture poultry is growing rapidly. This study compared the economic feasibility of MPUs to two processing alternatives, traditional stationary processing on-farm plants and off-farm processing facilities. Our study combined a survey of pasture poultry farmers in Georgia, Louisiana, and Arkansas with the published research. Our findings suggest that MPUs and traditional on-farm processing alternatives have a lower processing cost, but that they require a higher initial investment than the off-farm option. In addition, off-farm processing at the United States Department of Agriculture-inspected facility allows selling products for a higher price. We therefore expect, on average, a higher per-bird profit than with the other two options. However, the excess processing capacity of the MPU can make this option the most profitable.
Dynamic In-Vivo Scapular Motion in Abduction and Adduction

Preserving scapular function following total shoulder arthroplasty (TSA) is essential for maintaining the normal range of dynamic motion of the shoulder joint complex. However, the ability to accurately measure in-vivo glenohumeral and scapular motion remains a challenge in the field of bioengineering. Single plane radiography was used to explore scapular rotation, but is limited to motion parallel to the imaging plane [1]. Bi-plane x-ray systems have been developed to overcome this limitation; however, these systems can suffer from relatively high radiation dosages [2, 3]. To minimize these effects, 6DOF electromagnetic tracking devices have been attached to the shoulder joint complex to measure scapulothoracic kinematics; except at large humeral abduction angles they can suffer skin motion artifacts [4, 5]. The purpose of this study was to investigate the feasibility and repeatability of using dual orthogonal cine fluoroscopy to quantify the dynamic scapular motions of living subjects after anatomic TSA, simulating an arm raise/lower cycle of drinking from a coffee mug.Copyright © 2008 by ASME
A Biological and Toxicological Study of Strains of Two-Spotted Spider Mites

Strains of two-spotted spider mite, Tetranychus urticae (Koch), collected from the rose variety Better Times from 5 greenhouses in New Jersey, were compared toxicologically and biologically with a known insecticide-susceptible and a known resistant strain. All strains were reared in the greenhouse for 12 months, using specially designed isolation cages. Comparison of LC50’s of parathion, ethion, dicofol, and Aramite® (2-( p-tert -butylphenoxy) isopropyl 2-chloroethyl sufite) showed that all candidate colonies were resistant to parathion and ethion, while the response to dicofol and Aramite varied from those that were almost susceptible to those having a high resistance level. Differences in egg production, egg viability, and length of life cycle were found in all colonies. Susceptible mites demonstrated the greatest overall reproductive capacity in that they oviposited the most eggs, had the greatest percent of viable eggs, and the shortest life cycle. It was concluded that each strain was biologically as well as toxicologically distinct.
Oil and Health Care in Post-Soviet Azerbaijan

Health care systems reflect historical relationships between states and citizens, as well as predominant values and institutions marking a particular social milieu. Theories that place national health care in historical social context tend to exaggerate the forces of globalization and to underestimate the role of local specificities. A health care system and its social context, however, are shaped at the intersection of global, regional, and local factors, rather than by globalization alone. In this article I demonstrate this combined influence by tracking the transition in Soviet to post-Soviet health care Azerbaijan. I show that the dissolution of Azerbaijan’s socialized health care was due not to neoliberal globalization, but rather to the historical constellation of global, regional, and national processes, including the political choice of a petroleum-based development strategy.
Comparison of HIV infection status and related high risk behaviors between married and unmarried men who have sex with men

Objective To explore the influence of marital status on HIV infection status and related high risk behaviors among men who have sex with men( MSM) and provide scientific evidence for developing effective prevention and control strategy. Methods A total of 744 unmarried MSM and 455 married MSM were recruited by snowball sampling.Questionnaire survey was conducted and blood samples were taken to detect HIV and syphilis antibodies among them.Results There were no significant differences in AIDS related knowledge awareness,homosexual behavior and HIV infection status between married MSM and unmarried MSM. There was a significant difference in heterosexual behavior between two groups,and married MSM had more risk heterosexual behaviors than unmarried MSM. Conclusion In married MSM,marital status can not restrict their high risk homosexual behavior. Furthermore,they are more likely to spread HIV to women through heterosexual behavior. To control HIV transmission effectively,targeted behavior intervention is necessary for married MSM.
Spine Cryoablation: A Multimodality Image-Guided Approach for Tumors Adjacent to Major Neural Elements.

SUMMARY: We report percutaneous cryoablation of spine tumors in 7 consecutive patients (5 men, 2 women [mean age, 47 years; range, 17–68 years]) by using intraprocedural image monitoring of ice ball margins to protect adjacent neural elements. Complete tumor ablation was achieved in all patients without neurologic complication. Pain relief was achieved in 4 of 5 (80%) patients; the patient with persistent pain was later found to have enlarging metastases at other sites.
Mechanisms of Tumor Progression

Tumor progression is a term widely used in reference to phenotypic changes in an already-formed neoplastic lesion. It is a complex phenomenon characterized by well-defined morphological, molecular, and functional changes in tumor cells and encompasses a wide variety of mechanisms. This chapter discusses tumor progression as a mutation and selection process and also reviews some new theories such as epithelial–mesenchymal transition (EMT) by which tumor progression may be explained epigenetically. This chapter also reviews the role of stroma, angiogenesis, inflammation, and the immune system in tumor progression as well as the influence of hormones and xenobiotics. Finally, studies of tumor progression carried out in the well-established mouse skin two-stage carcinogenesis model are described.
The diversity of adult dental patterns in the United States and the implications for personal identification.

Few would argue about the individuality of dental radiographs for forensic identification, but when an antemortem/postmortem comparison is based strictly on dental treatment notes and/or charts it becomes less certain. In the past, attempts to validate the high diversity of dental patterns created by combinations of missing, filled, and unrestored teeth have been based on unfounded statistical assumptions. The goal of this research is to present a statistically valid method of assessing dental pattern diversity for the identification of missing individuals. Empirical observation of large reference datasets was found to be the best technique for assessing dental diversity. This technique is nearly identical to the procedure used for mitochondrial DNA casework. For the research presented in this paper, two large datasets were used, one composed of U.S. military personnel and one composed of U.S. civilians. Dental patterns were found to be very diverse on a scale that is comparable to mtDNA. In addition, it was found that the diversity values remain very consistent regardless of the level of detail present in the treatment records. Overall, combinations of missing, filled, and unrestored teeth were found to be very individualistic and an excellent source for forensic identification.
Measuring Walsh’s Family Resilience Framework: Reliability and Validity of the Family Resilience Assessment Among Women with a History of Breast Cancer

ABSTRACTWalsh’s family resilience framework presents a comprehensive and inclusive lens of family process that may assist clinicians, family service professionals, and health care providers with understanding the functioning of individuals and families in their care. A mechanism for using this framework is needed, as is empirical evidence of its cogency. This article reports on the development of the Family Resilience Assessment, a 29-item survey intended to assess dimensions of Walsh’s framework. The Family Resilience Assessment is presented as a reliable and valid mechanism for assessing the family resilience framework. Results of the use of the survey with women with a history of breast cancer demonstrate that it is a reliable instrument with content and construct validity.
The missing link? The role of sub-national governance in transnational social protections

AbstractMuch of the existing literature on social protection for immigrants focuses on what people do as individuals and households or on national policy. However, there is a third set of actors which deserves attention: sub-national and local governments. Drawing comparisons both within and between the United States and Spain, this article analyzes the extent to which sub-national governments step in when national policies block immigrant access to healthcare. Using cross-national surveys, national and sub-national data, we find that sub-national governments often provide some level of social protection, even in the case of undocumented immigrants. However, their responses vary significantly and are not easily explained by left-right political divides, changes in levels of diversity, or the relative political power of immigrants. Future work is needed not only to explain variations in non-citizen health coverage policies at the sub-national level in receiving countries, but also to offer a more complete ...
Geometry based general prediction model of protein-peptide binding affinities

Protein-peptide interactions are the promising targets for potential protein drugs due to their critical role in many signal pathways with its small interaction interface. As a significant step in virtual screening in peptide drug discovery, binding affinity prediction is still a unsolved problem compared with achievements in docking. Most of current binding affinity prediction models are limited to a specific domain and is thus not applicable to many receptor domains that have few or no affinity data. To address this issue, domain independent prediction models are strongly needed. Traditional energy-based affinity prediction models are domain-independent, but still cannot give satisfactory results while impeded by its high computational cost. In this paper, we proposed a geometry shape based affinity prediction model. We evaluated our model using cross-validation on a non-redundant dataset of 336 complexes and and an external datasest: 592 human SH3 domain compelxes. Our experiments showed that our model is fast and achieved higher accuracy than the energy based models. Our model could be a useful affinity prediction tool for peptide docking and virtual screening in peptide drug discovery.
Seasonal variations of density, temperature and pressure between 40 and 90 km, Woomera, South Australia, March 1964–March 1965

Abstract An investigation has been made into the seasonal variations of density, temperature and pressure at Woomera between 40 and 90 km by the falling sphere method. The results, which were obtained from rocket firings shortly after dusk, extended from March, 1964 to March, 1965. The results for density and pressure are presented as percentage deviations from the U.S. Standard Atmosphere (1962), while the temperature is given as an absolute value. A brief description is given of the method of obtaining the results and the expected errors. The observations show close agreement with rocket-borne grenade experiments at Woomera but considerably larger overall variations than those presented in the U.S. Supplemental Atmosphere for comparable latitudes.