cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Dominant mechanisms that shape the airborne particle size and composition distribution in central california

The size and composition of ambient airborne particulate matter is reported for winter conditions at five locations in (or near) the San Joaquin Valley in central California. Two distinct types of airborne particles were identified based on diurnal patterns and size distribution similarity: hygroscopic sulfate/ammonium/nitrate particles and less hygroscopic particles composed of mostly organic carbon with smaller amounts of elemental carbon. Daytime PM10 concentrations for sulfate/ammonium/nitrate particles were measured to be 10.1 μ g m−3, 28.3 μ g m−3, and 52.8 μ g m−3 at Sacramento, Modesto and Bakersfield, California, respectively. Nighttime concentrations were 10–30% lower, suggesting that these particles are dominated by secondary production. Simulation of the data with a box model suggests that these particles were formed by the condensation of ammonia and nitric acid onto background or primary sulfate particles. These hygroscopic particles had a mass distribution peak in the accumulation mode (0.5...
1,3,5-Triazine-Based Mass Spectral Tagging of One-Bead One-Compound Libraries

A triazine-based mass encoding strategy that accommodates cleavable linker, isotopic labeling, and diversity receptor moieties is reported. The resulting triazine-based tags, which are coupled to bifunctionalized TentaGel resin in a one-pot transformation, enable the construction of a 1-oxa-2,8-diazaspiro[4.5]dec-2-ene-7-carboxamide library and facilitate decoding by equalizing the ionization potential of the liberated tags in single bead MALDI-TOF experiments as well as balancing the reactivity of the starting tags in the resin coupling step. [reaction: see text].
Research on eggshell structure and quality: an historical overview

The eggshell is an important structure for two reasons. Firstly it forms an embryonic chamber for the developing chick, providing mechanical protection and a controlled gas exchange medium. Secondly it is a container for the market egg, providing protection of the contents and a unique package for a valuable food. The superficial structure of the shell has been known for over 100 years. The shell consists of 97% calcium carbonate, and this is provided to the hen in the diet. However, the chemical must be broken down in the digestive system and then re-synthesized in the shell gland to form the shell. This results in a turnover of blood Ca of ~ 100 times each 24 hours. Provision of calcium to layers has been researched at length, but the key work, conducted at Cornell University in the 1960's, showed the necessity for sources with large particle size, for example, oyster shells. Subsequent research has defined guidelines that, if correctly followed, will yield reliable and optimum eggshell quality. Breakage or cracking of eggshells in market channels is a serious concern. Cracks result from a combination of shell strength and integrity, and the extent of the "insult" received by the egg during handling. Measurement of shell strength, and assessment of "insults" is important to the poultry industry. Most recent research has identified the ultra-structure of the shell, with resulting opportunities for industrial remedies, and possible new selection criteria, to ensure maximum shell quality throughout the egg industry.
Synchronous speech and speech rate

Synchronously read speech has shown to reduce a high degree of speaker variability of reading exhibited by speakers in laboratory recording; e.g., pause placement and duration, and speech rate. However, quantitative analysis of speech rate has rarely been found in studies on synchronous speech. This study examines Mandarin Chinese (2 dialects from Taiwan and Shanghai), which is a syllable‐time language and thus expected to exhibit a relatively stable speech rate, in both read‐alone and read‐together speech. Consistency and variability of speech rate are compared in both reading types across repetitions within a subject, across subjects, and across dialects. The results show that speech rate is more stable in read‐together than in read‐alone speech, and that speech rate in synchronous reading falls on a constant value of speech rate rather than on the average between the speakers' rates in pair. This global pattern is consistent across dialects, and stylized local variation of speech rate over prosodic units (Intonational phrase) is also observed unique to each dialect. We discuss how timing in synchronous speech cannot be accounted for only by dynamic entrainment of speakers with different speech rates and how there should also be rhythmic information shared by speakers of a language.
Evaluation of Rutting Resistance in Warm-Mix Asphalts Containing Moist Aggregate

In recent years, rising energy prices and more stringent environmental regulations have resulted in an interest in warm-mix asphalt (WMA) technologies to decrease the energy consumption and emissions associated with conventional hot-mix asphalt production. In this study, the objective was to conduct a laboratory investigation of rutting resistance in WMA mixtures containing moist aggregates. Rut depth, weight loss, and gyration number of dry and conditioned specimens were measured for all of the mixtures. The experimental design included two aggregate moisture contents (0% and ~0.5% by weight of the dry mass of the aggregate), two lime contents (1% and 2% lime by weight of dry aggregate), three WMA additives (Aspha-min, Sasobit, and Evotherm), and three aggregate sources. Thirty-six mixtures were prepared, and 216 specimens were tested in this study. Test results indicated that the aggregate source significantly affects the rutting resistance regardless of the WMA additive, lime content, and moisture cont...
On perfect cosine-modulated filter banks

We present a design technique for perfect-reconstruction cosine-modulated filter banks. The design of analysis and synthesis filter banks in this case is much more efficient in terms of computation compared with previous work. In particular, a design technique for perfect-reconstruction of FIR analysis and synthesis filter banks with arbitrary length is presented. The existence of synthesis/analysis filter banks for given analysis/synthesis filter banks are addressed via frame theory and (a time domain design technique) biorthogonal-like functions (BLFs), which have advantages over traditional short-time Fourier transform (STFT) and filter bank summations (FBS). A set of Gaussian analysis or synthesis filter banks is possible in our filter bank system. >
Applications of Advanced Shielded Planar EM Analysis Techniques to Antenna Analysis

With appropriate setup, shielded planar EM (electromagnetic) analysis can be used for antenna analysis. While shielded EM analysis can not handle the variety of antenna problems that unshielded analysis can, shielded analysis offers extreme numerical robustness. This robustness allows, in turn, rigorous identification, quantification, and elimination of analysis error sources. This robustness also allows perfectly calibrated groups of internal ports, unique to shielded EM analysis. This in turn leads to new efficient design methodologies and also allows a new compact model extraction (actually, synthesis) capability. These capabilities are described and illustrated with examples.
A fast least-squares arrival time estimator for scintillation pulses

The true weighted least-squares (WLS) arrival time estimator for scintillation pulse detection was previously found to out-perform conventional arrival time estimators such as leading-edge and constant-fraction timers, but has limited applications because of its complexity. A new diagonalized version of the weighted least-squares (DWLS) estimator has been developed which, like the true WLS, incorporates the statistical properties of the scintillation detector. The new DWLS reduces estimator complexity at the expense of fundamental timing resolution. The advantage of the DWLS implementation is that only scalar multiplications and additions are needed instead of the matrix operations used in the true WLS. It also preserves the true WLS's ability to effectively separate piled-up pulses. The DWLS estimator has been applied to pulses which approximate the response of BGO and NaI(Tl) scintillation detectors. The timing resolution obtained with the DWLS estimator is then compared to conventional analog timers along with the Cramer-Rao lower bound on achievable timing error. The DWLS out-performs the conventional arrival time estimators but does not provide optimal performance compared to the lower bound; however, it is more robust than the true WLS estimator. >
Women’s Experiences in a Community-Based Participatory Research Randomized Controlled Trial:

Integrating community-based participatory research (CBPR) into traditional study designs can enhance outcomes in studies with disadvantaged groups. Little is known, however, about study participants’ experiences with these approaches, the underlying processes involved in creating more positive outcomes, and whether undesirable effects on study outcomes occur simultaneously. We conducted focus group interviews with 31 disadvantaged women who participated in a CBPR-driven randomized controlled trial (RCT) both to explore their study experiences and to obtain their interpretations of select study findings. Using dimensional analysis, we found the tailored health questionnaire, treatment by study staff members, and RCT participants’ understandings of and responses to randomization were salient to what women described as transformative experiences that occurred over the course of the RCT. These findings have implications for understanding how CBPR and non-CBPR aspects of interventions and study designs have th...
Leonard Eugene Dickson and his work in the Arithmetics of Algebras

L'A. decrit la biographie du mathematicien Dickson (L.E.) et montre sa contribution dans l'histoire des mathematiques grâce a ses travaux sur l'arithmetique des nombres complexes, algebriques et des quaternions
A Brief Geological History of Water on Mars

Dr. Victor R. Baker is Regents Professor and Head of Department, Hydrology and Water Resources, and also Professor of Planetary Sciences, The University of Arizona. He earned his Ph.D. from the University of Colorado (1971) and subsequently rose to the rank of Professor of Geological Sciences, The University of Texas at Austin (19711981). At the University of Arizona since 1981, Dr. Baker has also been a Visiting Research Fellow (Fulbright-Hays Senior Scholar) at The Australian National University (1979-80), a Visiting Research Fellow at National Institute of Hydrology, India (198788), a Visiting Fellow at the University of Adelaide, Australia (1988), and Adjunct Professor, Anna University, India (2002). He was the 1998 President of the Geological Society of America. He is a Fellow of the American Geophysical Union, and Honorary Fellow of the European Union of Geosciences, and a Foreign Member of the Polish Academy of Sciences. Dr. Baker is an author or editor of 14 books or monographs, and he has generated over 250 scientific papers/articles and 350 abstracts/presentations concerned with planetary geology, flood geomorphology, paleoflood hydrology, Quaternary geology, and history/philosophy of the Earth and planetary sciences. He has been honored with the Don J. Easterbrook Distinguished Scientist Award of The Geological Society of America (2001), the Grand Prix International de Cannes de l’Eau et de la Science (2001), and the David Linton Award of the British Geomorphological Research Group (1995).
CNS recovery from cocaine, cocaine and alcohol, or opioid dependence: a P300 study.

Abstract Objectives : The goal of the present study was to evaluate the relative effects of cocaine, cocaine and alcohol, or opioid dependence on P300 event-related potentials (ERPs). In addition, the effects of selected premorbid and comorbid factors were examined. Methods : P300 ERPs were recorded from 72 residential treatment program patients, characterized by a history of either cocaine ( n =25), or cocaine and alcohol ( n =18), or opioid ( n =29) dependence, and 14 non-drug-dependent community volunteers. The 86 subjects completed a visual continuous performance test formed by a series of 150 presentations of individual consonant letters. They were asked to press a key whenever a letter was presented twice in succession. Results : Analyses of P300 ERPs obtained on target trials revealed a similar amplitude decrement in all the patient groups. Further analyses of P300 activity in the 3 drug-dependent patient groups revealed a negative correlation between P300 amplitude and the number of DSM-IIIR childhood conduct disorder criterion behaviors as well as a positive correlation between P300 amplitude and the duration of drug abstinence. Conclusions : P300 amplitude in drug-dependent patients is influenced by a complex interaction between CNS pathology that predates, and probably promotes, the onset of drug dependence and CNS pathology that resolves during the process of recovery from drug dependence.
MutS mediates heteroduplex loop formation by a translocation mechanism

Interaction of Escherichia coli MutS and MutL with heteroduplex DNA has been visualized by electron microscopy. In a reaction dependent on ATP hydrolysis, complexes between a MutS dimer and a DNA heteroduplex are converted to protein-stabilized, alpha-shaped loop structures with the mismatch in most cases located within the DNA loop. Loop formation depends on ATP hydrolysis and loop size increases linearly with time at a rate of 370 base pairs/min in phosphate buffer and about 10,000 base pairs/min in the HEPES buffer used for repair assay. These observations suggest a translocation mechanism in which a MutS dimer bound to a mismatch subsequently leaves this site by ATP-dependent tracking or unidimensional movement that is in most cases bidirectional from the mispair. In view of the bidirectional capability of the methyl-directed pathway, this reaction may play a role in determination of heteroduplex orientation. The rate of MutS-mediated DNA loop growth is enhanced by MutL, and when both proteins are present, both are found at the base of alpha-loop structures, and both can remain associated with excision intermediates produced in later stages of the reaction.
Association of Lower Fractional Flow Reserve Values With Higher Risk of Adverse Cardiac Events for Lesions Deferred Revascularization Among Patients With Acute Coronary Syndrome.

Background The safety of deferring revascularization based on fractional flow reserve (FFR) during acute coronary syndrome (ACS) is unclear. We evaluated the association of FFR and adverse cardiac events among patients with coronary lesions deferred revascularization based on FFR in the setting of ACS versus non‐ACS. Methods and Results The study population (674 patients; 816 lesions) was divided into ACS (n=334) and non‐ACS (n=340) groups based on the diagnosis when revascularization was deferred based on FFR values >0.80 between October 2002 and July 2010. The association and interaction between FFR and clinical outcomes was evaluated using Cox proportional hazards models within each group (mean follow‐up of 4.5±2.1 years). Subsequent revascularization of a deferred lesion was classified as a deferred lesion intervention (DLI), whereas the composite of DLI or myocardial infarction (MI) attributed to a deferred lesion was designated as deferred lesion failure (DLF). In the non‐ACS group, lower FFR values were not associated with any increase in adverse cardiac events. In the ACS group, every 0.01 decrease in FFR was associated with a significantly higher rate of cardiovascular death, MI, or DLI (hazard ratio [HR], 1.08; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.03 to 1.12), MI or DLI (HR, 1.09; 95% CI: 1.04 to 1.14), DLF (HR, 1.12; 95% CI, 1.06 to 1.18), MI (HR, 1.07; 95% CI, 1.00 to 1.14), and DLI (HR, 1.12; 95% CI, 1.06 to 1.18). Conclusion Lower FFR values among ACS patients with coronary lesions deferred revascularization based on FFR are associated with a significantly higher rate of adverse cardiac events. This association was not observed in non‐ACS patients.
Ranking-based name matching for author disambiguation in bibliographic data

Author name ambiguity is a frequently encountered problem in digital publication libraries such as Microsoft Academic Search. The cause of this problem mostly is that different authors may publish under the same name, while the same author could publish under various names due to abbreviations, nicknames, etc. Author disambiguation is exactly the goal of the Track II of KDD Cup Data Mining Contest 2013. In this paper we introduce our ranking-based name matching algorithm and system called RankMatch. One important feature of our solution is using heterogeneous meta-paths to evaluate the similarity between two potential duplicate authors whose names are compatible. We participated under team name "SmallData" and our final solution achieved a Mean F1 score of 99.157%, ranking in the second place in the contest.
Human Resource Accounting: Why The Delay?

Human Resource Accounting (HRA) is a concept which held the promise of being a valuable tool for management and accounting. Yet for all its potential, the implementation of HRA on a broad scale seems to have been slow in coming.It is the purpose of this paper to examine some conceptual aspects of HRA and to summarize some of the experiences of companies implementing it with the purpose of arriving at some tentative conclusions about the factors that might have caused the delay in implementation. Among the questions discussed are:1. Was HRA a weak concept? Discussed here are the myriad advantages that HRA's proponents claim for it.2. Are the technical implementation problems insurmountable?3. What costs should be considered in capitalizing humans? Related questions involve accumulation of costs, choice of amortization method, and disposition of unamortized costs.4. What has been the experience of companies such as American Telephone and Telegraph and the R. G. Barry Corporation who have implemented HRA?5. ...
The Utility of Fluorodeoxyglucose Positron Emission Tomography in the Evaluation of Carcinoid Tumors Presenting as Pulmonary Nodules

Abstract Background: Fluorodeoxyglucose positron emission tomography (FDG-PET) is sensitive for detection of neoplastic solitary pulmonary nodules but may have decreased sensitivity for detection of carcinoid tumors. Our purpose was to determine the sensitivity of FDG-PET to detect pulmonary carcinoid tumors. Methods: We performed a retrospective review of our institutional results regarding FDG-PET in the setting of thoracic carcinoid neoplasms. We identified 16 patients with a pathologic diagnosis of bronchial carcinoid who had an antecedent FDG-PET (from 2000 to 2004). All patients but one presented with pulmonary nodule(s). Results: Sixteen patients had a diagnosis of carcinoid tumor, typical in 11 patients and atypical in 5 patients. The mean greatest pathologic dimension was 2.08 cm (range, 1.0 to 8.3 cm). Overall positron emission tomography (PET) sensitivity was 75% (12 true-positive and 4 false-negative results). The mean (± SD) size of carcinoids with false-negative PET results was not significantly different from carcinoids with true-positive results (1.6 ± 0.81 cm and 2.35 ± 1.87 cm, p = 0.54). Fifteen of 16 patients were staged pathologically, and positive nodes were found in 2 of these patients. PET lymph node staging agreed with pathologic staging in one stage 4 patient with positive lymph nodes and distant metastasis, but PET results were false negative in the other patient who had N2 with micrometastatic disease; stage IIIA. Conclusions: FDG-PET imaging is useful for evaluation of typical and atypical thoracic carcinoid tumors. Although overall PET sensitivity for detection of carcinoid tumors is somewhat reduced as compared to non-small cell lung cancer, it is much higher than prior reports suggest.
The vertical structure of ocean heat transport

One of the most important contributions the ocean makes to Earth's climate is through its poleward heat transport: about 1.5 PW or more than 30% of that accomplished by the ocean-atmosphere system (Trenberth and Caron, 2001). Recently, concern has arisen over whether global warming could affect this heat transport (Watson et al., 2001), for example, reducing high latitude convection and triggering a collapse of the deep overturning circulation (Rahmstorf, 1995). While the consequences of abrupt changes in oceanic circulation should be of concern, we argue that the attention devoted to deep circulations is disproportionate to their role in heat transport. For this purpose, we introduce a heat function which identifies the contribution to the heat transport by different components of the oceanic circulation. A new view of the ocean emerges in which a shallow surface intensified circulation dominates the poleward heat transport.
Do Pigeons Gamble? I Wouldn’t Bet Against It

Human gambling generally involves suboptimal choice because the expected return is usually less than the investment. We have found that animals, too, choose suboptimally under similar choice conditions. Pigeons, like human gamblers, show an impaired ability to objectively assess overall probabilities and amounts of reinforcement when a rare, high-value outcome (analogous to a jackpot in human gambling) is presented in the context of more frequently occurring losses. More specifically, pigeons prefer a low-probability, high-reward outcome over a guaranteed low-reward outcome with a higher overall value. Furthermore, manipulations assumed to increase impulsivity (pigeons maintained at higher levels of motivation for food and pigeons housed in individual cages) result in increased suboptimal choice. They do so presumably because they function to increase attraction to the signal for the low-probability, high-reward outcomes rather than consider the more global probability of reinforcement associated with eac...
DNA Packaging in Bacteriophage: Is Twist Important?

We study the packaging of DNA into a bacteriophage capsid using computer simulation, specifically focusing on the potential impact of twist on the final packaged conformation. We perform two dynamic simulations of packaging a polymer chain into a spherical confinement: one where the chain end is rotated as it is fed, and one where the chain is fed without end rotation. The final packaged conformation exhibits distinct differences in these two cases: the packaged conformation from feeding with rotation exhibits a spool-like character that is consistent with experimental and previous theoretical work, whereas feeding without rotation results in a folded conformation inconsistent with a spool conformation. The chain segment density shows a layered structure, which is more pronounced for packaging with rotation. However, in both cases, the conformation is marked by frequent jumps of the polymer chain from layer to layer, potentially influencing the ability to disentangle during subsequent ejection. Ejection simulations with and without Brownian forces show that Brownian forces are necessary to achieve complete ejection of the polymer chain in the absence of external forces.
Stock returns: momentum, volatility and interest rates

Various theories have been proposed to explain momentum in stock returns. We provide evidence in favor of risk-based explanations. Specifically, we construct self-financing market neutral portfolios that take long positions in past winners and short positions in past losers. We show that the return spreads between past winners and losers in the first year are driven primarily by high volatility stocks. Momentum investment strategies, which buy past winning stocks and sell past losing stocks, are significantly less profitable once we control for volatility. We also show that momentum profits appear to be associated with economic cycles as proxied by the prime rate. The momentum strategies are substantially stronger during expansions than during recessions. This is mainly due to the relatively poor performance of past losers (rather than superior performance of the past winners) during expansions.
Identification of Essential Host Factors Affecting Tombusvirus RNA Replication Based on the Yeast Tet Promoters Hughes Collection

ABSTRACT To identify essential host genes affecting replication of Tomato bushy stunt virus (TBSV), a small model plant virus, we screened 800 yeast genes present in the yeast Tet promoters Hughes Collection. In total, we have identified 30 new host genes whose down-regulation either increased or decreased the accumulation of a TBSV replicon RNA. The identified essential yeast genes are involved in RNA transcription/metabolism, protein metabolism/transport, or other cellular processes. Detailed analysis of the effects of some of the identified yeast genes revealed that they might affect RNA replication by altering (i) the amounts/functions of p33 and p92pol viral replication proteins, (ii) the standard 10 to 20:1 ratio between p33 and p92pol in the viral replicase, (iii) the activity of the tombusvirus replicase, and (iv) the ratio of plus- versus minus-stranded RNA replication products. Altogether, this and previous genetic screening of yeast (Panavas et al., Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA 102:7326-7331, 2005) led to the identification of 126 host genes (out of ∼5,600 genes that represent ∼95% of all the known and predicted yeast genes) that affected the accumulation of tombusvirus RNA.
Pavement management using hyperspectral imagery

Public Works facilities require up-to-date information on the health status of the road network they maintain. However, roadway maintenance and rehabilitation involves the greatest portion of a municipality's annual operating budget. Government officials use various technologies such as a pavement management system to assist in making better decisions about their roadways systems, pavement condition, history, and projects. Traditionally, manual surveying has served as the method of obtaining this information. To better assist in decision-making, a regionally specific spectral library for urban areas is being developed and used in conjunction with hyperspecrtal imaging, to map urban materials and pavement conditions. A Geographical Information and Positioning System (GIS/GPS) will also be implemented to overlay relative locations. This paper will examine the benefits of using hyperspectral imaging over traditional methods of roadway maintenance and rehabilitation for pavement management applications. In doing so, we will identify spatial and spectral requirements for successful large-scale road feature extraction.
Full Body Interaction with Virtual Characters in an Interactive Storytelling Scenario

This paper presents a full body interaction approach developed for Traveller, an intercultural training game for young adults based on an interactive storytelling scenario. Traveller involves virtual characters interacting with the users on a large display screen. The users interact with a Kinect, performing full body gestures and controlling a freehand swipe menu to trigger navigation and dialogue actions in the game. A first evaluation proved the recognition capabilities of our system and the comparison with a mouse interface in terms of usability and user experience showed higher positive affect with the Kinect, but a tendency for higher usability and flow with the mouse.
Ecological Correlates of Child Maltreatment: Similarities and Differences Between Child Fatality and Nonfatality Cases

The rate of fatal child maltreatment is increasing, and differentiating between risk factors for fatal as opposed to nonfatal maltreatment is essential to developing prevention programs. This exploratory retrospective study utilizes case record analysis to examine four categories of correlates for child maltreatment: 1) parent/caregiver factors, 2) child factors, 3) environmental/situational factors, and 4) maltreatment incident factors. Thirty-eight fatality cases are compared to a matched group of nonfatality cases to determine which factors are related to fatality in a large Southwestern metropolitan area. The results provide a profile of characteristics that may place a child at higher risk of fatal maltreatment.
Pancreatitis in pregnancy: etiology, diagnosis, treatment, and outcomes

Background Acute pancreatitis in pregnancy is a rare and dangerous disease. This study aimed to examine the etiology, treatment, and outcomes of pancreatitis in pregnancy. Method A total of 25 pregnant patients diagnosed with pancreatitis during the period of 1994 and 2014 was analyzed retrospectively. Results The pregnant patients were diagnosed with pancreatitis during a period of 21 years. Most (60%) of the patients were diagnosed with pancreatitis in the third trimester. The mean age of the patients at presentation was 25.7 years, with a mean gestational age of 24.4 weeks. Abdominal pain occurred in most patients and vomiting in one patient was associated hyperemesis gravidarum. The common cause of the disease was gallstone-related (56%), followed by alcohol-related (16%), post-ERCP (4%), hereditary (4%) and undetermined conditions (20%). The level of triglycerides was minimally high in three patients. ERCP and wire-guided sphincterotomy were performed in 6 (43%) of 14 patients with gallstone-related pancreatitis and elevated liver enzymes with no complications. Most (84%) of the patients underwent a full-term, vaginal delivery. There was no difference in either maternal or fetal outcomes after ERCP. Conclusions Acute pancreatitis is rare in pregnancy, occurring most commonly in the third trimester, and gallstones are the most common cause. When laparoscopic cholecystectomy is not feasible and a common bile duct stone is highly suspected on imaging, endoscopic sphincterotomy or stenting may help to prevent recurrence and postpone cholecystectomy until after delivery.
A Foreign Agricultural Information Service

A knowledge of the world situation in regard to acreage sown, crop conditions, harvest yields, stocks, numbers and kinds of livestock, and prices together with present and prospective demands are essential factors in rendering an adequate outlook service to American agriculture. Even though only twelve per cent, roughly speaking, of the total agricultural production of this country enters into foreign trade, it is an accepted thesis that the prices received for the greater portion of the entire output are directly or indirectly influenced by foreign competitive conditions. The creation of machinery which will supply in an adequate manner information on the production, competition, and demand status throughout the world of certain designated agricultural commodities is a problem now receiving the serious consideration of the Government. But it is not a new problem. Thirty years ago David Lubin, a California merchant was wrestling, in no insignificant manner, with the same question. An analysis of Lubin's plans together with an appraisal of the results of the efforts of the organization which he helped to establish, furnish some significant pointers to those interested in setting up improved machinery for collecting agricultural information in foreign countries. In the nineties Lubin toured North America and Europe in search of an economist who could prove to him that a tariff on agricultural commodities protected the growers in a country which produced those commodities in excess of domestic requirements. During these journeys, this California Diogenes, through persistent cross-examination of learned professors and others was introduced to the accepted theory that prices of most commodities depend in a large measure
Repairing the Extended School Year Regression Standard in New York to Individualize the Need for Special Education Services

The Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (“IDEA”) provides eligible children with disabilities a right to have a free appropriate public education (“FAPE”) that includes special education and related services designed to meet the student’s individual needs. As part of this FAPE mandate, courts have recognized that school districts may be required to provide special education and related services beyond the typical 180-day school year. These services are known as extended school year (“ESY”) services. In New York, ESY services are provided based on the single criterion of whether services beyond the school year are necessary to prevent substantial regression. As applied, this standard, also known as the regression/recoupment standard, requires proof that the student has lost a skill that he or she has mastered and that it would take an inordinate amount of time for the student to regain that skill or, alternatively, that there is a reasonable basis for regression. This article challenges the recoupment/regression standard and argues that a multi-factored standard that evaluates, inter alia, the degree of the child’s impairment, the rate of the child’s progress, the child’s behavioral and physical problems, and the availability of alternative resources, would provide a more comprehensive analysis of the child’s needs for ESY services. This article reaches this conclusion by exploring two main criticisms of the New York recoupment/regression standard; first, the standard imposes various hardships on parents of children with disabilities, and, second, applying a standard that focuses on regression alone does not adequately assess each individual child’s need for ESY services.
p16 Expression, PTEN Loss of Heterozygosity, and Nuclear Grade in Intraductal Papillary Mucinous Neoplasms of the Pancreas

Mutation and deletion of the p16 tumor suppressor gene occur frequently in pancreatic adenocarcinoma. Loss of heterozygosity (LOH) involving the PTEN tumor suppressor also occurs in a significant proportion of pancreatic adenocarcinoma cases. The roles of these genes in the pathogenesis of pancreatic intraductal papillary mucinous neoplasm (IMPN) are less well characterized. We sought to investigate the relationships between p16 …
Effect of Infrared Analyzer Homogenization Efficiency on Repeatability of Uncorrected Fat A and Fat B Signals

The objective of the survey was to determine if poor homogenizer performance causes nonlinear behavior of the uncorrected fat A or fat B signal that is not detected when an instrument's residual nonlinearity is determined by using dilutions of homogenized milk instead of unhomogenized milk. Unhomogenized and homogenized (17238 kPa) portions of the same 6.1% fat milk were tested on 20 instruments to determine homogenization efficiency. Instruments with differences of > or = 0.087% fat between homogenized and unhomogenized portions of the same milk had inefficient homogenization, on the basis of criteria established in a previous study. Four and 12 instruments out of 20 demonstrated inefficient homogenization for the fat A and fat B channels, respectively. Uncorrected signal linearity for the fat channels was evaluated quantitatively by using a series of dilutions of homogenized (17238 kPa) and unhomogenized milks. Most instruments passed the linearity evaluation for dilutions of either homogenized or unhomogenized milk, even though many of the same instruments failed the homogenization efficiency evaluation. Thus, using dilutions of homogenized milk is valid for linearity evaluation of instruments being used for testing unhomogenized milk in the range of fat concentrations used for payment testing.
Conceptual Basis for Understanding C–C Bond Activation in Ethane by Second Row Transition Metal Carbides

It has been suggested that the addition of carbon to Mo and W may improve their catalytic properties and even grant these metal carbides behaviors similar to those of late transition metals such as Pd and Pt. First-principles studies on the C-C bond activation of ethane by 4d transition metal (TM) atoms and TMC molecules have been carried out to develop a conceptual model underlying the changes. We find that the addition of carbon to TM atoms leads to large variations in the activation barrier depending on the metal, and that MoC indeed reveals a pronounced reduction in the C-C bond activation energy. A critical examination of molecular orbitals shows that the changes in reactivity are not linked to a dramatic increase in the filling of 4d states as implied by the analogy with Pd. The reactivity is governed by the location and filling of the 5s and 4d orbitals, with the different orbitals controlling different facets of reactivity. The 5s state controls the initial binding of ethane, with a strong anticorrelation between the ethane binding energy and the 5s occupation, while the location of the 4dz(2) orbital controls the reaction barrier that controls the activation energy for cleaving the C-C bond.
Advances in the Non-culture Based Laboratory Diagnosis of Cryptococcus and the Endemic Molds

Given the widespread availability of non-culture based diagnostic techniques, the approach to diagnosis of Cryptococcus spp. and the endemic molds has become increasingly complex. These techniques include: histopathology, cytopathology, fungal serology, antigen detection, and molecular methods such as polymerase chain reaction (PCR). This paper reviews the approach to diagnosis of Cryptococcus spp. and the endemic molds focusing on non-culture based diagnostic techniques.
Stimulation of distal potassium secretion by low lumen chloride in the presence of barium.

Potassium secretion into the renal distal tubule is increased when chloride in the tubule fluid is replaced by another anion. The present experiments were done to determine whether this increment i...
On a common carrier hypothesis for the 6613.6 and 6196.0 Å diffuse interstellar bands

We explore via spectroscopic modeling whether the highly correlated diffuse interstellar bands at 6613.6 and 6196.0 A might originate from a single molecule. Efforts were made to simulate the band contours of the DIBs along the three lines-of-sight, which have been observed by others at high resolution: HD179406, HD174165, and Her 36. Reasonable simultaneous fits were obtained using a prolate symmetric top molecule that exhibits transitions of two different band types, type-a parallel and type-b perpendicular bands. Two different excited states of a long- or heavy-chain, forked molecule are proposed. A minimum number of adjustable parameters were used including ground and excited state $A$ and $B$ rotational constants, an excited state centrifugal distortion constant, and three different rotational excitation temperatures. Points in favor and against the hypothesis are discussed.
DEXAMETHASONE INTRAVITREAL IMPLANT FOR X-LINKED (JUVENILE) RETINOSCHISIS.

Purpose:Dexamethasone intravitreal corticosteroid implants (OZURDEX) have been used to treat subretinal fluid associated with several retinal diseases. We describe the use of a dexamethasone intravitreal implant for symptomatic management in a case of X-linked (juvenile) retinoschisis (XLRS).Methods
Key factors increasing the trust and intention to adopt standard cloud-based applications

Cloud-based applications enable agile implementation to facilitate timely organisational change. A generic standard cloud-based application like Google Docs is among the first to be considered for adoption. Thus, it is worthy to examine what factors influence trust and the intention of continuing use for such a cloud-based application. Unlike traditional, on-premise applications, familiarity is not an issue for trusting generic, simple cloud-based applications. Moreover, perceived risk is low enough that it has negative, as opposed to the usual positive, impact on trust and the intention of continuing use. The results of this study also imply that the agile adoption of standard cloud-based applications needs to consider factors, including perceived privacy control, system quality, and user satisfaction because these factors can increase the trust of users. Theoretical and practical implications were drawn from the findings of this study.
Review: The Italian Piazza Transformed: Parma in the Communal Age by Areli Marina

Areli Marina The Italian Piazza Transformed: Parma in the Communal Age University Park: Pennsylvania State University Press, 2012, 192 pp., 102 color and 7 b/w illus. $84.95, ISBN 9780271050706 The mid-thirteenth-century political theorist Brunetto Latini (ca. 1220–94) defined as “public” those things that pertained to rulership, political offices ( offici ), or that were owned by a city, which Brunetto defined as a community gathered together to live according to reason and justice. The public square linked these public things together, providing the space through which their relations were expressed. By analyzing this complex spatiocultural phenomenon, therefore, we can begin to understand how the medieval city understood itself as a spatially embedded community with a concatenation of multiple formal and social representations. The medieval Italian piazza has only recently elicited architectural investigations that treat it as such an integrated urban system, which is why Areli Marina’s new study on the Lombard city of Parma is such a welcome addition. Focusing on the city’s two main squares—the Piazza del Duomo and the Piazza del Comune (today’s Piazza Garibaldi)—Marina foregrounds the importance of approaching the city from a socio-spatial perspective by citing the medieval writer Isidore of Seville (ca. 560–636) to underscore the dual nature of the city as a physical phenomenon, or urbs , and a social network, or civitas . In maintaining this distinction, she claims, modern scholarship has hindered an understanding of how social institutions and the built environment mutually constituted each other. In the first two chapters, Marina traces the separate building histories and spatial geometries of these piazzas, through which Parma’s major political factions vied for control of the city via a reconceptualization of space in the tumultuous thirteenth century. Elaborated from previously published material, the author shows how, beginning in 1196, each addition to the square—baptistery, bell tower, bishop’s palace—created a unified cathedral complex whose ideal proportions were based on translating, expanding, or rotating the proportional systems of the cathedral’s facade.1 It is these spatial relations …
Termination: how families experience the end of family therapy

Families who experienced a successful outcome to family therapy appeared to be ready to terminate when they had made a paradigm shift in their thinking about family problems and how to resolve them. In this study families communicated two signs of readiness to terminate therapy; 1) the family stopped focusing on the child as a problem and viewed the child as growing up; 2) the parental dyad expressed a renewed sense of confidence in themselves to handle any relationship problems that might arise in the family. Families who remain focused on the problems of the child were not confident in their own ability to handle relationship problems and frequently sought an outside agent e.g., therapist, to create and/or maintain a solution for the family, i.e., to "fix" the index person. The families who remain focused on the index person were often ambivalent about termination. Furthermore, families who showed a readiness to terminate use a three-stage process, a) the family relied on the therapist to initiate the suggestion, b) the family eventually claimed ownership of the idea, and c) the family negotiated with the therapist how to terminate therapy. A good therapeutic alliance between family and therapist did not appear to influence the decision to terminate. Ambivalence by families towards the social worker also did not appear to influence the family's readiness to stop family therapy. Three areas of further research are suggested by this study. How might therapists gauge readiness to terminate in families? Are there any early signs of readiness
Head and neck size and neck strength predict linear and rotational acceleration during purposeful soccer heading.

There is increasing societal concern about the long-term effects of repeated impacts from soccer heading, but there is little information about ways to reduce head impact severity. The purpose of t...
Music and Pessimism

Schopenhauer thinks music gives privileged insight into the structure of the will. But he describes will as an endless striving while praising music as providing a model of desire satisfaction . I address this apparent contradiction: I believe an accurate understanding of his discussion of music revises our impression of his metaphysics.
Does a fine line exist between regional and metastatic pelvic lymph nodes in rectal cancer—striking discordance between national guidelines and treatment recommendations by US radiation oncologists

Background: Management of rectal cancer with involved lateral pelvic lymph nodes (LPLNs) at the time of diagnosis—the stage we refer institutionally to as Stage 3.5—is controversial. The American Joint Committee on Cancer’s 7 th edition classifies internal iliac lymph nodes (LNs) as regional (Stage III), but both external and common iliac LNs as metastatic (Stage IV). However, in many Asian countries all LPLNs are considered regional and patients are treated with curative intent, with literature supporting improved outcomes with LPLN dissection. Management patterns of these patients by US radiation oncologists (ROs) are unknown. Methods: American ROs completed an anonymous institutional review board-approved online questionnaire regarding rectal cancer management. Results: Among the 220 completed responses, 45% treat more than 10 patients annually and 39% work in academia. We found 10.5% and 34.2% recommend biopsy of clinically involved internal and common iliac LNs, respectively. The vast majority of responders—98.6% and 94.5%—treat involved internal and common iliac LNs with curative intent, respectively. Respondents recommend treatment intensification to involved internal iliac LNs by dissection of the nodal basin (88.2%) and radiation therapy (RT) boost (59.1%), and treatment intensification to involved common iliac LNs by LN dissection (76.4%) and RT boost (63.6%). Conclusions: Our analysis reveals that the vast majority of US ROs approach patients with involved LPLNs, both regional (internal iliac) and metastatic (common iliac), with curative intent. They recommend treatment intensification with surgical resection and/or RT boost to involved nodes. Prospective clinical trials need to determine the appropriate management of patients with Stage 3.5 rectal cancer.
Immunoprophylaxis of malaria: sporozoite-induced immunity.

This chapter reviews the state of knowledge of immunization against malaria using sporozoites as immunizing agents and summarizes recent progress in this field. The demonstration of the immunogenicity of the sporozoite stage and of the occurrence of sporozoite-induced protection was first provided by the classical experiments of Mulligan et al. (1941) on avian malaria. Since then, a considerable amount of information on sporozoite-induced immunity has been obtained through experimental work using the rodent and, more recently, the simian malaria system. We intend to critically review these findings and to correlate them with the information obtained in preliminary vaccination attempts in humans, performed by immunization through the bite of infected irradiated mosquitoes (Clyde et al. 1973a, 1973b, 1975; Rieckmann et al. 1974). Furthermore, we will delineate what we consider to be some of the basic deficiencies in our knowledge of sporozoite-induced immunity and indicate some potentially productive future experimental approaches directed primarily at clarifying protective mechanisms and potentiating the sporozoite-induced immune response.