cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Sustainable CNT-enabled lithium-ion battery manufacturing: evaluating the tradeoffs

A stochastic goal programming model is developed to aid decision making for CNT-enabled lithium-ion battery manufacturing production and capacity expansion, by considering the balance among economic growth, environmental and human health protection, and sustainability. In this model, sustainability indicators/metrics such as total non-renewable energy use, primary material intensity, the greenhouse gas intensity, as well as measures of worker safety and health and total production cost are considered objectives. Through consideration of a range of specified preferences or weights for economic and sustainable criteria and target values for decision variables, the model determines optimal/feasible values for production quantity, expansion plan, percentage of renewable energy use, percentage of secondary material use, and the extent of occupational safety control that minimize the deviations of these values from their desired respective targets. Results from the stochastic goal programming model provide insights to managers for decision making over a range of preferences on economic and sustainability considerations for CNT-enabled lithium-ion battery production.
Assessing characteristics of RNA amplification methods for single cell RNA sequencing.

Recently, measurement of RNA at single cell resolution has yielded surprising insights. Methods for single-cell RNA sequencing (scRNA-seq) have received considerable attention, but the broad reliability of single cell methods and the factors governing their performance are still poorly known. Here, we conducted a large-scale control experiment to assess the transfer function of three scRNA-seq methods and factors modulating the function. All three methods detected greater than 70% of the expected number of genes and had a 50% probability of detecting genes with abundance greater than 2 to 4 molecules. Despite the small number of molecules, sequencing depth significantly affected gene detection. While biases in detection and quantification were qualitatively similar across methods, the degree of bias differed, consistent with differences in molecular protocol. Measurement reliability increased with expression level for all methods and we conservatively estimate measurements to be quantitative at an expression level greater than ~5–10 molecules. Based on these extensive control studies, we propose that RNA-seq of single cells has come of age, yielding quantitative biological information.
The Influence of Good Farm Organization in Costs of Production

Good organization in farming, as in any other business, has an important influence on costs of production and profits. While it is difficult to separate definitely the influence of good organization from the influence of good operations and other factors, it is nevertheless possible to show how good organization affects production and to measure with reasonable accuracy its influence on costs. In attempting to determine the influence of good farm organization on production and costs, we can perhaps get a clearer idea of the problem if we study it from the standpoint of the three principal divisions into which farm organization somewhat logically divides itself; i.e., financial or economic organization, physical organization and productive organization. The financial or economic organization of a farming business is concerned mainly with the problem of determining the minimum size of business which is well adapted to the type of farming to be carried on, and to work out the most profitable distribution of the investment in various items such as land, buildings, machinery and tools, horses and other live stock.
Phase sensitive thermography for quality assessment of giant magnetostrictive composite materials

Giant magnetostrictive materials are increasingly proposed for smart material applications such as in sensors, actuators, and energy harvesting applications. In a composites form, the materials are combined in particle form with polymer matrix composites. Reviewing the literature on this topic, the reader observes a large amount of variability in the reported properties that are typically based on recording (overall or localized) strain and magnetic field with non-collocating strain gages and a gauss meter, i.e. far field measurements. Previously the linking of the microstructure in magnetostrictive composite to the spatial variability of the localized magnetostrictive response, a significant factor for the composite performance in sensing and acutuation, has not been received adequate attention. In this paper, a full-field phase-sensitive thermography method is proposed to use full-field infrared measurements to infer changes in the microstructure in magnetostrictive polymer composites under a cyclic magnetic field. The results show how defects in the material can be rapidly identified from the proposed approach in inspecting the manufactured smart composites.
Rescuing the decision process

On the occasion of the 50th volume of policy sciences, a former editor considers which concept from the policy sciences has diffused most widely outside the pages of the journal. If textbooks on the policy process are any indicator of what’s most valuable about Lasswell’s policy sciences framework, then the decision process is his most enduring contribution. Unfortunately, many textbooks conflate the decision process with derivative policy process concepts, thereby distorting the original and isolating it from a complete set of diagnostic and prescriptive tools all meant to be deployed together.
AFS/FEF Student Technology Contest

Surface finish is an integral part of casting quality specifications. Rough internal surface finishes on castings can cause the loss of efficiency for both fluids and high-velocity gasses, and such is the case for turbocharger and intake manifold components. The University of Northern Iowa has been investigating mold material characteristics that affect surface smoothness for castings. The research was conducted on aluminum castings but has applications and relevance in ferrous alloys that do not exhibit defects such as penetration or fused sand defects. The study investigates the influence of molding media characteristics such as sand fineness, material type, and refractory coating selection. The goal of the project was to accomplish investment casting surface finishes in sand cast parts.
Deified Men and Humanized Gods: The Epistemic Character of the Fabula

This chapter analyzes the language of literature as theorized in Boccaccio’s Genealogie deorum gentilium in order to define the Decameron’s poetics. Both the Genealogie and the Decameron explore mechanisms of knowledge acquisition through similar modalities of discourse. The intrinsic obscurity of poetry has a parallel in the hermetic and Neo-Platonic epistemological ideas of covert discourse, that is, the kind of literature whose language hides its meanings and the truth without completely denying knowledge and understanding. As Boccaccio maintains, the obscure nature of poetry originates in the ‘womb of God’ and is given as a gift to a select few; moreover, poetic imagination appears to be a cognitive tool that takes advantage of the intuitive power of the mind.
The Uniform Pattern of Growth and Skeletal Maturation during the Human Adolescent Growth Spurt.

Humans are one of the few species undergoing an adolescent growth spurt. Because children enter the spurt at different ages making age a poor maturity measure, longitudinal studies are necessary to identify the growth patterns and identify commonalities in adolescent growth. The standard maturity determinant, peak height velocity (PHV) timing, is difficult to estimate in individuals due to diurnal, postural, and measurement variation. Using prospective longitudinal populations of healthy children from two North American populations, we compared the timing of the adolescent growth spurt’s peak height velocity to normalized heights and hand skeletal maturity radiographs. We found that in healthy children, the adolescent growth spurt is standardized at 90% of final height with similar patterns for children of both sexes beginning at the initiation of the growth spurt. Once children enter the growth spurt, their growth pattern is consistent between children with peak growth at 90% of final height and skeletal maturity closely reflecting growth remaining. This ability to use 90% of final height as easily identified important maturity standard with its close relationship to skeletal maturity represents a significant advance allowing accurate prediction of future growth for individual children and accurate maturity comparisons for future studies of children’s growth.
Cerebellar Hematoma Location: Implications for the Underlying Microangiopathy

Background and Purpose— Spontaneous cerebellar intracerebral hemorrhage (ICH) has been reported to be mainly associated with vascular changes secondary to hypertension. However, a subgroup of cerebellar ICH seems related to vascular amyloid deposition (cerebral amyloid angiopathy). We sought to determine whether location of hematoma in the cerebellum (deep and superficial regions) was suggestive of a particular hemorrhage-prone small-vessel disease pathology (cerebral amyloid angiopathy or hypertensive vasculopathy). Methods— Consecutive patients with cerebellar ICH from a single tertiary care medical center were recruited. Based on data from pathological reports, patients were divided according to the location of the primary cerebellar hematoma (deep versus superficial). Location of cerebral microbleeds (CMBs; strictly lobar, strictly deep, and mixed CMB) was evaluated on magnetic resonance imaging. Results— One-hundred and eight patients (84%) had a deep cerebellar hematoma, and 20 (16%) a superficial cerebellar hematoma. Hypertension was more prevalent in deep than in patients with superficial cerebellar ICH (89% versus 65%, respectively; P P =0.004). Conclusions— Our study showed that superficial cerebellar ICH is related to the presence of strictly lobar CMB—a pathologically proven marker of cerebral amyloid angiopathy. Cerebellar hematoma location may thus help to identify those patients likely to have cerebral amyloid angiopathy pathology.
Anesthesia and Metabolic Disease

Succinylcholine persistence in patients with butyrylcholinesterase variants; they may fail to breathe long after the surgery is completed. Artificial ventilation must continue. Instability of the atlantoaxial joint in patients with mucopolysaccharidoses may lead to disaster during anesthesia. These patients should have surgical procedures in centers with anesthesiologists who have experience in dealing with these patients, and preoperative evaluation of the cervical spine and cord is mandatory. (Long) fasting must be avoided in disorders of fatty acid oxidation and in Refsum syndrome. The provision of ample amounts of glucose in these disorders prevents hypoglycemia, rhabdomyolysis, and the crises of Refsum syndrome. Catabolism is inherent in surgery; it is magnified by fasting. It can be minimized in patients with organic acidemia or urea cycle defects by the provision of parenteral glucose. Urea cycle defects may also be amenable to the provision of intravenous arginine during the procedure. Intravenous benzoate/phenylacetate provides an alternate mode of waste nitrogen excretion. Preoperative preparation of patients with homo cystinuria, especially those who are B6 responsive, is designed to minimize levels of homocystine during the procedure. Malignant hyperthermia is seen in response to inhalation anesthetics and succinylcholine. It is usually the result of mutations in the RYR1 gene. Rhabdomyolysis in disorders of fatty acid oxidation may mimic malignant hyperthermia. Malignant hyperthermia may follow anesthesia in a variety of myopathies, especially central core disease and King-Denborough syndrome.
Implementation of a Departmental Female Emergency Medicine Physician Group.

Gender disparities exist in academic emergency medicine (EM). We developed and implemented a female EM physician group – Women in Academic Emergency Medicine (WAM) – to support female EM residents, fellows, and faculty. The goal of WAM is to provide a support system through mentorship, education, and outreach. A targeted needs assessment was completed to identify goals and objectives specific to our department. In the first full year of implementation, WAM hosted eight events, including three topical dinners and one formal panel. Of 42 female faculty and residents, 40 (95%) attended at least one WAM event, and all (20/20) of the female faculty strongly supported WAM. WAM advocated for increased female physician representation on the department’s Physician Executive Leadership Group and preservation of dedicated lactation space in the emergency department. Using a needs assessment, the process of developing WAM can be replicated in any department to create a female physician group.
67 Year Old with Slight Erythema of the Nose

A 67-year-old female presented with a request for a full body examination. The patient has a history of allergies including, iodine, sulfa medications, and Fluphenazine. No particular dermatological problem was identified.
Time for a gut check: Pancreatic sufficiency resulting from CFTR modulator use

Pancreatic exocrine insufficiency in cystic fibrosis is genetically determined and generally felt to be irreversible. However, recent studies in young children started on cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator (CFTR) modulators have suggested improvement of pancreatic functioning over time. Here, we present the case of a 10-year-old child with pancreatic exocrine insufficiency since birth who regained pancreatic functioning after 4 years on the CFTR corrector drug, ivacaftor.
Nurses matter: more evidence

Empirical evidence from many published studies indicates that better hospital professional registered nurse (RN) staffing is associated with better patient outcomes, including lower mortality and failure to rescue, shorter lengths of stay, fewer readmissions, fewer complications, higher patient satisfaction and more favourable reports from patients and nurses alike related to quality of care and patient safety.1–10 There are nonetheless lingering questions and concerns about these studies and the evidence they provide. In this issue of BMJ Quality & Safety , Needleman et al 11 allude to some potentially important ones in their introduction to their paper, including making causal inferences from cross-sectional studies, the absence of evidence on whether there is an optimal level of staffing or some level of minimally acceptable staffing below which nurses are unable to deliver high-quality and safe care, the absence of measures of work environment and its impact in many studies and whether the greater or lesser presence of nursing support staff affects patient outcomes independent of, or that acts in conjunction with, the level of RN staffing. With this study by Needleman and colleagues, BMJ Quality & Safety has now published three recent papers on the outcomes of hospital nurse staffing11–13 that are responsive in different ways to some of the lingering questions about the outcomes of nurse staffing and their implications for policies and managerial decisions about investments in nursing personnel to achieve the greatest value. The first paper in the series by RN4CAST researchers12 used unique cross-sectional data to study the outcomes of variation in nurse staffing in 243 hospitals in six European countries. The outcomes included were mortality among patients who had undergone common surgical procedures, patients’ ratings of their hospitals, nurses’ assessments of quality of care and adverse care outcomes, and nurse burnout and job dissatisfaction. …
P318 The implications of effective school-based prevention for risk of STD acquisition

Background Effective school-based HIV and STD prevention improves health education, access to health services, parent engagement, and increases school connectedness (SC). SC – the degree to which students believe that adults and peers in the school care about them and their success – has long term-implications for sexual behavior, experience of sexual violence, and STD acquisition into adulthood. The current analyses examine the associations of activities to increase school connectedness and health-related experiences and behaviors among high school students in 347 schools from 17 school districts funded by CDC’s Division of Adolescent and School Health (DASH) from 2013 to 2018 to implement HIV and STD prevention. Methods We used data from DASH’s Program Evaluation Reporting System (PERS) and School Health Profiles survey (Profiles) to assess implementation of four school connectedness activities and data from the Youth Risk Behavior Survey (YRBS) to assess youth behaviors and experiences. We examine whether level of implementation of SC in Year 3 of the program was related to STD risk at the end of Year 4. Results SC, as measured by PERS, was significantly related to decreased forced sex (OR=0.99, CI=0.99–1.0, p Conclusion The DASH approach to primary prevention of HIV and STD is effective in improving sexual risk behaviors at a population level in schools. The current analyses demonstrate that increased implementation of school-connectedness specific activities are associated with reduced behaviors and experiences tied to STD acquisition, with significant implications for those experiences into adulthood. Disclosure No significant relationships.
Evaluating possible intraspecific variation in resistance of western hemlock (Pinaceae) to Adelges tsugae (Hemiptera: Adelgidae)

Western hemlock, Tsuga heterophylla (Rafinesque) Sargent (Pinaceae), trees growing in a clonal, commercial seed orchard on Whidbey Island, Washington, United States of America were assessed for Adelges tsugae (Annand) (Hemiptera: Adelgidae) infestation levels to determine whether there was any evidence of resistance to this herbivore. Join-count statistics revealed that A. tsugae infested trees were not clumped, but instead were randomly distributed throughout the seed orchard. Chi-square analyses suggested that there is a genetic basis for different levels of A. tsugae infestation among the genets represented in the orchard. However, since none of the genets were completely free of A. tsugae infestation, differences among genets seem to be related more to susceptibility or tolerance than complete resistance. Among the 17 genets that had five or more ramets in the seed orchard, only one had more than one ramet free of A. tsugae. That genet had four of five ramets that were free of A. tsugae. However, it is not possible to say whether that was due to chance or inherent tree characteristics that make it less susceptible to A. tsugae infestation.
Evaluation of a Practical Markov model-based Methodology for Energy Efficiency in Multicore Systems

Greedy heuristic methodologies perform the dynamic voltage and frequency scaling (DVFS) on multicore systems based on the localized system performance data. The characteristics of applications such as their floating-point operations and memory loads can vary largely during the runtime. As such, the heuristic-based prediction of Voltage and Frequency (V/F) is suboptimal and leads to performance degradation in applications with widely varying computational demands. This work develops a new approach, Markov-based DVFS (MDVFS), which formulates a Hidden Markov Model (HMM) for predicting core utilizations (states) and V/F levels based on the observable execution times of cores across application time intervals. MDVFS uses the well-known K-means algorithm for defining states and observation levels of HMM. For solving the HMM problem, MDVFS uses the Viterbi algorithm to find a sequence of V/F levels that most likely generate the execution time sequence. This paper uses Energy-Delay2 Product (ED2 P) for measuring system energy efficiency and compares the performance of MDVFS to 2 predictive algorithms, history and feedback controller, on multiple applications. Experimental results show that for 5 out of 6 applications MDVFS, on the average, obtains up to 34% faster execution runtime and improves ED2 P by 24% compared to the history and the feedback controller.
Civil Society and Global Frameworks

The ongoing discovery of oil across large swaths of West Africa and its negative impacts on people and the ecosystem has attracted a plethora of critics from the nongovernmental sector. This chapter explores the intersections between existing global frameworks and those of local civil society agencies as they promote transparency and accountability in West Africa’s petroleum industry. Unofficial efforts by nongovernmental organizations in articulating the needs and demands of various affected communities across the region are discussed and analyzed. Through their multistakeholder and watchdog initiatives at all levels of society, an eclectic mix of nongovernmental and civil society organizations have continued to exert pressure on producer governments and oil companies for the transparent use of proceeds from the region’s emerging oil wealth. Using a combination of judicial measures, research, and documentation of violations, reports, and in some cases direct nonviolent action, civil society has become a factor in crystalizing the growing influence and impact of petro-capitalism in West Africa. Varied multitrack efforts are critical to ensuring that West Africa’s oil riches become a catalyst for development and sustainable growth rather than a curse that hinders and stunts the region’s socioeconomic growth and undermines its stability. The chapter is divided into four main sections. The first part outlines the nature and types of civil society and nongovernmental organizations, both domestic and international; the second section discusses their operational activities and strategies. The third part assesses the impact of civil society’s work on mainstreaming sound resource management in West Africa’s oil industry. The fourth and final section weaves all of the core elements together, outlining the importance of the field of conflict resolution to the oil industry.
Lessons from the reintroduction of listed plant species in California

Reintroduction is an increasingly common practice to conserve and recover threatened and endangered plant species, so understanding how practitioners view their work and identifying persistent resource mismatches are key to the long-term viability of these listed species. We interviewed practitioners involved in reintroduction projects for 14 species in the state of California to understand (1) how they defined recovery; (2) their assessment of the likelihood of recovery; (3) what advice they would share with other practitioners to improve reintroduction efforts; and (4) what resources could make future projects more successful. Practitioners’ definitions of recovery aligned with ecological theory and emphasized the importance of self-sustaining populations and large populations, as well as the presence of multiple populations. However, most practitioners felt that recovery was unlikely or did not think the species they worked with should or would be de-listed without the guarantee of perpetual future interventions. Practitioners thought that studying basic biology and natural history, using experiments to determine the best techniques, and repeatedly planting populations were important to project success. However, practitioners also felt they were missing critical resources, including long-term funding for implementation and maintenance, successful and positive relationships between members of the practitioner-agency-scientist-landowner nexus, and assurances/safe harbor agreements for experimental populations. Overall, rare plant reintroductions are complicated by persistent mismatches in timing and goals, but some individuals have been able to successfully navigate these challenges. Longer duration funding mechanisms for monitoring and maintenance and better data handling, storage, and dissemination would benefit future projects.
STAT5 promotes accessibility and is required for BATF-mediated plasticity at the Il9 locus

T helper cell differentiation requires lineage-defining transcription factors and factors that have shared expression among multiple subsets. BATF is required for development of multiple Th subsets but functions in a lineage-specific manner. BATF is required for IL-9 production in Th9 cells but in contrast to its function as a pioneer factor in Th17 cells, BATF is neither sufficient nor required for accessibility at the Il9 locus. Here we show that STAT5 is the earliest factor binding and remodeling the Il9 locus to allow BATF binding in both mouse and human Th9 cultures. The ability of STAT5 to mediate accessibility for BATF is observed in other Th lineages and allows acquisition of the IL-9-secreting phenotype. STAT5 and BATF convert Th17 cells into cells that mediate IL-9-dependent effects in allergic airway inflammation and anti-tumor immunity. Thus, BATF requires the STAT5 signal to mediate plasticity at the Il9 locus.
Disability and Health Programs: Emerging Partners

This chapter presents a brief historical context of increased interest in disability and health; some developments that shaped public health programs; a description of ongoing challenges and efforts to meet the health promotion needs of the growing population of individuals living with disabilities; the growth of disability and health programs within Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC); and an overview of disability and health promotion program resources. Specifically included is the CDC Disability and Health Data System that utilizes disability demographic questions paired with health outcomes to provide a snapshot of the health disparities experienced by individuals with disabilities. Historical perspective of disability in public health and the development of health promotion programs for individuals with disabilities is critical to understand the journey of public health and disability allowing those in the field to learn from where we have been and strategize for what obstacles lay ahead to overcome.
The transition dipole moment representation and spectral phasors

Spectral phasors are currently based on fluorescence spectra in the wavelength domain. However, this is a problem when using spectral phasors to quantify emitters since wavelength represented spectra are not proportional to emitter population. Here we show the effect of unmixing using spectra in their transition dipole moment representation for a theoretical two component system and on a real seven component system.
Row Detection Using a Machine Learning Approach for Autonomous Agriculture Vehicles

Autonomous agriculture vehicles require robust vision systems to navigate farm fields within rows. Commonly, image processing methods are used for row detection in applications like forestry and crop production to collect growth information and yield data based on location. Often these methods are implemented at a bird's eye view by images obtained via drones to determine distinct patterns, but this does not offer closeup and specific information. Autonomous agriculture vehicles can offer a ground-level view of crops and are capable of relaying more nuanced data to the user. The proposed analysis focuses on determining the effectiveness of various features for a machine learning based image classification of crops at a ground-level view. Due to the similarities in the color and patterns observed in the images, classification for autonomous navigation is a difficult problem. The proposed solution is a machine learning based model constructed from color and texture features to predict the occurrence of the crop. The input image data is divided into pieces, and this prediction is performed on a segment by segment basis to construct a coordinate map of distinct areas of interest in the input image. A combination of color features produced by K-means clustering and texture features produced by Haralick textures was found to deliver 95% accuracy. Autonomous navigation is a real-time application, and computational efficiency is important. Therefore we also target to reduce processing time while achieving high accuracy for real-time navigation.
An efficient moving object tracking framework for WSNs using sequence-to-sequence learning model

Wireless sensors can detect an object from the light it reflects, the noise it causes, or the gas molecules it disseminates. However, tracking a moving object requires the wireless sensors to perform high-frequency sensing and data transmission which consume much more energy. To save energy and prolong the lifetime of wireless sensor networks while tracking a moving object effectively, this paper proposes a framework that predicts the trajectory of the moving object using a Sequence-to-Sequence learning (Seq2Seq) model and only wakes-up the sensors that fall within the predicted trajectory of the moving object with a specially designed control packet. The framework uses DV-Hop (distance vector of hops to anchors) as the virtual coordinate that eliminates the dependency of using GPS to locate the sensors to be invoked for tracking the moving object. The framework translates the object’s moving trajectory to a sequence of cascaded hyperbolas and encodes the hyperbolas with DV-Hop constraints. A control packet containing these constraints forbid sensors not in the trajectory to rebroadcast, and awake/sleep signals that control the sensors’ action. The proposed Seq2Seq model predicts the target’s next trajectory directly and outputs a control message that could route along the predicted trajectory. In comparison to predicting the target’s trajectory then encoding the trajectory using geometric objects such as hyperbola, the proposed Seq2Seq model reduces the computation time of encoding geospatial trajectory. Also, the proposed framework preserves the location anonymity by only transmitting the hop’s information instead of GPS values. The performance comparisons with the existing methods show an improvement in energy-saving and control message routing delay.
Capitalism as a Complex Evolving System

Economies are often classified into polar divisions —socialist, capitalist, communist. That approach is not especially useful. Successful systems are by nature pragmatic, and they evolve into blended prag matic systems that quickly move out of any pre-specified space. Accept ing that all systems are pragmatic has significant implications for economic thinking; for example, it suggests that economist’s tendency to see the econo my and government as separate and not co-evolving intertwined systems mi scharacterizes the policy problems facing society. The paper briefly outlines the policy implications of seeing the economy as a complex evolving system, arguing an important policy goal of government is to set up an ecostructure that helps individuals achieve their ethically acceptable desires and goal s for a life well lived. Theoretical debates about market vs. government do litt le to further that goal.
Electromagnetic Propagation and Field Behavior in Highly Anisotropic Media

Publisher Summary This chapter discusses the properties of anisotropic semiconductors under applied static magnetic fields, anisotropic chiral materials, full bianisotropic media, and anisotropic ferrite under applied static magnetic fields. The chapter focuses on the consequent nonreciprocal microwave and millimeter-wave device properties resulting from the induced anisotropy. Further, some of the classical and quantum aspects of carrier transport and magnetic field effects have been reviewed and applied to the numerical analysis. Since some analytical methods can be a guide in electromagnetic studies, one simple variational approach is presented for the propagation constant in an anisotropically loaded waveguide. The chapter also presents the summary of a finite-element method used to solve a layered magneto plasma problem at millimeter and sub-millimeter wavelengths. The finite element is a very general method and is readily adaptable to many irregular geometries and anisotropic materials. Because planar problems are of such great importance in hybrid and monolithic circuits, special emphasis is placed on the construction and solution of slot and micro strip problems found in enclosures using the quasi-analytical method in comparison to the finite element technique. Normal-mode fields, the dyadic impedance Green's function, strip surface currents, the dyadic admittance Green's function, slot surface fields, the anisotropic determinantal equation, and the magneto plasma permittivity tensor are also discussed in the chapter. Numerical results are presented for important infinite planar, rectangular, circular or coaxial, and enclosed layered wave guiding structures demonstrating some aspects of the magneto plasma effect.
A divide and conquer approach to least-squares estimation with application to range-difference-based localization

The problem of estimating parameters theta that determine the mean mu ( theta ) of a Gaussian-distributed observation X is considered. It is noted that the maximum-likelihood (ML) estimate-in this case, the least-squares estimate-has desirable statistical properties but can be difficult to compute when mu ( theta ) is a nonlinear function of theta . An estimate formed by combining ML estimates based on subsections of the data vector X is proposed as a computationally inexpensive alternative. It is shown that this alternative estimate, termed the divide-and-conquer estimate, has ML performance in the small-error region when the data vector X is appropriately subdivided. As an example application, an inexpensive range-difference-based position estimator is derived and shown by Monte-Carlo simulation to have small-error-region mean-square error equal to the Cramer-Rao bound. >
Evidence for Serial Discontinuity in the Fish Community of a Heavily Impounded River

In the Tennessee River, USA, we examined lengthwise patterns in fish community structure and species richness within and among nine reservoirs organized in sequence and connected through navigational locks. Within reservoirs, the riverine, transition and lacustrine zones supported distinct, although overlapping, nearshore fish assemblages; differences were also reflected in measures of species richness. Spatial patterns were most apparent for rheophilic species, which increased in species richness and representation upstream within each reservoir and downstream across the chain of reservoirs. This pattern resembled a sawtooth wave, with the amplitude of the wave peaking in the riverine zone below each dam, and progressively higher wave amplitude developing downstream in the reservoir chain. The observed sawtooth pattern supports the serial discontinuity concept in that the continuity of the riverine fish community is interrupted by the lacustrine conditions created behind each dam. Upstream within each reservoir, and downstream in the chain of reservoirs, habitat characteristics become more riverine. To promote sustainability of rheophilic fishes and maintain biodiversity in impounded rivers, conservation plans could emphasize maintenance and preservation of riverine environments of the reservoir's upper reaches, while remaining cognizant of the broader basin trends that provide opportunities for a lengthwise array of conservation and management policy. Published 2015. This article is a U.S. Government work and is in the public domain in the USA.
Determining the Relationship of the Axillary Nerve to the Shoulder Joint Capsule from an Arthroscopic Perspective

Background: The axillary nerve is out of the field of view during shoulder arthroscopy, but certain procedures require manipulation of capsular tissue that can threaten the function or integrity of the nerve. We studied fresh cadavers to identify the course of the axillary nerve in relation to the glenoid rim from an intra-articular perspective and to determine how close the nerve travels in relation to the glenoid rim and the inferior glenohumeral ligament. Methods: We dissected nine whole-body fresh-tissue shoulder joints and exposed the axillary nerve through a window in the inferior glenohumeral ligament. Then we cut coronal sections through the glenoid fossa of ten unembalmed, frozen shoulder specimens after the axillary nerve had been stained with Evans blue dye. All specimens were studied with the joint secured in the lateral decubitus position used for shoulder arthroscopy. Results: Microsurgical dissection through the inferior glenohumeral ligament from within the joint capsule revealed the axillary nerve as it traversed the quadrangular space. In each dissection, the teres minor branch was the closest to the glenoid rim. The coronal sectioning of the unembalmed shoulder specimens demonstrated that the closest point between the axillary nerve and the glenoid rim was at the 6 o'clock position on the inferior glenoid rim. At this position, the average distance between the axillary nerve and the glenoid rim was 12.4 mm. The axillary nerve lay, throughout its course, at an average of 2.5 mm from the inferior glenohumeral ligament. Conclusions: We used two novel approaches to map the axillary nerve from an intra-articular perspective. Our analysis of the position of the nerve with use of these methods provides the shoulder arthroscopist with essential information regarding the location, route, and morphology of the nerve as it passes inferior to the glenoid rim and shoulder capsule. Clinical Relevance: Orthopaedic surgeons have long known that the axillary nerve is vulnerable to damage during repair of the shoulder joint capsule. Knowledge of the precise relationship of the axillary nerve and its branches to the inferior glenohumeral ligament can be of benefit in shoulder arthroscopy.
A preliminary analysis of the ‘recovery machine’ in post-earthquake Christchurch: opportunities and restrictions to development

160 years since colonial settlement of Christchurch, a sequence of devastating earthquakes has seen the need for a widespread de- and re-construction of the central city, as well as many of the surrounding neighbourhoods and peri-urban satellite settlements. This paper will offer a view of the opportunities and restrictions to the post-earthquake re-development of Christchurch as informed by the ‘growth machine’ theory. A case study investigating an illegal dump in central Christchurch will be used to assess the applicability of growth machine theory to the current disaster response.
Carbonic anhydrase levels in chlamydomonas

Abstract Levels of carbonic anhydrase in Chlamydomonas reindhardtii were 20-fold higher on both a protein and chlorophyll basis when algae were grown on 0·03 per cent CO 2 as compared to algae grown on 1 per cent CO 2 . This result suggests a functional role for carbonic anhydrase in photosynthesis.
Evaluating Nitrogen Fertilizer Rate and Timing for Meadowfoam Seed and Dry Matter Production

Previous reports on N fertilization effects on meadowfoam (Limnanthes alba Hartw. ex Benth.) seed yield are inconsistent. This study was conducted to determine whether N fertilizer application rate and timing could be manipulated to increase seed yield in ‘Mermaid.’ Field experiments were conducted during the 1982–1983 and 1984–1985 seasons on a Woodburn silt loam (fine-silty, mixed, mesic Aquultic Argixeroll) to evaluate the influence of twelve combinations of N rate and timing on Mermaid dry matter production and seed yield. Treatments included 50, 100, and 200 kg N ha⁻¹ applied in fall, winter, spring, and split fall/spring timings. Except for the 50 and 100 kg N ha⁻¹ applied in the fall of 1984, seed yields for all N treatments were greater than the control. Application rate and timing interactions on dry matter production, seed yield, and harvest index were not significant in either growing season. Averaged over rates, fall application resulted in significantly lower seed yield and total dry matter than the other timing treatments, presumably because of N loss through leaching. The effects of application rates above 50 kg N ha⁻¹ on dry matter production and seed yield varied between years. The data suggest that 50 kg N ha⁻¹ applied in late winter or early spring increases meadowfoam seed yield. Under climatic conditions such as during the 1984–1985 season when lodging was low, higher rates of N might be beneficial. However, application of more than 50 kg N ha⁻¹ in spring could reduce seed yield if the climatic conditions are conducive to lodging. Oregon Agric. Exp. Stn. Journal Article no. 8927.
Gene therapy: The first two decades and the current state‐of‐the‐art

The concept of gene therapy was envisioned soon after the emergence of restriction endonucleases and subcloning of mammalian genes in phage and plasmids. Over the ensuing decades, vectors were developed, including nonviral methods, integrating virus vectors (gammaretrovirus and lentivirus), and non-integrating virus vectors (adenovirus, adeno-associated virus, and herpes simplex virus vectors). Preclinical data demonstrated potential efficacy in a broad range of animal models of human diseases, but clinical efficacy in humans remained elusive in most cases, even after decades of experience in over 1000 trials. Adverse effects from gene therapy have been observed in some cases, often because of viral vectors retaining some of the pathogenic potential of the viruses upon which they are based. Later generation vectors have been developed in which the safety and/or the efficiency of gene transfer has been improved. Most recently this work has involved alterations of vector envelope or capsid proteins either by insertion of ligands to target specific receptors or by directed evolution. The disease targets for gene therapy are multiple, but the most promising data have come from monogenic disorders. As the number of potential targets for gene therapy continues to increase, and a substantial number of trials continue with both the standard and the later generation vector systems, it is hoped that a therapeutic niche for gene therapy will emerge in the coming decades.
Dynamic programming: An interactive approach

Abstract An interactive approach to the formulation, modeling, analysis, and solution of discrete deterministic dynamic programming problems is presented. The approach utilizes APL both as the mathematical and the programming language. The interactive capabilities of APL and the simple one-to-one correspondence between the programming and the mathematical language provide an extremely convenient environment for dynamic programming investigations in general and for teaching/learning purposes in particular. The approach is illustrated by a simple model and a numerical example.
Social and Emotional Consequences of Refraining From Sexual Activity Among Sexually Experienced and Inexperienced Youths in California

Objectives. We examined the social and emotional consequences among adolescents of refraining from sexual activity (oral or vaginal sex) and whether these consequences differed over time and by gender and sexual experience.Methods. Adolescents (N=612; 58% female) recruited from 2 schools were assessed at 4 time points separated by 6-month intervals, beginning in fall of ninth grade.Results. The percentage of adolescents who reported only positive consequences (e.g., they felt responsible, friends were proud) dramatically decreased over time, whereas the percentage that reported negative consequences (e.g., they felt left out, partners became angry) steadily increased. Adolescent girls and sexually experienced adolescents were more likely to report both positive and negative consequences than were adolescent boys and sexually inexperienced adolescents. Adolescents who began the study with sexual experience were more likely to report positive consequences of refraining from sexual activity by the end of the...
The Psychosocial Consequences of BOTOX Injections for Spasmodic Dysphonia: A Qualitative Study of Patients’ Experiences

Summary Objectives/Hypothesis: The purpose of this study is to examine the psychosocial consequences of BOTOX® (Allergan, Inc. Irvine, CA) treatment for spasmodic dysphonia (SD). This article also explores how patients judge the success of treatment and make decisions about future treatment based on psychosocial issues relevant to them. Study Design: This study follows the phenomenological tradition of qualitative inquiry in which the objective is to explore the lived experiences of a group of persons who share a common phenomenon, in this case receiving BOTOX injections for SD. Methods: Six adults with SD who had been receiving BOTOX injections on a long-term basis participated in face-to-face interviews. The interviews were recorded, transcribed, and analyzed according to phenomenological guidelines to identify consistent themes as well as differences among participants' experiences. Results: The results are summarized in three primary themes that suggest (1) participants' experiences vary over time based on changes in factors such as lifestyle and personal priorities; (2) BOTOX has multidimensional psychosocial implications in physical, personal, and social domains; and (3) participants individualize their treatment regimens, taking into consideration the burden of treatment, scheduling priorities, and other strategies to maximize the benefits of BOTOX. Conclusions: Based on this study, suggestions are provided for future research into a psychosocial outcome measurement, including longitudinal evaluations that accommodate changing patient priorities over time; multidimensional evaluations that incorporate physical, personal, and social issues; evaluations that include a measure of the burden of treatment; and evaluations that support a shared decision-making model with the voice clinicians.
Use of a unique chemiluminescence spectrometer in a study of factors influencing granulocyte light emission

Factors contributing to variability in chemiluminescence (CL) measurements of phagocytizing granulocytes were identified and controlled. Observed CL was decreased by light quenching caused by red blood cells, hemoglobin, phagocytizable particles, and granulocytes. Increases in CL were achieved by opsonization with heat labile and heat stable (antibody) serum factors, reaction temperatures in the range of 37-40 degrees C, and mixing. The effects of controlled temperature variation and mixing were studied with a chemiluminescence spectrometer uniquely designed for such studies. Features of this spectrometer which make it more suitable than the previously employed scintillation spectrometers for the observation of granulocyte and other chemiluminescent systems include; (1) the ability to measure CL immediately upon reaction initiation; (2) simplicity of photomultiplier tube exchange; and (3) built-in optical filter holders for spectral analysis.
Induction of cytochromes P450IIE1 and P450IIB1 by secondary ketones and the role of P450IIE1 in chloroform metabolism

It has been shown previously that the potentiation of chloroform-induced hepatotoxicity by linear secondary ketones increases with the carbon-chain length. The present work examines the possibility that this potentiation is due to the induction of P450IIE1. The metabolism of chloroform, as measured using headspace gas chromatography, in the presence of microsomes from acetone-treated rats was elevated threefold compared to controls. Inclusion of monoclonal antibody against P450IIE1 inhibited the metabolism by 81%. Alternate substrates of P450IIE1 were also inhibitory. Chloroform metabolism was observed using purified, reconstituted P450IIE1 plus cytochrome b5, but was not detected using P450IIB1. The inductive effect of 18-hr oral pretreatment (15 mmol/kg body wt) with each of three secondary ketones on two isozymes of rat liver microsomal cytochrome P450, P450IIE1, and P450IIB1 was studied. The content of total microsomal P450 and NADPH-dependent cytochrome c reductase, the rates of oxidation of N-nitrosodimethylamine, benzphetamine, and pentoxyresorufin, as well as levels of immunoreactive protein for both of the isozymes were elevated by the pretreatments in the rank order of acetone ≤ 2-butanone < 2-hexanone, in agreement with other trends noted by previous investigators. The results provide further evidence for the role of P450IIE1 induction in the potentiation phenomenon.