cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
UW-HARQ: An underwater hybrid ARQ scheme: Design, implementation and initial test

In this paper, we investigate reliable end-to-end data transfer in Underwater Acoustic Networks. A hybrid ARQ scheme, named UW-HARQ is proposed, which combines FEC coding and ARQ. For the FEC coding, Random Binary Linear Coding is employed due to its low coding and decoding complexity. An adaptive coding ratio estimation scheme, which incorporates the PER information, is proposed to minimize the number of retransmissions between the source and the destination. For the ARQ, NACK packets are utilized to inform the source node how many and which packets to send out in a retransmission and ACK packets are used as indications of data packet recovery success. We implemented UW-HARQ on real UAN nodes by leveraging our hardware and software platform. Initial lab test results show that UW-HARQ achieves a larger throughput than TCP-like approaches with a comparable overhead.
The equine herpesvirus-1 IR3 gene that lies antisense to the sole immediate-early (IE) gene is trans-activated by the IE protein, and is poorly expressed to a protein

The unique IR3 gene of equine herpesvirus 1 (EHV-1) is expressed as a late 1.0-kb transcript. Previous studies confirmed the IR3 transcription initiation site and tentatively identified other cis-acting elements specific to IR3 such as a TATA box, a 443 base pair 5'untranslated region (UTR), a 285 base pair open reading frame (ORF), and a poly adenylation (A) signal [Holden, V.R., Harty, R.N., Yalamanchili, R.R., O'Callaghan, D.J., 1992. The IR3 gene of equine herpesvirus type 1: a unique gene regulated by sequences within the intron of the immediate-early gene. DNA Seq. 3, 143-152]. Transient transfection assays revealed that the IR3 promoter is strongly trans-activated by the IE protein (IEP) and that coexpression of the IEP with the early EICP0 and IR4 regulatory proteins results in maximal trans-activation of the IR3 promoter. Gel shift assays revealed that the IEP directly binds to the IR3 promoter region. Western blot analysis showed that the IR3 protein produced in E. coli was detected by antibodies to IR3 synthetic peptides; however, the IR3 protein was not detected in EHV-1 infected cell extracts by these same anti-IR3 antibodies, even though the IR3 transcript was detected by northern blot. These findings suggest that the IR3 may not be expressed to a protein. Expression of an IR3/GFP fusion gene was not observed, but expression of a GFP/IR3 fusion gene was detected by fluorescent microscopy. In further attempts to detect the IR3/GFP fusion protein using anti-GFP antibody, western blot analysis showed that the IR3/GFP fusion protein was not detected in vivo. Interestingly, a truncated form of the GFP/IR3 protein was synthesized from the GFP/IR3 fusion gene. However, GFP/IR3 and IR3/GFP fusion proteins of the predicted sizes were synthesized by in vitro coupled transcription and translation of the fusion genes, suggesting poor expression of the IR3 protein in vivo. The possible role of the IR3 transcript in EHV-1 infection is discussed.
Anterior cingulate cortex dysfunction in attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder revealed by fMRI and the counting stroop

Abstract Background: The anterior cingulate cognitive division (ACcd) plays a central role in attentional processing by: 1) modulating stimulus selection (i.e., focusing attention) and/or 2) mediating response selection. We hypothesized that ACcd dysfunction might therefore contribute to producing core features of attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), namely inattention and impulsivity. ADHD subjects have indeed shown performance deficits on the Color Stroop, an attentional/cognitive interference task known to recruit the ACcd. Recently, the Counting Stroop, a Stroop-variant specialized for functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI), produced ACcd activation in healthy adults. In the present fMRI study, the Counting Stroop was used to examine the functional integrity of the ACcd in ADHD. Methods: Sixteen unmedicated adults from two groups (8 with ADHD and 8 matched control subjects) performed the Counting Stroop during fMRI. Results: While both groups showed an interference effect, the ADHD group, in contrast to control subjects, failed to activate the ACcd during the Counting Stroop. Direct comparisons showed ACcd activity was significantly higher in the control group. ADHD subjects did activate a frontostriatal-insular network, indicating ACcd hypoactivity was not caused by globally poor neuronal responsiveness. Conclusions: The data support a hypothesized dysfunction of the ACcd in ADHD.
Isolation of RNA from equine peripheral blood cells: comparison of methods

Gene expression studies in equine research involve the use of whole blood samples as a vital source of RNA. To determine the optimal method for RNA isolation from equine whole blood, we compared three RNA isolation strategies using different commercially available kits to evaluate the yield and quality of equine RNA. All 3 methods produced RNA with high quality. Though it did not produce the highest yield, combining the quality, yield and the need for the downstream application in our project, LeukoLOCK™ total RNA isolation system was the best RNA extraction method.
Social Contracting in a Pluralist Process of Moral Sense Making: A Dialogic Twist on the ISCT

This paper applies Wempe’s (2005, Business Ethics Quarterly 15(1), 113–135) boundary conditions that define the external and internal logics for contractarian business ethics theory, as a system of argumentation for evaluating current or prospective institutional arrangements for arriving at the “good life,” based on the principles and practices of social justice. It does so by showing that a more dynamic, process-oriented, and pluralist ‘dialogic twist’ to Donaldson and Dunfee’s (2003, ‘Social Contracts: sic et non’, in P. Heugens, H. van Oosterhout and J. Vromen (eds.), The Social Institutions of Capitalism: Evolution and Design of Social Contracts (Cheltenham, UK, Edward Elgar Publishing, Ltd.) pp. 109–126; 1999, Ties that Bind: A Social Contracts Approach to Business Ethics (Boston, MA, Harvard Business School Press); 1995, Economics and Philosophy 11(1), 85–112; 1994, Academy of Management Review 19(2), 252–284.) integrated social contracting theory (ISCT) of economic ethics will further develop this promising and influential approach to moral reasoning, ethical decision-making, and stakeholder governance. This evolutionary, interactive learning-based model of ethical norm generation via dialogic stakeholder engagement is particularly appropriate within economic communities that are experiencing value conflict and pressures for institutional change.
Ultrahigh-Q crystalline optical whispering gallery mode resonators

We report on fabrication of ultrahigh-Q crystalline optical whispering gallery mode (WGM) resonators via mechanical polishing. The maximum Q-factor achieved at room temperature exceeds 2/spl times/10/sup 10/. We discuss strong nonlinear behavior of the resonators and propose several devices based on the resonators. We have studied WGM resonators fabricated of calcium fluoride and few other crystals and measured their quality factors. High optical Q-factor was obtained due to several nonlinear optical effects. Two of them are instability due to strong thermal nonlinearity and optical oscillations based on four wave mixing.
Trauma/critical care surgery

The specialty of trauma/critical care is relatively new and is currently in a state of evolution as we now face not only a shortage of surgeons but also an alarmingly increasing number of well-trained surgeons who are unwilling to provide emergency care. Regionalization of both trauma and emergency surgical care nationwide is on the horizon and will require major changes in our surgical training programs. However, careers in trauma/critical care and emergency surgery can offer a controlled lifestyle, challenging cases that cross over many disciplines, and a rich field for scientific investigation.
Energy Efficient Location-Aware Networks

Location-awareness is of pivotal importance in future wireless systems. In these networks, energy efficiency is a critical issue since it affects network lifetime, throughput, and interference. In this paper, we investigate optimization issues associated with anchor power allocation, anchor selection, and anchor deployment. In particular, we minimize the squared position error bound (SPEB), which characterizes the limits of localization accuracy. To gain insights into the localization problem, we use the eigen-analysis and propose a geometric interpretation of the localization information. This approach facilitates the derivation of optimal solutions and serves guidelines for the design of algorithms in energy efficient location-aware networks. Our numerical results show that significant improvement in localization performance can be achieved with optimal resource allocation.
Predictors of Familial Acculturative Stress in Asian American College Students

The authors examined the predictors of familial acculturative stress in 85 Asian American college students. Participants were primarily 1st- and 2nd-generation U.S. citizens. Results showed that perceived acculturative family conflict and family intragroup marginalization were related to higher levels of familial acculturative stress for participants. Family intragroup marginalization accounted for a statistically significant proportion of the variance in familial acculturative stress after all variables were controlled. The findings emphasize the need to recognize culture-specific stressors of college students. Implications for college counselors are discussed.
The Diagnosis of Syncope in the Elderly

Given a group of individuals presenting with syncope, the use of the standard diagnostic maneuvers will yield a diagnosis for approximately half. Promising new diagnostic tests offer the prospect of more efficient diagnostic pathways and treatments and demonstrate the need for better clinical trials before they are adopted.
Design patterns for database pedagogy: a proposal

Courses in Relational Databases largely use a domain-specific design approach different from that used in the rest of the curriculum. Use of the Unified Process, UML, and Design Patterns as a pedagogical approach for Databases can leverage previous student experience with design, make knowledge from Database courses more immediately relevant elsewhere, and create greater continuity across the curriculum. This approach allows issues in logical design and in implementation to be more easily connected with similar concerns in other courses (for example, Software Engineering), and supports greater and easier transfer of design between Relational and Object-Oriented Databases, and between databases and embedding applications.
More than a feeling

According to rationalist conceptions of moral agency, the constitutive capacities of moral agency are rational capacities. So understood, rationalists are often thought to have a problem with feeling. For example, many believe that rationalists must reject the attractive Aristotelian thought that moral activity is by nature pleasant. I disagree. It is easy to go wrong here because it is easy to assume that pleasure is empirical rather than rational and so extrinsic rather than intrinsic to moral agency, rationalistically conceived. Drawing on underappreciated elements of Kant's moral psychology, I sketch an alternative form of rationalism, according to which moral activity is by nature pleasant because at least some pleasures are by nature rational.
INDIAN SAVING BEHAVIOR: A RECONCILIATION OF TIME SERIES AND CROSS SECTION EVIDENCE

Serious doubts have been raised as to the validity of using cross-sectional estimates of the average propensity to consume over time. These d⊙ubts are based on empirical evidence for the United States presented by Kuznets and Goldsmith. This paper extends these considerations to developing countries by looking at the evidence for India. Simple statistical techniques, including ordinary least squares regression, Chow tests, and t-tests, are used in the estimation of the consumption functions and the formulation of hypotheses. Both India and the U.S. are seen to exhibit the same characteristic secular constancy in the average propensity to consume. For India the average propensity to consume is about 0.95 and is maintained in the face of no substantial secular increases in per capita income during the period under study (1919–1960). The same inconsistencies between time series and cross-section evidence on the average propensity to consume are found to exist for India. The permanent income theory suggested only a partial explanation of these inconsistencies and the reconciliation was achieved by a Duesenberry type explanation based on evidence for a shifting cross section consumption function over time. The date was provided by a set of Family Living Surveys for Industrial Workers: 1926, 1933–1935, 1950–1952, 1958–1959. Finally it was noted that the cross-section consumption function in India had shifted both upwards and downwards over the period under study, in contrast to the strict upward shift for the U.S. In an economy such as India's, where secular growth is by no means assured, it is not always likely that consumers can avoid lowering previously achieved consumption standards in the face of cyclical economic conditions.
Using an equilibrium model to forecast airline behavior in response to economic or regulatory changes

Government and industry are exploring approaches, such as technology (e.g. SESAR/NextGen) and market-based methods, to address the pervasive delays in the air transportation system. Resistance to some of the proposed market-based strategies are based on uncertainties of the societal and economic outcomes; specifically, there is a concern that fewer markets might be served, that service within existing markets might be decreased, that airfares might rise significantly and that airline profitability will suffer. This paper describes a comparison of the behavior of the air transportation system (e.g. markets served, airfares, delays, load factors, aircraft size) during the recent run-up in fuel prices at capacity-limited New York airports and non-slot controlled San Francisco and Philadelphia airports. The results of the modeled airline behavior shows: i. Airfares change in proportion to changes in fuel prices. ii. Flights per day and markets served change in proportion to changes in airport capacity limits. iii. Average aircraft size changes in proportion to changes in airfares, number of markets served, and number of flights per day. iv. Airline profitability changes in proportion to flights per day, airfares, and average aircraft size. The implications of these results are discussed in this paper.
The Behavioral Genetics of Alcoholism

Twin and adoption studies consistently implicate the importance of genetic influences on alcoholism risk, especially in men. Heritability estimates suggest that approximately 50% to 60% of the variability in alcoholism liability is associated with genetic factors. Although there has been progress in identifying specific genes that predispose toward alcoholism, we know relatively little about the nature of the genetic influence on alcoholism risk. We also know relatively little about how genetic factors combine with environmental factors to affect alcoholism risk. Genotype-environment interaction models posit that alcoholism occurs when individuals both inherit a vulnerability to develop alcoholism and are reared in a provocative environment. Such models hold great promise for understanding alcoholism's etiology.
Root growth and oxygen relations at low water potentials. Impact of oxygen availability in polyethylene glycol solutions

Polyethylene glycol (PEG), which is often used to impose low water potentials (ψ w ) in solution culture, decreases O 2 movement by increasing solution viscosity. We investigated whether this property causes O 2 deficiency that affects the elongation or metabolism of maize ( Zea mays L.) primary roots. Seedlings grown in vigorously aerated PEG solutions at ambient solution O 2 partial pressure ( p O 2 ) had decreased steady-state root elongation rates, increased root-tip alanine concentrations, and decreased root-tip proline concentrations relative to seedlings grown in PEG solutions of above-ambient p O 2 (alanine and proline accumulation are responses to hypoxia and low ψ w , respectively). Measurements of root p O 2 were made using an O 2 microsensor to ensure that increased solution p O 2 did not increase root p O 2 above physiological levels. In oxygenated PEG solutions that gave maximal root elongation rates, root p O 2 was similar to or less than (depending on depth in the tissue) p O 2 of roots growing in vermiculite at the same ψ w . Even without PEG, high solution p O 2 was necessary to raise root p O 2 to the levels found in vermiculite-grown roots. Vermiculite was used for comparison because it has large air spaces that allow free movement of O 2 to the root surface. The results show that supplemental oxygenation is required to avoid hypoxia in PEG solutions. Also, the data suggest that the O 2 demand of the root elongation zone may be greater at low relative to high ψ w , compounding the effect of PEG on O 2 supply. Under O 2 -sufficient conditions root elongation was substantially less sensitive to the low ψ w imposed by PEG than that imposed by dry vermiculite.
The Politics of Coalition Building in Japan: The Case of the Katayama Government Formation in 1947

This Note examines the formation of the Socialist-led coalition government in Japan in 1947. Despite the recent expansion of positive research on coalition governments, the existing literature remains ‘European’ in its scope, leaving ambiguity as to whether the currently available models are truly general theoretical models, as some formal theorists seem to claim, or only applicable to a certain cultural and socio-political environment. The Japanese example presents an excellent vehicle, a hard case, with which to test contemporary coalition theories, because Japan is usually described as a country with a distinctive political culture and historical background.
High-dose galantamine augmentation inferior to placebo on attention, inhibitory control and working memory performance in nonsmokers with schizophrenia.

Abstract Dysfunction in the neuronal nicotinic acetylcholine receptor (nAChR) system has been implicated in the pathophysiology of schizophrenia, and it has been postulated that treatments that increase nAChR activity may improve symptoms of the disorder. We investigated the effects of the acetylcholinesterase inhibitor and allosteric nAChR modulator, galantamine, on cognitive performance and clinical symptoms when added to a stable antipsychotic medication regimen in nonsmoking outpatients with schizophrenia in a double-blind, placebo-controlled, parallel-group design. Participants were randomized to receive either galantamine (n = 10) up to 32 mg/day or identical placebo (n = 10) for 8 weeks and completed a cognitive battery at baseline and week 8 and clinical scales at baseline, week 4 and week 8. The primary outcome measure was attentional performance as measured by the d' measure in the Continuous Performance Test — Identical Pairs (CPT-IP) Version. Contrary to our hypothesis, galantamine treatment was associated with inferior performance on the CPT-IP, on the three-card Stroop task, and on the Letter–Number Span task without reordering. Galantamine had no effect on clinical symptoms. In summary, galantamine treatment, at a dose of 32 mg/day, was well tolerated but was not effective as an adjunctive treatment for cognitive deficits in stable nonsmokers with schizophrenia.
Recovery of propionic and acetic acids from fermentation broth by electrodialysis

Acetic and propionic acids can be produced by fermentation. In this process, acid recovery is important both for producing a concentrated product from the broth and for removing acid from the broth to reduce product inhibition during the fermentation. The purpose of this work was to characterize the performance of an electrodialysis unit for carrying out both tasks. Current efficiencies, water transport, and product concentrations were determined both for model solutions of the acids and for fermentation broths to determine the limiting factors in using this separation method. In addition, observations were made of fouling behavior of the membranes in this use. The highest concentrations of product were obtained by contacting with the most concentrated feed and doing so in the absence of competing ions. For the range studied here, a maximum concentration of 13.8% (w/v) sodium propionate was obtained. In the batch recycle mode, final concentrations in the concentrate were reduced, but acid recoveries were improved by the presence of other ions because the low-current shut-off was delayed. The use of electrodialysis for producing a concentrated acid product is not promising unless salt levels in the medium can be reduced and acid levels increased. However, electrodialysis can be used to maintain low acid levels in the fermentor during extractive fermentation.
Resistance to Coccidioides immitis in Mice after Immunization with Recombinant Protein or a DNA Vaccine of a Proline-Rich Antigen

Coccidioides immitis causes a systemic fungal infection in approximately 100,000 persons each year (14). Whereas a small percentage of infections result in progressive and debilitating illness, most stimulate an immune response in the host which effectively controls the disease process and affords long-lasting protection against future infection (46). The remarkable effectiveness of the immune response has sustained a prolonged search for a means to produce protection equivalent to that which follows naturally acquired infection (40). Four decades ago, formalin-killed whole-cell vaccines made from spherules of C. immitis were demonstrated to protect mice from lethal intranasal infection (31). However, induction of protection required repeated administrations of several hundred milligrams of vaccine per mouse (32). In a field trial using the maximally tolerated dose of the whole-cell vaccine, humans who received vaccine acquired little or no protection against subsequent coccidioidal infection compared to controls (41). Because of these findings, recent efforts to improve vaccine efficacy have focused attention on subcellular fractions and recombinant antigens as vaccine candidates (26, 27, 56). One vaccine candidate is a proline-rich antigen (PRA) identified in spherules of C. immitis (12, 16). Previous studies demonstrated that as a purified deglycosylated protein, it can stimulate peripheral blood lymphocytes from humans with prior coccidioidal infections. We cloned and reported the sequence for the cDNA encoding this protein, which we referred to as the PRA (13). Subsequently, the deduced amino acid sequence of another antigen, antigen 2, was shown to be identical to that of PRA (55). We have also shown that recombinant PRA (rPRA) with Freund’s adjuvant afforded BALB/c mice significant protection from intraperitoneal (i.p.) challenge (26). We have now extended the original findings by decreasing the number of immunizations, increasing the interval between immunization and challenge, and substituting a monophosphoryl lipid A (MPL)-oil emulsion adjuvant that is potentially applicable to human use (42, 52). Additionally, we have expanded these observations by studying a second inbred strain of mouse with a different H-2 background and by testing a DNA vaccine prepared with PRA cDNA. The results from this work and their correlations with several in vitro immunologic measurements are the subject of the current report. (This work was presented in part at the Annual Meeting of the Infectious Diseases Society of America, San Francisco, Calif., 14 September 1997.)
Epidermal growth factor receptor pathway as therapeutic development in head and neck cancers: present and future

The understanding of the epidermal growth factor pathway in terms of intracellular signaling and its role in proliferation and cell survival has impacted the therapeutic management of many solid tumor malignancies in which this pathway has been dysregulated. Once the receptor is targeted at its cellular membrane level or tyrosine kinase domain, its blockage induces downregulation of oncogenic and tumorigenesis mechanisms which were in place, and thus inhibits proliferation and induces apoptosis of the malignant cell. Nowadays, we have several monoclonal antibodies as well as small molecules which target the receptor of epidermal growth factor. Although several receptors have been described within the human epidermal receptor family, our discussion will be focused on the impact of human epidermal receptor-1 as a therapeutic option for locally advanced squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck.
Enabling Chemistry Applications with High Performance Computing

Advances in computer hardware have pushed forward the size of chemical investigations that are accessible using quantum chemistry. However, because state-of-the-art quantum chemistry methods scale as N 5 - N7, the hardware advances can only take us so far. A key advance in the past decade has been the development of scalable (parallel) codes for highly correlated wavefunctions. Following a summary of the methods used in our approach to parallelism in GAMESS (General Atomic and Molecular Electronic Structure System), several applications that emphasize the efficiacy of scalable codes will be discussed. These include the prediction of potential new fuels, the study of new materials with desirable properties and the study of species of biological importance
Influence of Soybean Monoculture on Phialophora gregata f. sp. sojae IGS-Genotype B Isolate Aggressiveness

Many soybean accessions described as resistant to brown stem rot (BSR) are preferentially colonized by isolates of Phialophora gregata f. sp. sojae genotype B. These isolates are generally considered less aggressive than isolates of P. gregata f. sp. sojae genotype A because they cause minor or no foliar symptoms characteristic of BSR. However, variation in aggressiveness has been observed among isolates of P. gregata f. sp. sojae genotype B. To determine if BSR-resistant soybean accessions would preferentially select for more aggressive isolates of P. gregata f. sp. sojae genotype B, monocultures of both BSR-resistant or BSR-susceptible accessions were established at the Arlington Agriculture Research Station, Arlington, WI. BSR-susceptible cv. Corsoy 79 and BSR-resistant plant introduction (PI) 567.157A were inoculated under greenhouse conditions with a total of 39 isolates of P. gregata f. sp. sojae genotype B obtained from the different monocultures. BSR severity was determined as the percentage of symptomatic foliar and internal stem tissue. Overall, BSR severity was low and did not exceed 20% for either foliar or stem symptoms. Isolates of P. gregata f. sp. sojae genotype B caused more severe foliar (P < 0.0001) and stem (P = 0.0008) symptoms of BSR on PI 567.157A than on Corsoy 79. Analysis of BSR stem symptom severity indicated an interaction (P = 0.0124) between soybean accession and the origin of isolates of P. gregata f. sp. sojae genotype B. Isolates of P. gregata f. sp. sojae genotype B obtained from the monoculture of a BSR-susceptible or -resistant accession were more aggressive than isolates from a mixed resistant and susceptible soybean monoculture. The relationship between the origin of isolate of P. gregata f. sp. sojae genotype B and isolate aggressiveness was more apparent for PI 567.157A than for Corsoy 79. Results of this study indicate that the monoculture of resistant or susceptible soybean favors an increase in the aggressiveness of isolates of P. gregata f. sp. sojae genotype B. Furthermore, results suggest that resistance to genotype A may be genetically different from resistance to genotype B.
Very brief exposure: The effects of unreportable stimuli on fearful behavior

A series of experiments tested the hypothesis that very brief exposure to feared stimuli can have positive effects on avoidance of the corresponding feared object. Participants identified themselves as fearful of spiders through a widely used questionnaire. A preliminary experiment showed that they were unable to identify the stimuli used in the main experiments. Experiment 2 (N = 65) compared the effects of exposure to masked feared stimuli at short and long stimulus onset asynchronies (SOA). Participants were individually administered one of three continuous series of backwards masked or non-masked stimuli: unreportable images of spiders (25-ms SOA), clearly visible images of spiders (500-ms SOA), or unreportable images of trees (25-ms SOA). Immediately thereafter, they engaged in a Behavioral Avoidance Test (BAT) with a live, caged tarantula. Exposure to unreportable images of spiders resulted in greater approach towards the tarantula than unreportable neutral images. A post-hoc comparison with clearly visible exposure to these same images approached significance. These effects were maintained at a 1-week follow-up (N = 57). In Experiment 3 (N = 26), participants engaged in the BAT 1 week prior to the exposure manipulation in order to provide a baseline measurement of their avoidant behavior, and again immediately after the exposure manipulation. Exposure to unreportable images of spiders reduced avoidance of the tarantula. Similar exposure to trees did not. Implications for the non-conscious basis of fear are discussed.
Time reversed filtering in real-time

A technique is developed for indirectly realizing true time-reversed convolution for continuous inputs of infinite duration. This real-time technique is based on a novel extension of sectioned convolution methods using an infinite impulse response (IIR) filter and local time reversal using last-in, first-out (LIFO) memory stacks. This new architecture is shown to be free from zero input limit cycle and overflow oscillations even if the IIR filter on which it is based exhibits both. No constraints are placed on the magnitude or phase response characteristics of the IIR subfilter used in the time-reversed convolution scheme which permits the use of standard magnitude-only IIR filter design programs. Computer simulations are used to verify the expected magnitude and phase response. The conditions required for system time invariance are investigated both analytically and through computer simulations. The relationship between the number of samples per convolution section and the total harmonic distortion of the system is established through simulation. It is demonstrated that if the number of samples per section is greater than the number of samples required for the impulse response of the subfilter H(z) to decay below a threshold value, a stable, linear, time-invariant system results with noncausal transfer function H(z/sup -1/). >
Quality of Life and School Absenteeism in Children With Chronic Illness

Objective:Children and adolescents with a chronic illness (CI) tend to demonstrate diminished physical and social functioning, which contribute to school attendance issues. We investigated the role of social and physical functioning in reducing school absenteeism in children participating in Mastering Each New Direction (MEND), a family-based psychosocial intervention for youths with CI.Methods:Forty-eight children and adolescents with a CI (70.8% female, Mage = 14.922, SD = 2.143) and their parent(s) completed a health-related quality of life (HRQOL) measure pre- and postintervention. Using multiple mediation, we examined whether parent- and child-rated physical and social HRQOL mediated the relationship between school attendance before and after MEND. Once the mediational model was not supported, we investigated whether HRQOL moderated the relationship between missed school days pre- and postintervention.Results:Neither physical nor social functioning mediated or moderated the relationship between misse...
Selling in the new millennium: A joint agenda

Abstract Progressive sales organizations are becoming more strategic in their approaches to the initiation, development, and enhancement of customer relationships. In moving to a more strategic, less tactical approach, these organizations are exploring new leadership models to direct change. In addition, they are using emerging technologies to support sales strategy. This article presents a 15-point joint agenda following a review of pertinent research in the sales strategy, leadership, and technology areas. This joint agenda offers action items, food for thought, and research ideas for sales executives, academicians, trainers, consultants, and professional organizations.
Confinement and diffusion modulate bistability and stochastic switching in a reaction network with positive feedback

Positive feedback is a common feature in signal transduction networks and can lead to phenomena such as bistability and signal propagation by domain growth. Physical features of the cellular environment, such as spatial confinement and the mobility of proteins, play important but inadequately understood roles in shaping the behavior of signaling networks. Here, we use stochastic, spatially resolved kinetic Monte Carlo simulations to explore a positive feedback network as a function of system size, system shape, and mobility of molecules. We show that these physical properties can markedly alter characteristics of bistability and stochastic switching when compared with well-mixed simulations. Notably, systems of equal volume but different shapes can exhibit qualitatively different behaviors under otherwise identical conditions. We show that stochastic switching to a state maintained by positive feedback occurs by cluster formation and growth. Additionally, the frequency at which switching occurs depends nontrivially on the diffusion coefficient, which can promote or suppress switching relative to the well-mixed limit. Taken together, the results provide a framework for understanding how confinement and protein mobility influence emergent features of the positive feedback network by modulating molecular concentrations, diffusion-influenced rate parameters, and spatiotemporal correlations between molecules.
Feature Comment: Enhancing Integrity - Aligning Proposed Contractor Compliance Requirements with Broader Advances in Corporate Compliance

In this brief comment, Professor Christopher Yukins reviews a proposed rule to require major federal contractors to put corporate compliance systems in place. By shifting more compliance requirements to the Federal Acquisition Regulation itself, and by giving those requirements real force, the proposed rule will enhance integrity in the procurement system. Professor Yukins argues, though, that to improve on the proposed rule, regulators should recognize that the market has moved a step beyond the proposed rule: most contractors already benchmark their compliance systems against the U.S. Sentencing Commission's more demanding standards, and some contractors have gone even further, to integrate their corporate compliance efforts with broader quality assurance systems.
Cost effective, high performance optics for POC applications

Cost effective technologies to build high performance miniature optics for POC applications is being discussed. We also asses biological imaging performance and fabrication costs of miniature lenses against other miniature systems and benchtop microscope objectives.
Short-term primary cultures in studies of post-natal maturation of the rat proximal tubule - proton and bicarbonate transport

This is a review of recent work based on an in vitro model which has allowed us to investigate the postnatal maturation of renal epithelial cells. Renal proximal tubule cells from 8- to 40-day-old Sprague-Dawley rats were studied after 48 h of primary culture. The regulation of intracellular pH (pHi) was measured by quantitative fluorescence microscopy using 2',7'-bis(carboxyethyl)-5(6)-carboxyfluorescein (BCECF). Recordings were made under basal conditions and after imposing a cytoplasmic alkalosis or acidosis using 15 mM ammonium salt. The ability of the cells to recover from both acidosis and alkalosis improved during post-natal maturation. The improvement in recovery from intracellular acidosis could be entirely accounted for by an increase in the rate of Na+/H+ exchange. The capacity for Na+/H+ exchange was independent of the cellular growth rate, but depended on cellular differentiation. A developmental increase in the activity of Cl-/HCO3- exchange between 12 and 14 days of age was also demonstrated. No developmental change was seen in either steady-state pHi (7.27-7.35) or in cytoplasmic buffer capacity (37.6-44.4 mM/pHi). The characteristics of transporter maturation revealed by these experiments are very similar to those observed in isolated perfused proximal tubules of developing rabbits.
Filled and Empty Orbital Interactions in a Planar Covalent Organic Framework on Graphene

The electronic characteristics of a planar covalent organic framework (COF) on graphene are investigated by means of dispersion-corrected density functional theory. The aromatic central molecule of the COF acts as an electron donor to graphene, while the linker of the COF acts as an electron acceptor. The concerted interaction between the filled orbitals of the central molecule and empty orbitals of the linker promotes the formation of planar COF networks on graphene. The calculation results are in very good agreement with experimental findings of an ordered hexagonal and square COF planar on graphene, which sheds light on the supermolecular assembly mechanism.
Effects of Calcium Salts of Long-Chain Fatty Acids on Growth, Reproductive Performance, and Hormonal and Metabolite Concentrations in Pubertal Beef Heifers and Postpartum Cows

Pubertal Angus heifers and postpartum Angus cows were used to study the effects of supplemental calcium salts of long-chain fatty acids (CLCFA) added to forage-based diets on growth, reproductive performance, and hormonal and metabolite concentrations. In Experiment 1, heifers were fed corn (control; n = 20) or corn plus Megalac® (CLCFA; n = 20). Supplements were isoenergetic and fed for 123 d prior to breeding. Blood samples, BW, and hip heights were obtained on d 0, 32, 60, 88, 123, and 260. Growth, serum leptin, early pregnancy progesterone concentrations, and reproductive performance, except for calving rate, were not different. Calving rate for heifers fed ClCFA tended to be greater (P=0.12) than that of heifers fed a control diet. Serum cholesterol increased (P<0.01) over time only in heifers fed ClCFA; however, ClCFA increased (P<0.01) concentrations of serum triglycerides only on d 32 and 123. Experiment 2 was conducted to determine the effects of ClCFA on reproductive performance of postpartum cows receiving chelated (CHEL; n = 36) or inorganic (INORG; n = 38) mineral supplements. Beginning 28 d prior to estrus synchronization, cows within each mineral group were fed the control diet or the diet containing corn plus CLCFA, as in Experiment 1, for 54 d. Blood samples and BW were obtained on d 0, 28, and 56. Weight loss was greater (P<0.01) in cows receiving INORG supplements than in cows receiving CHEL supplements; however, CLCFA reduced (P<0.01) the amount of BW lost in cows receiving INORG supplements but not in cows receiving CHEL supplements. Overall, concentrations of serum cholesterol and triglyceride and reproductive performance, excluding calving interval, were not significantly affected by CLCFA. Calving interval tended to be longer (P=0.06) in cows fed CLCFA.
Salinity and hydrological barriers have little influence on genetic structure of the mosquitofish in a coastal landscape shaped by climate change.

Gradients in salinity and vegetation have been dramatically altered along shoreline of the northern Gulf of Mexico by both natural (i.e., erosion, fluctuating sea levels) and anthropogenic (i.e., dredging, habitat restoration) drivers. We gauged the impacts of salinity gradients and open water barriers on the genetic structure of a common marsh resident, western mosquitofish (Gambusia affinis) by sampling 15 populations along 440 km of Texas/Louisiana coast. We characterized 602 individuals (~40/population) using seven microsatellite loci and our results reflected significant isolation by distance (IBD) among populations, but without the hypothesized genetic substructure from local adaptation. Large tracts of open water, thought to inhibit mosquitofish movement, were apparently not significant deterrents of dispersal. There was no evidence of a significant relationship between salinity gradients and genetic divergence. Although mosquitofish dispersal is sufficiently limited to result in a strong pattern of IBD, it is high enough to maintain the connectedness of populations. Our results suggest that limited gene flow, combined with large effective size, creates conditions suitable to adaptation to local environment, suggesting that mosquitofish and other marsh residents with similar life histories will be able to adapt to changes occurring in coastal environments.
The Recursive Solutions to Sum of Powers :a~n+b~n+c~n

Using two different methods, we generalize a mathematical problem about the value of an+ bn+cn which Locke S. C. posed, and give the proof.
Analysis of drinking water quality monitoring in Linquan county from 2010 to 2012

Objective To investigate the drinking water hygienic conditions in rural areas of Linquan,and provide scientific basis for improving water quality.Methods The drinking water samples were collected during high water period and low water period from the centralized and decentralized water supplies during the period of 2010 and 2012.Results A total of 451 samples from centralized water supplies were detected,the total qualified rate was 78.5%,and the annual rate were 78.7%,78.3% and 78.5%,respectively.A total of 105 samples from decentralized water supplies were detected,the total qualified rate was 70.5%,and the annual rate were 68.8%,71.1% and 71.4% according to the year sequence.Conclusion The centralized water supply qualified rate was low,and microbial indicators and fluoride were the main factors affecting the quality of drinking water in rural areas.
The optimal timing of surgical resection in high-risk neuroblastoma

Abstract Background While most high-risk neuroblastoma (HRNB) patients are enrolled in cooperative group or institutional protocols, variability exists within these protocols as to when surgical resection of the primary tumor should be performed after neoadjuvant induction chemotherapy. We sought to determine if the number of chemotherapy cycles prior to surgery affects surgical or survival outcomes in HRNB patients. Methods We performed a retrospective review of all HRNB patients P -value Results Data from 50 patients with HRNB were analyzed. Patients were stratified by the number of cycles of chemotherapy received prior to surgery. Six patients received 2cycles of chemotherapy (12%), 20 patients received 3cycles (40%), 13 patients received 4cycles (26%), and 11 patients received 5cycles (22%) prior to surgical resection of the primary tumor. The 5-year OS was 33%, 45%, 83% and 36% in patients who received 2, 3, 4 and 5cycles of chemotherapy prior to surgery, respectively ( p =0.07). Multivariate analysis revealed that patients who received 4cycles of chemotherapy had a significantly lower mortality (HR: 0.11, 95% CI: 0.01–0.87, p =0.04) compared to those with 2cycles of chemotherapy. Among the different cohorts, there were no differences with respect to MYCN status, MIBG score at diagnosis, incidence of bone marrow metastasis, extent of surgical resection, estimated blood loss, incidence of post-operative complications, or length of stay. Conclusion HRNB patients who receive 4cycles of chemotherapy prior to surgical resection have a superior OS than patients who receive 2. Based on the superior survival of patients who received 4cycles of chemotherapy prior to surgery, further studies are warranted to elucidate these differences.
A Simple Inexpensive Method for Objective Assessment of Human Sperm Movement Characteristics

A simple, objective method is described for obtaining a well-defined and diversified set of human sperm movement characteristics. These data are suitable for comprehensive statistical comparisons of sperm suspensions. One-second time-exposure photomicrographs are taken with dark-field illumination of slides prepared from semen, cervical mucus, or artificial media. The negatives are projected as a filmstrip and are analyzed on a specially designed console. The filmstrips can be taken and developed in 15minutes without darkroom facilities, and a complete analysis of the film requires an additional 15 to 20minutes. Fifty spermatozoa are examined to determine percentage motility, and movement characteristics are recorded for 15 spermatozoa. With these data the swimming trajectories of individual spermatozoa can be reconstructed retrospectively. The sperm suspension as a whole is described in terms of percentage motility, mean swimming speed, percentage of progressive spermatozoa, mean swimming speed of progressive spermatozoa, percentage of straight-swimming spermatozoa, percentage of rolling spermatozoa, and percentage of yawing spermatozoa.
Therapeutic Alliance during Prolonged Exposure Versus Client-Centered Therapy for Adolescent Posttraumatic Stress Disorder.

OBJECTIVES: To examine the relationship between improvements in adolescent ratings of therapeutic alliance and reductions in posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) severity over time among adolescent girls during prolonged exposure therapy for adolescents (PE-A) versus client-centered therapy (CCT), as well as to examine differences in changes in alliance between treatment groups. METHOD: A total of 61 adolescent girls (aged 13-18 years) with sexual assault-related PTSD received PE-A or CCT in a randomized controlled trial. Participants rated alliance at session 3, midtreatment, and posttreatment. RESULTS: The rate of improvement in adolescent-rated alliance was greater in PE-A than CCT over the course of treatment. In addition, improvement in adolescent-rated alliance significantly contributed to improvements in PTSD (regardless of treatment condition), but not vice versa. CONCLUSIONS: Contrary to beliefs that trauma-focused treatments fail to establish strong therapeutic alliance in sexually abused adolescents, improvement in adolescent ratings of alliance were greater in PE-A compared to CCT, and improvements in adolescent-rated alliance were significantly associated with better treatment outcome across both types of treatments.© 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Language: en
Surgery for Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer with Solitary M1 Disease

Almost all patients with stage IV non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) have diffusely metastatic disease, and therefore, the standard of care for NSCLC is chemotherapy or palliative care. A small percentage of patients with newly diagnosed and untreated stage IV disease are found to have a solitary synchronous site of extrathoracic disease, and a small number of patients who have undergone curative resections of intrathoracic disease experience metachronous solitary extrathoracic recurrences. There have been retrospective case reports or limited series that suggest that some such patients may be effectively treated by resection of both the primary tumor and the metastasis. Most of these studies have reported patients with cerebral or adrenal metastases, although there are reports describing the surgical management of metastases to the small bowel, spleen, skeletal muscle, and bone.
A new method for power estimation and optimization of combinational circuits

One of the challenges of low power methodologies for digital systems is saving power consumption in these systems without compromising performance. In this paper we propose a new method for estimating dynamic power consumption in combinational circuits. The method enables us to optimize the power consumption of typical combinational circuits.