cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Experimental and Theoretical Study of Gust Response for High-Aspect-Ratio Wing

A nonlinear response analysis of a high-aspect-ratio wing aeroelastic model excited by gust loads is presented along with a companion wind-tunnel test program. For the wind-tunnel tests, a high-aspect-ratio wing aeroelastic experimental model with a slender body at the tip has been constructed, and a rotating slotted cylinder gust generator has been used to generate a gust excitation field. A LabVIEW 5.1 measurement and analysis system is used to measure the gust response, flutter boundary, and limit-cycle oscillation behavior. Structural equations of motion based on a nonlinear beam theory are combined with the ONERA aerodynamic stall model to study the effects of geometric structural nonlinearity and steady angle of attack on nonlinear gust response of high-aspect-ratio wings. Also a dynamic perturbation analysis about a nonlinear static equilibrium is used to determine the small perturbation flutter boundary. The fair to good quantitative agreement between theory and experiment demonstrates that the present analysis method has reasonable accuracy.
Heparin bonding increases patency of long microvascular prostheses.

The high thrombogenicity of synthetic biomaterials has limited their use for reconstructive microsurgery. Prime factors in the thrombogenicity of synthetic materials in contact with blood include gas nuclei at the blood gas interface as well as the inherent thrombogenicity of the materials themselves. Expanded polytetrafluoroethylene (ePTFE) vascular prostheses were denucleated by placement in acetone and ethanol followed by degassed saline or by placement in degassed saline subjected to hydrostatic pressure. Heparinized grafts were prepared by coating with tridodecylmethylammonium chloride (TDMAC), followed by immersion in heparin. Grafts were installed to reconstruct the femoral artery (1 × 10 mm) or as renaliliac bypasses (1 × 50 mm) in rats. In the femoral artery reconstruction model, control grafts thrombosed within 10 minutes of implantation. All acetone denucleated femoral grafts remained patent for 60 minutes but were occluded at day 1. All pressure denucleated femoral grafts remained patent for 60 minutes, whereas six were patent at 1 month. In contrast, 11 of 15 heparinized femoral grafts were patent at 1 month. In the renal iliac bypass model, all control grafts were thrombosed within 10 minutes, whereas all heparin bonded grafts remained patent at 1 month. This finding confirms that removal of air from small diameter ePTFE grafts decreases acute thrombogenicity and that heparin bonding further decreases thrombogenicity, suggesting that clinically useful lengths of microvascular prostheses may be possible. (Plast. Reconstr. Surg. 101: 142, 1998.)
Intermolecular Hydroamination of Ethylene and 1-Alkenes with Cyclic Ureas Catalyzed by Achiral and Chiral Gold(I) Complexes

Reaction of 1-methyl-imidazolidin-2-one (1) with 1-octene (10 equiv) catalyzed by a 1:1 mixture of (2b)AuCl [2b = 2-di-tert-butylphosphino-1,1′-binaphthyl] and AgSbF6 in dioxane at 100 °C for 24 h led to isolation of 1-methyl-3-(octan-2-yl)imidazolidin-2-one in 96% yield as a single regioisomer. A range of unactivated 1-alkenes and ethylene underwent gold(I)-catalyzed intermolecular hydroamination at or below 100 °C in excellent yield with high regioselectivity. Reaction of 1-alkenes with substituted imidazolidin-2-ones catalyzed by chiral bis(gold) phosphine complexes led to enantioselective intermolecular hydroamination with up to 78% ee.
Rates of isolated sleep paralysis in outpatients with anxiety disorders.

Initial research suggests that rates of isolated sleep paralysis (ISP) are elevated in individuals with panic disorder and particularly low in individuals with other anxiety disorders. To further evaluate these findings, we examined rates of ISP in a sample outpatients with primary diagnoses of panic disorder (n = 24), social anxiety disorder (n = 18), or generalized anxiety disorder (n = 18). We obtained an overall rate of ISP of 19.7%; rates for patients with panic disorder (20.8%) fell between those with generalized anxiety disorder (15.8%) and social phobia (22.2%). Analysis of comorbidities failed to provide evidence of link between depressive disorders and ISP, but did indicate a significant association between anxiety comorbidity and higher rates of ISP. Results are discussed relative to other variables predicting variability in the occurrence of ISP.
What the “right to be forgotten” means for privacy in a digital age

Despite the attention the right has received, we should not forget that it is just one innovative piece of a comprehensive privacy framework that must be implemented locally and enforced globally.
Evaluation of coronary adventitial vasa vasorum using 3D optical coherence tomography--animal and human studies.

Objectives This study sought to evaluate adventitial vasa vasorum (VV) in vivo with novel imaging technique of optical coherence tomography (OCT).
Filaments and microtubules in the gonadotrophic cell of the lizard, Anolis carolinensis.

Gonadotrophic cells in the pars distalis of Anolis carolinensis often contain juxtanuclear concentrations of filaments with diameters intermediate in size (approximately 100 A) between microtubules and microfilaments. Their size and their substructure, which gives them a tubular appearance when they are displayed in cross-section, appear to place these filaments in the “intermediate filament” category (Ishikawa et al., '68). In their juxtanuclear position in the intact animal, the intermediate filaments are collected in randomly-oriented tangles. In castrated specimens of Anolis, gonadotrophs degranulate and elongate. During this elongation, increased numbers of microtubules appear in orientation parallel to the long axis of the cell, and the 100 A filaments reassemble in rod-like masses oriented parallel to the microtubules. This apparent distributional interaction may facilitate the elongation of the cell. Intimate physical associations between the intermediate filaments and secretory granules suggest that the filaments may act in the movement of the granules during the processes of degranulation and secretion.
Fast liquid chromatography/time-of-flight mass spectrometry using sol-gel bonded continuous-bed capillary columns

Continuous-bed capillary columns of 50 μm inside diameter, 360 μm outside diameter containing sol-gel bonded large pore octadecylsilica particles (3 μm, 1500 A) were examined for potential use in fast liquid chromatographic separations. Selected triazine herbicides and benzodiazepines were separated and detected using time-of-flight mass spectrometry. Interfacing and ionization were achieved through a home-built liquid sheath electrospray ionization interface. Demonstration of optimum column performance was achieved through baseline separation of triazine herbicides using a column 25 cm in length. A short column, cut to the minimum physical distance between the column injector and the interface plate of the mass spectrometer (9.3 cm), was used to achieve separation of eight triazine herbicides and seven benzodiazepines in 40 and 35 s, respectively. A maximum syringe pump pressure (43 MPa) was applied to the shortened column, and conditions were optimized to obtain the best separation in the shortest amount of time for both triazine herbicides and benzodiazepines. The advantages of using time-of-flight mass spectrometry as a detector for fast separations are discussed. © 2000 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. J Micro Sep 12: 442–449, 2000
Thin film inspection with millimeter-wave reflectometer

Inspection of dielectric thin films (25.4–508 μm) placed directly above a conducting plate is performed with a W-band millimeter-wave network analyzer. The signal launched by a small antenna placed near the sample surface is picked up by a separate receiver. The phase of the received signal can be related to the thickness and permitivity of the thin films under inspection. While the transmitter and receiver are at larger distances from the dielectric surface, the system operates as a conventional reflectometer. But when they both are close to the surface, guided waves will be excited and even may become dominant over the direct reflection. The significance of the guided-wave contribution is controlled by the locations of the guided-wave poles in the complexk p-plane. In this paper we employ a modal approach that previously was developed for geophysical remote sensing to study the effects of the guided waves, and to outline the limits of the conventional reflectometric method for evaluating thin films.
Structures and Energetics of Models for the Active Site of Acetyl-Coenzyme A Synthase: Role of Distal and Proximal Metals in Catalysis

Acetyl-coenzyme A (CoA) synthase/carbon monoxide dehydrogenase (ACS/CODH) is a bifunctional enzyme that generates CO from carbon dioxide in the C-cluster of the β subunit and synthesizes acetyl-CoA from carbon monoxide (CO), CoA, and CH3+ at the active site of the A-cluster in the α subunit. On the basis of density functional calculations, we predict that methylation of Nip occurs first, and CO then adds to the NipII−CH3 species to form the intermediate, NipII(CO)(CH3), in which Nip deligates one of its SNid bonds. The CO-insertion/CH3-migration occurs on one metal, the proximal Ni, forming the trigonal planar NipII-acetyl intermediate. The thiolate can bind to NipII and reductively eliminate the thioester. Our calculations disfavor the unprecedented bimetallic CO-insertion/CH3-migration. Ni in the proximal site produces a better catalyst than does Cu.
An integrated multiobjective planning model: A case study of the Zambian copper mining industry

Abstract This study outlines a planning methodology that formally integrates major societal dimensions with mathematical programming in industry planning for a low-income developing country. An integrated approach involving the Analytic Hierarchy Process (AHP) and Linear Goal Programming (LGP) is employed. Development objectives are classified under economic, technological, social and political factors and are prioritized using the AHP according to their degree of importance. The priority structure is incorporated into the LGP framework to develop a multiobjective planning model. The application of the model is demonstrated using data from an export-oriented, semi-industrial and dominant copper mining sector in a low-income developing country in Sub-Saharan Africa.
Inhomogeneous dephasing of heavy-hole and light-hole exciton coherences in GaAs quantum wells

Three-beam time-integrated transient four-wave mixing (TFWM) is used to probe both light-hole (LH) and heavy-hole (HH) exciton coherences in weakly disordered GaAs quantum wells. The period of the quantum beats between the LH and the HH exciton coherences changes as a function of first-second pulse delay. A theoretical model for the TFWM signal, including exciton dephasing rates that vary with frequency across the inhomogeneous linewidth, reproduces the observations. The inclusion of inhomogeneous dephasing also improves the correspondence between theory and experiment when data as a function of both first-second and second-third pulse delays are simultaneously examined.
Somatosensory evoked potentials in hepatic encephalopathy

Median nerve somatosensory evoked potentials were recorded from 33 patients with various degrees of hepatic failure and from 10 age-matched controls. Within 20 ms poststimulation, one negative peak (N13) could be recorded from the middle of the back of the patient's neck at the C2 vertebral level. Within 150 ms, three negative and three positive peaks, sequentially designated as N1, P1, N2, P2, N3, and P3, could be recorded from the scalp over the contralateral sensory cortex. There was a progressive prolongation of peaks and interpeak latencies correlating with the severity of hepatic encephalopathy. In 10 patients with hepatic failure but no clinical evidence of hepatic encephalopathy, latencies of peak N3 and P3 were delayed and N1-N3 interpeak latencies were prolonged. Thirteen patients with grade 1 or 2 hepatic encephalopathy showed further delayed latencies of peaks P2, N3, and P3, further prolonged N1-N3, N1-P2 interpeak latencies, and distortion of waveforms. Peaks N2, P2, N3, and P3 were further delayed, and even disappeared in 10 patients with grade 3 or 4 hepatic encephalopathy. However, central conduction time (N13-N1 interpeak latency) was not prolonged in all stages of hepatic failure. In addition, serial somatosensory evoked potential studies correlated well with the clinical course. The present data suggest that somatosensory evoked potential recording is a reliable objective method in the early assessment and monitoring of hepatic encephalopathy.
Quorum sensing by encounter rates in the ant Temnothorax albipennis

Emigrating colonies of the ant Temnothorax (formerly Leptothorax) albipennis can choose the best of several nest sites, even when the active ants organizing the move do not compare sites. This collective ability depends on a quorum rule used by ants assessing a candidate site. Only when the site’s population has surpassed a threshold do they switch from slow recruitment of fellow active ants by tandem runs to rapid transport of the majority of the colony. Here, I show that ants perceive the achievement of a quorum through their rate of direct encounters with nest mates at the site. When ants in a crowded site were prevented from tactile contact with nest mates, they recruited by tandem runs, as though to an empty nest. Furthermore, when the encounter rate was raised independent of population, by reducing the size of the candidate nest, ants started to transport at a significantly lower population. The switch occurred at the same encounter rate regardless of nest size, whether the rate was measured as the mean over the entire visit or as the inverse of the latency until the first encounter. Because encounter rate reflects the density of nest mates and thus varies with nest size as well as population, the ants’ collective decision-making algorithm may be robust to the exact population at which the switch to transport occurs. Ants cease monitoring quorum presence after switching to transport, coincident with an abrupt shortening of visit duration by approximately 2 min, which may be interpreted as the time required for quorum detection. Key words: ants, collective decision making, nest-site selection, quorum sensing, Temothorax albipemis. [Behav Ecol 16:488–496 (2005)]
The fuzzy stability model: an interactive framework for measuring robustness and resiliency under uncertainty

The increasing complexity in workflow management systems WMSs has led to greater vulnerability due to system failure. Although system vulnerabilities cannot be completely eliminated, the accidental or anticipated failures have to be thoroughly understood and guarded. Traditionally, the failure in military command and control C2 systems has been studied with robustness, the concept of self-protecting systems and resiliency, the concept of self-healing systems. Robustness and resiliency in C2 systems are generally measured with precise repair-recovery costs and repair-recovery times. However, the repair-recovery costs and repair-recovery times in real-world problems are often imprecise or uncertain. Fuzzy logic and fuzzy sets can represent imprecise or uncertain information formalising inaccuracy in human decision-making. We develop a stability model for simultaneous consideration of robustness and resiliency in fuzzy C2 systems. We measure robustness and resiliency with fuzzy repair-recovery times and fuzzy repair-recovery costs. The interactive method plots the fuzzy robustness and fuzzy resiliency measures in a Cartesian coordinate system and derives an overall fuzzy stability index for various processes in the C2 system based on the theory of displaced ideals.
An introduction to the Bayesian analysis of clinical trials

Although most clinical trials comparing therapies are analyzed using classical hypothesis testing and P values, such methods do not yield the information most useful to the clinician, that is, the probability that one treatment is more efficacious than another. Bayesian inference can yield this probability but only if we quantify our prior beliefs about the possible efficacies of the treatments studied. This article gives a brief introduction to Bayesian methods and contrasts them with classical hypothesis testing. It shows that the quantification of prior beliefs is a common and necessary part of the interpretation of clinical information, whether from a laboratory test or published clinical trial. Advantages of Bayesian analysis over classical analysis of clinical trials include the ability to incorporate prior information regarding treatment efficacies into the analysis; the ability to make multiple unscheduled inspections of accumulating data without increasing the error rate of the study; and the ability to calculate the probability that one treatment is more effective than another. Because it is likely that Bayesian methods will be used more often in the analysis of future clinical trials, investigators and readers should be aware of the two schools of statistical thought and the strengths and weaknesses of each.
Functional neuroimaging of the baboon during concurrent image-guided transcranial magnetic stimulation

article Transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) has well-established applications in basic neuroscience and promising applications in neurological and psychiatric disorders. However the underlying mechanisms of TMS-induced alterations in brain function are not well understood. As a result, treatment design parameters are determined ad hoc and not informed by any coherent theory or model. Once the mechanisms underlying TMS's modulatory effects on brain systems are better understood and modeled, TMS's potential as a therapeutic and/or investigative tool will be more readily explored and exploited. An animal model is better suited to study different TMS variables, therefore we developed a baboon model to facilitate testing of some of the current theoretical models of TMS interactions with brain regions. We have demonstrated the feasibility of this approach by successfully imaging cerebral blood flow (CBF) changes with H2 15 O positron emission
An improved ELISA for screening for neutralizing anti-IFN-β antibodies in MS patients

A reliable screening assay for anti-interferon beta (IFNβ) antibodies is needed for patients with multiple sclerosis (MS) receiving IFNβ therapy. The performance of a new ELISA method, the capture ELISA (cELISA), was assessed by comparing it to a standard IFNβ ELISA in correlating with neutralizing antibodies measurement in 453 sera from patients with MS. The cELISA outperformed the standard ELISA, and may be a suitable screening assay for anti-IFNβ antibodies in IFNβ-treated patients with MS.
Improved network consistency and connectivity in mobile and sensor systems

Edge networks such as sensor, mobile, and disruption tolerant networks suffer from topological uncertainty and disconnections due to myriad of factors including limited battery capacity on client devices and mobility. Hence, providing reliable, always-on consistency for network applications in such mobile and sensor systems is non-trivial and challenging. However, the problem is of paramount importance given the proliferation of mobile phones, PDAs, laptops, and music players. This thesis identifies two fundamental deterrents to addressing the above problem. First, limited energy on client mobile and sensor devices makes high levels of consistency and availability impossible. Second, unreliable support from the network infrastructure, such as coverage holes in WiFi degrades network performance. We address these two issues in this dissertation through client and infrastructure end modifications. The first part of this thesis proposes a novel energy management architecture called Hierarchical Power Management (HPM). HPM combines platforms with diverse energy needs and capabilities into a single integrated system to provide high levels of consistency and availability at minimal energy consumption. We present two systems Triage and Turducken which are instantiations of HPM for sensor net microservers and laptops respectively. The second part of the thesis proposes and analyzes the use of additional infrastructure in the form of relays, mesh nodes, and base stations to enhance sparse and dense mobile networks. We present the design, implementation, and deployment of Throwboxes a relay system to enhance sparse mobile networks and an associated system for enhancing WiFi based mobile networks.
Earnings Yield and Size Effects: Unconditional and Conditional Estimates

This paper reexamines the interrelation between the E/P and size effects over a substantially longer period (1951–1986) than previously examined, and estimates the unconditional magnitude of the effects for comparison with similar results reported elsewhere. Given the increasing evidence that the magnitude of these effects is time period specific, we also estimate the effects conditional on an ex ante observable variable that is intended to capture changing expectations about future returns. The results indicate that the ex ante variable reliably predicts the expost magnitudes of the E/P and size effects—especially in January.
The LANL hemorrhagic fever virus database, a new platform for analyzing biothreat viruses

Hemorrhagic fever viruses (HFVs) are a diverse set of over 80 viral species, found in 10 different genera comprising five different families: arena-, bunya-, flavi-, filo- and togaviridae. All these viruses are highly variable and evolve rapidly, making them elusive targets for the immune system and for vaccine and drug design. About 55,000 HFV sequences exist in the public domain today. A central website that provides annotated sequences and analysis tools will be helpful to HFV researchers worldwide. The HFV sequence database collects and stores sequence data and provides a user-friendly search interface and a large number of sequence analysis tools, following the model of the highly regarded and widely used Los Alamos HIV database [Kuiken, C., B. Korber, and R.W. Shafer, HIV sequence databases. AIDS Rev, 2003. 5: p. 52-61]. The database uses an algorithm that aligns each sequence to a species-wide reference sequence. The NCBI RefSeq database [Sayers et al. (2011) Database resources of the National Center for Biotechnology Information. Nucleic Acids Res., 39, D38-D51.] is used for this; if a reference sequence is not available, a Blast search finds the best candidate. Using this method, sequences in each genus can be retrieved pre-aligned. The HFV website can be accessed via http://hfv.lanl.gov.
Performance analysis of bulk heterojunction solar cells fabricated by polymer:fullerene:carbon-nanotube composites

Investigation on the thickness dependent analysis clearly demonstrates that the slow carrier mobility is the main reason limiting the power conversion efficiency of conjugated polymer/fullerene organic solar cells. In order to increase the carrier mobility, single-walled carbon nanotubes (SWCNTs) are introduced into organic solar cells made from blended films of regioregular poly 3-hexylthiophene (P3HT) and 6,6-phenyl C 61 -butyric acid methyl ester (PCBM). It is observed that the power conversion efficiency of the device with low concentration of SWCNTs has been increased significantly compared with the device without SWCNTs. The increased performance is attributed to the presence of semiconducting SWCNTs which provides ballistic pathways for carriers to be extracted and hence boosts carrier mobility in organic solar cells. However, if the concentration of SWCNTs increased up to certain degree, the performance of the device decreased. By both theoretical and experimental analysis on the intensity dependent photocurrent, the decreased performance is attributed to the metallic SWCNTs which cause bimolecular recombination of free carriers.
Stereomask Lithography for multi-object bio-patterning

The advent of biological micro-patterning techniques has given new impetus to many areas of biological research, including quantitative biochemical analysis, biosensing, and regenerative medicine. Conventional micropatterning techniques (e.g. photolithography and soft lithography) although have seen encouraging adaptation to biological applications, still have not completely addressed the needs of constructing multi-object biological microarrays with single cell resolution without requiring cleanroom access. In this abstract, we present a novel versatile biological lithography technique to achieve integrated multi-object patterning with high resolution and high adaptability to various biomaterials, referred to as the Stereomask Lithography (SML). It is based on serial placement of multiple biological objects using a novel three dimensional shadow mask with protection for previously patterned materials and a peg-in-hole interlayer alignment scheme.
Observations of a deep-mixing event in Crater Lake, Oregon

We present observations of the evolution of a deep-mixing event in a deep, temperate lake. The observations were obtained from thermistors mounted on a long-term mooring in the lake. The event seems to have originated near 150-m depth and resulted in a plume or layer of cold water from the upper half of the lake that descended to the lake bottom (590 m) over a 3-d period. Net mixing associated with this event resulted in an overall vertical heat exchange of nearly lOI J and a volume exchange of 0.7-3.2 km? (4-18% of the lake volume) between the upper and lower portions of the lake. The deep water displaced during the event is estimated to have carried 0.32.5 X lo6 mol of nitrate to the upper lake, which accounts for a significant portion of the average annual nitrate flux (-2-4 X 10” mol yr-‘) thought to be upwelled in this highly oligotrophic system.
Differential production of interleukin-12 mRNA by murine macrophages in response to viable or killed Salmonella spp.

The use of attenuated Salmonella spp. as live oral vaccine carriers fo r foreign antigens has been extensively studied. We have shown that appropriately prepared nonviable organisms are as effective as viable organisms in eliciting humoral immune responses against a foreign antigen delivered by these vectors. It is not clear how strain viability affects the development of a cell-mediated immune response. In the present study, we demonstrate that BALB/c mice orally immunized with viable attenuated Salmonella spp. were protected against subsequent challenge while animals immunized with killed organisms were not. Protection was correlated with increased production of interleukin-12 (IL-12) p40 mRNA in the Peyer9s patches within hours of oral administration. Peritoneal macrophages from lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-responsive and LPS-unresponsive mice were also examined for production of IL-12 p40 mRNA following exposure to the viable or killed attenuated Salmonella carrier. There was dramatic upregulation of IL-12 p40 mRNA following exposure of macrophages to either viable or killed organisms. By 4 h postexposure, viable organisms had induced a 27-fold increase in IL-12 p40 mRNA levels while killed organisms had induced a 9-fold increase in IL-12 p40 mRNA levels. This was observed in macrophages isolated from both LPS-responsive and unresponsive mice. The higher levels of IL-12 induced by viable Salmonella spp. may result in the development of a Th1 response and cell mediated immunity, while the lower levels of IL-12 induced by killed Salmonella spp. may not be sufficient to promote a Th1 response.
An analytical temperature prediction method for a chip power map

An analytical method is presented for predicting the chip temperature for a chip-on-spreader geometry with a nonuniform power distribution. The analytical method applies the principle of linear superposition to a known exact solution for heat spreading in the spreader together with the addition of one-dimensional heat transfer resistances through the chip and thermal interface material. The results of the analytical method are compared to numerical results with good accuracy for two geometric cases and three power maps. Implementation in a spreadsheet makes the analytical method easy-to-use and should allow for rapid prediction of chip temperature distributions in the early design stages for power map optimization.
Carbon fiber structural composites as thermistors

Abstract Carbon fiber structural composites, in the form of short-fiber silica fume cement–matrix composite and crossply continuous-fiber polymer–matrix composite, were found to be thermistors due to the decrease in electrical resistivity with increasing temperature. The resistivity is the volume resistivity for the cement–matrix composite and the contact resistivity between crossply laminae for the polymer–matrix composite. The activation energy of electrical conduction is up to 0.41 and 0.12 eV for cement–matrix and polymer–matrix composites, respectively. For the polymer–matrix composite, each junction between crossply fiber groups of adjacent laminae is a thermistor, while the fiber groups serve as electrical leads.
An unusual case of symmetry-preserving isomerism.

Two isomeric phases of the NbO-type structure have been discovered: PCN-16 (α phase) and PCN-16′ (β phase), and gas sorption studies revealed that the α phase possesses a larger surface area, leading to higher hydrogen and methane storage capacity as compared with the β phase.
North Atlantic Oscillation Influence on Precipitation Variability around the Southeast African Convergence Zone

Abstract The relationship between the North Atlantic oscillation (NAO) and austral summer (December–February) rainfall variability over southeastern Africa is described. Thirty-one stations in 0°–16°S and 25°–40°E have statistically significant correlations to the NAO index over varying periods of record starting since 1895 and form a regional normalized rainfall index of southeast African rainfall (SEAR) correlated to the NAO index (NAOI) at r = −0.48 over 1894/95–1989/90, although the relationship is r = −0.70 since 1958. The spectrum of the SEAR index has significant amplitude at 7.6 yr, a periodicity commonly associated with the NAO, and the NAOI/SEAR cospectrum has its largest power at this periodicity. NCEP–NCAR reanalysis data, extending from 1958/59 to 1995/96 are used to evaluate moisture and circulation field variations associated with both NAO and SEAR indices. Precipitable water over southeastern Africa varies significantly such that anomalously high (low) convective rainfall occurs over south...
Producer heterogeneity and voting power in mandatory US agricultural marketing organisations

Author(s): Plakias, ZT; Goodhue, RE | Abstract: We consider how cost heterogeneity and market power affect voting power in producer referenda for mandatory agricultural marketing organisations with generic promotion programmes in the United States. We measure voting power using the Banzhaf Power Index and propose a new version of this index based on the profit-maximising theory of the firm that provides an improved estimate of voting power. Examining several types of demand shifts and voting rules, we find that both Banzhaf Power and our new measure vary considerably depending on the market structure and level of cost heterogeneity.
The Linear Filter for a Single Time Series

This chapter contains sections titled: References Formulation of the General Filter Problem Minimization Problem for Filters The Factorization of the Spectrum Prediction and Filtering The Error of Performance of a Filter; Long-Lag Filters Filters and Ergodic Theory Computation of Specific Filter Characteristics Lagging Filters The Determination of Lag and Number of Meshes in a Filter Detecting Filters for High Noise Level Filters for Pulses Filters Having Characteristics Linearly Dependent on Given Characteristics Computation of Filter: R��um��
Influence of Product Preference on Dissonance Reduction

As predicted by cognitive dissonance theory, people choosing between desirable products subsequently rated the chosen product as more desirable and the unchosen as less desirable. They had also gre...
Gorbachev tries the family farm

In the most radical departure in Soviet farm policy since collectivization, Soviet families and small groups will be offered long-term rental contracts and encouragement to make it on their own, without guaranteed wages.
Retrograde fibroblast growth factor 22 (FGF22) signaling regulates insulin-like growth factor 2 (IGF2) expression for activity-dependent synapse stabilization in the mammalian brain

Nerve cells in the developing brain must organize themselves into complex networks by forming appropriate connections with one another. These connections are known as synapses, and they assemble via two critical stages. First, a new synapse forms, and then it stabilizes. This first stage is a localized event that involves the contact site between the two nerve cells, while the stabilization of a synapse requires the expression of genes in a nerve cell’s nucleus. Furthermore, only active synapses may be stabilized. Many synapses form in a region of the brain called the hippocampus, which plays a key role in learning and memory. A protein called fibroblast growth factor 22 (or FGF22 for short) helps synapses to initially form within the hippocampus. However, much less is known about the signals that regulate the stabilization of synapses and the genes that are involved. It is also not clear if these genes might be controlled by FGF22 signaling. To address these questions, Terauchi et al. searched the mouse hippocampus for genes with expression that depended on FGF22 signaling. One gene in particular, which encodes a protein called insulin-like growth factor 2 (IGF2), was much less expressed in mice that lack FGF22 compared to normal mice. Further experiments revealed that only active nerve cells transport IGF2 to synapses, and that IGF2 helps to stabilize these structures. By contrast, IGF2 is not required for synapse to initially form. This indicates that FGF22 controls both the formation and stabilization of synapses, and that it controls the first stage directly, and the second stage indirectly via its effects on IGF2 expression. Terauchi et al. also showed that FGF22-IGF2 signaling is not involved in the stabilization of all synapses in the mouse hippocampus. Instead, synapses between different types of nerve cell appear to use distinct signals for synapse formation and stabilization. A key topic for future studies will be to understand these specific signals and how they cooperate in the brain to establish precise networks of nerve cells.
Comparative Study on the Clonal Reproduction Ability of Different Rhus typhina Populations

Rhus typhina is a defoliated shrub or little arbor species of Anacardiaceae.This species possessed developed root system and strong sprout ability and was considered as one of the promising tree species of restoration and costruction of vegetation,prettification of environment and construction of scenic garden.In this paper,the ability of clonal reproduction of three little R.typhina populations was investigated.The results showed that the sprout(clonal ramet)height,basal stem diameter,paripinnate number and biomass of sprout of different R.typhina populations differed significantly.This may be mostly resulted from the smaller lateral root diameter and the nearer distance between clonal ramet and mother plant or related to the environmental conditions of different population patches or different management measures.
What Is Fatal Child Maltreatment

This chapter provides an in-depth discussion concerning how fatal child maltreatment is conceptualized and counted in the United States. This includes information concerning the various definitions of death by child abuse and neglect and how it varies by professional groups, such as law enforcement or child welfare professionals. The chapter discusses how child maltreatment deaths are counted, changes in trends over time, and what are the potential reasons for these changes, other than actual changes in the numbers of children who die. The definitions and counting of child maltreatment deaths is controversial and those areas of contention are identified and discussed. The chapter closes by identifying what we currently know with regard to how we define and count maltreatment fatalities, and what remains left to be learned.
"Rusty Hearts": Is It Time to Rethink Iron Chelation Therapies in Post-Myocardial-Infarction Setting?

Rapidly restoring blood flow in the epicardial coronary artery after an acute obstruction is critical for limiting myocardial tissue damage and salvaging the area at risk. Minimizing the acute injury to the myocardium after an ischemic event (ie, infarct size) has been strongly correlated with improved outcome.1 In fact, large myocardial infarctions (MIs) have been associated with pronounced adverse left ventricular (LV) remodeling and major adverse cardiovascular events (MACE), including sudden death and hospitalization for chronic heart failure.2 Understandably, this has lead to the affirmation that time is muscle, and efforts are routinely made to quickly restore blood flow to ischemic myocardium. See Article by Bulluck et al However, for >40 years, we have known that not all MIs are the same. Pioneering work by Kloner et al3 in large animal models demonstrated that microvascular obstruction (MO), also assessed as no-reflow phenomenon, could complicate some acute MIs. A more severe case of MO has been observed to lead to intramyocardial hemorrhage, a case where the microvasculature ruptures, likely during reperfusion, and red blood cells are extravasated. Notably, MO leads to compromised blood flow to the microvasculature even after the blood flow is re-established to the culprit epicardial coronary artery. These studies and numerous others that followed showed that reperfusion can impart additional acute damage to the myocardium, often referred to as ischemia–reperfusion injury,4 and is a strong predictor of adverse outcome in patients. Thus, the importance of reducing ischemia–reperfusion injury is well recognized and has been the subject of intense investigation for the past few decades. Advances in imaging, particularly cardiac magnetic resonance imaging (CMR), have been central to shedding light on the tissue characteristics of acute MI and enabling the assessment of time-dependent changes in the heart. In particular, late-gadolinium enhancement has been important in …
Predicting Risk of Infection and Graft vs. Host Disease (GvHD), and Response to Immunosuppression (ISP) in Allogeneic Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplant (HSCT) Patients (pts) Using the Cylex®ImmuKnow® Assay: A Pilot Study.

Abstract Background: GvHD, intensity of ISP and infection are major causes of toxicity post-HSCT. Yet, no method reliably predicts these complications. A functional assay for immunity, which predicts risk of GvHD and infection and allows tailoring ISP and infection prophylaxis, is needed. The ImmuKnow is an assay of global T-cell function that measures increased ATP production after stimulating CD4+ T-helper cells and has been shown useful for managing ISP therapies in solid-organ transplantation. We hypothesized that ImmuKnow could assist in predicting risk of GvHD and infection and response to ISP post-HSCT. Patients and Methods: Between January 2003 and May 2006, 34 adult allogeneic HSCT pts [mean age 47 years (range 22–71); 53% females; acute myelogenous leukemia, 8 pts; myeloma, 6 pts;] underwent blood sampling for determining ImmuKnow at various times post-HSCT (238 assays, mean of 7/pt). Results were correlated with clinical course (infection, stable, GvHD, response to ISP). Results: During the testing period, GvHD was documented in 16 pts [(acute, n=7 pts; chronic, n=9 pts] and 53 infections occurred [CMV viremia (n=20); bacteremia (n=20); others (n=13)]. The median immune function (ng/mL ATP) of GvHD pts was significantly higher than that of clinically stable pts (342 +/−105 vs. 167 ng/mL +/−136 respectively), p Conclusions: these data suggest that the FDA-approved ImmuKnow assay is an objective marker of risk for infection and GvHD, and of responsiveness to ISP therapy post-HSCT. Tailoring intensity and duration of ISP to risks of GvHD and infection in an individual pt may be possible and may improve outcomes. Validation of these preliminary data is ongoing.
Helping Hand or a Hurdle Too High? An Evaluation Of Developmental Coursework at Arkansas's Flagship University

High school graduation serves as an important gateway to increased professional opportunities. Not only does a high school graduate improve the national economy, a high school diploma is the key to opening the door to college. However, obtaining a high school degree does not necessarily ensure college readiness. In fact, many high school graduates are not prepared for college coursework, but still apply to and attend college in our college for all system. The class of 2013 saw only 38 percent of students test at a level considered prepared for college on the reading portion of the NAEP, but the problem is 66 percent of these students went on to enroll in college (Petrilli, 2016). In order to rectify this situation of unprepared students entering post-secondary education, colleges have implemented developmental coursework policies to prepare students for college-level coursework. Here, we add to the literature by examining the impacts of developmental coursework on students at Arkansas’s flagship public institution. We use a regression discontinuity design to examine multiple bandwidths of student-level observations for first-time enrollees from 2003-2014. The full sample includes 40,395 first-time enrollees for the time period of interest, 92 percent reported scores for each of the three ACT sections that determine recommendation for remediation. Using marginal effects to predict outcomes, we find that students recommended to developmental math courses are less likely to persist in college and less likely to graduate in 4 years after enrollment. We find that students recommended for developmental English coursework were more likely to persist into the second semester and year of college but were less likely to graduate in 4 years. We conclude that developmental coursework at the University of Arkansas, while having mixed impacts on students, could be due to the quality of student choosing to attend the state’s flagship institution and the state’s policies tied to opting-in and placing-out of developmental courses.
Development and evaluation of a physics-based windblown dust emission scheme implemented in the CMAQ modeling system

A new windblown dust emission treatment was incorporated in the Community Multiscale Air Quality (CMAQ) modeling system. This new model treatment has been built upon previously developed physics-based parameterization schemes from the literature. A distinct and novel feature of this scheme, however, is the incorporation of a newly developed dynamic relation for the surface roughness length relevant to small-scale dust generation processes. Through this implementation, the effect of nonerodible elements on the local flow acceleration, drag partitioning, and surface coverage protection is modeled in a physically based and consistent manner. Careful attention is paid in integrating the new windblown dust treatment in the CMAQ model to ensure that the required input parameters are correctly configured. To test the performance of the new dust module in CMAQ, the entire year 2011 is simulated for the continental United States, with particular emphasis on the southwestern United States (SWUS) where windblown dust concentrations are relatively large. Overall, the model shows good performance with the daily mean bias of soil concentrations fluctuating in the range of ±1 μg m-3 for the entire year. Springtime soil concentrations are in quite good agreement (normalized mean bias of 8.3%) with observations, while moderate to high underestimation of soil concentration is seen in the summertime. The latter is attributed to the issue of representing the convective dust storms in summertime. Evaluations against observations for seven elevated dust events in the SWUS indicate that the new windblown dust treatment is capable of capturing spatial and temporal characteristics of dust outbreaks.
Die Wirkung des Alkohols auf die raschen Blickzielbewegungen (Saccaden) beim Menschen

Bei 9 gesunden Vpn wurden in 15 Versuchen die Alkoholkonzentrationen im Blut und in der Ausatmungsluft nach Gabe von Alkohol 0,9 g/kg Korpergewicht (Wodka per os) wahrend 9 Std alle 20–60 min bestimmt und gleichzeitig die maximale Geschwindigkeit von 20° Blickzielbewegungen (BZB) elektrooculographisch gemessen.
Just going to do it: An experimental examination of the effects of sports-related television content on exercise-related cognitions

Television viewing is often portrayed as one of the key contributors to the rates of physical inactivity of young people; however, the relationship is a complex one. For instance, television-based mass-media campaigns have been successful in promoting physical activity by increasing exercise-related attitudes and knowledge. PURPOSE: The purpose of the current study was to examine the effects existing sports-related television content may have on the exercise-related cognitions of university students. METHODS: Undergraduate students (N=127, Mage=19yrs) completed pre-and post- measures before and after watching either a health-based control video or an experimental video that including clips of advertisements featuring high profile athletes engaging in intense training. Questionnaires assessed television viewing habits, physical activity, and exercise-related cognitions. RESULTS: Participants were highly active (M= 225 min/wk) yet reported watching an average of 3hrs of TV per day, most of which was viewed over the internet (80%). Results of a MANOVA revealed a significant group by time interaction (p=.024), in which participants who viewed the sports video condition reported a modest increase in intentions to engage in exercise whereas there was no change in intentions reported by the control group (p=.006). A separate MANOVA showed significant time effects (p=.005) in that scores for all types of motivation to exercise (extrinsic – integrated) were higher following video exposure (ps Acknowledgments: This research was supported by the Acadia University Webster Undergraduate Research Award