cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
A hybrid Data Quality Indicator and statistical method for improving uncertainty analysis in LCA of complex system – application to the whole-building embodied energy analysis

Uncertainty analysis has been recommended when using LCA for choosing sustainable products. The existing uncertainty analysis methods are helpful but have more or less inherent deficiency. The goal of this paper is to present a hybrid stochastic method to improve the uncertainty estimate in LCA with data limitations. This method can be a valuable tool especially to evaluate deterministic results of LCA of complex product system (e.g. building) when uncertain information is needed for decision-making. Compared to deterministic results, probabilistic results were often considered more reliable when large data uncertainties existed, such as data uncertainties in embodied energy coefficients of building materials. Both the statistical and Data Quality Indicator methods have been used to estimate data uncertainties in LCA. However, neither of those alone is adequate to address the challenges in LCA of complex product system, due to the large quantity of material types and data scarcity. This paper presents a hybrid method, which combines Data Quality Indicator and the statistical method by using a prescreening process based on Monte Carlo rank-order correlation sensitivity analysis. By optimizing the utilization effect of the available statistical data, this hybrid method can increase the reliability of the uncertainty estimate compared to the pure data indicator method. In the presented case study which performed the stochastic estimating of whole-building embodied energy, improved results from the hybrid method were observed compared to the pure Data Quality Indicator method. In conclusion, the presented hybrid method can be used as a feasible alternate for evaluating deterministic LCA results like whole-building embodied energy, when more reliable results are desired with limited data availability. Although this approach is presented in the context of building embodied energy uncertainty analysis, it can be used for LCA uncertainty analysis for conveniently making more reliable decision in the case of choosing complex “greener” products in other fields.
Factors influencing the stabilization and Tc of Tl2−yBa2Ca2Cu3O10−x

Abstract Wet-chemical analysis of the thallium and oxygen content of the 2223 phase Tl 2− x Ba 2 Ca 2 Cu 3 O 10− x has been used to establish its stabilization over the compositional range 0.35 y y ≤0.3. Samples reacted in sealed silica tubes always gave the 2212 phase Tl 2− y Ba 2 CaCu 2 O 8− x if fired at or below 860°C or if the final product contained an atomic ratio Tl/Ca > 0.83. Nucleation occurs only above 860°C if sealed at 1 atm air; it may be reduced to 830°C if samples are sealed at 10 −5 Torr. Transformation of a sample from the 2212 to the 2223 phase is completed within 2 h at 880°C in the presence of a ratio Tl/Ca y and x mutually adjust so as to form a superconductive phase with T c ≈116 to 118 K under normal firing conditions, viz. 880°C for 2 h followed by 860°C for 2 h. Annealing above 700°C leads to a further loss of thallium and oxygen, but the chemical composition remains unaltered even for long times at 700°C. A 120 h anneal at 700°C increased T c from 117 to 126 K as well as the Meissner fraction of a 2223 sample that was single-phase according to X-ray diffraction. The improvement in superconductive properties is deduced to result from a homogenization of the Tl + ions in the tl 2− y O 2− x layers.
Hematological, Hepatic, and Retinal Phenotypes in Mice Deficient for Prolyl Hydroxylase Domain Proteins in the Liver

Prolyl hydroxylase domain (PHD) proteins catalyze oxygen-dependent prolyl hydroxylation of hypoxia-inducible factor 1α and 2α, tagging them for pVHL-dependent polyubiquitination and proteasomal degradation. In this study, albumin Cre (AlbCre)–mediated, hepatocyte-specific triple disruption of Phd1, Phd2, and Phd3 (Phd(1/2/3)hKO) promoted liver erythropoietin (EPO) expression 1246-fold, whereas renal EPO was down-regulated to 6.7% of normal levels. In Phd(1/2/3)hKO mice, hematocrit levels reached 82.4%, accompanied by severe vascular malformation and steatosis in the liver. In mice double-deficient for hepatic PHD2 and PHD3 (Phd(2/3)hKO), liver EPO increase and renal EPO loss both occurred but were much less dramatic than in Phd(1/2/3)hKO mice. Hematocrit levels, vascular organization, and liver lipid contents all appeared normal in Phd(2/3)hKO mice. In a chronic renal failure model, Phd(2/3)hKO mice maintained normal hematocrit levels throughout the 8-week time course, whereas floxed controls developed severe anemia. Maintenance of normal hematocrit levels in Phd(2/3)hKO mice was accomplished by sensitized induction of liver EPO expression. Consistent with such a mechanism, liver HIF-2α accumulated to higher levels in Phd(2/3)hKO mice in response to conditions causing modest systemic hypoxia. Besides promoting erythropoiesis, EPO is also known to modulate retinal vascular integrity and neovascularization. In Phd(1/2/3)hKO mice, however, neonatal retinas remained sensitive to oxygen-induced retinopathy, suggesting that local EPO may be more important than hepatic and/or renal EPO in mediating protective effects in the retina.
Superior performance of high-velocity oxyfuel-sprayed nanostructured TiO2 in comparison to air plasma-sprayed conventional Al2O3-13TiO2

Air plasma-sprayed conventional alumina-titania (Al2O3-13wt.%TiO2) coatings have been used for many years in the thermal spray industry for antiwear applications, mainly in the paper, printing, and textile industries. This work proposes an alternative to the traditional air plasma spraying of conventional aluminatitania by high-velocity oxyfuel (HVOF) spraying of nanostructured titania (TiO2). The microstructure, porosity, hardness (HV 300 g), crack propagation resistance, abrasion behavior (ASTM G65), and wear scar characteristics of these two types of coatings were analyzed and compared. The HVOF-sprayed nanostructured titania coating is nearly pore-free and exhibits higher wear resistance when compared with the air plasma-sprayed conventional alumina-titania coating. The nanozones in the nanostructured coating act as crack arresters, enhancing its toughness. By comparing the wear scar of both coatings (via SEM, stereoscope microscopy, and roughness measurements), it is observed that the wear scar of the HVOF-sprayed nanostructured titania is very smooth, indicating plastic deformation characteristics, whereas the wear scar of the air plasma-sprayed alumina-titania coating is very rough and fractured. This is considered to be an indication of a superior machinability of the nanostructured coating.
Modulation of secreted plasminogen activator activity of human renal carcinoma cells by dimethylsulfoxide, butyrate and retinoate

Dimethylsulfoxide, butyrate and retinoic acid, agents which induce differentiation of certain malignant cells, were examined for their effect on the activity of plasminogen activator (PA) of serumless conditioned medium (CM) of two human renal carcinoma cell lines. All three agents produced a decrease in PA activity. More than 90% of the PA was secreted in latent form, and this was not altered by the agents. Active PA components of Mr 52,000 and 93,000 were identified in cell secretions by zymography. In the presence of DMSO or butyrate the Mr 52,000 component was markedly reduced. Reversibility of the effect on PA was demonstrated for both DMSO and retinoic acid with activity of CM returning to control level after removal of the agent. That the effect was temporary agrees with most observations of the effects of these and similar agents on cells from solid tumors.
Differences in daily torpor patterns among three southeastern species ofPeromyscus

Three subspecies ofPeromyscus inhabiting the montane, foothill, and coastal plain regions of the Carolinas were trapped in midwinter and the occurrence of spontaneous and ration-induced daily torpor was monitored via biotelemetric determination of body temperature. All tests were undertaken with field-caught mice that were subjected to a minimum of laboratory acclimation (two days). The tendency to enter torpor in the presence of adequate food was highest inP. maniculatus nubiterrae, whose natural montane habitat presents it with the greatest seasonal stress in terms of ambient temperature and food availability. This species exhibited significantly (P<0.05) longer spontaneous torpor bouts than did the two lowland subspecies,P. gossypinus gossypinus andP. leucopus leucopus (Table 1). Restriction of food to one-half thead libitum level increased the frequency, duration, and depth (mean minimum body temperature) of torpor in all three species (Fig. 1).P. maniculatus, however, displayed significantly (P<0.001) longer episodes of torpor induced by rationing than did either of the other two subspecies. The ability to compensate for a reduction in energy intake by adjusting levels of energy utilization may profoundly affect survival during short-term environmental stress in any of these three species.
Dynamic Model of a Weld Breaking Mechanism for Automatic Circuit Recloser Applications

Automatic circuit reclosers protect electrical distribution systems by breaking the circuit should the current levels exceed an acceptable range. In the process of opening and closing the circuit, welds are formed between the contacts, making it difficult to separate the contacts again. In order to ensure that the contacts can be separated in the event of a fault, a mechanism has been constructed to impart an impact load on the weld. This mechanism has been designed and used for many years with little understanding of how the mechanism components affect the performance of the mechanism. In order to gain this understanding, a dynamic model of the mechanism was created.Copyright © 2014 by ASME
Soft Glassy Dynamics in Polypropylene-Clay Nanocomposites

Linear and nonlinear viscoelastic measurements were utilized to probe transient morphological changes in a melt-blended polypropylene−clay nanocomposite containing 3 wt % organically modified montm...
HEALTH EFFECTS OF ACID AEROSOLS

Earlier in this century, a number of severe episodes clearly demonstrated that air pollution can affect human health; these included documented increases in mortality and morbidity. Although health was clearly affected during these episodes and acidity is a candidate for the responsible agent, it has been difficult to ascertain which agents were involved. In the past several years extensive research was launched to learn the significance of acidic aerosols on human health. The question of a health threat from acid aerosols was first raised by epidemiology studies, but results of the body of epidemiological evidence collected to date have been mixed. Even when a study finds evidence of a response to exposures involving high ambient acidity levels, it is usually difficult to know which agent or agents are responsible for causing the effects noted. High levels of acidic aerosols are nearly always accompanied by high levels of other air pollutants which may have known or suspected effects on the respiratory tract. For this reason, an understanding of the potential mechanisms of acid aerosol health effects needs supporting evidence from the laboratory, where exposures to various agents can be controlled. To date, this supporting evidence includes demonstration of physiological responses at acidity levels greater than those that exist in the ambient environment. A limited number of studies have considered responses at levels more characteristic of ambient exposures; these studies demonstrate little physiological response, probably due to the airways' ability to buffer acidity at low concentration. Although there is some evidence of impaired mucociliary clearance and modest changes in lung function, there is no evidence of airway inflammation or altered non-specific bronchial responsiveness as a result of acid aerosol exposure. The possibility that acid aerosols may potentiate responses to other pollutants remains a subject of interest. The potential existence of a group of individuals who are exquisitely sensitive to low acid concentrations requires further investigation. Recent epidemiology results are broadening the perspective from a focus on acidity per se to a focus on fine particulate matter, of which particulate acidity is but a subset. These studies find a consistent statistical association between various health responses, including mortality, and ambient measures of particulates, even at locations where levels of acidity are very low and at locations where current U.S. air quality standards are satisfied. There is at present no biological explanation for these associations.
Gender differences in the initiation of injection drug use among young adults

To characterize the circumstances surrounding initiation of injecting drug use, data were collected from 229 young, recently initiated injection drug users enrolled through community-based recruitment in Baltimore, Maryland. Gender differences in the pattern of initiation, the number of persons present at initiation, risky injection, and sexual behaviors at initiation, as well as behaviors after initiation, were examined. Overall, men and women were similar statistically with respect to age at initiation (19.5 years) and risk behaviors at initiation. While men were initiated by men (77%), women were more often initiated by women (65%), most of whom were friends (75%) or relatives (23%). The percentage of women infected with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) was slightly greater than that of men, 17% versus 11% (P<.2), whether initiated by a man or a woman. Persons who self-initiated had a lower HIV prevalence and fewer HIV-related risk behaviors. Analysis of variance assessed differences in the HIV risk profiles of female and male IDUs who were intiated by someone of the same sex, of the opposite sex, or who self-initiated. These results indicated that (1) young women and men had similar patterns of injection initiation; (2) most women were initiated by female friends, runing counter to earlier literature claims that women were initated to injection drug use by male sex partners; and (3) women initiated by men had a marginally greater mean score on the HIV risk profile.
Assertiveness and Post-Divorce Adjustment in Women

This study used a descriptive research design to investigate the relationship between women's degree of assertiveness and their post-divorce adjustment. Thirteen female subjects participated in the study. The subjects completed two questionnaires: the Assertion Inventory and the Divorcees' Adjustment Scale. Findings did not support the existence of a positive relationship between the degree of discomfort and level of post-divorce adjustment and between the response probability and level of post-divorce adjustment. The data did suggest a tendency toward an inverse relationship. As the degree of discomfort decreased the post-divorce adjustment level increased.
Ternary complexes of liver alcohol dehydrogenase.

Abstract Liver alcohol dehydrogenase (LADH; E.C. 1.1.1.1) provides an excellent system for probing the role of binding interactions with NAD+ and alcohols as well as with NADH and the corresponding aldehydes. The enzyme catalyzes the transfer of hydride ion from an alcohol substrate to the NAD+ cofactor, yielding the corresponding aldehyde and the reduced cofactor, NADH. The enzyme is also an excellent catalyst for the reverse reaction. X-ray crystallography has shown that the NAD+ binds in an extended conformation with a distance of 15 A between the buried reacting carbon of the nicotinamide ring and the adenine ring near the surface of the horse liver enzyme. A major criticism of X-ray crystallographic studies of enzymes is that they do not provide dynamic information. Such data provide time-averaged and space-averaged models. Significantly, entries in the protein data bank contain both coordinates as well as temperature factors. However, enzyme function involves both dynamics and motion. The motions can be as large as a domain closure such as observed with liver alcohol dehydrogenase or as small as the vibrations of certain atoms in the active site where reactions take place. Ternary complexes produced during the reaction of the enzyme binary entity, E-NAD+, with retinol (vitamin A alcohol) lead to retinal (vitamin A aldehyde) release and the enzyme binary entity E-NADH. Retinal is further metabolized via the E-NAD+-retinal ternary complex to retinoic acid (vitamin A acid). To unravel the mechanistic aspects of these transformations, the kinetics and energetics of interconversion between various ternary complexes are characterized. Proton transfers along hydrogen bond bridges and NADH hydride transfers along hydrophobic entities are considered in some detail. Secondary kinetic isotope effects with retinol are not particularly large with the wild-type form of alcohol dehydrogenase from horse liver. We analyze alcohol dehydrogenase catalysis through a re-examination of the reaction coordinates. The ground states of the binary and ternary complexes are shown to be related to the corresponding transition states through topology and free energy acting along the reaction path.
Neuro-QOL: quality of life item banks for adults with neurological disorders: item development and calibrations based upon clinical and general population testing

Purpose Neuro-QOL provides a clinically relevant and psychometrically robust health-related quality of life (HRQL) assessment tool for both adults and children with common neurological disorders. We now report the psychometric results for the adult tools.
Epidemiology of preeclampsia: impact of obesity

Preeclampsia is a pregnancy-specific disorder that affects 2–8% of all pregnancies and remains a leading cause of maternal and perinatal morbidity and mortality worldwide. Diagnosis is based on new onset of hypertension and proteinuria. Multiple organ systems can be affected, with severe disease resulting. The wide range of risk factors reflects the heterogeneity of preeclampsia. Obesity, which is increasing at an alarming rate, is also a risk factor for preeclampsia as well as for later-life cardiovascular disease. Exploring common features may provide insight into the pathophysiologic mechanisms underlying preeclampsia among obese and overweight women.
The Sleep Heart Health Study: a progress report.

Purpose of reviewThe Sleep Heart Health Study began in 1994 as a prospective cohort study of cardiovascular disease. The results of longitudinal analysis are not yet available, but numerous analyses of cross-sectional data have been published. This review provides an overview of study results so far
The Fermilab Transverse Instability Active Damping System

A system for controlling vertical single bunch instability is described. The vertical position of each of the 1,113 bunches in the Fermilab Main Ring is digitized and stored in a memory. After an interval determined by counting RF cycles, the memory is read. The delayed position signal is sent to a distributed amplifier. A transmission line serves as a beam deflector.
Performance of the CRAY T3E Multiprocessor

The CRAY T3E is a scalable shared-memory multiprocessor based on the DEC Alpha 21164 microprocessor. The system includes a number of novel architectural features designed to tolerate latency, enhance scalability, and deliver high performance on scientific and engineering codes. Included among these are stream buffers, which detect and prefetch down small-stride reference streams, E-registers, which provide latency hiding and non-unit-stride access capabilities, barrier and fetch_and_op synchronization support, and a scalable, high-bandwidth interconnection network.This paper reports our experiences with the CRAY T3E and presents a variety of performance measurements. Section 2 provides a brief overview of the system architecture. Section 3 describes the latency-hiding features (caches, stream buffers and E-registers) in more detail, assesses their performance impact, and discusses coding techniques for using them. Section 4 presents single-processor performance results. Finally, Section 5 discusses system scalability.
Optimizing Organic Waste to Energy Operations

A waste-to-energy firm that recycles organic waste with energy recovery performs two environmentally beneficial functions: it diverts waste from landfills and it produces renewable energy. At the same time, the waste-to-energy firm serves and collects revenue from two types of customers: waste generators who pay for waste disposal service and electricity consumers who buy energy. Given the process characteristics of the waste-to-energy operation, the market characteristics for waste disposal and energy, and the mechanisms regulators use to encourage production of renewable energy, we determine the profit-maximizing operating strategy of the firm. We also show how regulatory mechanisms affect the operating decisions of the waste-to-energy firm. Our analyses suggest that if the social planner's objective is to maximize landfill diversion, offering a subsidy as a per kilowatt-hour for electricity is more cost effective, whereas if the objective is to maximize renewable energy generation, giving a subsidy as a lump sum to offset capital costs is more effective. This has different regulatory implications for urban and rural settings where the environmental objectives may differ.
Expression of CDC2Zm and KNOTTED1 during in-vitro axillary shoot meristem proliferation and adventitious shoot meristem formation in maize (Zea mays L.) and barley (Hordeum vulgare L.).

Expression of CDC2Zm and KNOTTED1 (KN1) in maize (Zea mays L.) and their cross-reacting proteins in barley (Hordeum vulgare L.) was studied using immunolocalization during in-vitro axillary shoot meristem proliferation and adventitious shoot meristem formation. Expression of CDC2Zm, a protein involved in cell division, roughly correlated with in-vitro cell proliferation and in the meristematic domes CDC2Zm expression was triggered during in-vitro proliferation. Analysis of the expression of KN1, a protein necessary for maintenance of the shoot meristem, showed that KN1 or KN1-homologue(s) expression was retained in meristematic cells during in-vitro proliferation of axillary shoot meristems. Multiple adventitious shoot meristems appeared to form directly from the KN1- or KN1 homologue(s)-expressing meristematic cells in the in-vitro proliferating meristematic domes. However, unlike Arabidopsis (Arabidopsis thaliana) and tobacco (Nicotiana tabacum) leaves ectopically expressing KN1 (G. Chuck et al., 1996 Plant Cell 8: 1277–1289; N. Sinha et al., 1993 Genes Dev. 7: 787–797), transgenic maize leaves over-expressing KN1 were unable to initiate adventitious shoot meristems on their surfaces either in planta or in vitro. Therefore, expression of KN1 is not the sole triggering factor responsible for inducing adventitious shoot meristem formation from in-vitro proliferating axillary shoot meristems in maize. Our results show that genes critical to cell division and plant development have utility in defining in-vitro plant morphogenesis at the molecular level and, in combination with transformation technologies, will be powerful tools in identifying the fundamental molecular and-or genetic triggering factor(s) responsible for reprogramming of plant cells during plant morphogenesis in-vitro.
Meiotic Cohesion Requires Accumulation of ORD on Chromosomes before Condensation.

Cohesion between sister chromatids is a prerequisite for accurate chromosome segregation during mitosis and meiosis. To allow chromosome condensation during prophase, the connections that hold sister chromatids together must be maintained but still permit extensive chromatin compaction. In Drosophila, null mutations in the orientation disruptor (ord) gene lead to meiotic nondisjunction in males and females because cohesion is absent by the time that sister kinetochores make stable microtubule attachments. We provide evidence that ORD is concentrated within the extrachromosomal domains of the nuclei of Drosophila primary spermatocytes during early G2, but accumulates on the meiotic chromosomes by mid to late G2. Moreover, using fluorescence in situ hybridization to monitor cohesion directly, we show that cohesion defects first become detectable in ordnull spermatocytes shortly after the time when wild-type ORD associates with the chromosomes. After condensation, ORD remains bound at the centromeres of wild-type spermatocytes and persists there until centromeric cohesion is released during anaphase II. Our results suggest that association of ORD with meiotic chromosomes during mid to late G2 is required to maintain sister-chromatid cohesion during prophase condensation and that retention of ORD at the centromeres after condensation ensures the maintenance of centromeric cohesion until anaphase II.
Effects of low rates of predation on selected life-history characteristics of Podisus maculiventris (Say) (Heteroptera: Pentatomidae).

Reproductive and survival patterns of the heteropteran predator Podisus maculiventris (Say) (Heteroptera: Pentatomidae) were measured under low prey inputs. A single prey, mealworm larva (Tenebrio molitor L.), of one of two sizes (120 or 30 mg), was given to predators for a 24-h period every 1, 2, 4, 8, or 16 days. Additional treatments included: predators provided prey in excess of attack rates; predators given no food; and predators given green bean slices only. Results showed that predators provided with prey survived regardless of feeding interval. When given large prey, predators showed reproductive patterns that were not clearly reflective of feeding interval; only predators fed at 8- and 16-day intervals showed reduced fecundity. When given small prey, the reproductive patterns of predators clearly reflected the feeding intervals. Predators that were fed less frequently laid fewer eggs, less often, and later in life.
Attitudes toward Age-Based Health Care Rationing: A Qualitative Assessment

This study is designed to contribute to recent efforts to assess public views on age-based rationing of health care by reporting findings from a qualitative research project using focus group interviews. Group interviews find that respondents are concerned about the high costs of health care, but few attribute these costs to overuse by older people. Respondents reject the notion of specific policies limiting health care based on the age of the patient. Respondents of all ages tend to reject the idea of paying for treatment to extend the life of the hopelessly ill when all beneficial treatment efforts have been attempted. Although expressing strong feelings about equality of opportunity for health care, respondents are ambivalent about the role that government should play to accomplish this goal. Differences in attitudes toward allocation of health care appear to be associated more with differences in socioeconomic status and political orientation than with differences in age of respondents.
Feedback inhibition of purine biosynthesis in ascites tumor cells by purine analogues.

Abstract The ability of 37 purine analogues to inhibit purine biosynthesis de novo in Ehrlich ascites tumor cells in vitro has been examined in an attempt to define structural requirements for this reaction. Only 8 analogues were active feedback inhibitors. 6-Methylthiopurine ribonucleoside was more active than adenine, while 6-methylpurine was as active as adenine. 2,6-Diaminopurine, 6-benzylthiopurine, psicofuranine, 2-amino-6-benzylthiopurine, purine, and thioguanine ribonucleoside were approximately as active as the less active natural purines. No compound tested interfered with feedback inhibition by adenine. Combinations of adenine with purine or 2,6-diaminopurine, or of purine with diaminopurine, inhibited in a potentiative manner. No correlation was observed between feedback inhibitory activity and nucleotide formation by purine analogues.
Role of propofol and its solvent, intralipid, in nitric oxide-induced peripheral vasodilatation in dogs

Background. The commercial propofol preparation in an intralipid solution causes marked vasodilatation. Both propofol and its solvent seem to stimulate the nitric oxide (NO) pathway. The role of intralipid in cardiac and regional haemodynamic changes induced by propofol and their respective interactions with the NO pathway was assessed. Methods. Dogs were instrumented to record arterial pressure, heart rate, cardiac output, dP/dt (the first derivative of left ventricular pressure) and vertebral, carotid, coronary, mesenteric, hepatic, portal and renal blood flows. Experimental groups were as follows. Group I (control; n=ll): N-methyl-L-arginine (L-NMA) 20 mg kg" 1 i.v.; Group 2 (n=8): propofol (10 mg ml" 1 ) 4 mg kg" 1 i.v. bolus followed by 0.6 mg kg" 1 min~'; Group 3 (n=6): intralipid 0.25 ml kg" 1 bolus followed by 0.06 ml kg" 1 min" 1 . After 60 min, L-NMA was injected in Groups 2 and 3. Results. Propofol induced increases in heart rate, coronary and carotid blood flows, and decreases in systemic vascular resistance and dP/dt. Intralipid increased renal blood flow, carotid vascular resistance and mesenteric vascular resistance. In the presence of intralipid, L-NMA-induced pressor response and systemic, carotid and renal vasoconstriction were more pronounced than in control dogs.
Analysis of demand conditions associated with stereotypy.

Abstract Possible escape/avoidance functions of stereotypic behavior were investigated in a classroom setting using functional academic tasks. A 6-year-old boy's stereotypic mouthing was assessed during (a) high vs low response activities, (b) familiar vs novel activities and (c) avoidance vs partial-avoidance conditions. Results showed that stereotypy occured at higher rates during more difficult activities (i.e. those that were novel or required a greater number of responses), and when stereotypy was allowed to effect a delay in instructional demands. Treatment procedures based on these analyses were implemented by the classroom teacher and shown to be effective.
Bioreactors and operating room centric protocols for clinical heart valve tissue engineering

Abstract Significant efforts have been made towards the development of a tissue engineered heart valve (TEHV) for the treatment of congenital valvular disorders. While progress has been made, widespread clinical translation of the TEHV has not yet been realized. Regulatory concerns have contributed to this, especially with U.S. markets. The review seeks to identify those challenges, many of which could be mitigated through the implementation of TEHV processing within the clinical environment. However, traditional approaches to heart valve tissue engineering are often not conducive to application in such a setting due to challenges inherent to the seeding strategies themselves, as well as deficiencies in the bioreactor systems used to implement those strategies. Here, we present an alternative strategy that utilizes a novel bioreactor system to circumvent many of the issues that have hindered the translation of the TEHV for the laboratory to bedside.
Social Support and Health: A Theoretical Formulation Derived from King's Conceptual Framework:

This article describes the development and initial empirical testing of a theoretical formulation of social support, family, health, and child health derived from Imogene King's conceptual framework for nursing. A correlational design was used to test the formulation with 103 families who have children with diabetes mellitus. Three hypotheses were supported: parents' social support had a direct and positive effect on family health, parents' social support and child's social support were positively related, and illness factors had a direct and negative effect on child health. Both the supported and unsupported hypotheses are discussed in terms of the present substantive knowledge base and evidence of validity for King's framework. Direction for further theory development and research are identified.
Acquisition of Requests and Apologies in Spanish and French: Impact of Study Abroad and Strategy-Building Intervention

The primary aim of this study was to assess the impact of a curricular intervention on study-abroad students’ use of language- and culture-learning strategies and on their acquisition of requests and apologies. The intervention consisted of a brief face-to-face orientation to learning speech acts, a self-study guidebook on language and culture strategies, which included strategies for learning speech acts, and electronic journaling by the students. The study used an experimental design in which the participants, all university students (N = 86) who spent 1 semester abroad in a Spanish- or a French-speaking country, were randomly assigned to an experimental (E) group (N= 42) or to a control (C) group (N= 44). The findings indicated that the students as a whole improved their request and apology performance over the course of 1 semester, as rated by the Spanish and French native speakers. In addition, whereas there were no statistically significant differences between the E and C groups in their rated speech act performance overall, a qualitative analysis of speech act development among learners of Spanish (N= 67) helped to identify areas in which their performance on requests and apologies either resembled that of native speakers or diverged from it. Although fewer students than native speakers used the “query preparatory with verbal downgrading,” there appeared to be some increase in the use of this strategy by study-abroad students from pre- to posttest, especially among the E group students, perhaps suggesting that for some of these students awareness about mitigating requests was enhanced by the treatment. In making apologies, not as many study-abroad students intensified their apologies in instances where native speakers tended to do so. Likewise, the percentage of study-abroad students who acknowledged responsibility for certain infractions tended to be lower than that of the native speakers, suggesting that these nonnative speakers were unaware of sociopragmatic norms for what might be expected in such situations.
No more Dreams of America: Citizen Initiative, American Transfer, and Global Exclusion in Poland

This article addresses how Western skills and knowledge of citizen group activity were introduced in Poland by one American program, implications of these ideas for citizen participation in local planning decisions in two small communities, whether the transfer of American knowledge influenced interactions between citizens and local government officials, and the degree to which the wider context of globalization is significant to local planning systems in transition. The author’s contention is that despite the strength of global ideas, the global economy, and the power of international political systems and processes, the willingness and capacity of local government to adapt local planning systems to include citizen opinions and the power of local citizens—both women and men—to participate actively in local affairs in small, rural communities are more strongly influenced, at this time, by the nation-state and the individual community’s economic and political place within the nation-state.
How well does IQ predict neuropsychological test performance in normal adults

The strength and nature of the association between IQ and performance on other cognitive tests has both practical and conceptual significance for clinical neuropsychology. In this study, 28 measures derived from 16 cognitive tests were analyzed as a function of IQ in 221 adults. Participants were grouped by their IQ scores as having below average (BA), average (A), or above average (AA) intelligence. Planned comparisons revealed that A adults performed significantly better than BA adults on 25 of the 28 cognitive measures, and that AA adults performed significantly better than A adults on 19 of 28 measures. Effect sizes averaged.74 for BA-A comparisons and.41 for A-AA comparisons. Linear, quadratic, and cubic functions described the relationships between IQ and cognitive test performance equally well for most individual test measures and for a composite index of test performance, whereas quadratic and cubic functions explained the proportion of abnormal performances better than a linear function. These findings confirm that IQ predicts concurrent neuropsychological performance across the entire spectrum of intelligence, but more so among persons of average IQ or less than among those with above average IQ.
Why you Should Care about Bitcoin – Even if you don´t Believe in it

Bitcoin is likely doomed as an alternative to national currencies, but its key engineering elements offer us the possibility of imagining a radically different approach for architecting electronic payment systems. The technologies embedded within bitcoin have the potential for supporting the development of more open, contestable and interconnected ecosystems for the delivery of payment and financial services, much like the internet did for the delivery of communication and content services. By lowering costs and encouraging innovation, the adoption of bitcoin-like protocols could radically expand access and relevance of financial services globally, especially across borders and in developing countries.
RESEARCH ARTICLE: Determination of Solar Energy Transition Potential of Department of Defense Facilities and Nontactical Vehicles: An Application of Multicriteria Decision Theory Modeling and Simulation Approaches

The United States (US) Department of Defense (DoD) offers a great opportunity to implement solar energy solutions across its US bases. It is the single largest energy consumer in the federal govern...
Beet Yellows Virus Resistance in Sugar Beets: Mechanism of Resistance

The probing behavior of M. persicae (Sulzer) on a resistant and a susceptible sugar beet hybrid was studied by means of an electronic recording system and compared with its natural probing behavior on a favored host plant. Significant differences of several compared parameters were revealed which could explain resistance and susceptibility in these beet hybrids. The term “resistance to virus transmission” is proposed for the type of resistance which is due to vector probing behavior, and a “relative resistance index” (RRI) is suggested for its measurement. With this method, the RRI of individual resistant plants was measured, and it was found that further improvement of resistance would be possible in the resistant hybrid by means of further selection.
Long non-coding RNA discovery in Anopheles gambiae using deep RNA sequencing

Long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) are mRNA-like transcripts longer than 200 bp that have no protein-coding potential. lncRNAs have recently been implicated in epigenetic regulation, transcriptional and post-transcriptional gene regulation, and regulation of genomic stability in mammals, Caenorhabditis elegans, and Drosophila melanogaster. Using deep RNA sequencing of multiple Anopheles gambiae life stages, we have identified over 600 novel lncRNAs and more than 200 previously unannotated putative protein-coding genes. The lncRNAs exhibit differential expression profiles across life stages and adult genders. Those lncRNAs that are antisense to known protein-coding genes or are contained within intronic regions of protein-coding genes may mediate transcriptional repression or stabilization of associated mRNAs. lncRNAs exhibit faster rates of sequence evolution across anophelines compared to previously known and newly identified protein-coding genes. This initial description of lncRNAs in An. gambiae offers the first genome-wide insights into long non-coding RNAs in this vector mosquito and defines a novel set of potential targets for the development of vector-based interventions that may curb the human malaria burden in disease-endemic countries.
Activity of microbial lipases on natural fats and synthetic triglycerides.

The positional and fatty acid specificities of lipases from several different microorganisms have been examined by gas–liquid chromatographic analysis of the free fatty acids following action on mixed triglycerides of known composition. Three types of lipases were found. Lipases of the first type, obtained from several microorganisms, attacked primarily the 1-position of the triglyceride in a manner similar to that of pancreatic lipase. Some fatty acid preference was also observed. The ability of the lipolytic enzymes from Staphylococcus aureus and Aspergillus flavus to attack the 2-position as well as the 1-position suggested another type of activity. The lack of any appreciable effect of diisopropylfluorophosphate in 10−4 m concentrations on this hydrolysis indicated it was not an esterase. The third type of lipase was from Geotrichum candidum and it preferentially hydrolyzed the oleate ester from the triglyceride regardless of its position. Possible applications of these lipases are discussed.
An empirical likelihood goodness-of-test for heteroscedastic regression models

Since conditional heteroscedasticity is often used in modelling and understanding the variability of statistical data,the conditional variance function in heteroscedastic regression models is taken into consideration,and a nonparametric test is constructed in the article to test the conditional variance function variance function being a known parametric form indexed by a vector of unknown parameters.The empirical likelihood technique is used to construct test procedure for a goodness-of-fit of a heteroscedastic regression model because the empirical likelihood method has two attractive features.One is its automatic consideration of the variation associated with the nonparametric fit due to the empirical likelihood's ability.The other one is that the asymptotic distributions of the test statistic are free of unknown parameters which avoid secondary plug-in estimation.The asymptotic null distribution of the proposed test statistic is established.
474 INTRAUTERINE GROWTH RESTRICTION INCREASES INSULIN GROWTH FACTOR 1 PROMOTER MESSENGER RIBONUCLEIC ACID LEVELS IN THE BRAIN.

Background Intrauterine growth restriction (IUGR) leads to neurodevelopmental delay that persists throughout life. Brain growth and development is regulated by cerebral insulin growth factor 1 (IGF-1). Previous work has shown that IGF-1 transcription involves multiple initiation start sites from 2 distinct promoters, with promoter 1 predominating. Alternative splicing within exon 4 accounts for the IGF-1 variants A (IGF-1A) and B (IGF-1B). These characteristics suggest that cerebral IGF-1 transcription may be regulated by epigenetic mechanisms. Objective We hypothesized that IUGR affects IGF-1 promoter utilization and thereby alters IGF-1 mRNA levels in postnatal brain tissue. Design/Methods We employed a rat model of IUGR that involves bilateral uterine artery ligation on day 19 of gestation. Rat brain tissue was collected on day 21 from IUGR and sham (N = 6). mRNA levels of IGF-1A, IGF-1B, promoter 1, and promoter 2 transcription start sites were quantitated with real-time RT- PCR. Results mRNA data are reported as % of control values. Day 21 IUGR female IGF-1B mRNA levels increase to 201 ± 9.4%*** of control. However, in the day 21 males there was no significant differential expression in IGF-1B. In both the IUGR females and males, IGF-1A was reduced (74.4 ± 12.5%* of control and 60.8 ± 8%** of control, respectively). Interestingly, day 21 IUGR female IGF-1 promoter 1 and promoter 2 were both increased over control (197.3 ± 22.1%* and 191.6 ± 28.6%,* respectively) and were unchanged in the males (*p = Conclusions IUGR results in postnatal alteration of IGF-1 mRNA in the brain. In IUGR females, regulation of IGF-1 expression leads to increased transcription from promoter 1 and promoter 2. We have previously shown that IUGR leads to persistent changes in epigenetic determinants of chromatin condensation in the female brain. Therefore, we speculate that IUGR alteration of epigenetic determinants leads to increased promoter utilization of IGF-1 in the brain. Supported by the CHRC.
Creation of Magnetic Monopoles in Classical Scattering.

Magnetic monopoles---theorized particles with only one magnetic pole---might possibly be created by wave-wave collisions.
Automatic Subtitling for Live 3D TV Transmissions by Real-Time Analysis of Spatio-Temporal Depth Map of the Scene

In order to maximize experience and perception of the 3D TV transmission, there is a rule of thumb for the 3D video content subtitling which states that the subtitle should appear in front of the in-focus content at all times of the subtitle exposure. The main problem with live 3D transmissions containing subtitles, such as TV news or football matches, is that besides a pure text and a pair of video streams acquired by a stereo rig, there must be some additional information calculated which would allow to settle the correct subtitle depth. Therefore, either all set-top-boxes must determine this depth by themselves or the broadcaster must calculate and provide this information in the Disparity Signalling Segment (DSS). In this paper we present an algorithm for automatic subtitle depth estimation based on unsupervised spatio-temporal analysis of stereoscopic pair of compressed video streams. The proposed algorithm first analyzes the texture in the streams for left and right eye in the area where the subtitle should appear. The result of this analysis is a set of correspondences, that is pairs of points corresponding to the same single point in the scene. Every correspondence yields a stereoscopic parallax vector, and the magnitude of this vector is inversely proportional to the depth of point in the scene. It is shown how to effectively calculate the depth of the subtitle from depth maps for every stereoscopic pair of frames in which this subtitle should to appear. Also, latency problems and hardware aspects of low-cost FPGA implementation of the algorithm are discussed.
Enhancing infiniband with openflow-style SDN capability

InfiniBand is the de facto networking technology for commodity HPC clusters and has been widely deployed. However, most production large-scale InfiniBand clusters use simple routing schemes such as the destination-mod-k routing to route traffic, which may result in degraded communication performance. In this work, we investigate using the OpenFlow-style Software-Defined Networking (SDN) technology to overcome the routing deficiency in InfiniBand. We design an enhanced InfiniBand with OpenFlow-style SDN capability and demonstrate a use case that illustrates how the SDN capability can be exploited in HPC clusters to improve the system and application performance. Finally, we quantify the potential benefits of InfiniBand with OpenFlow-style SDN capability in balancing the network load by simulating job traces from production HPC clusters. The results indicate that InfiniBand with SDN capability can achieve much better network load balancing than traditional InfiniBand for HPC clusters.
A novel solution to low-frequency problems with geometrically designed beamwaveguide systems

The NASA Deep Space Network (DSN) is constructing a new 34-meter research and development antenna as a precursor to introducing beamwaveguide antennas and Ka-band frequencies into the operational network. The basic design of the center-fed beamwaveguide is shown in Figure 1. It consists of a beam magnifier ellipse in a pedestal room located below ground level that transforms a JPL standard 22-dB gain feedhorn into a high gain 29-dB gain pattern for input to a standard four-mirror (two flat and two paraboloid) beamwaveguide system.