cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Evaluation of Visible-Near Infrared Reflectance Spectra of Avocado Leaves as a Non-destructive Sensing Tool for Detection of Laurel Wilt

Abstract Laurel wilt, caused by the fungus Raffaelea lauricola, affects the growth, development, and productivity of avocado, Persea americana. This study evaluated the potential of visible-near infrared spectroscopy for non-destructive sensing of this disease. The symptoms of laurel wilt are visually similar to those caused by freeze damage (leaf necrosis). In this work, we performed classification studies with visible-near infrared spectra of asymptomatic and symptomatic leaves from infected plants, as well as leaves from freeze-damaged and healthy plants, both of which were non-infected. The principal component scores computed from principal component analysis were used as input features in four classifiers: linear discriminant analysis, quadratic discriminant analysis (QDA), Naive-Bayes classifier, and bagged decision trees (BDT). Among the classifiers, QDA and BDT resulted in classification accuracies of higher than 94% when classifying asymptomatic leaves from infected plants. All of the classifiers...
Saturated Liquid Densities and Vapor Pressures of Tetramethyl Orthosilicate Measured Using a Constant Volume Apparatus

This paper describes a simple constant volume technique that was developed to measure saturated pressure and saturated liquid density of tetramethyl orthosilicate (TMOS). The technique is based on the measurement of temperature and pressure of a liquid undergoing a constant volume heating process. We have observed that during such a process the pressure increases gradually as temperature is increased until the system reaches a “take-off” point where a rapid pressure rise occurs. Experimenting with methanol and water, we determined that the initial pressure/temperature data (pre take-off) can be used to estimate saturation pressure. We further determined that the take-off point occurs when the liquid expands to fill the container volume, which allows for calculation of the saturated liquid density. Using this information, we estimated and report on the saturated pressure and saturated liquid density of TMOS for temperatures from (60 to 250) °C.
Antennal Appendages and Reproductive Success in the Anostraca

ABSTRACT I present evidence that antennal appendages contribute to male reproductive success in Eubranchipus serratus Forbes. Males will mate or clasp females in an attempt to mate repeatedly. However, receptive females typically reject a number of mating attempts before finally accepting a mate. Males with their antennal appendages removed succeeded in inseminating only 13 females out of 250 mating attempts while intact males were successful in 53 of 253 tries (x2 = 27.4, df = 1, P < 0.005). During unsuccessful mating attempts, receptive females were able to reject courting males by freeing themselves from the clasping males in less than 6 s in over 60% of cases regardless of whether the males had antennal appendages or not. The data suggest a mate recognition function for the antennal appendages.
Long-Term Selection for Four-Week Body Weight in Japanese Quail Following Modification of the Selection Environment

Abstract The effect of changing the selection environment to maximize long-term genetic improvement in growth was investigated in a selection study for high 4-wk body weight in Japanese quail. This investigation involved three selected lines: Line P, selected under a 28% protein diet; Line T, selected under a 20% protein diet containing .2% thiouracil (TU), and Line S, a subline taken from the T line in Generation 27 and thereafter selected under a 28% protein diet containing TU. From Generations 27 to 70, 4-wk body weights increased 31%, 40%, and 51% in the T, P, and S lines, respectively. Selection differentials and intensities were significantly lower in the S line than in the P and T lines. Realized heritabilities calculated by dividing the cumulative response by the cumulative selection differential across the 43 generations were .05, .10, and .14 in the T, P, and S lines, respectively. These data indicate that changing selection environments may result in the release of additional additive genetic variation and thereby have a favorable effect on long-term genetic gains in body weight.
Application of the line-source technique for vacuum thermal conductivity measurements

Line source technique for ablative heat shield materials thermal conductivity measurements, comparing vacuum and atmospheric test results
Two Is Better Than One

Psychologists too often rely on only one source of evidence to affirm the validity of a construct. However, they usually do not know all the conditions that can produce the evidence they gather. Hence, the inference is often limited to the data gathered and does not generalize to other categories of information. Examples of this habit are presented along with the suggestion that all social scientists should affirm the utility of their concepts with more than one class of information.
Doctors and Soccer Players — African Professionals on the Move

For much of the past decade, health improvement in Ghana has been at a standstill. Dr. Fitzhugh Mullan writes that AIDS is a culprit, but so is the exodus of doctors and nurses who are lured by U.S. training and employment opportunities. Fitzhugh Mullan discusses the physician “brain drain” from developing countries and the demand for international medical graduates in the U.S.
Microscopic imaging of glyceraldehyde-induced tissue glycation with intrinsic second harmonic generation and two-photon fluorescence contrasts

The bioinspired approaches to tissue strengthening and preservation rely on non-toxic cross-linking agents one of which is glyceraldehyde. In this study we used multiphoton microscopy that employs second harmonic generation (SHG) contrast to evaluate collagen microstructures and two-photon fluorescence (TPF) contrast to monitor progression of cross-linking upon treatment of tissues with glyceraldehyde. We examined collagen hydrogels assembled at 37 °C and 27 °C, bovine scleral and corneal tissues, skin as well as rat tail tendons. The results show a different effect of glyceraldehyde on collagen microstructures within the above tissues. This effect depends on the original microstructural assembly of collagen within a specific tissue. Our data suggests that epidermis (in skin and cornea) will protect collagen from cross-linking with glyceraldehyde. The work highlights benefits of monitoring progression of collagen cross-linking and effects of cross-linking on fiber microstructures as imaged with SHG and TPF signals.
Accruing knowledge on the biological bases of aggression: comment on Giancola (2000).

The author contends that research on the biological correlates of aggression and violence follows a predictable course. The executive functioning model proposed by P. R. Giancola (2000) is a logical outcome of this progression and underscores the relative maturity of knowledge accrual for the alcohol-aggression link compared with other bio-behavioral models of human aggression. Language: en
An Energy-efficient Clusterhead Assignment Scheme for Hierarchical Wireless Sensor Networks

We study the problem of assigning clusterheads in a hierarchical Wireless Sensor Network (WSN). That is, for a given hierarchical WSN, how many clusterhead nodes we should assign, and how to geographically allocate these clusterheads. Since an assignment scheme optimizing all factors is impossible, we will focus on the crucial issue of energy efficiency of the WSN. Because it is mostly true that the nodes of WSN are powered by batteries, power saving is an especially important consideration in WSN architecture design. We will propose a hierarchical WSN architecture toward the end of saving energy of both sensor nodes and clusterheads. Using analytical result, experiments are conducted in which realistic scenarios are simulated.
Expert systems—another frontier for industrial engineering

Abstract Expert systems are receiving increasing attention both in the academic and the practical words. This article examines the following area of potential interaction between industrial engineering and expert systems: except systems as a consultant, expert systems as a modeling tool and its integration with decision support systems, expert systems as a tutor, and the contribution of expert systems to the implementation of solutions based on quantitative analysis. Representatives examples of relevant systems are cited. Mutual benefits are expected as a result of the interaction between industrial engineering and expert systems.
Pharmacists’ Attitudes and Concerns Regarding Syringe Sales to Injection Drug Users in Denver, Colorado

Objective To identify factors influencing pharmacists' decisions about selling syringes to injection drug users (IDUs). Design Audiotaped interviews. Setting Denver, Colorado. Participants Thirty-two pharmacists at 24 pharmacies. Intervention One-hour semistructured interviews. Main Outcome Measures Practices regarding syringe sales to IDUs and factors influencing the practices. Results Of the 32 pharmacists interviewed, 16 indicated that they sold syringes to all customers ("pro-sell"), 11 refused to sell unless shown proof of diabetic status ("no-sell"), and 5 were "undecided." Several factors influenced the decision to sell. A perceived conflict between prevention of disease and prevention of drug abuse most clearly distinguished the three categories, with pro-sell pharmacists more likely than others to prioritize disease prevention and believe that syringe sales would not increase drug abuse. Business concerns, such as the effect of the presence of IDUs on other customers and the possibility of discarded syringes around the store, were especially prevalent among no-sell and undecided pharmacists. Seventeen pharmacists did not know about Colorado laws governing syringe sales. Four no-sell pharmacists used the laws to justify their decision not to sell, and two undecided pharmacists said they used the law when they did not want to sell syringes to IDU. All pharmacists supported syringe exchange programs. Conclusion One-half of the pharmacists sold syringes to IDUs, and several more indicated that they would do so if certain concerns were addressed. These data suggest that improved syringe disposal options, continuing education programs, and clarification of existing laws and regulations would encourage more pharmacists in Denver to sell syringes to IDUs.
Exotic Earths: Forming Habitable Worlds with Giant Planet Migration

Close-in giant planets (e.g., "hot Jupiters") are thought to form far from their host stars and migrate inward, through the terrestrial planet zone, via torques with a massive gaseous disk. Here we simulate terrestrial planet growth during and after giant planet migration. Several-Earth-mass planets also form interior to the migrating jovian planet, analogous to recently discovered "hot Earths." Very-water-rich, Earth-mass planets form from surviving material outside the giant planet's orbit, often in the habitable zone and with low orbital eccentricities. More than a third of the known systems of giant planets may harbor Earth-like planets.
Intron mobility in phage T4 is dependent upon a distinctive class of endonucleases and independent of DNA sequences encoding the intron core: mechanistic and evolutionary implications

Although mobility of the phylogenetically widespread group I introns appears to be mechanistically similar, the phage T4 intron-encoded endonucleases that promote mobility of the td and sunY introns are different from their eukaryotic counterparts. Most notably, they cleave at a distance from the intron insertion sites. The td enzyme was shown to cleave 23-26 nt 5' and the sunY endonuclease 13-15 nt 3' to the intron insertion site to generate 3-nt or 2-nt 3'-OH extensions, respectively. The absolute coconversion of exon markers between the distant cleavage and insertion sites is consistent with the double-strand-break repair model for intron mobility. As a further critical test of the model we have demonstrated that the mobility event is independent of DNA sequences that encode the catalytic intron core structure. Thus, in derivatives in which the lacZ or kanR coding sequences replace the intron, these marker genes are efficiently inserted into intron-minus alleles when the cognate endonuclease is provided in trans. The process is therefore endonuclease-dependent, rather than dependent on the intron per se. These findings, which imply that the endonucleases rather than the introns themselves were the primordial mobile elements, are incorporated into a model for the evolution of mobile introns.
Generalized technique for designing broadband varactor‐tuned negative resistance oscillators

A powerful method for designing broadband varactor-tuned negative resistance oscillators is presented. The CAD procedure stems from a novel way of employing Hilbert transform techniques. The method is capable of realistically taking into account the decisive factors governing oscillator performance and directly processes measured large-signal data of the active device without relying on an approximate circuit model for the device. Device—circuit interactions at higher harmonic frequencies are not considered in the context. A transferred-electron oscillator design example is used to illustrate the method.
Green's functions, temperature and heat flux in the rectangle

Abstract Steady heat conduction in the rectangle is treated with the method of Green's functions. Single-sum series for the Green's functions are reported in terms of exponentials which have better numerical properties than hyperbolic functions. Series expressions for temperature and heat flux caused by spatially uniform effects are presented. The numerical convergence of these series is improved, in some cases by a factor of 1000, by replacing slowly converging portions of the series with fully summed forms. This work is motivated by high-accuracy verification of finite-difference and finite-element codes.
Proteolysis-inducing factor is expressed in tumours of patients with gastrointestinal cancers and correlates with weight loss

Proteolysis-inducing factor (PIF), a novel cachectic factor, is detectable in the urine of cancer patients experiencing weight loss. We report the expression of PIF in gastrointestinal cancers, and a correlation between PIF expression in tumours, its detection in urine and weight-loss. These data provide the first direct evidence that tumours are the source of PIF in humans.
PS2-08: “I Didn’t Know They Did That!” Discovering and Maximizing the Capacity of the HMO Research Network.

;Background/Aims: The HMO Research Network (HMORN) is a national consortium of research centers working within or in close partnership with integrated health systems. HMORN sites conduct public domain health research on a wide range of diseases and cross-cutting topics. While the HMORN has established large topical research networks, the HMORN’s collective capacity remains relatively untapped for the majority of topics. We illustrate the variation and concentration of topical and methodological expertise across the Network, and suggest ways the HMORN could leverage existing capacities more fully. Methods: Written surveys indicating ongoing local research capacity were completed by 14 HMORN sites in the 2nd quarter of 2011. Sites classified 45 research topics as “Powerhouse area” (multiple studies per year, particular depth or breadth exists), “Some Expertise” or “Not an emphasis.” These survey data were collected, synthesized and tabulated by the HMO Collaboratory team. We will survey the remaining 5 HMORN sites prior to HMORN 2012 and report capacity information for the entire Network. Results: Eleven of the 14 delivery systems (78.6%) directly owns or partners closely with an insurance entity; HMOs were a major component of these systems. Special research capacities of HMORN centers include facilities to fill prescriptions, facilities to perform research lab tests, survey departments, and dedicated research clinics. While significant capacity exists across the Network in topics with well established consortia (e.g., cancer, cardiovascular disease, infectious disease), capacity existed in multiple centers for every topic surveyed. Multiple HMORN centers reported “powerhouse areas” on topics around which the HMORN has not significantly mobilized. These included alcohol and drug abuse, arthritis, neurological disorders, oral health, aging, health disparities, pain management, pediatrics, and reproductive health among others. Discussion: Many opportunities for expanding multicenter research to new areas exist in the HMORN. Continuing to improve documentation of where expertise exists in the Network (both organizationally and individually) would help connect HMORN investigators to funding agencies, to new opportunities, and to one another. Additional scientific interest groups are one potential strategy to mobilize researchers with topical affinities and position the HMORN to expand its portfolio into new research topics in the
Congenital anomalies of the primary midgut loop

A few of the more important anomalies which the primary midgut loop may present are illustrated by case histories. It is essential to note that many of the abnormalities which caused symptoms were accompanied by one or more “silent” anomalies. Many of these congenital deviations do not cause symptoms per se, but are discovered only through roentgenographic studies or on laparotomy for an unrelated condition. This statement is especially true of the paraduodenal hernias. Congenital anomalies must be recalled when an explanation for. a chronic digestive disorder is sought, especially if the difficulty dates back to birth.
Morphology of the eye and surrounding structures of the bowhead whale, balaena mysticetus

Observations were made on eyes from 46 bowhead whales, Balaena mysticetus, taken in the subsistence harvest near Barrow, Point Hope, Savoonga, and Kaktovik, Alaska. Data reported here include palpebral, eyeball, corneal, scleral, pupillary, and lens dimensions. These quantitative data have allowed us to compare structures relative to one another and sometimes to compare them with similar structures in other species. We found, for example, that the cornea is almost three times as thick at its periphery as at its center; that when the ratio of scleral thickness and eyeball size are compared, the ratio, in the bowhead whale, is twice that of any other cetacean for which data were available; and that the corneal and pupillary width to height ratios indicate a less elongated cornea and pupil than has been reported in other cetaceans. We also found a strong correlation between body length and eyeball size indicating that within the species, unlike what is seen between species, larger animals have larger eyes. Novel observations include the presence of three periorbital fatty layers, 112 ciliary processes, the presence of scleral canals, the absence of an obvious fovea or macular region in the retina, a holangiotic pattern of fundic vessels, the presence of zonular fibers and a lens sheath, and the absence of arl obvious pupillary operculum. Anatomical features like the wide angle of divergence and the palpebral dimensions suggest the absence of binocular vision while features like the size of the palpebral sac, abundant conjuctival fat, and the prominence of the retractor bulbi muscle suggest mechanisms for the protrusion and retraction of the eyeball.
Improving the Lagrangian relaxation approach for large job-shop scheduling

Lagrangian relaxation (LR) has recently emerged as a practical approach for job shop scheduling problems of realistic size. The efficiency of the approach, however, depends on how fast the dual problem is solved and how good the feasible solutions are constructed. The purpose of this paper is to address above two issues. First, a "variable target value" method is used to regulate the step size for surrogate subgradient optimization. The target values are updated iteratively whenever necessary, depending on the information obtained in the process of the algorithm. The convergence of the algorithm is proved using practically desirable step size rule. Then based on the insights of the old list scheduling algorithm, the SPT/CR priority index is selected in place of the incremental cost index. Testing results show that these modifications make the LR approach computationally more efficient and five to eight percent of duality gap improvement was obtained for large problems.
Regulation of renal ion channels.

Ion channels in renal epithelia are involved in maintenance of the volume and ion composition of the epithelial cells themselves and of the entire organism. The latter function depends on transepithelial ion transport, a process that often involves ion channels at the apical (luminal) and/or the basolateral (contraluminal) cell membranes. Regulation of these channels is accomplished within many different time frames, each of which can involve different molecular mechanisms of regulation. Changes in membrane voltage, intracellular ion composition, or mechanical force on the membrane mediate short-term regulation. Biosynthesis, degradation, and reversible transfer of channels to or from cytoplasmic stores are responsible for longer term regulation. Covalent modification of channel proteins can be involved in either short- or long-term regulation. In this review we outline the different models of ion channel regulation in renal epithelia and give examples that emphasize the physiological roles of these chann...
Dark-rearing changes dendritic microtubule-associated protein 2 (MAP2) but not subplate neurons in cat visual cortex

Sensory-dependent modification of cortical morphology is one component of the cortical plasticity that occurs during the critical period for ocular dominance changes. In this study, we used dark-rearing to examine the sensory dependency of subplate neuron death and the quantity of microtubule-associate protein 2 (MAP2)-positive dendrites. Kittens reared in total darkness until the peak of the critical period had fewer laterally extended MAP2-positive dendrites than age-matched normal kittens. This reduction was found in layer IV but not in layer V. Subsequent exposure to light for 10 days after dark-rearing was sufficient to bring the number of MAP2-positive dendrites to the normal level. Contrarily, dark-rearing did not prevent subplate neurons from dying. Exposure to light after dark-rearing did not increase the number of potential dying neurons. These results show that the quantity of MAP2-positive dendrites is sensory-dependent; however, the death of the subplate neurons is not. Therefore, the death of subplate neurons is probably not directly involved in sensory-dependent modifications of synaptic connections. The possible involvement of laterally extended MAP2-dendrites in visual plasticity is discussed.
Cloacibacterium rupense sp. nov., isolated from freshwater lake sediment.

A Gram-negative, yellow-pigmented bacterium, designated strain R2A-16T, was isolated from sediment of Rupa Lake in Nepal and analysed using a polyphasic taxonomic approach. Phylogenetic analyses based on 16S rRNA gene sequences showed that strain R2A-16T is affiliated to the genus Cloacibacterium of the family Flavobacteriaceae; 16S rRNA gene sequence similarity between strain R2A-16T and Cloacibacterium normanense CCUG 46293T was 98.07 %. The isolate contained iso-C15 : 0 (35.6 %) as the major fatty acid and menaquinone MK-6 as the predominant respiratory quinone. The G+C content of the genomic DNA was 33.3 mol%. On the basis of its phenotypic properties and phylogenetic distinctiveness, strain R2A-16T represents a novel species of the genus Cloacibacterium, for which the name Cloacibacterium rupense sp. nov. is proposed; the type strain is R2A-16T (=CGMCC 1.7656T =NBRC 104931T).
Asymptotic normal modes of the Earth—II. Eigenfunctions

Summary We derive asymptotic expressions for the toroidal- and spheroidal-mode eigenfunctions of a SNREI earth model with two discontinuities. The ray-theoretical wavefunctions of high-frequency SH and P-SV waves are expressed in terms of scalar potentials for which WKBJ solutions are readily available. The normal-mode eigenfunctions are then derived from the wavefunctions using the correspondence between the toroidal modes and SH waves, and the spheroidal modes and P-SV waves. Both oscillatory and evanescent solutions are included to enhance the accuracy of the asymptotic eigenfunctions in the vicinity of the inner-core and core-mantle boundaries. The analytic expressions of the asymptotic eigenfunctions only involve simple sine, cosine and exponential functions which can be easily manipulated and evaluated, making the asymptotic eigenfunctions very useful for further normal-mode studies. Numerical comparison of the asymptotic and exact eigenfunctions shows that there is an excellent agreement for a crustless version of earth model 1066A. A mistake in our previous asymptotic eigenfrequency analysis, which ignored the geometrical spreading effect, has been corrected. The consistency between the asymptotic eigenfrequency and eigenfunction analyses is also addressed.
Peroxynitrite induced nitration and inactivation of myofibrillar creatine kinase in experimental heart failure

Objective: Oxidative stress is implicated in the initiation and progression of congestive heart failure, but the putative reactive species and cellular targets involved remain undefined. We have previously shown that peroxynitrite (ONOO−, an aggressive biological oxidant and nitrating agent) potently inhibits myofibrillar creatine kinase (MM-CK), a critical controller of contractility known to be impaired during heart failure. Here we hypothesized that nitration and inhibition of MM-CK participate in cardiac failure in vivo. Methods: Heart failure was induced in rats by myocardial infarction (left coronary artery ligation) and confirmed by histological analysis at 8 weeks postinfarct (1.3±1.4 vs. 37.7±3.2% left ventricular circumference; sham control vs. CHF, n = 10 each). Results: Immunohistochemistry demonstrated significantly increased protein nitration in failing myocardium compared to control (optical density: 0.58±0.06 vs. 0.93±0.09, sham vs. CHF, P <0.05). Significant decreases in MM-CK activity and content were observed in failing hearts (MM-CK k cat: 6.0±0.4 vs. 3.0±0.3 μmol/nM M-CK/min, P <0.05; 6.8±1.3 vs. 4.7±1.2% myofibrillar protein, P <0.05), with no change in myosin ATPase activity. In separate experiments, isolated rat cardiac myofibrils were exposed to ONOO− (2–250 μM) and enzyme studies were conducted. Identical to in vivo studies, selective reductions in MM-CK were observed at ONOO− concentrations as low as 2 μM (IC50=92.5±6.0 μM); myosin ATPase was unaffected with ONOO− concentrations as high as 250 μM. Concentration dependent nitration of MM-CK occurred and extent of nitration was statistically correlated to extent of CK inhibition ( P <0.001). Immunoprecipitation of MM-CK from failing left ventricle yielded significant evidence of tyrosine nitration. Conclusion: These data demonstrate that cardiac ONOO− formation and perturbation of myofibrillar energetic controllers occur during experimental heart failure; MM-CK may be a critical cellular target in this setting.
Immunotherapy of skin diseases caused by the human papillomavirus

The presence and proliferation of warts relates to the host immune response to the human papillomavirus. The number and recalcitrance of warts in some individuals infected with HIV and in some organ transplant recipients are evidence of this fact. Therapy aimed at inciting or boosting immune recognition of, and response to, human papillomavirus is termed immunotherapy, and has the theoretical advantage over destructive modalities of stimulating the body’s innate mechanisms in the control of clinical disease.
Traffic Network Equilibrium

The problem of users of a congested transportation network seeking to determine their travel paths of minimal cost from origins to their respective destinations is a classical network equilibrium problem. It appears as early as 1920 in the work of Pigou, who considered a two-node, two-link (or path) transportation network, and was further developed by Knight (1924). In this problem setting, the demand side corresponds to potential travelers, or consumers, of the network, whereas the supply side is represented by the network itself, with prices corresponding to travel costs. The equilibrium occurs when the number of trips between an origin and a destination equals the travel demand given by the market price, that is, the travel time for the trips.
Ambulatory hemodynamics in patients with chronic heart failure: implications for volume management in elderly patients

Invasive hemodynamic assessment of patients with chronic heart failure is helpful in managing severe congestive symptoms associated with acute volume exacerbations that lead to hospitalizations. Information useful in guiding medication changes targeting control of left ventricular filling pressures can be obtained from measurements in the right ventricle. With the advent of implantable devices designed to treat heart failure, the logical next development is an implanted device that incorporates sophisticated monitoring systems capable of continuous acquisition of hemodynamic information over a long-term period. An implantable hemodynamic monitoring system (Chronicle; Medtronic, Inc., Minneapolis, MN) is safe to implant and has a pressure sensor with proven long-term reliability. Using transtelephonic data transmission and Internet-based information systems, ambulatory hemodynamic monitoring may reduce the need for hospitalizations and overall health care utilization in patients with symptomatic heart failure. This approach may be especially helpful for elderly patients with chronic heart failure in whom overdiuresis or volume contraction may lead to gait instability and falls. Additionally, elderly patients with heart failure from primary diastolic dysfunction may have a very narrow therapeutic window of optimal volume that is difficult to assess by daily weights and physical examination alone. This hypothesis is currently being tested in a prospective randomized clinical trial.
Comment on Jill Graham's Review of Managerial Ideology and the Social Control of Deviance in Organizations

The article presents a commentary by Richard M. Weiss on Jill Graham's review of his book “Managerial Ideology and the Social Control of Deviance in Organizations,” from the April, 1988 issue. The author contends that Graham misrepresented the general message of the book. He explains that Graham characterized the book's review of research on the nature of alcohol problems and of workplace alcoholism programs as contradictory, incomplete, and biased. The author says that the book disconfirms the link between long-term alcohol use and loss of control.
The Dynamic Response of the Winter Stratosphere to an Equable Climate Surface Temperature Gradient

This work investigates the dynamic and thermal response of the winter stratosphere to the presence of a weak meridional surface temperature gradient. Previous work suggested that polar stratospheric clouds could have played a decisive role in maintaining high-latitude warmth, especially over continental interiors, during the polar nights of the late Paleocene and early Eocene epochs; both a chemical source of additional water vapor and a dynamical feedback between the surface climate and stratospheric temperatures have been proposed as mechanisms by which such clouds could form. A principal goal of this work is to investigate the latter problem using a general circulation model with stratospheric resolution that is forced with a very weak surface temperature gradient. It is found that temperatures in the lower stratosphere do not deviate significantly from the control run, which results from a robust flux of wave activity into the winter stratosphere. The strength of the stratosphere’s residual circulation increases slightly in the presence of the weak gradient, as wavenumber 3 begins to propagate to stratospheric altitudes. Changes in the zonal wind field that allow for the altered propagation are in balance with a weakened temperature gradient through the full depth of the troposphere. These simulations also suggest that the tropospheric thermal stratification could be maintained by moist convection at all latitudes in warm climate states with a weak temperature gradient.
Perceptions and influence of a hospital influenza vaccination policy.

objective. Seasonal influenza is a significant cause of morbidity and mortality in the United States each year. Healthcare worker (HCW) influenza vaccination is associated with both decreased absenteeism among employees and improved outcomes among patients. However, HCW influenza vaccine uptake remains suboptimal. The objective of this study was to characterize HCWs' understanding of and response to a stringent vaccination policy. design, setting, and participants. A survey of 928 hospital staff at a tertiary academic medical center in Baltimore during the 2008-2009 influenza season. results. Of those surveyed, 75% ( ) completed the survey; 623 respondents reported regular patient contact, and 91% of those n p 695 reported vaccination in the current influenza season. However, only 60% reported consistently receiving the vaccine every year. Of those who were vaccinated, 8% ( ) reported being vaccinated for the first time during that influenza season. A significant proportion n p 48 (42%) of respondents were unaware of the major change in hospital policy regarding vaccination. Influences on the decision to be vaccinated varied significantly between those who are regularly vaccinated and those with inconsistent vaccination habits. Attitudes toward hospital policy varied significantly by race and clinical role. conclusions. Although 91% of respondents with regular patient contact reported being vaccinated for influenza in the 2008-2009 season, only 60% reported consistent annual vaccination. Misinformation regarding hospital policies is widespread. Improvements in vaccination rates will likely require multifaceted, targeted efforts focused on specific influences on less adherent groups. The identified variability in influences on the decision to be vaccinated suggests possible targets for future interventions.
Deuterodesulfurization of thiophene: an investigation of the reaction mechanism

The deuterodesulfurization of thiophene was investigated using selected MoS2 and reduced molybdenum sulfide (Chevrel phase) catalysts. The extent of deuterium incorporation into thiophene and into specific desulfurization products (hydrogen sulfide, butadiene, and butenes) was determined at 400 °C for thiophene conversions near 4%. Unpromoted MoS2 introduced up to 10 times more deuterium into thiophene than did the promoted catalysts (including the Chevrel phase materials). For all catalysts, H2S was formed almost exclusively (typically 90+%), with only small amounts of HDS and D2S being detected. Except for the unpromoted MoS2 catalyst, the deuterium distributions determined for the cis- and trans-2-butene products were nearly identical; the deuterium distribution found for 1-butene was distinct. A mechanism of thiophene hydrodesulfurization can be proposed in which butadiene is the initial desulfurized reaction product. The hydrogen available for hydrogen sulfide formation is derived via hydrogen exchange with thiophene.
Role of sooty mold fungi in accumulation of fine-particle-associated PAHs and metals on deciduous leaves

The focus of this research was on elucidation of the role of deciduous tree ecosystems in accumulation of fine-particle-associated polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) and heavy metals on leaves of deciduous trees. The studied species were Tilia x euchlora (frequently infested by sooty mold fungi) and Pyrus calleryana (unaffected by sooty mold fungi). The selected species have similar leaf morphology and were exposed to identical environmental conditions. Intra-species comparison showed that moldy linden leaves accumulate significantly higher amounts of PAHs and metals than unaffected linden leaves. Inter-species comparison revealed that in the absence of sooty mold fungi, physico-chemical properties of epicuticular waxes, rather than the amounts of waxes, might play an important role in accumulation of particulate matter on leaves. The accumulation and/or degradation of a number of high-molecular-weight (HMW) PAHs on leaves was temperature dependent. The results show that the presence of sooty mold fungi on deciduous leaves alters either the accumulation modes and/or degradation pathways of PAHs on deciduous leaves. r 2006 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.
New high bandwidth single polarization fiber with elliptical central air hole

A new single polarization fiber with an elliptical central air hole is proposed. Effects of fiber design parameters on fiber performance are analyzed. Single polarization bandwidth as high as 240 nm is predicted.
NITZSCHIA OVALIS (BACILLARIOPHYCEAE) MONO LAKE STRAIN ACCUMULATES 1,4/2,5 CYCLOHEXANETETROL IN RESPONSE TO INCREASED SALINITY(1).

The growth of microalgae in hypersaline conditions requires that cells accumulate osmoprotectants. In many instances, these are polyols. We isolated the diatom Nitzschia ovalis H. J. Arn. from the saline and alkaline water body Mono Lake (CA, USA). This isolate can grow in salinities ranging from 5 to 120 parts per thousand (ppt) of salt but normally at 90 ppt salinity. In this report, we identified the major polyol osmoprotectant as 1,4/2,5 cyclohexanetetrol by electron ionization-mass spectrometry (EI-MS), (1) H, (13) C nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy (NMR), and infrared (IR) and showed an increase in cellular concentration in response to rising salinity. This increase in the cyclitol concentration was evaluated by gas chromatography of the derived tetraacetylated cyclohexanetetrol obtaining an average of 0.7 fmol · cell(-1) at 5 ppt and rising to 22.5 fmol · cell(-1) at 120 ppt. The 1,4/2,5 cyclohexanetetrol was also detected in the red alga Porphyridium purpureum. Analysis of the free amino acid content in N. ovalis cultures exposed to changes in salinity showed that proline and lysine also accumulate with increased salinity, but the cellular concentration of these amino acids is about 10-fold lower than the concentration of 1,4/2,5 cyclohexanetetrol. The comparison of amino acid concentration per cell with cyclitol suggests that this polyol is important in compensating the cellular osmotic pressure due to increased salinity, but other physiological functions could also be considered.
Electronic Energy Bands for Rubidium Chloride and the Face-Centered Cubic Alkali Bromides

The Schrodinger equation was solved for the valence and conduction bands of rubidium chloride and the face-centered cubic alkali bromides by the orthogonalized-plane-wave method. Results are presented for several points of high symmetry in the first Brillouin zone, and the results are compared with experiment. Die Schrodingergleichung wird fur die Valenz- und Leitungsbander von Rubidiumchlorid und kubisch-flachenzentrierten Alkalibromiden mit Hilfe der Methode orthogonalisierter ebener Wellen gelost. Es werden Ergebnisse fur einige Punkte hoher Symmetrie in der ersten Brillouinzone angegeben und mit dem Experiment verglichen.
Trap-related delay analysis of self-aligned N-polar GaN/InAlN HEMTs with record extrinsic g m of 1105 mS/mm

Ga-polar InAlN-based charge-inducing barrier for HEMTs have been recently demonstrated as a viable technology for high frequency applications due to high polarization charge and hence, low resistance channels [1,2]. In this paper, we report on MBE-grown N-polar GaN/InAlN HEMTs with excellent DC and RF performance. There exists a discrepancy in the DC and RF data for N-polar MBE InAlN devices which is explained through several measurements and analysis and possible solutions are discussed.
Bayesian network loss inference

In large-scale dynamic communication networks, endsystems can not rely on the network itself to cooperate in characterizing its own behavior. This has prompted research activities on methods for inferring internal network behavior based on the external end-to-end network measurements. In particular, knowledge of the link losses inside the network is important for network management. However it is impractical to directly measure packet losses or delays at every router. On the other hand, measuring end-to-end (from sources to receivers) losses is relatively easy. We formulate the problems of link in a network as Bayesian inference problems and develop several Markov chain Monte Carlo (MCMC) algorithms to solve them. We then apply the proposed link loss algorithms to data generated by the Network Simulator (NS2) software, and obtain good agreements between the theoretical results and the actual measurements.
Characteristics of Kenyan women in a prospective cohort study who continue using subdermal contraceptive implants at 12 months.

Abstract Objective Subdermal contraceptive implant continuation has not been well studied in Africa. We conducted a secondary data analysis to compare baseline characteristics of Kenyan women who continued to use the subdermal implant at 12 months to those who did not. Study Design Kenyan women aged 18–24 years who presented to a family planning clinic for short-acting hormonal contraception were offered a two-rod subdermal implant instead. Participants were followed for 12 months after initiation of their contraceptive method. Statistical analysis included Pearson's chi-square or Fisher's exact tests for comparisons of proportions. Risk ratios (RRs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were calculated to determine factors associated with continuation. Results Eighty-six (89%) of the 97 women who chose the implant were followed for 12 months. Of these women, 68 (79%) continued to use the implant. None of the factors we examined had a statistically significant association with continued use of the implant. Duration of intended use was the only strong factor; 83% of women with 3 + years of need continued using the implant, compared to 56% of those with shorter needs (Risk ratio = 1.48, 95% CI = 0.94–2.31). No substantive continuation differences were found when comparing other participant characteristics including months with their current partner, personal desire and partner preference for future children, previous use of modern birth control and other factors. Conclusion High implant continuation rates were noted regardless of previous use of modern birth control, partner preference for children or baseline concern for menstrual change. Implications Contraceptive use in Africa continues to focus on short-acting contraceptives despite the proven superior efficacy of long-acting reversible contraceptives in other settings. The high subdermal implant continuation among Kenyan women in this prospective study, regardless of baseline characteristics, supports the need for increasing access and future research in this population.
Parent‐teacher participation in the context of school governance

(1998). Parent‐teacher participation in the context of school governance. Peabody Journal of Education: Vol. 73, Professionalism vs. Community: Is the Conflict Between School and Community About to Be Resolved?, pp. 15-35.
A Practical Guide to Density Matrix Embedding Theory in Quantum Chemistry

Density matrix embedding theory (DMET) (Knizia, G.; Chan, G. K.-L. Phys. Rev. Lett. 2012, 109, 186404) provides a theoretical framework to treat finite fragments in the presence of a surrounding molecular or bulk environment, even when there is significant correlation or entanglement between the two. In this work, we give a practically oriented and explicit description of the numerical and theoretical formulation of DMET. We also describe in detail how to perform self-consistent DMET optimizations. We explore different embedding strategies with and without a self-consistency condition in hydrogen rings, beryllium rings, and a sample SN2 reaction. The source code for the calculations in this work can be obtained from https://github.com/sebwouters/qc-dmet.
Impact of a Simulation Exercise on Pharmacy Student Attitude toward Poverty

Objective. To evaluate the impact of a simulation on pharmacy student attitudes toward poverty using the Attitude toward Poverty (ATP) Short Form scale. Methods. Second-year pharmacy students participated in the 3-hour Missouri Association for Community Action Poverty Simulation. Students completed a survey of the ATP Short Form scale prior to and following participation in the simulation. Results. Significant improvements in attitude were noted in 15 of 21 ATP Short Form items. Improvements in the stigma and structural domains were significant while improvement in the personal deficiency domain was not significant. Conclusions. This poverty simulation exercise positively altered pharmacy student attitudes toward poverty. When combined with didactic and experiential curriculum, this simulation may enhance student achievement of the 2013 Center for the Advancement of Pharmacy Education (CAPE) outcome subdomain of cultural sensitivity.
The Role of the Flight Software Development System Simulator Throughout the Cassini Mission

The Cassini mission to Saturn and Titan has encompassed over twenty-five years of planning and development. The spacecraft is comprised of numerous subsystems. One in particular is the Attitude and Articulation Control Subsystem (AACS) which contains hardware and software elements and interfaces that provides and maintains attitude knowledge and control for the spacecraft. All sensors and actuators are controlled by algorithms executing in the AACS Flight Computer which is controlled by AACS flight software. Eleven years have been dedicated to the implementation of AACS flight software. In a parallel effort, a 100% software simulated closed-loop workstation-based testbed was developed called the Flight Software Development System (FSDS). This was the primary testing environment used by flight software engineers to develop and validate AACS flight software. Key features of FSDS are the high-fidelity modeling of actuators, sensors, dynamics, bus models, fault injection, star simulation, and command and data subsystem emulation which execute faster than real-time on a desktop workstation. This paper gives an overview of the FSDS simulation and discusses the benefits of having a closed-loop highfidelity environment that the FSDS architecture provided throughout the Cassini mission. FSDS has taken on many roles from AACS flight software and fault protection validation to predicting actual spacecraft control and verifying the checkout procedures of new uplinked in-flight software. Daily Cassini operations continue to use FSDS for anomaly resolution and sequence verification.
Analysis of Status Information Display in Cockpit Designing

The problems of man-machine interface in flight deck designing were discussed in this paper.An experiment comparing gauge group display with polar-star display was designed using VB 6.0 program.Results show that the method applying polar-star display to design human-machine interface contributing improvement to human situation awareness (SA) sensitivity,and decreasing the man-made mistake significantly.
ASCR Cybersecurity for Scientific Computing Integrity - Research Pathways and Ideas Workshop

Author(s): Peisert, Sean; Potok, Thomas E; Jones, Todd | Abstract: The Department of Energy (DOE) has the responsibility to address the energy, environmental, and nuclear security challenges that face our nation. Much of DOE's enterprise involves distributed, collaborative teams; a significant fraction involves "open science," which depends on multi-institutional, often international collaborations that must access or share significant amounts of information between institutions and over networks around the world. The mission of the Office of Science is the delivery of scientific discoveries and major scientific tools to transform our understanding of nature and to advance the energy, economic, and national security of the United States. The ability of DOE to execute its responsibilities depends critically on its ability to assure the integrity and availability of scientific facilities and computer systems, and of the scientific, engineering, and operational software and data that support its mission.