cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Non-coplanar neutron-proton Bremsstrahlung

Abstract We report theoretical npγ calculations at 200 MeV and 130 MeV, including cases of non-coplanar kinematics. The internal amplitude is calculated to order K0, using the low energy theorem. Results are in fair agreement with the data at 200 MeV.
Bootstraps and compositeness conditions

The equivalence of the bootstrap method and arguments of a field theoretic nature that the renormalization constants Z/sub 1/ = Z/sub 3/ = 0 be the conditions for a particle to be composite, is considered. (C.E.S.)
Dissipation in quasi-one-dimensional superconducting single-crystal Sn nanowires

Electrical transport measurements were made on single-crystal $\mathrm{Sn}$ nanowires to understand the intrinsic dissipation mechanisms of a one-dimensional superconductor. While the resistance of wires of diameter larger than $70\phantom{\rule{0.3em}{0ex}}\mathrm{nm}$ drops precipitously to zero at ${T}_{c}$ near $3.7\phantom{\rule{0.3em}{0ex}}\mathrm{K}$, a residual resistive tail extending down to low temperature is found for wires with diameters of 20 and $40\phantom{\rule{0.3em}{0ex}}\mathrm{nm}$. As a function of temperature, the logarithm of the residual resistance appears as two linear sections, one within a few tenths of a degree below ${T}_{c}$ and the other extending down to at least $0.47\phantom{\rule{0.3em}{0ex}}\mathrm{K}$, the minimum temperature of the measurements. The residual resistance is found to be ohmic at all temperatures below ${T}_{c}$ of $\mathrm{Sn}$. These findings are suggestive of a thermally activated phase slip process near ${T}_{c}$ and quantum fluctuation-induced phase slip process in the low-temperature regime. When the excitation current exceeds a critical value, the voltage-current $(V\text{\ensuremath{-}}I)$ characteristics show a series of discrete steps in approaching the normal state.
Pollen-induced chemiluminescence: inhibition by serum from allergic individuals

Abstract The interaction between pollen grains, polymorphonuclear leukocytes (PMNs) and serum results in the formation of "pollen rosettes" and the production of chemiluminescence (CL). Significantly more CL is produced by cells exposed to pollen and sera from nonallergic individuals compared with sera from allergic individuals. The source of the PMNs, however, has no effect on the CL produced. When IgG is isolated from the sera of allergic individuals and added to the test system, a large CL response is seen that is inhibited by the IgG-depleted fraction. No similar inhibition is produced by the IgG-depleted fraction of sera from nonallergic individuals. The inhibitor of CL in sera from allergic individuals appears to be IgE, since its removal leads to an enhanced CL response. These results suggest that competition for a limited number of binding sites on pollen grains exists between pollen specific IgG and IgE antibodies in serum from allergic patients.
Optimized memory based accelerator for scalable pattern matching

One of the most promising techniques to detect and thwart a network attack in a network intrusion detection system is to compare each incoming packet with pre-defined attack patterns. This comparison can be performed by a pattern matching engine which has several key requirements including scalability to line rates of network traffic and easy updating of new attack patterns. Memory-based deterministic finite automata meet these requirements, however their storage requirement will grow exponentially with the number of patterns which makes it impractical for implementation. In this paper, we propose a customized memory-based pattern matching engine, whose storage requirement linearly increases with the number of patterns. The basic idea is to allocate one memory slot for each state instead of each edge of the deterministic finite automaton. To demonstrate this idea, we have developed two customized memory decoders. We evaluate them by comparing with a traditional approach in terms of programmability and resource requirements. We also examine their effectiveness for different optimized deterministic finite automata. Experimental results are presented to demonstrate the validity of our proposed approach.
Measuring life-space mobility in community-dwelling older adults

Objectives: To evaluate the validity and reliability of a standardized approach for assessing life-space mobility (the University of Alabama at Birmingham Study of Aging Life-Space Assessment (LSA)) and its ability to detect changes in life-space over time in community-dwelling older adults. Design: Prospective, observational cohort study. Setting: Five counties (three rural and two urban) in central Alabama. Participants: Community-dwelling Medicare beneficiaries (N=306; 46% male, 43% African American) who completed in-home baseline interviews and 2-week and 6-month telephone follow-up interviews. Measurements: The LSA assessed the range, independence, and frequency of movement over the 4 weeks preceding assessments. Correlations between the baseline LSA and measures of physical and mental health (physical performance, activities of daily living, instrumental activities of daily living, a global measure of health (the short form-12 question survey), the Geriatric Depression Scale, and comorbidities) established validity. Follow-up LSA scores established short-term test-retest reliability and the ability of the LSA to detect change. Results: For all LSA scoring methods, baseline and 2-week follow-up LSA correlations were greater than 0.86 (95% confidence interval=0.82–0.97). Highest correlations with measures of physical performance and function were noted for the LSA scoring method considering all attributes of mobility. The LSA showed both increases and decreases at 6 months. Discussion: Life-space correlated with observed physical performance and self-reported function. It was stable over a 2-week period yet showed changes at 6 months.
A Method for Measuring Fishing Effort by Small-scale Fish Aggregating Device (FAD) Fishers from the Commonwealth of Dominica

We used global positioning system (GPS) technology and tracking analysis to measure fishing effort by marine, small-scale, fish aggregating device (FAD) fishers of the Commonwealth of Dominica. FAD...
Origin of Amazon mudbanks along the northeastern coast of South America

Abstract Seismic profiles, sediment cores, and water column measurements were collected along the northeastern coast of Brazil to examine the origin of mudbanks in the Amazon coastal mud belt. These 10–60-km-long, shore-attached features previously had been observed to migrate along the 1200 km coast of the Guianas in response to wave forcing. CHIRP (3.5 kHz) seismic profiles of the shoreface and inner shelf located two mudbanks updrift of the previous eastern limit in French Guiana. 210 Pb geochronology shows that these two banks are migrating to the northwest over a relict mud surface in 5–20 m water depth. The mudbanks are 3–4 m thick and are translating over a modern shoreface mud wedge deposited by previous mudbank passage in
Eigenvalue assignment optimization for stable and unstable systems

A method for designing linear quadratic regulators (LQR) which meet performance specifications with minimal control-signal amplitude is developed. A non-derivative search routine is used to find a smaller gain vector which places the closed-loop eigenvalues in a specific sector-type region. The method may be used to specify arbitrary damping and settling-time characteristics for both stable and unstable systems. In this paper, controllers are designed for example systems to demonstrate the use of the method. The method is shown to yield smaller gain vectors than a previous method, and may be expanded to address more complicated design problems.
Functional timing optimization

It is widely believed that any true (or sensitizable) critical path of length /spl ges/2 T must be speeded up in order for a circuit to have a delay <T. I demonstrate that this notion is pessimistic. Many true paths can never affect the delay of the circuit-whenever such a path propagates a signal, some other path that is at least as long also propagates a signal. The theory for a new classification of paths based on the impact on the circuit delay is presented and conditions are given under which a path (or a set of paths) must be speeded up in order to improve the circuit delay. The conditions for the categorization are independent of the delays in the circuit and are valid for all delay assignments. This work indicates that the widely employed notions of true and false paths may be misleading both for timing optimization and delay analysis of logic circuits.
Market Information and Predictive Accuracy of the Going Concern Opinion

We find a model that uses both financial statement and market information is an unambiguously superior predictor of bankruptcy than the going concern (audit) opinion. However, the audit opinion has incremental predictive ability for bankruptcy beyond both financial statement and market-based variables, suggesting that financial statement and market information in combination is not a sufficient statistic for the information and expertise of the auditor. A comparison of the audit opinion and bankruptcy prediction models indicates the auditors' inferior performance vis-a-vis the model likely arises because auditors do not correctly use public (financial and market) information. In particular, auditors appear to underweight stock price information but overweight conventional financial statement ratios, cash flow from operations and firm size (measured by total assets) when issuing going concern opinions.
A Computer Algebra Primer and Homework Exercises for use in an Intermediate Macroeconomics Course --- A Student/Teacher Collaboration

We discuss using computer algebras systems (CAS) in an undergraduate intermediate macroeconomics class. The criteria used in choosing a CAS are considered. One criterion was that students would bear little or no financial. The lessons learned in implementing a CAS --- things that worked well and those that did not work so well --- are noted. We also discuss the need for communications with information technology staff for successful implementation.
Immunosuppression and a serious opportunistic infection: an unfortunate price to pay

A 57-year-old woman with diabetes mellitus type 1, status postcadaveric pancreas transplant alone 11 years ago, on chronic immunosuppression, and dialysis-dependent end-stage renal disease, presented with 2 months of progressive generalised weakness, lumbar back pain with right lower extremity radiculopathy and episodic symptomatic hypotension. Preliminary infectious disease work up was unremarkable. She was discharged following symptomatic improvement. She represented 3 days later with continued functional decline and leucocytosis. Chest X-ray demonstrated diffuse pulmonary nodules, confirmed on chest CT scan. CT-guided biopsy of a right upper lobe nodule was performed; studies confirmed Nocardia farcinica. Further imaging revealed bilateral white matter intracranial lesions, and extensive Nocardia-positive fluid collections in the right gluteal and vastus musculature, requiring periodic surgical debridement. She was treated with multiple antimicrobials, including trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole, amoxicillin/clavulanate and moxifloxacin. She was discharged after a 6-month hospitalisation.
Microtechnology: A Key to System Miniaturization in Advanced Energy Recovery and Conversion Systems

Energy recovery is gaining importance in various transportation, industrial process, and military applications because of rising energy costs and geopolitical uncertainties impacting basic energy supplies. Various advanced energy recovery/conversion technologies will require high-performance heat transfer characteristics to achieve energy recovery performance targets and requirements. System analysis of thermoelectric (TE) systems quantify potential power output, conversion efficiency, specific power and power flux in a unique, useful format on maximum efficiency — power maps. Lines constant specific power and power flux and their relationship to lines of constant hot side temperature and points of maximum power are demonstrated. Regions of preferred TE design are associated with not only higher conversion efficiency, but higher specific power and power flux that drives TE conversion designs towards use of microtechnology solutions. Water and He gas microchannel designs are investigated as potential solutions to achieve miniature TE energy recovery systems. Developing high-heat-flux thermal designs using microtechnology are key to enabling miniature energy recovery systems and should occur in parallel with ongoing research in advanced energy conversion materials.Copyright © 2008 by ASME
SELF-CONSCIOUS INTEREST AND THE DEMOCRATIC PROCESS: The Case of Citizens, Regulatory Agencies, and Federal Courts

Federal courts play an increasingly overt role in the American policy process. The implications of this judicial activism have attracted considerable scholarly attention, with recent literature casting doubt on the capacity of courts to be productive in this role. This article draws out some of these concerns as well as posits a few counterpoints. After raising both sides of the issue, the article focuses on one complex Supreme Court decision, United States v. Students Challenging Regulatory Agency Procedure (SCRAP I, 1973) and its sequel, Aberdeen and Rockfish Railroad v. SCRAP (SCRAP II, 1975), as vehicles for illustrating and evaluating major questions posed by an active judiciary.
An affair to remember: The role of sexual scripts in perceptions of sexual intent

This research investigates a proximal mechanism by which judgments of sexual intent are made: scripts. In a pilot study, scripts organized around sexual intent were elicited, with coding identifying the features of scripts relevant to casual and committed relationship encounters. Male participants and those interested in casual sexual relationships were more likely to generate the casual (vs. committed) script, thus demonstrating the scripts initial validity. In the critical study, the casual and committed scripts were activated for participants via stories. Participants later showed false memory for script-relevant information. Further, participants who were less able to discriminate between real vs. imagined script details imputed greater sexual intent to the targets. These results provide clear evidence for the use of behavioral scripts in judgments of sexual intent.
trans,trans-1,3-Butadiene-1,4-diyl Diacetate

trans,trans-1,3-Butadiene-1,4-diyl diacetate intermediate: trans-7,8-diacetoxybicyclo[4.2.0]octa-2,4-diene solvent: petroleum ether product: trans,trans-1,3-butadiene-1,4-diyl diacetate Keywords: annulation, carbocyclic-[M,N]; cyclization, cycloaddition; cyclization, oxidative cyclization; esterification, unsubstituted monobasic acids; rearrangements
Reelin Binds α3β1 Integrin and Inhibits Neuronal Migration

Mice that are mutant for Reelin or Dab1, or doubly mutant for the VLDL receptor (VLDLR) and ApoE receptor 2 (ApoER2), show disorders of cerebral cortical lamination. How Reelin and its receptors regulate laminar organization of cerebral cortex is unknown. We show that Reelin inhibits migration of cortical neurons and enables detachment of neurons from radial glia. Recombinant and native Reelin associate with alpha3beta1 integrin, which regulates neuron-glia interactions and is required to achieve proper laminar organization. The effect of Reelin on cortical neuronal migration in vitro and in vivo depends on interactions between Reelin and alpha3beta1 integrin. Absence of alpha3beta1 leads to a reduction of Dab1, a signaling protein acting downstream of Reelin. Thus, Reelin may arrest neuronal migration and promote normal cortical lamination by binding alpha3beta1 integrin and modulating integrin-mediated cellular adhesion.
Identifying the Best Foreign Language Teachers: Teacher Standards and Professional Portfolios

This study explored the differing perspectives of principals and foreign language department chairs on one state's teaching standards and the use of professional teaching portfolios as part of the hiring process. A 17-item questionnaire completed by 61 participants revealed that both groups strongly agreed with state teacher standards as accurate descriptors of good teaching. Both groups reported confidence that teaching portfolios are helpful tools for evaluating teacher candidates. Principals most wanted evidence of creativity and innovation, whereas chairs most wanted evidence of second language (L2) proficiency in a candidate's portfolio. Principals were significantly more interested in seeing evidence of communication with parents than were chairs. Both reported spending relatively little time reviewing candidates' portfolios, although chairs devoted significantly more time. The results were the same, regardless of whether the educators were from urban, suburban, or rural districts. The findings suggest that foreign language educators should continue efforts to provide guidance on foreign-language-appropriate versions of state teaching standards and on creation of foreign language teaching professional portfolios.
Direct static enforcement of high-level security policies

A high-level security policy states an overall safety requirement for a sensitive task. One example of a high-level security policy is a separation of duty policy, which requires a sensitive task to be performed by a team of at least k users. Recently, Li and Wang [6] proposed an algebra for specifying a wide range of high-level security policies with both qualification and quantity requirements on users who perform a task. In this paper, we study the problem of direct static enforcement of high-level security policies expressed in this algebra. We formally define the notion of a static safety policy, which requires that every set of users together having all permissions needed to complete a sensitive task must contain a subset that satisfies the corresponding security requirement expressed as a term in the algebra. The static safety checking problem asks whether an access control state satisfies a given high-level policy. We study several computational problems related to the static safety checking problem, and design and evaluate an algorithm for solving the problem.
Stream aggregation in heterogeneous range and rate mobile robot networks

Multi-robot real-time exploration calls for joint consideration of mobility and communication: It requires video and audio streams of a newly explored area be transmitted to the base station in a timely fashion as robots explore the area. We address a central problem: How to place a minimum number of relay nodes, within connectivity and bandwidth constraints, to support the real-time stream aggregation from frontier nodes as they proceed? Particularly, we tackle this problem considering two critical and real-world conditions: (1) the heterogeneous transmission ranges and link capacities; (2) the impact of interference. The conditions increase the model complexity but significantly influence the actual available bandwidth and the required node size in placement. We found considering heterogeneous range and rate is beneficial. Our scheme markedly outperforms the uniform link and range relay placement by reduced relay number and enhanced exploration efficiency.
Recognizing shapes and gestures using sound as feedback

The main goal of this research work is to show the possibility of using sound feedback techniques to recognize shapes and gestures. The system is based on the idea of relating spatial representations to sound. The shapes are predefined and the user has no access to any visual information. The user interacts with the system using a universal pointer device, as a mouse or a pen tablet, or the touch screen of a mobile device. While exploring the space using the pointer device, sound is generated, which pitch and intensity vary according to a strategy. Sounds are related to spatial representation, so the user has a sound perception of shapes and gestures. They can be easily followed with the pointer device, using the sound as only reference.
Observer Reactivity in Monitored and Unmonitored Analogue Conditions

Videotapes of preschoolers were used in a laboratory analogue of naturalistic observation to examine variables affecting observer reactivity. Sixteen undergraduates were randomly assigned to a monitored or unmonitored condition after training in an 11-category observational code. Results indicated a significant decrease in observer agreement scores coinciding with the shift from training to data collection. This drop in performance was noted for both groups, although the decrease was expected only for the unmonitored condition. Implications of these results are discussed in terms of training of observers for research and behavioral assessment.
“Trust but verify”? The performance implications of verification strategies in trusting relationships

Considerable extant research demonstrates the benefits of trust in buyer-seller relationships. More recent research points out downsides of the vulnerability inherent with trust. Recognizing this dilemma of trust, partners may offset the vulnerability of trust with verification strategies—efforts to produce information relevant to the exchange relationship. This research examines the use of three types of verification strategies—monitoring, assurances, and corroboration—which may be employed to safeguard against the vulnerability of trust. When control mechanisms like trust and information are combined, they may complement one another and enhance performance or function as substitutes, be redundant or compete, and consequently detract from performance. Emerging theory on combined modes of governance provides insights. We draw on this theory and develop hypotheses proposing that combinations of trust and verification may enhance or detract exchange performance—depending on the specific verification strategy. The hypotheses are tested on a sample of 230 buyer-supplier relationships. Results of the research provide some support for the proposed relationships and yield implications for the management of cooperative exchange relationships.
A dual wavelength-activatable gold nanorod complex for synergistic cancer treatment

A multifunctional gold nanorod (AuNR) complex is described with potential utility for theranostic anticancer treatment. The AuNR was functionalized with cyclodextrin for encapsulation of doxorubicin, with folic acid for targeting, and with a photo-responsive dextran-azo compound for intracellular controlled drug release. The interaction of a AuNR complex with HeLa cells was facilitated via a folic acid targeting ligand as displayed in the dark-field images of cells. Enhanced anticancer efficacy was demonstrated through the synergistic combination of promoted drug release upon ultraviolet (UV) light irradiation and photothermal therapy upon infrared (IR) irradiation. This multifunctional AuNR-based system represents a novel theranostic strategy for spatiotemporal delivery of anticancer therapeutics.
Effects of supplemental UV‐B radiation on growth and leaf photosynthetic reactions of soybean (Glycine max)

Experiments were conducted under greenhouse conditions to investigate the effects of enhanced UV-B radiation (280 to 320 nm) on height, fresh and dry weights, leaf chlorophyll and carotenoids, CO2 uptake rates, and Hill activity in soybean (Glycine max L. cv. Bragg). Plants were exposed for 6 h continuously from midmorning to midafternoon each day to UV-B radiation which was provided by Westinghouse FS-40 sun lamps filtered with 0.127-mm cellulose acetate film (UV-B enhanced) or 0.127-mm Mylar S film (UV-B Mylar control). Three different UV-B enhanced radiation levels were tested: 1.09 (treatment T1), 1.36 (treatment T2), and 1.83 (treatment T3) UV-B sun equivalent units (UV-Bsec) where 1 UV-Bsec= 15.98 mW·m−2 of solar UV-B obtained by applying EXP -[(α-265)/21]2, a weighting function that simulates the DNA absorption spectrum, to the UV-B lamp systems. These UV-B levels correspond to a calculated decrease in stratospheric ozone content of 6%, 21%, and 36% for treatment T1, T2, and T3, respectively. Daily exposure of soybean plants to UV-B radiation significantly decreased height, fresh and dry weights, leaf chlorophyll and carotenoid contents, and CO2 uptake rates. Leaf pigment extracted in 80% acetone from UV-B-treated soybean plants showed considerable increase in absorption in the wavelength region of 330 to 400 nm with increased UV-B radiation levels. Chloroplast preparations from leaves of T2 and T3 plants showed significant reductions in Hill reaction measurements.
SEU Mitigation Techniques for Microprocessor Control Logic

The importance of fault tolerance at the processor archi- tecture level has been made increasingly important due to rapid advancements in the design and usage of high per- formance devices and embedded processors. System level solutions to the challenge of fault tolerance flag errors and utilize penalty cycles to recover through the re-execution of instructions. This motivates the need for a hybrid tech- nique providing fault detection as well as fault masking, with minimal penalty cycles for recovery from detected er- rors. We propose three architectural schemes to protect the control logic of microprocessors against Single Event Up- sets (SEUs). High fault coverage with relatively low hard- ware overhead is obtained by using both fault detection with recovery and fault masking. Control signals are classified as either static or dynamic, and static signals are further classified as opcode dependent and instruction dependent. The strategy for protecting static instruction dependent con- trol signals utilizes a distributed cache of the history of the control bits along with the Triple Modular Redundancy (TMR) concept, while the opcode dependent control signals are protected by a distributed cache which is used to flag errors. Dynamic signals are protected by selective dupli- cation of datapath components. The techniques are imple- mented on the OpenRISC 1200 processor. Our simulation results show that fault detection with single cycle recovery is provided for 92% of all instruction executions. FPGA synthesis is performed to analyze the associated cycle time and area overheads.
Hybrid Breakdown Weakens under Thermal Stress in Population Crosses of the Copepod Tigriopus californicus

The outcome of hybridization can be impacted by environmental conditions, which themselves can contribute to reproductive isolation between taxa. In crosses of genetically divergent populations, hybridization can have both negative and positive impacts on fitness, the balance between which might be tipped by changes in the environment. Genetically divergent populations of the intertidal copepod Tigriopus californicus have been shown to differ in thermal tolerance at high temperatures along a latitudinal gradient. In this study, a series of crosses were made between pairs of genetically divergent populations of T. californicus, and the thermal tolerance of these hybrids was tested. In most cases, the first-generation hybrids had relatively high thermal tolerance and the second-generation hybrids were not generally reduced below the less-tolerant parental population for high temperature tolerance. This pattern contrasts with previous studies from crosses of genetically divergent populations of this copepod, which often shows hybrid breakdown in these second-generation hybrids for other measures of fitness. These results suggest that high temperature stress could either increase the positive impacts of hybridization or decrease the negative impacts of hybridization resulting in lowered hybrid breakdown in these population crosses.
Co-producing knowledge: Academics and non-academics partner to build synergistic teams to produce sustainable pathways to advance the emerging field of bamboo farming, manufacturing and processing in Alabama

Black Belt Bamboost project was developed to advance knowledge of bamboo as a catalyst for a new type of agricultural development, identify associated potential end markets, as well as its processing, manufacturing, and general awareness within the state of Alabama, specifically the Black Belt region. It exists to provide a launch pad for leaders in multidisciplinary research collaboration, education, and the community to partner in order to build synergistic teams to develop discoveries that will position Alabama to be a leader in the emerging field of bamboo farming, manufacturing and processing. It also serves as a platform for individuals engaged in creative pursuits using bamboo. This paper examines the development of this interdisciplinary community engagement project. With the belief that a co-production of knowledge is essential for developing more sustainable pathways, an agorist strategy was used to bring non-academic and academic communities along with public, private and governmental institutions together.
Infrastructures and Web-Based Business Applications for an Integrated Supply Chain

With more then 40,000 employees in 145 countries, Oracle Corporation was the first company in the world of software for enterprises to develop and market complete and global 100% Internet-based enterprise solutions for E-Business: technological and applications solutions that are offered to the market together with consultation, training and support services. The Oracle offer is organised on two macro areas, the Oracle 10g technological platform made up of the complex information management elements, database application server and development tools; the E-Business Suite, an integrated application suite, designed to adapt all company processes to the new models of E-Business, in ERP environments, human resources management, Internet Procurement, Supply Chain and Customer Relationship Management.
Treatment of cervical dysplasia and the risk of preterm birth: understanding the association

ver the past decade, there has been an evolution in the One of the key strengths of this study was the incorO screening and management of cervical dysplasia toward a more conservative approach. Accumulating data from large studies demonstrating a low risk of cervical cancer among adolescents and women 21-24 years of age supported these changes. However, a major stimulus for the new guidelines was concern regarding the potential adverse effects of excisional procedures on subsequent pregnancy outcomes, namely, preterm birth. The published evidence overall reflects an increased risk of preterm birth in women with a history of a cervical excisional procedure. However, recent studies have found a similar increased risk for preterm birth in women with cervical dysplasia without a history of cervical excision. This suggests that perhaps cervical excisional procedures do not cause subsequent preterm birth, but rather the risk factors for cervical dysplasia are similar to those for preterm birth. As a result of these recent findings, there has been a renewed interest in clarifying the relationship among cervical dysplasia, excisional procedures, and preterm delivery. Published in this issue of the journal, the study by Miller et al aims to further investigate whether cervical dysplasia without a cervical excisional procedure is associated with an increased risk of preterm birth, and to determine if the possible increased risk can be attributed to the presence of a short cervix. Miller et al conducted a retrospective cohort study including 18,528 pregnant women who underwent routine cervical length screening over the 4-year study period. These women were stratified into 3 groups based on review of medical records: no prior dysplasia, history of dysplasia without cervical excisional procedure, and prior excisional procedure. Using multivariable logistic regression equations, they found that after adjusting for the presence of a short cervix and other potential confounders, a prior excisional procedure (adjusted odds ratio [aOR], 1.31; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.04e1.64), but not prior dysplasia alone (aOR, 1.02; 95% CI, 0.85e1.21) was associated with preterm birth.
Research Consultation Services: Putting All of Your Graduate Training to Work

Part of my private consulting income comes from conducting research for an employee assistance program (EAP) located in upstate New York. I have been doing this research for the last 8 years. I have found that my clinical skills, as well as my graduate research training, have prepared me to provide this service. Before going into detail about the service I provide, I will give some background information and clarify the need for this service.
Boll Weevils: Sperm Transfer by Sterile vs. Normal Males; Fecundity and the Use of Sperm by Females

Normal males of Anthonomus grandis Boheman (Coleoptera: Curculionidae), were held unmated and then were mated once. The number of sperm transferred by them increased as they grew older, but with regards to the percentage of the available sperm transferred, the reverse was true. The 4-day-old males transferred ca. 1/5 as many sperm as the 14-day-old males; but the fecundity of the females mated to these males was ca. the same. Males treated with gamma irradiation alone or in combination with diflubenzuron, (l-(4-chlorophenyl)-3-(2,6-diflurobenzoyl)-urea) and held unmated for 5 days transferred ca. ¾of available sperm in a single mating. Both 9-day-old normal males and males treated with 8000 rad + diflubenzuron transferred ca. 1.5 million sperm to the females; however, the females mated to treated males had only ca. ½ as many sperm in their spermathecae as females mated to normal males. This is the 1st indication that irradiation lowers the quality of boll weevil sperm. Sperm from the spermathecae were utilized by the females at a much faster rate during the 1st 4 days after mating than during the 5th through the 10th day.
Insecticidal Seed Treatments for Cotton

Replicated tests conducted during three growing seasons (1954, 1955, 1956) at College Station, Texas, have shown that several systemic insecticides (demeton, Am. Cyanamid 12008 and 12009, Thimet and Bayer, 19639) applied as seed treatments adequately protected young cotton plants from thrips for a period of 4 to 6 weeks after the planting date. These materials varied in phytotoxicity which was manifested by reduced emergence or somewhat delayed fruiting under unfavorable conditions for plant emergence and growth. No significant reduction in yield resulted from these phytotoxic effects.
Nanonet-Based Hematite Heteronanostructures for Efficient Solar Water Splitting

We report the highest external quantum efficiency measured on hematite (α-Fe2O3) without intentional doping in a water-splitting environment: 46% at λ = 400 nm. This result was enabled by the introduction of TiSi2 nanonets, which are highly conductive and have suitably high surface areas. The nanonets serve a dual role as a structural support and an efficient charge collector, allowing for maximum photon-to-charge conversion. Without the addition of any oxygen-evolving catalysts, we obtained photocurrents of 1.6 and 2.7 mA/cm2 at 1.23 and 1.53 V vs RHE, respectively. These results highlight the importance of charge transport in semiconductor-based water splitting, particularly for materials whose performance is limited by poor charge diffusion. Our design introduces material components to provide a dedicated charge-transport pathway, alleviating the reliance on the materials’ intrinsic properties, and therefore has the potential to greatly broaden where and how various existing materials can be used in en...
Developing diode-pumped Q-switched erbium glass laser

The development,research level and developed trend of LD pumped Q-switched Er glass laser are introduced.The following aspects ar e included:erbium glass laser meterial,Q-switched technology and pumped sys tem.High ion dopant concentration is the development trend of erbium glass.Both -sides-symmetry-pump can improve efficiency and reduce glass meterial’s ther mal aberration.Co~(+2)∶MgAlO4 crystal has recently become the m ore popular passive Q-switched meterial.Precision temperature control is ne eded when the laser operates at high repeat frequency.Finally,some questiones to be solved for its further development are discussed.
Epidemiological Investigation of Peptic Ulcer in Northern Military Personnel

Objective: To investigate the incidence and risk factors of peptic ulcer( PU) in soldiers, so as to provide basic data for further research on the precaution and treatment of PU. Methods: A cluster sampling was selected. Subjects were surveyed by the uniformed questionnaire which contains questions about health status and related exposure factors. Results: Incidence of PU correlative symptoms(Sc≥5)in soldiers was 8.41%(618/7345, 95%CI= 7.77%~9.03%). From logistic regression analysis, we found that Soldiers' enlisted period, family history of PU, history of NSAID, frequent mental intention, hot temper are correlated with the incidence of PU significantly. Age, body mass index(BMI), education level, the region where the soldiers come from, smoking, alcohol drinking, hot food, regular diet are not correlated with the incidence of PU. Conclusions: Incidence of PU correlative symptoms in northern military personnel is lower than the southern military personnel. Soldiers' enlisted period, family history of PU, history of NSAID, frequent mental intention, hot temper are probably the risk factors of PU in soldiers.
Asthma and COPD--SMi's Fifth Annual Conference. 20-21 April 2009, London, UK

While the treatment of mild asthma is already effective, better therapies are needed for severe asthma and COPD, and improved formulations are required to aid patient compliance and pediatric use. Improvements in patient training would also be beneficial. Overall, an improved understanding of the mechanisms of both diseases, as well as a universal definition of the factors involved, are of the utmost importance.
Introducing Open Government Data

This article provides an overview of open government data. It outlines what it is, provides examples, and summarizes library engagement with these data. The professional and academic literature and...
Background subtraction based on modified online robust principal component analysis

In video surveillance, camera jitter occurs frequently and poses a great challenge to foreground detection. To overcome this challenge without any additional anti-jitter preprocessing, we propose a background subtraction method based on modified online robust principal component analysis (ORPCA). We modify the original ORPCA algorithm by introducing a prior-information-based adaptive weighting parameter to make our method adapt to variation of sparsity of foreground objects among frames, which can substantially improve the accuracy of foreground detection. In detail, we utilize sparsity of our foreground detection result of the last frame as the prior information, and adaptively adjust the weighting parameter of the sparse term for the current frame. Moreover, to make the modified ORPCA applicable to foreground detection, we also reduce the dimension of input frames through representing unoverlapped blocks by their median values. Different from recent advanced methods that rely on pixel-based background models, our method utilizes the low-dimensional subspace constructed by backgrounds of previous frames to estimate background of a new input frame, and hence can well handle the camera jitter. Experimental results demonstrate that, our method achieves remarkable results and outperforms several advanced methods in coping with the camera jitter.
Gneiss: spreadsheet programming using structured web service data

Abstract Web services offer a more reliable and efficient way to access online data than scraping web pages. However, interacting with web services to retrieve data often requires people to write a lot of code. Moreover, many web services return data in complex hierarchical structures that make it difficult for people to perform any further data manipulation. We developed Gneiss, a tool that extends the familiar spreadsheet metaphor to support using structured web service data. Gneiss lets users retrieve or stream arbitrary JSON data returned from web services to a spreadsheet using interaction techniques without writing any code. It introduces a novel visualization that represents hierarchies in data using nested spreadsheet cells and allows users to easily reshape and regroup the extracted structured data. Data flow is two-way between the spreadsheet and the web services, enabling people to easily make a new web service call and retrieve new data by modifying spreadsheet cells. We report results form a user study that showed that Gneiss helped spreadsheet users use and analyze structured data more efficiently than Excel and even outperform professional programmers writing code. We further use a set of examples to demonstrate our tool's ability to create reusable data extraction and manipulation programs that work with complex web service data.
Implementing discrete event simulation to improve optometry clinic operations

As the tempo of military operations slows, Army Medical Facilities are faced with a need to improve the efficiency of their clinics to provide timely service to the growing population of Soldiers who are spending more time at home station. Discrete event simulation was used to examine six scheduling and staffing policies for the Womack Army Medical Center's Optometry Clinic with a goal of increasing the daily patient throughput of the clinic with consideration to patient waiting times. The best policy increased clinic throughput by eight patients a day, generating an additional $314,000 in Relative Value Units (RVUs) annually, while only increasing patient wait times by 26%. As a minimum, increasing the walk-in provider's scheduled patient load by two enables the provider to optimally treat both scheduled and walk-in patients, with a $94,000 annual RVU increase. Implementation of these results will improve clinic performance, revenue, and increase Soldiers' access to care.
Clinical Activity of Flavopiridol in Relapsed and Refractory Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia (CLL) with High-Risk Cytogenetic Abnormalities: Updated Data on 89 Patients (Pts).

Abstract Background: New therapies for relapsed CLL pts with poor-risk cytogenetic features, such as del(11q22), del(17p13) or a complex karyotype, are needed. Alemtuzumab (Campath-1H) is effective in this pt population but has infectious toxicity and is ineffective as a single agent in bulky nodal disease. Flavopiridol induces p53-independent apoptosis in CLL cells in vitro. We previously demonstrated the activity of flavopiridol in genetically high-risk CLL in a phase I study using a novel, pharmacokinetically (PK) derived dosing schedule, and we are currently pursuing a larger phase II trial of this drug. We present updated results of flavopiridol's activity in high-risk pts in both studies. Study Design and Treatment: Pts (n=89) with symptomatic, relapsed CLL who failed (or could not receive) fludarabine received flavopiridol by 30-min IVB followed by 4-hr CIVI weekly for 4 doses, every 6 weeks for up to 6 cycles. Pts received 30 mg/m2 IVB + 30 mg/m2 CIVI (n=20), 40 mg/m2 IVB + 40 mg/m2 CIVI (n=3), 30 mg/m2 IVB + 30 mg/m2 CIVI for the first 4 doses and 30 mg/m2 IVB + 50 mg/m2 CIVI for all subsequent doses (n=14) or 30 mg/m2 IVB + 30 mg/m2 CIVI for the first dose and 30 mg/m2 IVB + 50 mg/m2 CIVI for all subsequent doses (n=44). Eight pts who experienced severe tumor lysis syndrome did not undergo dose escalation as planned. A complex karyotype was defined as ≥ 3 unrelated abnormalities, and FISH for TP53 [del(17p13)] and ATM [del(11q22)] determined loss of those genes (regions). Response Assessment: Median age was 61 years (range, 38–84), with 21 pts ≥ 70 years of age. Median number of prior therapies was 5 (range, 1–14); 87 pts had failed fludarabine therapy. Pts had bulky Rai stage I/II (n=18), III (19) or IV (n=52) disease. Pts received a median of 3 cycles (range, 0.25–6), 11 pts completed all 6 cycles, and 2 continue to receive therapy. All 89 pts were evaluated for response, including 6 pts who received only one dose due to grade 4–5 tumor lysis or other complications. Forty-one pts responded (46%) by NCI Working Group response criteria; 39 pts achieved a partial response (PR, 44%), and 2 pts with trisomy 12 achieved a complete response (CR, 2%). Fourteen of 29 pts with del(17p13) responded (48%), 22 of 37 pts with del(11q22) responded (59%), and 20 of 47 pts with a complex karyotype responded (43%). Thirty-three of 70 pts with bulky adenopathy >5 cm responded (47%). Progression free survival data will be updated at ASH. Conclusions: Flavopiridol demonstrates significant clinical activity as a single agent in heavily pretreated, relapsed CLL pts with bulky adenopathy and poor-risk cytogenetic features such as del(17p13), del(11q22) and complex karytoypes. Further studies of this drug in CLL and other hematologic malignancies are ongoing. All Patients Loss TP53 Loss ATM Complex Karyotype Bulky nodes > 5 cm Patients 89 29 37 47 70 Partial Response 39 14 22 20 32 Complete response 2 0 0 0 1 No response 48 15 15 27 37
Introduction to “Racial Inequality and Education: Patterns and Prospects for the Future”

American society is in the midst of profound economic and demographic changes. At the same time that the racial and ethnic composition of American society is changing, disparities in income and wea...
The Optical Rotatory Dispersion of Polyamino Acids and Proteins. Measurements in the Visible and Near Ultraviolet Spectral Zones

Synthetic polyamino acids have been used extensively in the attempts to solve the problems of protein conformation. Poly-γ-benzyl-α-l-glutamic acid was used for testing the Moffitt theory as early as 1956 (Sect. 7, Chapter II). Poly-α-l-glutamic acid and poly-α-l-lysine are some of the other useful model polymers.
Oncolytic Virotherapy versus Cancer Stem Cells: A Review of Approaches and Mechanisms

A growing body of evidence suggests that a subset of cells within tumors are resistant to conventional treatment modalities and may be responsible for disease recurrence. These cells are called cancer stem cells (CSC), which share properties with normal stem cells including self-renewal, pluripotency, drug resistance, and the ability to maintain quiescence. While most conventional therapies can efficiently destroy rapidly dividing cancer cells comprising the bulk of a tumor, they often fail to kill the less abundant and quiescent CSCs. Furthermore, killing of only differentiated cells in the tumor may actually allow for enrichment of CSCs and thereby portend a bad prognosis. Therefore, targeting of CSCs is important to achieve long-term success in cancer therapy. Oncolytic viruses represent a completely different class of therapeutics that can kill cancer cells in a variety of ways, which differ from those of conventional therapies. Hence, CSCs that are inherently resistant to conventional therapies may be susceptible to oncolytic virus-mediated killing. Recent studies have shown that oncolytic viruses can efficiently kill CSCs in many types of cancer. Here, we discuss the mechanism through which CSCs can escape conventional therapies and how they may still be susceptible to different classes of oncolytic viruses. Furthermore, we provide a summary of recent studies that have tested oncolytic viruses on CSCs of different origins and discuss possible future directions for this fascinating subset of oncolytic virus research.
“Our Blackamoor or Negro Othello”: Rejecting the Affective Power of Blackness

At the beginning of the nineteenth century, Shakespeare’s Othello became a site of tension as the previously uncontested blackness of the titular hero sat uneasily with critics, actors, and audienc...