cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Interpolation methodology for elastic–plastic J-integral solutions for surface cracked plates in tension

Abstract No closed form solutions exist for the elastic–plastic J-integral for surface cracks due to the nonlinear, three-dimensional (3-D) nature of the problem. Traditionally, each surface crack case must be analyzed with a unique and time-consuming nonlinear finite element analysis. To overcome this shortcoming, the authors have developed and analyzed an array of 600 3-D nonlinear finite element models for surface cracks in flat plates under tension loading. The solution space covers a wide range of crack shapes and depths (shape: 0.2 ⩽ a/c ⩽ 1.0, depth: 0.2 ⩽ a/B ⩽ 0.8) and material flow properties (elastic modulus to yield ratio: 100 ⩽ E/σys ⩽ 1000, and hardening: 3 ⩽ n ⩽ 20). The authors have developed a methodology for interpolating between the geometric and material property variables that allows the user to reliably evaluate the full elastic–plastic J-integral and force versus CMOD solution; thus, a solution can be obtained very rapidly by users without elastic–plastic fracture mechanics modeling experience. Complete solutions for the 600 models and 25 additional benchmark models are provided in tabular format as well as a computer program for calculating the interpolated solutions.
Insides and essences: Early understandings of the non-obvious

Insides and essences are both critical concepts for appreciating the importance of non-obvious entities: neither are observable, both contrast with external appearances, and both can be more important than external appearances. The present research examined understandings of insides and essences in 3- to 5-year-old children. In Study 1, children were asked questions requiring them to think about both the insides and the outer appearances of a series of objects. In Study 2, children were tested on their understanding that insides are typically more important than outer surfaces for an object's identity and functioning. In Studies 3, 4, and 5, children were tested on their understanding of innate potential, a concept that reflects understanding of an inborn essence. Contrary to the traditional view of children as externalists (cf. Piaget, 1951), these studies demonstrate that by age 4 children have a firm grasp of the importance of both insides and essences. Even by age 3 children reason clearly about the inside-outside distinction. These results suggest that preschool children attend to non-obvious features and realize their privileged status. They may also indicate a more basic predisposition toward psychological essentialism in young children.
Defining Social Work for the 21st Century: The International Federation of Social Workers' Revised Definition of Social Work

The IFSW recently adopted a new joint international de.nition of social work, together with the IASSW. The de.nition embraces both traditional social work activities and social development, and addresses social work knowledge, values and practice in an age of globalization. This article analyzes the concepts selected and explains their meaning and signi.cance for the profession.
Depression symptoms predict heart rate recovery after treadmill stress testing.

Background Altered autonomic nervous system (ANS) functioning may help to explain the relationship between depression and cardiac mortality. Heart rate (HR) recovery after the cessation of a treadmill stress test assesses ANS functioning and predicts mortality. This study examined the relationship between depression symptoms and HR recovery among patients entering phase II cardiac rehabilitation. Methods Two hundred sixty patients were assessed at the time of their enrollment in cardiac rehabilitation. Patients completed a ramped-protocol treadmill stress test, providing an assessment of exercise capacity and HR recovery at 2 minutes post exercise. Depression symptoms were measured using the Beck Depression Inventory. Other medical information was obtained by chart review. Results Patients with higher Beck Depression Inventory scores exhibited slower HR recovery after exercise. This remained true after controlling for age, sex, and β-blocker usage. Controlling for exercise capacity rendered the relationship between depression score and HR recovery non significant, suggesting that exercise capacity may partly account for this relationship. Conclusions These findings confirm that depression is characterized by dysregulation of the ANS and implicate impaired exercise capacity as a potential mechanism.
Modeling the target acquisition performance of laser-range-gated imagers

Recent technology advances have made low cost, eye safe, high performance laser-range-gated (LRG) imagers a reality. These advances include the Electron Bombarded CCD sensor and the 1.5 micron, monoblock laser. LRG imagers use a laser beam to illuminate targets at extended ranges; the targets are then identified with the EBCCD sensor. Several features of LRG imagers make predicting range performance different than for passive imagers. LRG imagers are described. The features that make active imager performance different from passive imager performance are discussed. Features unique to active imagers include laser speckle in the image, the narrow illumination beam and its interaction with the atmosphere, the highly directional “spot light” illumination of the target, and the range gating of the receiver. This paper discusses the unique modeling requirements for LRG imagers.
Using rats for vision research

A wide variety of species are used for the study of visual neuroscience. This is beneficial because fundamental mechanisms and theoretical principles of vision are likely to be highly conserved, while different species exhibit different visual capacities and present different technical advantages for experiments. Eight years ago my laboratory adopted the hooded rat as our primary preparation for vision research. To some this may be surprising, as nocturnal rodents have often been presumed to have poor vision and weak visual behavior. This commentary will provide my personal perspective on how I came to work with rats; discuss an example research project for which rats have been advantageous; and comment on the opportunities and challenges of the preparation.
Local recurrence after skin-sparing mastectomy: tumor biology or surgical conservatism?

Background:Long-term follow-up of the use of skin-sparing mastectomy (SSM) in the treatment of breast cancer is presented to determine the impact of local recurrence (LR) on survival. Methods:A total of 539 patients were treated for 565 cases of breast cancer by SSM and immediate breast reconstruction from January 1, 1989 to December 31, 1998. The American Joint Committee on Cancer pathological staging was stage 0 175 (31%), stage I 135 (23.9%), stage II 173 (30.6%), stage III 54 (9.6%), stage IV 8 (1.4%), and recurrent 20 (3.5%). The mean follow-up was 65.4 months (range, 23.7–86.3 months). Five patients were lost to follow-up. Results:Thirty-one patients developed a LR during the follow-up including five who received adjuvant radiation. The distribution of LR stratified by cancer stage was stage 0 1, stage I 5, stage II 17, stage III 6, and recurrent 2. The overall LR was 5.5%. Twenty-four patients (77.4%) developed a systemic relapse and 7 (22.6%) patients remained free of recurrent disease at a mean follow-up of 78.1 months. The cancer stage of those remaining disease free was stage 0 1 (100%), stage I 4 (80%), and stage II 2 (11.8%). Conclusions:LR of breast cancer after SSM is not always associated with systemic relapse.
Origin and implication of ellipticity in high-order harmonic generation from aligned molecules

We address theoretically and numerically the possibility of observing ellipticity in high-order harmonic generation (HHG) from aligned molecules driven by linearly polarized fields---a subject of controversy in the recent literature with significant implications. To that end we develop a numerical method for solution of the electronic dynamics and extend a recently developed theory of HHG from aligned molecules. Our numerical results are in good agreement with recent experimental data. The theory explains analytically several observations of polarization experiments. We note the conditions under which ellipticity can be observed and the information content of elliptically polarized harmonics regarding the molecular system.
LP extreme points and cuts for the fixed-charge network design problem

Many design decisions in transporation, communication, and manufacturing planning can be modeled as problems of routing multiple commodities between various origin and destination nodes of a directed network. Each arc of the network is uncapacitated and carries a fixed charge as well as a cost per unit of flow. We refer to the general problem of selecting a subset of arcs and routing the required multi-commodity flows along the chosen arcs at a minimum total cost as the fixed charge network design problem. This paper focuses on strenghthening the linear programming relaxation of a path-flow formulation for this problem. The considerable success achieved by researchers in solving many related design problems with algorithms that use strong linear programming-based lower bounds motivates this study. We first develop a convenient characterization of fractional extreme points for the network design linear programming relaxation. An auxiliary graph introduced for this characterization also serves to generate two families of cuts that exclude some fractional solutions without eliminating any feasible integer solutions. We discuss a separation procedure for one class of inequalities and demonstrate that many of our results generalize known properties of the plant location problem.
Marshall receives Cryosphere Young Investigator Award

[1] It gives me the greatest pleasure to introduce H. P. Marshall of Boise State University, winner of the 2010 Cryosphere Young Investigator Award. Marshall is currently an assistant professor, but I have known him since he was an undergraduate. Even back then, I might have guessed he would win this award. His research has extraordinary depth and breadth for one so new. He is the acknowledged master of the frequency modulated continuous wave (FMCW) radar for snow in the United States and is pioneering unique partnerings between snow geophysics and snow microstudies through the use of near-infrared photography and micropenetrometry. He has worked all over the Arctic and the Rocky Mountain west and is perhaps the most capable and pleasant of companions during fieldwork. The data he is collecting now may soon inform us about how snow distributes over large areas, a topic that has eluded quantification up to now. Moreover, if he is successful in developing and fielding an accurate and practical airborne snow radar, his work is likely to revolutionize snow field studies. He is fully deserving of the 2010 Cryosphere Young Investigator Award, and I expect we will continue to see excellence from him in the future.
Strategies for rescue of retinal photoreceptor cells

A variety of genetic and environmental factors cause degeneration of retinal photoreceptors. This review focuses on current strategies to rescue defective, but still viable, rods and cones, including transplantation of normal retinal pigment epithelium cells, corrective gene therapy, administration of survival/growth factors, protection from the damaging effects of light, and dietary supplementation of vitamin A.
Dissipation of the herbicide [14C]dimethenamid under anaerobic conditions in flooded soil microcosms.

The objective of this research was to investigate the dissipation of the herbicide dimethenamid under anaerobic redox conditions that may develop in the soil environment. Soil−water biometers were prepared with a saturated soil and made anaerobic by either glucose pretreatment (according to the Environmental Protection Agency registration study for anaerobic fate) or N2 sparging. Treatments included glucose pretreatment, NO3- + SO42- amendment, unamended, and autoclaved. Volatile, aqueous, extractable, and bound (unextractable) 14C-residues were quantified and characterized. The redox potential decreased over time, and evidence of denitrifying, iron-reducing, sulfate-reducing, and methanogenic conditions was observed, depending on the amendments. Anaerobic degradation of 14C-dimethenamid occurred in all treatments, and the time observed for 50% disappearance (DT50) was 13−14 days for nonautoclaved treatments. 14C-metabolites accumulated to up to 20% of applied 14C. At least two major metabolites were obse...
A new analysis of experimental data on olivine rheology

[1] We present a new statistical framework to analyze rock deformation data and determine a corresponding flow law and its uncertainty. All experimental uncertainties, including inter-run bias, are taken into account in the new formalism. Our approach is based on Bayesian statistics and is implemented by a Markov chain Monte Carlo method. We apply this approach to published data on the subsolidus deformation of synthetic olivine aggregates and try to establish experimental constraints on the rheology of Earth's upper mantle. Deformation data are interpreted on the basis of a composite flow law, which includes diffusion and dislocation creep mechanisms under both dry and wet conditions. We show that olivine rheology under wet conditions suffers major uncertainties suggesting the influence of poorly characterized parameters such as water content during deformation. Also, the pressure dependence of creep is still poorly constrained because of the lack of high-quality data under high pressures. However, our statistical analysis provides a solid framework to obtain a permissible range of flow laws constrained by the existing data, which will help geodynamic modeling with well-defined statistical bounds.
Uterine abnormalities in rats exposed neonatally to diethylstilbestrol, ethynylestradiol, or clomiphene citrate

The toxicity of the synthetic estrogens diethylstilbestrol (DES), and ethynylestradiol (EE), and the antiestrogen clomiphene citrate (CC) was evaluated by assessing postnatal uterine growth and development prior to the onset of puberty in the rat. Both DES and EE, administered during the neonatal period (postnatal days 1-5), initially increased uterine weight and luminal epithelium hypertrophy. However, uterine weight declined in both DES- and EE-treated animals and fell below controls beyond day 11. Luminal epithelium stimulation generally paralleled uterine weight changes. Precocious development of uterine glands occurred after estrogenization (compared to untreated controls), but subsequently gland numbers were approximately 60% of control levels. Neonatal CC exposure induced only slight uterine weight gain but caused prolonged luminal epithelium hypertrophy and inhibited uterine gland genesis. Luminal epithelium hypertrophy appears to be a useful measure of antiestrogen activity. These data demonstrate the toxicity of DES and EE as assessed by altered prepubertal uterine gland development. Additionally, the inhibition of uterine gland genesis after neonatal CC exposure occurs in conjunction with prolonged luminal epithelium hypertrophy.
Free amino acids in the caiman and rat

Abstract 1. 1. Free amino acids and total ninhydrin reactive compounds were determined in alcoholic extracts of the tissues of fasting and fed caimans and fasting rats. 2. 2. Total ninhydrin reactants exceeded the sum of amino acids on the chromatogram several-fold. 3. 3. Generally only three or four amino acids, most commonly glycine, alanine, glutamine and glutamic acid, were significantly concentrated above plasma levels. No essential amino acids were concentrated in the tissues of the fasting animal. 4. 4. Species comparison showed a marked similarity in most tissues; differences were apparent in the erythrocyte, liver and lung.
Culture and Welfare State: Values and Social Policy in Comparative Perspective

Wim van Oorschot (Professor of Sociology, Department of Sociology, Tilburg University, PO Box 90153, 5000 LE Tilburg, The Netherlands. Email: w.v.oorschot@uvt.nl), Michael Opielka (Professor of Soc...
Spatial Designation of Critical Habitats for Endangered and Threatened Species in the United States

ABSTRACT Establishing biological reserves or “hot spots” for endangered and threatened species is critical to support real-world species regulatory and management problems. Geographic data on the distribution of endangered and threatened species can be used to improve ongoing efforts for species conservation in the United States. At present no spatial database exists which maps out the location of endangered species for the US. However, spatial descriptions do exist for the habitat associated with all endangered species, but in a form not readily suitable to use in a geographic information system (GIS). In our study, the principal challenge was extracting spatial data describing these critical habitats for 472 species from over 1000 pages of the Federal Register. In addition, an appropriate database schema was designed to accommodate the different tiers of information associated with the species along with the confidence of designation; the interpreted location data was geo-referenced to the county enumer...
Spatial Light Modulators for Maskless Lithography

We present a piston-type SLM (spatial light modulator) as a programmable pattern generator for maskless lithography. Large arrays of up to ~40,000 mirrors with 20 mum pixels have been fabricated. The mirrors have high resonance frequencies (f=564 kHz), and achieve deflections of lambda/2 for actuation voltages <100 V. Using the SLM in a simple imaging system, we demonstrate the generation of aerial images of dark line patterns
Management of trade-offs in geoengineering through optimal choice of non-uniform radiative forcing

Solar radiation management could be used to offset some or all anthropogenic radiative forcing, with the goal of reducing some of the associated climatic change. However, the degree of compensation will vary, with residual climate changes larger in some regions than others. Similarly, the insolation reduction that best compensates climate changes in one region may not be the same as for another, leading to concerns about equity. Here we show that optimizing the latitudinal and seasonal distribution of solar reduction can improve the fidelity with which solar radiation management offsets anthropogenic climate change. Using the HadCM3L general circulation model, we explore several trade-offs. First, residual temperature and precipitation changes in the worst-off region can be reduced by 30% relative to uniform solar reduction, with only a modest impact on global root-mean-square changes; this has implications for moderating regional inequalities. Second, the same root-mean-square residual climate changes can be obtained with up to 30% less insolation reduction, implying that it may be possible to reduce solar radiation management side-effects and risks (for example, ozone depletion if stratospheric sulphate aerosols are used). Finally, allowing spatial and temporal variability increases the range of trade-offs to be considered, raising the question of how to weight different objectives.
Assessment of aircraft noise impact on residential area

An environmental assessment of the impacts (EIA) on the Dorval residential areas resulting from aircrafts activities in the Montreal international airport are studied. There are numerous aircrafts of different Airlines companies, which serve at the airport and travel to various locations around the world. A portable Digital Sound Level Meter was used in this study for the field measurement and sociological surveys representing the residential areas focusing on 30 positions to determine noise levels at different locations at the surrounding residential area of the airport. The distance from Airport to the selected sampling positions was ranging from 2 km to 11 km. The sampling and monitoring were carried out at representative locations during the morning, afternoon and evening in presence and absence of flights. In presence of a flight, the maximum value was 97.1 dB (A) at Clement Avenue/Dawson Avenue, while the minimum value was 52.8 dB (A) at Boul Pine Beach/Lakeshore drive.
Reducing stimulus overselectivity through an increased observing-response requirement.

An adult with autism and a mild intellectual disability participated in a 0-s delayed matching-to-sample task. In each trial, two sample stimuli were presented together until the participant completed an observing-response requirement consisting of 1 or 10 mouse clicks in the baseline and experimental phases, respectively. One of the two sample stimuli then appeared randomly as a comparison stimulus (S+), along with two other comparison stimuli (S−). Higher levels of correct responding occurred under the larger observing-response requirement, and the proportion of errors related to one of the two sample stimuli decreased. Thus, stimulus overselectivity was reduced without requiring differential observing responses.
Comparison of the S/N ratios of low-frequency hydrophones and geophones as a function of ocean depth

abstract The pressures and particle velocities of sediment-borne signals were recorded over a 9-day period by an array of telemetered ocean-bottom seismometers positioned on the continental margin off Nova Scotia. The telemetered ocean-bottom seismometer packages, which appear to have been very well coupled to the sediments, contained three orthogonal geophones and a hydrophone. The bandwidth of all sensors was 1 to 30 Hz. Analysis of the refraction data shows that the vertical geophones have the best S/N ratio for the sediment-borne signals at all recording depths (67, 140, and 1301 m) and nearly all ranges. The S/N ratio increases with increasing sensor depth for equivalent weather conditions. Stoneley and Love waves detected on the Scotian shelf (67-m depth) are efficient modes for the propagation of noise.
Contextual Influences on Financial Behavior: A Proposed Model for Adult Financial Literacy Education.

This chapter presents an ecological model that highlights the importance of considering multiple contextual influences on behavior as well as other factors that may impact learning when designing research and practice aimed at enhancing financial capability.
ELECTRON TRANSFER AT MOLECULE-METAL INTERFACES: A Two-Photon Photoemission Study

▪ Abstract Electron transfer between a molecular resonance and a metal surface is a ubiquitous process in many chemical disciplines, ranging from molecular electronics to surface photochemistry. This problem has been probed recently by two-photon photoemission spectroscopy. The first photon excites an electron from an occupied metal state to an unoccupied molecular resonance. Subsequent evolution of the excited electronic wavefunction is probed in energy, momentum, and time domains by the absorption of a second photon, which ionizes the electron for detection. These experiments reveal the important roles of molecule-metal wavefunction mixing, intermolecular band formation, polarization, and localization in interfacial electron transfer.
Radiosurgery of multiple brain metastases with single-isocenter dynamic conformal arcs (SIDCA).

Purpose: To propose single-isocenter dynamic conformal arcs (SIDCA), a novel technique for radiosurgery of multiple brain metastases, and to compare SIDCA with volumetric modulated arc therapy (VMAT) and multiple-isocenter dynamic conformal arcs (MIDCA) for plan quality. Methods and materials: SIDCA, MIDCA, and VMAT plans were created on 6 patients with 3–5 metastases. Plans were evaluated using Radiation Therapy Oncology Group conformity index (RCI), Paddick conformity index (PCI), gradient index (GI), volumes that received more than 100% (V100%), 50% (V50%), 25% (V25%) and 10% (V10%) of prescription dose, total monitor units (MUs), and delivery time (DT). Results: SIDCA achieved conformal plans (RCI = 1.38 ± 0.12, PCI = 0.72 ± 0.06) with steep dose fall-off (GI = 3.97 ± 0.51). MIDCA plans had comparable plan quality and MUs as SIDCA, but 52% longer DT. The VMAT plans had better conformity (RCI = 1.15 ± 0.09, p < 0.01 and PCI = 0.86 ± 0.06, p < 0.01) than SIDCA, worse GI (4.34 ± 0.46, p < 0.01), higher V25% (p = 0.05) and V10% (p = 0.02), 49% less MUs and 46% shorter DT. Conclusions: All three techniques achieved conformal plans with steep dose fall-off from targets. SIDCA plans had similar plan quality as MIDCA but more efficient to delivery. SIDCA plans had lower peripheral dose spread than VMAT; VMAT plans had better conformity and faster delivery time than SIDCA.
Capacitative Ca2+ entry in enteric glia induced by thapsigargin and extracellular ATP

Mobilization of intracellular Ca2+ stores is coupled to Ca2+ influx across the plasma membrane, a process termed capacitative Ca2+ entry. Capacitative Ca2+ entry was examined in cultured guinea pig enteric glia exposed to 100 μM ATP, an inositol trisphosphate-mediated Ca2+-mobilizing agonist, and to 1 μM thapsigargin, an inhibitor of microsomal Ca2+ ATPase. Both agents caused mobilization of intracellular Ca2+stores followed by influx of extracellular Ca2+. This capacitative Ca2+ influx was inhibited by Ni2+ (88 ± 1%) and by La3+ (87 ± 1%) but was not affected by L- or N-type Ca2+channel blockers. Pretreatment of glia with 100 nM phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate for 24 h decreased capacitative Ca2+ entry by 48 ± 2%. Chelerythrine (0.1–10 μM), a specific antagonist of protein kinase C (PKC), dose dependently inhibited capacitative Ca2+ entry. The nitric oxide synthase inhibitorN G-nitro-l-arginine (1 mM) decreased Ca2+ influx by 42 ± 1%. Capacitative Ca2+ entry was inhibited to a similar degree by the guany...
Conation: A Missing Link in the Strengths Perspective.

Conation is action derived from instinct, purposeful mode of striving, volition. It is a conscious effort to carry out self-determined acts and, as such, may result in the same goal being approached by different individuals through the use of different actions. It is a critical, yet neglected aspect of the "tripartite" human mind, which is composed of cognitive, affective, and conative elements. Because most social workers are not familiar with the concept, client behavior that represents action toward a goal might not be understood or might be misunderstood. A true strengths-based approach to social work requires this understanding. The authors use case studies to describe conation and to demonstrate its applicability. They present examples of how clients' and social workers' conative ability are important to the assessment and intervention process and describe implications for research.
A bulk queueing system under N-policy with bilevel service delay discipline and start-up time

The author studies the queueing process in a single-server, bulk arrival and batch service queueing system with a compound Poisson input, bilevel service delay discipline, start-up time, and a fixed accumulation level with control operating policy. It is assumed that when the queue length falls below a predefined level r ( ≥ 1 ) , the system, with server capacity R , immediately stops service until the queue length reaches or exceeds the second predefined accumulation level N ( ≥ r ) . Two cases, with N ≤ R and N ≥ R , are studied.The author finds explicitly the probability generating function of the stationary distribution of the queueing process and gives numerical examples.
Measuring the flight of an arrow using the Acoustic Doppler Shift

Measuring the velocity of an arrow in flight is a task of interest to archers, but can be difficult without specialized equipment. We show how accurate velocity measurements can be made by recording the sound made by the arrow as it travels over one or more microphones. Useful recordings can be made with a data acquisition system or with the sound recorder built into most PC operating systems. Estimates of the drag coefficient of different arrows can be made using several microphones to record each shot.
Estimating acoustic attenuation from a quantitative seismic profiler

Recent work has indicated that acoustic attenuation in marine sediments can be estimated from thin wedges of sediment by means of a quantitative seismic profiler. A capability for near‐bottom seismic profiling at 4 kHz has been developed at the Scripps Institution of Oceanography Marine Physical Laboratory and utilized to determine effective attenuation for several areas of the sea floor. As part of the deep‐tow instrumentation system of the Marine Physical Laboratory, this profiler provides very high lateral resolution. Real time computer displays of equivalent plane‐wave pressure and intensity for seismic profiles have been developed as part of this system. These displays are produced on a standard graphic recorder and can be employed directly to determine effective attenuation by plotting displayed equivalent intensity as a function of depth of burial for a reflector covered by a wedge of sediment. For pelagic sediments, values of about 0.25 dB/m at 4 kHz appear to be common. For the Southern Californi...
Transcriptional Activation of Thymidylate Synthase by 17β-Estradiol in MCF-7 Human Breast Cancer Cells1

Thymidylate synthase (TS) catalyzes methylation of deoxyuridine phosphate to give deoxythymidine phosphate, and 17β-estradiol (E2) induces TS gene expression in MCF-7 human breast cancer cells. Analysis of the TS gene promoter showed that E2-responsiveness required the −229 to −140 promoter region containing a G-rich sequence and CACCC box. Subsequent mutational analysis of this region indicated that only the G-rich motif (−150 to −142) was required for E2 action. Results of gel mobility shift and in vitro DNA footprinting assays showed that both estrogen receptor α (ERα) and Sp1 proteins were required for hormone-induced trans-activation that involved ERα/Sp1 binding to the G-rich site in which only Sp1 protein bound DNA. Both proteins also interacted in Drosophila cells in functional assays, confirming the transcriptional activation of TS-involved ERα/Sp1, and this adds to the increasing number of genes that are activated through this pathway in breast cancer cells.
Leadership and management influences the outcome of wildlife reintroduction programs: findings from the Sea Eagle Recovery Project

Wildlife reintroductions and translocations are statistically unlikely to succeed. Nevertheless, they remain a critical part of conservation because they are the only way to actively restore a species into a habitat from which it has been extirpated. Past efforts to improve these practices have attributed the low success rate to failures in the biological knowledge (e.g., ignorance of social behavior, poor release site selection), or to the inherent challenges of reinstating a species into an area where threats have already driven it to local extinction. Such research presumes that the only way to improve reintroduction outcomes is through improved biological knowledge. This emphasis on biological solutions may have caused researchers to overlook the potential influence of other factors on reintroduction outcomes. I employed a grounded theory approach to study the leadership and management of a successful reintroduction program (the Sea Eagle Recovery Project in Scotland, UK) and identify four critical managerial elements that I theorize may have contributed to the successful outcome of this 50-year reintroduction. These elements are: 1. Leadership & Management: Small, dedicated team of accessible experts who provide strong political and scientific advocacy ("champions") for the project. 2. Hierarchy & Autonomy: Hierarchical management structure that nevertheless permits high individual autonomy. 3. Goals & Evaluation: Formalized goal-setting and regular, critical evaluation of the project's progress toward those goals. 4. Adaptive Public Relations: Adaptive outreach campaigns that are open, transparent, inclusive (esp. linguistically), and culturally relevant.
Is fish condition correlated with water conductivity

There were no correlations between fish condition (K) and water conductivity in 14 species of 0+ year fishes in the River Great Ouse, U.K., catchment. Values of K increased with increasing distance from river source in dace Leuciscus leuciscus and roach Rutilus rutilus.
The Logical Design of a Simple General Purpose Computer

The logical design described here is used in MINAC, partially constructed at the California Institute of Technology, and LGP-30, manufactured by Librascope Inc. These serial binary digital computers make use of magnetic drum bulk storage and use three circulating registers and fifteen flip-flops. The procedures used in performing the sixteen elementary operations are described. These descriptions indicate the circumstances in which each flip-flop or circulating register input is activated. The Boolean algebraic equations summarizing these circumstances constitute the logical design.
Further Nomenclatural Innovations in World Campanulaceae

Four replacement names are required in Campanulaceae s.l. due to the principle of priority. Genera affected are Codonopsis Wallich, Lobelia L., and Wahlenbergia Schrader ex Roth.
Geographic Mobility and Innovative Activity

The geographic mobility of scientists and engineers provides a vibrant channel for knowledge diffusion. Not surprisingly, policy- makers seek ways to retain skilled workers and the firms that employ them and to internalize the localized benefits widely associated with scientific and technological endeavors. The consequences of mobility (or decisions not to move) on the process of innovation nonetheless remain difficult to discern in observational settings and are poorly understood. This presenter symposium assembles three studies that provide new and complementary vantage points for probing the factors that give rise to (or deter) mobility and the corresponding implications for innovative activity. A Managerial Response to Mobility Induced Threats to the Knowledge Creation Process Presenter: Vivek Tandon; National U. of Singapore Presenter: Sampsa Samila; National U. of Singapore Does a Decline in Star Immigration Help or Harm US Science? Presenter: Ajay K. Agrawal; U. of Toronto Presenter: Alexander Oett...
Precipitation of Silica-Titania Mixed-Oxide Fillers into Poly(Dimethylsiloxane) Networks

Abstract Previous studies have demonstrated techniques by which model elastomers prepared by end linking poly(dimethylsiloxane) (PDMS) chains can be reinforced by the in-situ precipitation of silica from a base-catalyzed sol-gel conversion of tetraethoxysilane (TEOS). The present investigation extends this technique to silica-titania mixed oxides through the sol-gel conversion of mixtures of TEOS and titanium n-butoxide. The elastomeric networks reinforced by this novel mixed filler were found to have very good mechanical properties, and swelling equilibrium measurements indicate that there is good adhesion between the SiO2-TiO2 filler and the elastomeric matrix. Compared with networks containing silica alone, the networks containing silica-titania mixed oxides had somewhat better combinations of high modulus and good extensibility. The particle size was typically several hundred A˚ in diameter but was found to be inversely dependent on the crosslink density of the PDMS network. Thus, larger particle size...
It does not add up: Comparing episodic and general leadership ratings:

In review of the extant leadership literature, assumptions inherent to behaviorally based leadership studies and transformational leadership in particular, have received attention. This study empir...
Neurosarcoidosis Revealed by Isolated Abducens Nerve Palsy (P07.154)

Objective: To report a rare case of neurosarcoidosis revealed by isolated abducens nerve palsy. Background Isolated abducens nerve palsy has been rarely reported in neurosacroidosis. Design/Methods: Case report. Results: A 23 year old man with no past medical history developed left painless left eye proptosis and double vision. Three month later, he was hospitalized because of new onset of seizure. His neurological examination demonstrated left abducens palsy. His blood work up was normal including normal ACE level. His CSF examination showed normal protein level, 9 white cells without any malignant cells. EEG was normal. Head MRI with and without contrast demonstrated revealed diffuse thickening and enhancement of the dura involving left cavernous sinus, mild mass-effect upon left temporal lobe, soft tissue enhancement extending anteriorly through foramen rotundum into the left orbital apex. His dural biopsy revealed extensive chronic inflammation containing non-necrotizing granulomas, consistent with sarcoidosis. The patient was started on high dose of methylprednisolone for 5 days. (1g each day), followed by a tapering prednisone for 2 months. The patient progressively improved. He became asymptomatic after one week of treatment and did not have any recurrence of seizure after 8 months of follow up. Conclusions: Although rare, neurosarcoidosis should be considered in the differential diagnosis of cavernous sinus syndromes with isolated sixth nerve palsy. Disclosure: Dr. Rajasingham has nothing to disclose. Dr. Souayah has received personal compensation for activities with Walgreens as a consultant. Dr. Souayah has received research support from Talecris.
Electrostatic Discharge (ESD) and Failure Analysis

Failure analysis is fundamental to the design and development methodology of electrostatic discharge (ESD) devices and ESD robust circuits. The role of failure analysis (FA) in the models, methodology, band mechanisms evaluation for improving ESD robustness of semiconductor products in CMOS, silicon-on-insulator (SOI) and silicon germanium (SiGe) technologies will be reviewed.
Issues and controversies in the management of cleft palate

Cleft palate management is complex. There is no current agreement on the appropriate treatment strategy. Extensive disagreement on the pathophysiology, timing of intervention, and techniques of surgical repair have added to the confusion. To provide a comprehensive guide to the management of cleft palate is difficult. However, several main points should be emphasized. Normal speech should be the most important consideration in the therapeutic plan. Growth disturbance should be minimized, but not at the expense of speech impairment, because the facial distortion can be satisfactorily managed with further surgery, whereas speech impairment can often be irreversible. We believe repair of cleft palate to establish a competent velopharyngeal sphincter should be completed from 6 to 12 months of age. This is done early enough to minimize the development of an often irreversible pathologic compensatory speech pattern, but late enough not to increase significantly the surgical risk to the infant. Surgical interventions should be designed to cause minimal disruption of the palate, to decrease the severity of subsequent growth problems. There is a need for well-controlled, prospective studies to establish the validity of the widely different claims of superior results from various techniques. We believe strongly that cleft patients should be managed in a center with a multidisciplinary team. The benefits of these teams have been elaborated. Cleft palate embodies one of the major tenets of plastic surgery, the achievement of an aesthetic result with minimal interference with function. Cleft palate remains a significant and interesting challenge for current and future plastic surgeons.
Persistent neuronal Ube3a expression in the suprachiasmatic nucleus of Angelman syndrome model mice

Mutations or deletions of the maternal allele of the UBE3A gene cause Angelman syndrome (AS), a severe neurodevelopmental disorder. The paternal UBE3A/Ube3a allele becomes epigenetically silenced in most neurons during postnatal development in humans and mice; hence, loss of the maternal allele largely eliminates neuronal expression of UBE3A protein. However, recent studies suggest that paternal Ube3a may escape silencing in certain neuron populations, allowing for persistent expression of paternal UBE3A protein. Here we extend evidence in AS model mice (Ube3a(m-/p+)) of paternal UBE3A expression within the suprachiasmatic nucleus (SCN), the master circadian pacemaker. Paternal UBE3A-positive cells in the SCN show partial colocalization with the neuropeptide arginine vasopressin (AVP) and clock proteins (PER2 and BMAL1), supporting that paternal UBE3A expression in the SCN is often of neuronal origin. Paternal UBE3A also partially colocalizes with a marker of neural progenitors, SOX2, implying that relaxed or incomplete imprinting of paternal Ube3a reflects an overall immature molecular phenotype. Our findings highlight the complexity of Ube3a imprinting in the brain and illuminate a subpopulation of SCN neurons as a focal point for future studies aimed at understanding the mechanisms of Ube3a imprinting.
Comparative Analysis of Saturated Hydraulic Conductivity (Ksat) Derived from Image Analysis of Soil Thin Sections, Pedotransfer Functions, and Field-Measured Methods

Saturated hydraulic conductivity (K sat) is an important soil parameter that governs water movement through horizons, pedons, and soil landscapes. K sat is infamous for its spatial and temporal variability, which contributes to the difficulty and considerable expense in measuring or otherwise quantifying it. Consequently, predictive methods such as pedotransfer functions (PTFs) that use physical soil properties, such as texture and bulk density, have been developed to derive K sat values. Soil texture and structure are key factors influencing K sat because of their direct relationship to pore size distribution. Quantitatively defining the combined effects of texture and structure on pore size distribution in a PTF is a difficult task. The objectives of this research were to: (i) estimate K sat based on pore characteristics derived from soil thin sections via image analysis; and (ii) compare the resultant values with field-measured K sat and with K sat estimated by a PTF using soil texture and bulk density parameters. We digitally scanned 39 thin sections from 11 pedons of soils derived from loess over till and/or over weathered sandstone. Soil voids were classified based on their size and shape. K sat was measured in the field using a Compact Constant-head Permeameter (Amoozemeter) and estimated using a Rosetta PTF. Simple and multiple linear regression (MLR) analyses were used to relate pore indexes and soil physical properties with measured and estimated K sat. The mean measured K sat was 0.74 cm h−1, whereas the PTF-estimated K sat from Rosetta and MLR were 0.36 cm h−1 and 0.49 cm h−1, respectively. The addition of pore characteristics into the model improved K sat predictions compared to predictions using Rosetta alone. The estimated K sat based on the model with added pore characteristics was better correlated with field-measured K sat (r = 0.82) than that based on Rosetta (r = 0.62). The addition of pore characteristics can improve K sat predictions. However, thin section void analysis from additional parent materials is needed.
Enterovirus 71 Meningoencephalitis

Seven cases of encephalitis and 5 of aseptic meningitis caused by an outbreak of enterovirus 71 (EV71) during the summer of 1997 are reported from the Otsu Municipal Hospital, Shiga, Japan.
The Utility of International Criminal Courts

On October 18 and 19, 1996, the University of Connecticut and its Law School concluded a year of programs in observance of the 50th anniversary of the Nuremberg Trials and in honor of the University's new Thomas J. Dodd Center for Human Rights, an institution founded in memory of Connecticut's former U.S. Senator Thomas J. Dodd, one of the Nuremberg prosecutors. A distinguished international panel of judges statesmen and jurists came together in Hartford to consider Grotius' centuries-old question about the role of law and courts in curbing the excesses of war and protecting human rights in the light of the work of the International Criminal Tribunal for the Former Yugoslavia. The success of the Hartford conference owed much to many, including Senator Thomas Dodd's son, U.S. Senator Christopher Dodd; the Dean of the Connecticut Law School, Hugh Macgill; the members of the Connecticut Journal of International Law, especially Nancy Kase O'Brasky and Jennifer lannantuoni; the conference administrator, Blanche Capilos; and, of course, the participants themselves, whose articles follow this essay.
α5 nicotinic receptors link smoking to schizophrenia.

A new study shows that nicotinic receptors activate a particular type of interneuron in the prefrontal cortex. Deficits in this relationship give rise to behavioral abnormalities similar to those associated with schizophrenia, which can be ameliorated by nicotine.
Caregivers of older adults with cognitive impairment.

INTRODUCTION Because of the growing number of caregivers and the awareness of related health and quality-of-life issues, caregiving has emerged as an important public health issue. We examined the characteristics and caregiving experiences of caregivers of people with and without cognitive impairment. METHODS Participants (n = 668) were adults who responded to the 2005 North Carolina Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System. Caregivers were people who provided regular care to a family member or friend aged 60 years or older either with or without cognitive impairment (ie, memory loss, confusion, or Alzheimer's disease). RESULTS Demographic characteristics of caregivers of people with cognitive impairment were similar to those of caregivers of people without cognitive impairment. However, compared with caregivers of people without cognitive impairment, caregivers of people with cognitive impairment reported higher levels of disability, were more likely to be paid, and provided care for a longer duration. Care recipients with cognitive impairment were more likely than care recipients without cognitive impairment to be older, have dementia or confusion, and need assistance with memory and learning. CONCLUSION State-level caregiving surveillance is vital in assessing and responding to the needs of the growing number of caregivers.
Primary Cutaneous Mucormycosis in an Extremely Preterm Infant Successfully Treated with Liposomal Amphotericin B

Cutaneous mucormycosis is a rare but often fatal invasive fungal infection that occurs most commonly in patients with diabetes, malignancy, and other immunocompromising conditions. We report an extremely preterm (<28 weeks) baby boy who developed polymicrobial sepsis and primary cutaneous mucormycosis within his first 10 days of life. He was successfully treated with medical management alone since he was not a candidate for surgery. Successful treatment of cutaneous mucormycosis without surgical debridement has been reported on only two other occasions. This case highlights the importance of rapid and thorough evaluation of skin lesions when evaluating preterm infants and other immunocompromised patients, even when other sources of infection have been identified.