cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
In-Situ Spectroscopic Ellipsometry and Optical Emission Studies of CF4/O2 Plasma Etching of Silicon Nitride

Electron cyclotron resonance (ECR) CF4/ O2 plasma etching of silicon nitride (SixNy) deposited by plasma enhanced chemical vapor deposition (PECVD) has been examined in-situ by means of spectroscopic ellipsometry (SE) and optical emission (OE). The observed real-time etchrate and the relative intensity of emission of atomic fluorine at 703.7 nm are measured simultaneously and both are found to change with time during the etch in a reproducible manner. The evolution of the real-time etch rate and the fluorine emission intensity depends on the machine input settings and the extent to which the chamber has been exposed to CF4/ O2 plasma prior to sample introduction. In general the initial 10 to 40 seconds of etching reveal a rapid increase in the etch rate, the remainder of the etch exhibiting an etch rate which typically increases gradually until the etch is stopped. This variation in etch behavior with time during the etch process complicates the task of precisely and reliably etching ultrathin (< 50 nm) films, necessitating real-time control based upon in-situ sensors, the end objective of this work. The dependence of the evolution of the SixNy etch rate on microwave power, chamber pressure, and gas in-flow rate is presented and the implications of these dependencies on the implementation of real-time feedback control are discussed.
Initial search for a deposition source for continuous Au vacuum deposition for Fr production

Abstract Discussion and tests of several designs of sources for continuous vacuum deposition of Au.
Duality and the descartes deficiency

Abstract Duality is a fundamental symmetry principle in mathematics, appearing in linear algebra, functional analysis, geometry and topology. We describe here one very important aspect of duality which links geometry and topology. Descartes defined the angular deficiency Δ of a convex rectilinear surface hemeomorphic to the sphere and showed that Δ = 4 π . Grunbaum and Shepard recently defined a dual geometric invariant Δ′ for such a surface and showed that Δ ′ = 4 π . We give a combinatorial interpretation of Δ for any (two-dimensional) polyhedron and deduce, from general duality considerations, an interpretation of Δ′. It then follows that Δ = Δ ′ for any closed rectilinear surface and that Δ ′ = 2 πχ , where χ is the famous Euler characteristic ( χ = V − E + F ), for any polyhedron. This yields a new insight into the relation Δ = 2 πχ , proved by the authors for any closed rectilinear surface (see Ref. [2]).
Serial monitoring of serum alpha-fetoprotein and chorionic gonadotropin in males with germ cell tumors

Serum AFP and HCG were determined serially by radioimmunoassay or electroimmunoassay in 18 males with germ cell tumors: 13 patients had nonseminomas and 5 had seminomas. Serum AFP values were obtained prior to treatment in 13 patients. In the nonseminoma group, 10/13 patients had elevated serum AFP and 4 also had elevated serum HCG on initial evaluation. No patient had an elevation of HCG alone. Elevated serum AFP was associated with embryonal cell and yolk sac tumor elements, elevated serum HCG with embryonal cell and choriocarcinoma tumor elements. Neither the presence or absence of serum markers nor the degree of serum marker elevation was associated with tumor stage at preoperative evaluation. Postorchiectomy marker elevation was associated with stage greater than I-A. In the seminoma group, 1/5 cases had an elevated HCG and later also AFP. Serum marker elevation was not related to initial stage or anaplastic histology. Serial measurement of serum markers correlated with clinical disease course over a study period of up to 33 months. In all cases without tumor recurrence after treatment, serum markers fell to and remained normal. In the four patients who developed recurrent disease, serum AFP or HCG became elevated 8 to 29 weeks prior to clinical recurrence. Serum AFP 1/2 life was calculated before and after initial treatment and was within the expected range (4–6 days) in patients with no residual disease and elevated in those with remaining tumors. There was one “false normal.” On serial determination, an increasing 1/2 life calculation preceded both a rise in serum AFP and clinical recurrence. Serial serum AFP and HCG determinations are a sensitive method for following patients with germ cell tumors. Serum AFP 1/2 life calculation may be a useful adjunct to staging germ cell tumors and also appears to be even more sensitive than actual serum AFP value in detecting preclinical progressive disease.
Nurse Scheduling Using Mathematical Programming

This paper formulates the nurse-scheduling problem as one of selecting a configuration of nurse schedules that minimize an objective function that balances the trade-off between staffing coverage and schedule preferences of individual nurses, subject to certain feasibility constraints on the nurse schedules. The problem is solved by a cyclic coordinate descent algorithm. We present results pertaining to a six-month application to a particular hospital unit and draw comparisons between the algorithm and hospital-generated schedules.
What is a moment? “Cortical” sensory integration over a brief interval

Recognition of complex temporal sequences is a general sensory problem that requires integration of information over time. We describe a very simple “organism” that performs this task, exemplified here by recognition of spoken monosyllables. The network9s computation can be understood through the application of simple but generally unexploited principles describing neural activity. The organism is a network of very simple neurons and synapses; the experiments are simulations. The network9s recognition capabilities are robust to variations across speakers, simple masking noises, and large variations in system parameters. The network principles underlying recognition of short temporal sequences are applied here to speech, but similar ideas can be applied to aspects of vision, touch, and olfaction. In this article, we describe only properties of the system that could be measured if it were a real biological organism. We delay publication of the principles behind the network9s operation as an intellectual challenge: the essential principles of operation can be deduced based on the experimental results presented here alone. An interactive web site (http://neuron.princeton.edu/∼moment) is available to allow readers to design and carry out their own experiments on the organism.
Influence of preparation method on performance of Cu/Zn-based catalysts for low-temperature steam reforming and oxidative steam reforming of methanol for H2 production for fuel cells

Abstract Several methods (impregnation, co-precipitation and hydrothermal synthesis) have been comparatively examined for the preparation of precursors to Cu/Zn/Al catalysts. Steam reforming and oxidative steam reforming of methanol was performed using the laboratory-prepared and a commercial Cu/Zn/Al catalysts at a relatively low temperature (230 °C) for catalytic production of H 2 . The results show that the preparation method significantly affects the catalyst performance with respect to methanol conversion, H 2 yield and CO concentration. The catalyst with lower copper-reduction temperature shows higher activity for methanol conversion at lower temperature. The best Cu/Zn/Al catalyst has been prepared by a co-precipitation method, which shows high activity for methanol conversion (99–100%) and H 2 production (71–76%) with very low CO concentration (0.05–0.15%) in steam reforming (H 2 O/methanol=1.43 mol ratio) and in oxidative steam reforming (O 2 /methanol=0.158–0.474 mol ratio) at a low temperature (230 °C).
Extending generalized multiprotocol label switching (GMPLS) for polymorphous, agile, and transparent optical networks (PATON)

This article presents a vision for the emerging integrated optical networks to meet various traffic requirements and design criteria. To address the shortcomings in today's GMPLS over wavelength-routed optical networks, a new network architecture called polymorphous, agile, and transparent optical networks (PATON) is proposed. PATON uses polymorphous optical burst switching (POBS) to seamlessly integrate different signaling, switching, and reservation schemes. The main features of PATON, along with its benefits as well as design and implementation challenges, are also described. Finally, both qualitative and quantitative performance comparisons of POBS with the two representative IP/GMPLS/OCS approaches are provided
Peer Mediation in an Inner-City Elementary School:

The effectiveness of peer mediation was examined in an inner-city elementary school. Thirty-four third-grade and fourth-grade students in a prekindergarten to fourth-grade elementary school were tr...
Preferences for forms of supervisory social influence

As part of a study of the predictive utility of employee preferences for forms of supervisory inducements, a sample of 236 administrators and first-line supervisors provided survey data regarding their individual superiors. The respondents' statements of preferred forms of social influence from their superiors were statistically adjusted for the reported level of influence used in order to determine more precisely whether discrepancies between actual and preferred forms of influence could uniquely predict criterion variance. Results indicated that these adjusted discrepancy values were inversely correlated with satisfaction with supervision, ingroup status, and superior's considerate-ness. These supportive results suggest that discrepancies between preferences for inducements and reported forms of influence may be an important ingredient in a fuller explanation of the phenomenon of motivation and leadership.
Sodium ferric gluconate (SFG) in complex with sucrose for IV infusion: bioequivalence of a new generic product with the branded product in healthy volunteers

AbstractObjective:Parenteral sodium ferric gluconate in complex (Ferrlecit [branded SFG]) is used to treat patients with iron deficiency anemia undergoing chronic hemodialysis and receiving supplemental epoetin. This comparative pharmacokinetic study (GeneraMedix, Inc., Study 17909) evaluates whether the recently approved generic product Nulecit (generic SFG) and the branded product Ferrlecit (branded SFG) are bioequivalent.Methods:In this open-label study, 240 healthy volunteers in a fasting state were assigned randomly to a single 10-min intravenous (IV) infusion of 125 mg of generic or branded SFG. Total and transferrin-bound iron concentrations were determined for the 36-h period after infusion and corrected for pretreatment levels. Maximum concentration (Cmax) and area under the concentration–time curve of 0 to 36 h (AUC[0–36]) were compared between the two products. Demonstration of bioequivalence required that the 90% confidence intervals of each parameter evaluated for generic SFG were within 80% ...
Unlocking the Potential of Continuous Glucose Monitoring: A New Guideline Supports the Development of Continuous Glucose Monitoring Devices

Continuous glucose monitoring (CGM) is a new technology that allows patients to measure glucose levels continuously over several days. It has several advantages over traditional glucose meters in that it does not involve repeated finger sticks and can measure trends and track changes in glucose levels over time. The Clinical and Laboratory Standards Institute, working with the Diabetes Technology Society, published Performance Metrics for Continuous Interstitial Glucose Monitoring; Approved Guideline, which provides recommendations for methods for determining analytical and clinical metrics of CGMs. The document provides guidance on how CGM data should be presented, compared between devices, and compared between measurement technologies. The document serves as a roadmap for the testing of CGM devices and will ultimately advance the potential of this exciting technology. Performance Metrics for Continuous Interstitial Glucose Monitoring; Approved Guideline represents the consensus view on preparing and presenting CGM data.
Evaluation of the Binary Interaction Energy Density between Styrene and Acrylonitrile Units and Its Temperature Dependence

The miscibility behavior in blends of monodisperse poly(styrene) (PS) of varying molecular weight and polydisperse styrene/acrylonitrile copolymers (SAN) of varying AN contents was studied at three different temperatures: 120, 200, and 250 °C. An accurate quantitative evaluation of the binary interaction energy density between S and AN, BS/AN, was made at each temperature by analyzing the miscibility data using the copolymer/critical molecular weight method. The values of BS/AN determined by this powerful method show that the Flory−Huggins based interaction energy BS/AN decreases as temperature increases. An equation-of-state analysis using the Sanchez−Lacombe lattice fluid theory was performed to interpret the temperature dependence of BS/AN. An empirical scheme was introduced to account for the temperature dependence of the Sanchez−Lacombe characteristic parameters for PS. With this modification the temperature dependence of the experimental BS/AN is well described by the Sanchez−Lacombe lattice fluid ...
A Tunable Bandpass-to-Bandstop Reconfigurable Filter With Independent Bandwidths and Tunable Response Shape

The theory of bandpass-to-bandstop reconfigurable filters is developed in this work, and example filters are demonstrated. Designs are developed that allow for reconfigurable response shape and independent bandwidths in the bandpass and bandstop modes of the filter. These capabilities could potentially be useful in dynamic, open spectrums, concurrent transmit-receive systems, and multimode antenna array applications. The demonstrated filters were fabricated using substrate integrated evanescent-mode cavity resonators. The resonators are tuned using deformation of a copper membrane induced by a piezoelectric actuator. In measurement, a 1.06% 3-dB bandwidth bandpass filter with 2.6-dB passband insertion loss was switched to a 0.82% 3-dB S11 bandwidth bandstop filter with 45 dB of isolation.
Interoperability for First Responders and Emergency Management: Definition, Need, and the Path Forward

A definition of a culture of interoperability between members of the first responder community is the subject of this review. The justification for, keys to, and roadblocks preventing the creation of an interoperable culture within emergency response are considered. Also considered is how such a culture may be cultivated. Finally, the public policy context of training in the first responder community as a tool to create interoperable communities is discussed.
CD4+ CD25+ T Cells Regulate Vaccine-Generated Primary and Memory CD8+ T-Cell Responses against Herpes Simplex Virus Type 1

It has become evident that naturally occurring CD25(+) regulatory T cells (T(reg) cells) not only influence self-antigen specific immune response but also dampen foreign antigen specific immunity. This report extends our previous findings by demonstrating that immunity to certain herpes simplex virus (HSV) vaccines is significantly elevated and more effective if T(reg) cell response is curtailed during either primary or recall immunization. The data presented here show that removal of CD25(+) T(reg) cells prior to SSIEFARL-CpG or gB-DNA immunization significantly enhanced the resultant CD8(+) T-cell response to the immunodominant SSIEFARL peptide. The enhanced CD8(+) T-cell reactivity in T(reg) cell-depleted animals was between two- and threefold and evident in both acute and memory stages. Interestingly, removal of CD25(+) T(reg) cells during the memory recall response to plasmid immunization resulted in a twofold increase in CD8(+) T-cell memory pool. Moreover, in the challenge experiments, memory CD8(+) T cells generated with plasmid DNA in the absence of T(reg) cells cleared the virus more effectively compared with control groups. We conclude that CD25(+) T(reg) cells quantitatively as well as qualitatively affect the memory CD8(+) T-cell response generated by gB-DNA vaccination against HSV. However, it remains to be seen if all types of vaccines against HSV are similarly affected by CD25(+) T(reg) cells and if it is possible to devise means of limiting T(reg) cell activity to enhance vaccine efficacy.
Systemic insecticides for Theobroma cacao L., their translocation and persistence in foliage and residues in cacao beans.

From preliminary screening of 14 systemic compounds with cacao seedlings in Costa Rica, Thimet, Chipman R-6200 ( 0,0 -diethyl S-(2-diethylamino)ethyl phosphorothiolate), demeton, Isolan and dimefox were selected for further study. These five systemics were compared on the basis of their translocation and persistence in the foliar parts of mature cacao trees after trunk implantation, their effect on the flavor of chocolate produced from beans from the treated trees, and the level and nature of residues in the beans using radiotracer and anticholinesterase methods of analysis. Thimet and Chipman R-6200 were readily translocated into the foliar portions of cacao trees and persisted for as long as 20 months after a single implantation treatment. Little or no residues were found in the cacao beans at any time after treatment regardless of the pod position on the trees in relation to the site of implantation. Studies with radioactive R-6200 demonstrated a high concentration of phosphorus-containing residues in the cotyledons of the cacao beans but these materials did not partition into chloroform and did not inhibit cholinesterase and therefore cannot be considered as hazardous residues. No off flavors were detected in chocolate from beans harvested from any of the systemic treatments but definite off-flavors were obtained when BHC was used as a foliar spray. The insecticidal efficiency of the systemics was not studied because the insect populations in the treated areas were not adequate for this purpose.
A new test structure and characterization methodology to identify array leakage path in Mask ROM

The array leakage is a crucial issue while developing ultra high-density planar Mask ROM memories. However, it is hard to identify this leakage and its mechanism using the conventional cell array test structure. It is because that because the cell surface punch leakage, cell bulk leakage, and surface buried drain to buried drain (BD to BD) leakage beyond cell channel region all contribute to the total leakage at the same time. In order to identify these leakage paths and reduce this leakage, we design a new cell array test structure and the characterization methodology is also proposed. The main mechanism of cell leakage has been attributed to the surface BD to BD leakage outside the cell array. This leakage path occurs beneath the exposed silicon surface, which doping concentration near this region is lower than that inside the cell array due to oxide spacer over-etching issue and our PMOS blank N-type pocket implantation.
Some more evidence of long-term psychosocial harms from receiving false-positive screening mammography results

Commentary on: Brodersen J, Siersma VD. Long-term psychosocial consequences of false-positive screening mammography. Ann Fam Med 2013;11:106–15.[OpenUrl][1][Abstract/FREE Full Text][2] A systematic review published 6 years ago concluded that receiving false-positive mammography results had harmful and long-term psychosocial consequences.1–⇓3 At the time, the harms of screening tests were well known only to researchers, some groups in charge of various guidelines and, perhaps, a few journalists. The world has fundamentally changed. Today we have social movements, like ‘Choosing Wisely’ and entire books, like ‘Overdiagnosed: Making People Sick in the Pursuit of Health’, that are devoted to helping the public understand that screening tests can harm as well as help. Harms from screening tests are potentially a very large problem. In the USA, around half of women screened by mammography regularly over a 10-year period can expect to receive abnormal results at least once, and 9 in … [1]: {openurl}?query=rft.jtitle%253DThe%2BAnnals%2Bof%2BFamily%2BMedicine%26rft.stitle%253DAnn%2BFam%2BMed%26rft.issn%253D1544-1709%26rft.aulast%253DBrodersen%26rft.auinit1%253DJ.%26rft.volume%253D11%26rft.issue%253D2%26rft.spage%253D106%26rft.epage%253D115%26rft.atitle%253DLong-Term%2BPsychosocial%2BConsequences%2Bof%2BFalse-Positive%2BScreening%2BMammography%26rft_id%253Dinfo%253Adoi%252F10.1370%252Fafm.1466%26rft_id%253Dinfo%253Apmid%252F23508596%26rft.genre%253Darticle%26rft_val_fmt%253Dinfo%253Aofi%252Ffmt%253Akev%253Amtx%253Ajournal%26ctx_ver%253DZ39.88-2004%26url_ver%253DZ39.88-2004%26url_ctx_fmt%253Dinfo%253Aofi%252Ffmt%253Akev%253Amtx%253Actx [2]: /lookup/ijlink?linkType=ABST&journalCode=annalsfm&resid=11/2/106&atom=%2Febmed%2F19%2F1%2F38.atom
Building a national wind turbine industry: experiences from China, India and South Korea

This paper explores the strategies used by the domestic wind power technology companies in China, India and South Korea in order to understand how these countries have acquired and assimilated advanced technologies. It finds that the primary technology transfer and acquisition strategies utilised included licensing arrangements and Mergers and Acquisitions (M&A) that resulted in the transfer of technology ownership and partnerships for the joint development of new technology. As technology development becomes increasingly global, firms in the emerging economies can take advantage of their increasing access to technological know-how that was previously developed by and for the developed world.
Rheumatoid arthritis-associated corneal ulceration with superimposed infection by methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus: a complicated type of corneal melt.

Patient: Female, 70 Final Diagnosis: Rheumatoid arthritis-associated corneal ulcer Symptoms: Blurring of vision Medication: Vancomycin • etanercept • adalimumab Clinical Procedure: Anterior lamellar keratoplasty Specialty: Rheumatology Objective: Unusual clinical course Background: Severe extra-articular manifestations of rheumatoid arthritis usually occur in advanced stages of the disease. In particular, ocular involvement may lead to inflammatory corneal ulceration, in which therapy is challenging owing to its association with systemic vasculitis. Close collaboration between ophthalmologists and rheumatologists is paramount in providing the best treatment approach in this sight-threatening condition. Case Report: We present a case of seropositive rheumatoid arthritis associated with corneal melting in the absence of other typical clinical manifestations of rheumatoid arthritis flare. The rheumatoid arthritis-associated corneal ulcer was complicated in our case by concomitant infection with methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus, which was treated with intravenous vancomycin after an initial antimicrobial ophthalmic solution proved not to be making adequate improvement in the corneal healing. The recurrent corneal melting appeared to be aggravated by the ophthalmic infection while on immunosuppressive regimen. Conclusions: In patients on biologic agents, intravenous antibiotics must be considered in addition to ophthalmic eye solution in controlling the infectious process. Excluding concomitant ophthalmic infection is equally important before initiation of high-dose steroid and immunosuppressive regimens.
Solvent removal/thermal desorption (SRTD) for extract concentration and capillary column injection

Many solvent extracts must be concentrated prior to analysis. Both Kuderna-Danish (K-D) concentration and inert gas blowdown are commonly used. Significant losses often occur with the latter. Solvent removal/thermal desorption (SRTD) on a precolumn was investigated here as an alternative or supplement to these methods. The compounds studied included polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) and polybrominated biphenyls (PBBs). SRTD was carried out by injecting 100 μL of extract into a cartridge-type precolumn, selectively volatilizing the solvent with a stream of carrier gas, then thermally desorbing the analytes to a fused silica capillary gas chromatography (GC) column. The mean total recoveries and mean standard errors obtained were 109 and ±12%, respectively. SRTD was found to give sharper peaks than were obtainable with on-column injection. Method detection limits accessible for PCBs by capillary GC with electron impact mass spectrometry with the assistance of SRTD were estimated. Overall, SRTD was found to be an effective, rapid, high recovery concentration method for solvent extracts.
Antibiotic susceptibility of bacteria infecting total joint arthroplasty sites.

Background: Currently, there is no consensus regarding the principles of empiric antibiotic treatment of suspected periprosthetic infection following total knee and hip arthroplasties. This study was undertaken to attempt to establish such principles. Methods: We performed a retrospective analysis of 146 patients who had had a total of 194 positive cultures of specimens obtained at the time of a reoperation following a total knee or total hip arthroplasty at one of two institutions. Patient demographic data, comorbid conditions, bacterial species, the antibiotic sensitivity profile, and the postoperative day on which the culture tested positive were recorded. Results: Specimens from 110 hips and eighty-four knees were positive on culture. Seventy percent of the infections were classified as chronic; 17%, as acute postoperative; and 13%, as acute hematogenous. The mean time between the operation and the positive culture results was three days. Gram-positive organisms caused the majority of the infections. In the series as a whole, 88% of the bacteria were sensitive to gentamicin; 96%, to vancomycin; and 61%, to cefazolin. The most antibiotic-resistant bacterial strains were from patients for whom prior antibiotic treatment had failed. Acute postoperative infections had a greater resistance profile than did chronic or hematogenous infections. Bacteria isolated from patients with a hematogenous infection had a high sensitivity to both cefazolin and gentamicin. Conclusions: Empiric antibiotic treatment for suspected periprosthetic infection should be guided by the class of the infection and the findings of Gram staining. We believe that, until the final culture results are available, acute hematogenous infections should initially be treated by a combination of cefazolin and gentamicin therapy. All chronic and acute postoperative infections with Gram-positive bacteria and all cases in which a Gram stain fails to identify bacteria should be managed with vancomycin. Infections with Gram-negative bacteria should be managed with a third or fourth-generation cephalosporin. Infections with mixed Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria should be managed with a combination of vancomycin and a third or fourth-generation cephalosporin. Furthermore, we believe that if culture results and other confirmatory tests are not positive by the fourth postoperative day, termination of empiric antibiotic therapy should be considered. Level of Evidence: Diagnostic Level IV. See Instructions to Authors for a complete description of levels of evidence.
Preclinical Pharmacological Evaluation of a Novel Multiple Kinase Inhibitor, ON123300, in Brain Tumor Models

ON123300 is a low molecular weight multikinase inhibitor identified through a series of screens that supported further analyses for brain tumor chemotherapy. Biochemical assays indicated that ON123300 was a strong inhibitor of Ark5 and CDK4, as well as growth factor receptor tyrosine kinases such as β-type platelet-derived growth factor receptor (PDGFRβ). ON123300 inhibited U87 glioma cell proliferation with an IC(50) 3.4 ± 0.1 μmol/L and reduced phosphorylation of Akt, yet it also unexpectedly induced Erk activation, both in a dose- and time-dependent manner that subsequently was attributed to relieving Akt-mediated C-Raf S259 inactivation and activating a p70S6K-initiated PI3K-negative feedback loop. Cotreatment with the EGFR inhibitor gefitinib produced synergistic cytotoxic effects. Pursuant to the in vitro studies, in vivo pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic studies of ON123300 were completed in mice bearing intracerebral U87 tumors following intravenous doses of 5 and 25 mg/kg alone, and also at the higher dose concurrently with gefitinib. ON123300 showed high brain and brain tumor accumulation based on brain partition coefficient values of at least 2.5. Consistent with the in vitro studies, single agent ON123300 caused a dose-dependent suppression of phosphorylation of Akt as well as activation of Erk in brain tumors, whereas addition of gefitinib to the ON123300 regimen significantly enhanced p-Akt inhibition and prevented Erk activation. In summary, ON123300 demonstrated favorable pharmacokinetic characteristics, and future development for brain tumor therapy would require use of combinations, such as gefitinib, that mitigate its Erk activation and enhance its activity.
Public scholarship—linking weed science with public work

Abstract Weed scientists face complex and difficult challenges. Within our discipline, we must increase the sustainability of current weed management approaches and help respond to invasive plants as a component of global change. There also are major challenges that we share with other agricultural disciplines, such as mounting comprehensive efforts to address the problems of current agriculture. We believe that any effective response to these challenges will require public work, i.e., projects in which a diverse group of people work together—across lines of difference (professional, cultural, etc.)—to produce broad-based, systemic innovations that meet complex challenges. We propose that weed scientists should join relevant public-work projects by practicing “public scholarship.” We define public scholarship as original, creative, peer-evaluated intellectual work that is fully integrated in a public-work project. By full integration we mean that the scholar's work serves to fuel the social (i.e., collect...
Why Visual Cues of Portion Size May Influence Intake

Objective: Using self-refilling soup bowls, this study examined whether visual cues related to portion size can influence intake volume without altering either estimated intake or satiation.Research Methods and Procedures: Fifty-four participants (BMI, 17.3 to 36.0 kg/m2; 18 to 46 years of age) were recruited to participate in a study involving soup. The experiment was a between-subject design with two visibility levels: 1) an accurate visual cue of a food portion (normal bowl) vs. 2) a biased visual cue (self-refilling bowl). The soup apparatus was housed in a modified restaurant-style table in which two of four bowls slowly and imperceptibly refilled as their contents were consumed. Outcomes included intake volume, intake estimation, consumption monitoring, and satiety.Discussion: These findings are consistent with the notion that the amount of food on a plate or bowl increases intake because it influences consumption norms and expectations and it lessens one’s reliance on self-monitoring. It seems that people use their eyes to count calories and not their stomachs. The importance of having salient, accurate visual cues can play an important role in the prevention of unintentional overeating.
Alanine protects rabbit proximal tubules against anoxic injury in vitro

Rabbit proximal tubules were incubated aerobically or subjected to anoxia for 30 min followed by 60 min of reoxygenation. The medium contained (in mM) 5 glucose, 10 butyrate, 4 lactate or alpha-ketoglutarate (alpha-KG), and 1 alanine. Anoxic tubules in this medium were severely injured and recovered poorly. If the incubation medium was supplemented with additional alanine (up to 2.5 or 5 mM), then anoxic injury was prevented almost completely. Tubules in high-alanine medium showed modest elevations of ATP during anoxia. Comparable elevations of ATP were induced in anoxic tubules incubated with 4 mM alpha-KG and 5 mM aspartate without alanine. These substrates are metabolized anaerobically in the mitochondria to yield ATP. Surprisingly, anoxic tubules with alpha-KG and aspartate showed severe injury despite elevated ATP. If 5 mM alanine was also present, then additional increments of ATP did not occur, but injury was prevented. Examination of glucose metabolism failed to provide evidence for stimulation of anaerobic fermentations by alanine. These results suggest that alanine-induced cytoprotection during anoxia occurs by mechanisms not related to ATP synthesis, and that elevated ATP in alanine-supplemented tubules may be a result and not the cause of protection. Cytoprotection by alanine was shown to last for less than or equal to 90 min of anoxia. Glycine, a structurally related amino acid, also protects anoxic proximal tubules (J. Clin. Invest. 80: 1446, 1987). The mechanisms that underlie the cytoprotective effects of alanine and glycine remain to be determined.
Bollworm and Tobacco Budworm (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae) Feeding Damage to Early Reproductive Stages of Soybeans

In greenhouse studies, three soybean cultivars and one breeding line were planted at 3- or 4-d intervals. When the plants were in the R-2, R-3, or R-4 reproductive stage of development, they were infested with one fourth-instar bollworm, Heliothis zea (Boddie), or tobacco budworm, Heliothis virescens (F.). Larvae were allowed to feed and develop to prepupae on the plants. On ‘Bragg’ soybeans, an average of 91, 83, 76, 51, and 30 seeds were destroyed per bollworm larva when infestation began in the following five periods of plant development: 3 d before pods were visible, first appearance of pods, and 3, 6, and 9 d after the first appearance of pods, respectively. The numbers of seeds destroyed by bollworms and tobacco budworms in a given treatment did not differ significantly. Bollworms destroyed significantly fewer seeds per larva on a commercial cultivar and a breeding line that had shown resistance to insect feeding on foliage than on a susceptible cultivar when the beginning of the infestation coincided with the first appearance of pods; however, the number of seeds destroyed did not differ significantly when 4- and 8-d-older plants were infested.
US preschoolers’ trust of and learning from media characters

AbstractThe current study examined the relations between children’s perceptions of character social realism, identification with characters, trust of characters as knowledgeable informants, and learning from media characters. Thirty-six 3½- to 6-year-old children watched a short clip of an animated educational television program about a preschool-aged boy who enjoys learning about science. Participants provided ratings of the character’s social realism, their identification with the character, and their trust in the character as a knowledgeable informant. Participants were asked to solve problems based on information in the video clip. Findings revealed character trust was the strongest indicator of learning from the character. Results are discussed in the context of the different factors that influence learning from curriculum-based media for young children.
Numerical analysis of spatial evolution of power in an EDFA under temporal steady state

In an EDFA, particle population, and signal, pump and ASE powers are related through highly nonlinear PDEs. Assuming temporal steady-state, we numerically solve spatial evolution of power and number density, and compare with known behavior.
Alfred Gilman: Intrepid, committed scientist

Alfred Gilman died on December 23, 2015, at age 74. With Martin Rodbell, he shared the 1994 Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine for discovering the first heterotrimeric guanine-nucleotide-binding (G-) protein and for elucidating the best-understood molecular mechanism for transducing signals across plasma membranes of eukaryotes. Setting a lofty standard for a generation of biomedical scientists, Gilman also served as dean of a medical school, advisor to government and industry, scientific director of a state-sponsored institute for cancer research, and editor of a leading pharmacology textbook.
Pain treatment satisfaction in spinal cord injury.

Study design: A survey on pain satisfaction was mailed to 300 individuals with spinal cord injury. Eighty-eight completed surveys were returned, and the results were analyzed. Objectives: The survey queried the respondents on characteristics of their pain, treatments received, the impact of pain on multiple, life activities and functions and the satisfaction with treatment received to reduce pain. Setting: Subjects for the study were selected from the Spinal Cord Injury Registry from the Commonwealth of Virginia in the US. Methods: Information was obtained from a survey sent to the subjects who were chosen randomly with respect to age and gender. At least 1 year had elapsed from the time of injury for each individual. Results: Respondents were typically dissatisfied with the results of the treatments received to manage their pain. Conclusion: Pain in individuals with spinal cord injury needs to be addressed in a thorough fashion to reduce the adverse impact on life activities. Spinal Cord (2001) 39, 44–46.
Siderophore-producing bacteria isolated from roots of iron-efficient and inefficient grasses

Siderophores produced by rhizosphere microorganisms may enhance iron acquisition by plants by increasing the availability of iron in the root environment (Crowley et al., 1987). In a greenhouse experiment, we have examined the populations of siderophore-producing bacteria (SPB) colonizing the roots of St. Augustinegrass, a turfgrass which commonly exhibits iron chlorosis, and bermudagrass, a turfgrass which resists iron chlorosis, and have measured the capacity of the bacteria to produce siderophores in vitro in an iron-limited medium.
Plants Selection and Allocation in Landscape Enhancement of Kunshan Wetland Park

Plant design concept,selection and allocation of terrestrial plant and aquatic plant in the landscape enhancement of Kunshan Wetland Park were briefly elaborated,so as to provide the reference for the construction of the wetland park.
Effects of Feeding A High Lipid Diet on the Reproductive Cycle in Zebu Cross-Bred Beef Cattle1

Fifty crossbred cows were used determine the effects of feeding dietary lipids during the postpartum period on conception rate at synchronized estais (CSE), overall pregnancy rate (PR), blood lipoproteins, insulin, and luteinizing hormone (LH). Animals were randomly assigned to a diet with treatment 1 (n = 25) receiving 4.10% lipid and treatment 2 (n = 25) receiving 9.77% lipid (45% rice bran) for 40 d. Five animals from each treatment were challenged with GnRH (100 μg/cow) and blood was collected at 15-min intervals during the next 2 h for LH analysis. Prior to synchronization blood was collected for cholesterol, triglyceride, and insulin analysis. Animals were rectally palpated at 70 and 140 d to determine CSE and PR. Treatment 2 had a higher average gain during the feeding period, 24.4 ± .6 kg, compared to treatment 1, 16.9 ± .5 kg (P< .01). Serum cholesterol was lower in treatment 2, 193.5 ± 8.4 mg/dL compared to treatment 1, 216.8 ± 10.3 mg/dL (P< .1) with triglycerides being higher in treatment 2, 47.2 ± 2.9 mg/dL, relative to treatment 1, 35.7 ± 1.7 mg/dL (P< .01). Serum insulin in treatment 2 was 1.46 ± .1 ng/ml, compared to treatment 1, 1.19 ± .06 ng/ml (P< .05). Overall pregnancy rate in treatment 2 was 96% compared to 80% in treatment 1 (P< .1). CSE was 56% in treatment 2, in contrast to 32% in treatment 1 (P< .05). Magnitude of the LH peak was higher in treatment 2, 7.3 ± 2.6 ng/ml, relative to treatment 1, 2.4 ± 0.5 ng/ml (P< .1). Higher levels of insulin may promote steroidogenesis. These data suggest that rice bran is hypocholesterolemic in cattle, but this does not seem to hinder steroidogenesis. Increased CSE and PR indicate that ovarian function is not impaired by lower levels of cholesterol.
Family physician recognition and treatment of severe hypercholesterolemia

Family physician recognition and treatment of severe hypercholesterolemia was determined in a residency program by chart audit. Two hundred seventeen clinic patients were identified as having cholesterol levels greater than 260 mg/dL. In only 47 percent of cases was the abnormality noted in the clinic record. Sixty-nine percent of the patients received no treatment, 29 percent were treated with diet, and 7 percent with drug therapy. Family physicians were much more likely to recognize and somewhat more likely to treat hypercholesterolemia if the level was greater than 305 mg/dL and, therefore, marked as abnormal on the laboratory report. An educational program to improve physician management of hypercholesterolemia had no significant effect. Although further education using different teaching approaches may be helpful, the use of optimal rather than statistically "normal" cholesterol ranges by the laboratory may be a better way to improve physician performance.
Comparative Evaluation of Substituent Effect on the Photochromic Properties of Spiropyrans and Spirooxazines.

Spiropyrans and spirooxazines represent an important class of photochromic compounds with a wide variety of applications. In order to effectively utilize and design these photoswitches it is desirable to understand how the substituents affect photochromic properties, and how the different structural motifs compare under identical conditions. In this work a small library of photoswitches was synthesized in order to comparatively evaluate the effect of substituent modifications and structure on photochromism. The library was designed to modify positions that were believed to have the greatest effect on C–O bond lability and therefore the photochromic properties. Herein we report a comparative analysis of the UV and visible light responses of 30 spiropyrans, spiroindolinonaphthopyrans, and spirooxazines. The influence of gadolinium(III) binding was also investigated on the library of compounds to determine its effect on photoswitching. Both assays demonstrated different trends in substituent and structural r...
Impact of One-Semester Outdoor Education Programs on Adolescent Perceptions of Self-Authorship:

This study investigated one-semester outdoor education program impact on adolescents’ perceived self-authorship—the ability to form our identity independently from the expectations of external indi...
On the existence of homogeneous semi-regular sequences in F2[X1,...,Xn]/(X12,...,Xn2)

Abstract Semi-regular sequences over F 2 are sequences of homogeneous elements of the algebra B ( n ) = F 2 [ X 1 , . . . , X n ] / ( X 1 2 , . . . , X n 2 ) , which have as few relations between them as possible. They were introduced in order to assess the complexity of Grobner basis algorithms such as F 4 and F 5 for the solution of polynomial equations. Despite the experimental evidence that semi-regular sequences are common, it was unknown whether there existed semi-regular sequences for all n, except in extremely trivial situations. We prove some results on the existence and non-existence of semi-regular sequences. In particular, we show that if an element of degree d in B ( n ) is semi-regular, then we must have n ≤ 3 d . Also, we show that if d = 2 t and n = 3 d , then there exists a semi-regular element of degree d establishing that the bound is sharp for infinitely many n. Finally, we generalize the result of non-existence of semi-regular elements to the case of sequences of a fixed length m.
Abstract P029: Vendor Specific Differences in the Sprague Dawley Rat Strain Alter Baseline Blood Pressure and Body Composition and Influence the Impact of Slow Fetal Growth on Later Cardiovascular Risk

Low birth weight is associated with increased risk for cardiovascular (CV) disease including hypertension in later life. We previously reported that reduced uterine perfusion (RUP) in timed pregnant Sprague Dawley (SD) dams purchased from Harlan induced intrauterine growth restriction (IUGR) associated with hypertension and enhanced sensitivity to angiotensin II (Ang II) in male rats at 4 months of age. In addition, male IUGR exhibited a two-fold increase in testosterone relative to control. Upon castration, hypertension and sensitivity to Ang II were abolished suggesting that programmed CV risk is testosterone dependent in the male IUGR. The aim of this study was to determine if vendor differences in the SD strain impact CV risk following a developmental insult. Timed pregnant SD rats were purchased from Charles River and underwent either RUP or sham surgery at day 14 of gestation. Birth weight was significantly reduced in IUGR relative to control (P<0.05). At 4 months of age, body weight remained significantly decreased in male IUGR relative to control, blood pressure did not differ when measured in conscious, chronically instrumented animals, and male control and IUGR from Charles River also exhibited a similar blood pressure response to acute Ang II. However, baseline blood pressures were higher in male control from Charles River versus blood pressure previously noted for male control from Harlan. Thus, these results suggest that vendor specific differences in the SD rat strain influence baseline CV risk and effect the developmental programming of CV risk following slow fetal growth. ![][1] [1]: /embed/graphic-1.gif
Structure and Dynamics of Host/Guest Complexation at the Liquid/Liquid Interface: Implications for Inverse Phase Transfer Catalysis

β-Cyclodextrin (β-CD) enhances the rate of the biphasic SN2 reaction between 1-bromooctane and anionic nucleophiles in an adjacent, immiscible aqueous phase. In this work, molecular dynamics simulations were used to study the mass-transfer component of this inverse phase transfer catalysis system. The orientation of the solvent molecules around the β-CD molecule was investigated in detail, revealing the preferred position of the 1-bromooctane guest within the β-CD host molecule. Potentials of mean force for the insertion/extraction of the guest molecule were calculated in the two bulk solvents and at the liquid/liquid interface. The findings of these orientational and energetic studies suggest a logical exchange mechanism facilitated by β-CD.
Numerical simulation of charge motion in ball mills. Lifter bar effect

This paper focuses on the use of a numerical tool known as the discrete element method (DEM) to study the motion of ball charge in ball mills. DEM is employed to simulate the motion of individual balls. While doing so, the effect of liner design on the grinding performance of the mill is studied. Two important factors, such as the configuration of the liner and the geometry of the lifting surfaces, are correlated with the overall mill performance. An attempt is made to show the effectiveness of the lifter bars in transmitting power from the mill, shell to the interior of the mill with particular emphasis on large diameter mills.