cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Fundamental properties of N‐alkenylaziridines—implications for the design of new reactions and organocatalysts

The success of many organocatalysts depends on the proper modulation of electronic properties of amines and their derived enamines and iminium ions. We and others have been fascinated with the differences in reactivity observed for aziridines versus other amines in many reactions. Herein we report a theoretical assessment (using B3LYP/6-31 + G(d,p)) of the π-donating ability of aziridines relative to other amines and discuss the implications for enamine and iminium ion reactivity. Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
LOCAL ORGAN HYPERSENSITIVENESS IV. INFLAMMATION PRODUCED IN THE ACTIVELY SENSITIZED RABBIT EYE BY THE INTRODUCTION OF HOMOLOGOUS ANTIGEN INTO THE GASTROINTESTINAL TRACT

In the actively sensitized rabbit eye a sterile inflammation may develop after the introduction of the homologous antigen into the gastrointestinal tract.
Chinese mantids gut toxic monarch caterpillars: avoidance of prey defence?

1. Monarch caterpillars, Danaus plexippus (Linnaeus), feed on milkweed plants in the genus Asclepias and sequester cardenolides as an anti–predator defence. However, some predators are able to consume this otherwise unpalatable prey. 2. Chinese mantids, Tenodera sinensis (Saussure), were observed consuming monarch caterpillars by ‘gutting’ them (i.e. removing the gut and associated internal organs). They then feed on the body of this herbivore without any apparent ill effects. 3. How adult T. sinensis handle and consume toxic (D. plexippus) and non–toxic [Ostrinia nubilalis (Hubner) and Galleria mellonella (Linnaeus)] caterpillars was explored. The differences in the carbon/nitrogen (C:N) ratio and cardenolide content of monarch tissue consumed or discarded by mantids were analysed. 4. Mantids gutted monarchs while wholly consuming non–toxic species. Monarch gut tissue had a higher C:N ratio than non–gut tissue, confirming the presence of plant material. Although there were more cardenolide peaks in the monarch body compared with gut tissue, the total cardenolide concentration and polarity index did not differ. 5. Although T. sinensis treated toxic prey differently than non–toxic prey, gutting did not decrease the mantid's total cardenolide intake. As other predators consume monarch caterpillars whole, this behaviour may be rooted in species–specific vulnerability to particular cardenolides or simply reflect a preference for high–N tissues.
Going Global: World Literature for American Children.

(1999). Going global: World literature for American children. Theory Into Practice: Vol. 38, Expanding the Worlds of Children's Literature, pp. 168-177.
How Will DSM-5 Affect Autism Diagnosis? A Systematic Literature Review and Meta-analysis

We conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis to determine the effect of changes to the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual (DSM)-5 on autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and explore policy implications. We identified 418 studies; 14 met inclusion criteria. Studies consistently reported decreases in ASD diagnosis (range 7.3–68.4 %) using DSM-5 criteria. There were statistically significant pooled decreases in ASD [31 % (20–44), p = 0.006] and DSM-IV-TR subgroups of Autistic disorder [22 % (16–29), p < 0.001] and pervasive developmental disorder-not otherwise specified (PDD-NOS) [70 % (55–82), p = 0.01]; however, Asperger’s disorder pooled decrease was not significant [70 % (26–94), p = 0.38]. DSM-5 will likely decrease the number of individuals diagnosed with ASD, particularly the PDD-NOS subgroup. Research is needed on policies regarding services for individuals lacking diagnosis but requiring assistance.
Indoor Intensive Red Drum Aquaculture: A Stochastic Sensitivity Analysis

This research uses stochastic sensitivity analysis to examine an indoor intensive red drum aqua-culture facility. Important biological and economic factors are varied one at a time to determine the chance of survival and the chance of success. Results indicate that this type facility is very stable since all but one scenario had a 100% chance of surviving. This stability occurs because harvesting is spread uniformly through the year. Chances of being an economic success range from 0 to 100% depending on the investor's required rate of return and the assumed level of biological and economic factors considered in this analysis. An investor's interest in red drum farming will depend on his individual required rate of return, his management capabilities, the market conditions and his willingness to take a risk. It is certain, however, that a 0% chance of economic success will occur for a red drum farm under poor management.
The contribution of surgery to the management of carcinomatous pulmonary metastases

The presence of carcinomatous pulmonary metastases is a common clinical problem viewed by many physicians as beyond the realm of definitive surgical considerations. However, a number of patients dying with pulmonary metastases will have the totality of their disease confined to the lungs. In this select population, there is some potential for long term control or effective palliation through aggressive surgical management. This study quantitatively assesses the value of surgery in this setting and examines the prognostic effect of several important clinical variables. A single set of criteria were adhered to in the selection of patients. Cases were stratified in accordance with the intent of surgery, namely, 1) complete control and ablation of all known disease, or 2) reduction of total tumor burden to examine the possibilities for enhanced control by adjunctive therapeutic modalities.
COPs/particles discrimination using an automated surface inspection tool

An automated surface inspection system, KLA-Tencor SP1-TBI, was used to investigate the surface defectivity of three different sets of bare silicon wafers, in order to test the capability of the tool to distinguish between particles (removable defects) and pits, generally called COPs (Crystal Originated Particles). Two different type of MEMC products have been investigated: The Advanta wafers characterized by a low density of COPs and with an annular region at the edge of the wafer that is “free” of any agglomerated defect; A standard P100 polished material in which the COP defects are present on a large portion of the wafer surface almost with the same density. When the SP1-TBI discrimination algorithm is applied, real time defect classification (RTDC) is performed and the resulting wafer map displays simultaneously but differently particles and COPs due to their different scattering behavior. The validation of the SP1-TBI scan results has been performed in two ways. The first one making a pre to post cleaning comparison and the second one by Optical and Atomic Force Microscope investigation. In both cases the confidence level of the algorithm is depending on the material investigated but is generally greater then 90% allowing considering the SP1-TBI algorithm as a good system to distinguish particles from COPs.
Lactic acid production with undefined mixed culture fermentation of potato peel waste

Potato peel waste (PPW) as zero value byproduct generated from food processing plant contains a large quantity of starch, non-starch polysaccharide, lignin, protein, and lipid. PPW as one promising carbon source can be managed and utilized to value added bioproducts through a simple fermentation process using undefined mixed cultures inoculated from wastewater treatment plant sludge. A series of non-pH controlled batch fermentations under different conditions such as pretreatment process, enzymatic hydrolysis, temperature, and solids loading were studied. Lactic acid (LA) was the major product, followed by acetic acid (AA) and ethanol under fermentation conditions without the presence of added hydrolytic enzymes. The maximum yields of LA, AA, and ethanol were respectively, 0.22 g g(-1), 0.06 g g(-1), and 0.05 g g(-1). The highest LA concentration of 14.7 g L(-1) was obtained from a bioreactor with initial solids loading of 60 g L(-1) at 35°C.
Recommendation opportunities: improving item prediction using weighted percentile methods in collaborative filtering systems

This paper proposes a novel method for estimating unknown ratings and recommendation opportunities and illustrates the practical implementation of the proposed approach by presenting a certain variation of the classical k-NN method in neighborhood-based collaborative filtering systems using weighted percentiles. We conduct an empirical study showing that the proposed method outperforms the standard user-based collaborative filtering approach by a wide margin in terms of item prediction accuracy and utility-based ranking metrics across various experimental settings. We also demonstrate that this performance improvement is not achieved at the expense of other popular performance measures, such as catalog coverage and aggregate diversity. The proposed approach can also be applied to other popular methods for rating estimation.
Monoclonal antibodies directed against a synthetic peptide corresponding to the α-bungarotoxin binding region of the acetylcholine receptor

Abstract Murine monoclonal antibodies have been produced against a 32 amino acid synthetic peptide corresponding to residues 173–204 on the α-subunit of the nicotinic acetylcholine receptor from Torpedo californica . All of the monoclonal antibodies were of the IgM subtype and most cross-reacted with the purified native receptor. None of the antibodies were effective in blocking α-bungarotoxin binding to the receptor nor, conversely, did α-bungarotoxin interface with antibody binding. However, two monoclonal antibodies, previously shown to bind near the ligand binding site on the native receptor, did compete partially (50%) with the binding of one of the IgM monoclonal antibodies.
Using knowledge structures to redesign an instructor-operator station

Abstract Frequently, user interface (UI) designers must choose between modifying an established, but suboptimal and familiar, UI or to avoid such changes. Changing the UI’s, organization may frustrate users who have become familiar with the original design, whereas failing to make changes may force users to perform at an unsatisfactory level. This paper presents two studies that investigate whether users familiar with a poorly designed UI would find items faster, and prefer a reorganized UI that conformed to domain expert knowledge, or would their familiarity with the original UI yield faster performance and higher satisfaction. This paper describes activities to redesign a menu structure in a simulator instructor–operator station (IOS) using hierarchical card sorting and cluster analysis ( Romesburg, 2004 ). This analysis was used to reorganize the menu structure to reflect the knowledge representations of domain experts in accordance with the principle of proximity compatibility ( Wickens and Carswell, 1995 , Rothrock et al., 2006 ). The new design was validated with a separate set of users by a reaction time experiment and preference selection.
Source memory for unrecognized items: predictions from multivariate signal detection theory.

We report three experiments investigating source memory for words that were called “new” on a recognition test. In each experiment, participants could accurately specify the source of words that they failed to recognize. Results also demonstrated that source memory for unrecognized items varied with the bias to respond “old” in recognition decisions: Participants displayed unrecognized source memory when they were told that 25% of the recognition test words were old (promoting conservative responding) but not when they were told that 75% of the test words were old (promoting liberal responding). Our results were successfully predicted by a multivariate signal detection approach to recognition/source memory.
Monitoring infection and inflammation in murine models of cystic fibrosis with magnetic resonance imaging.

Purpose To evaluate magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) in assessing lung inflammation longitudinally in genetic mouse models of cystic fibrosis (CF). MRI is used to view soft tissues noninvasively, but the lung is challenging to image. Materials and Methods Cftr+/+ (wildtype) and Cftr−/− (CF) mice were inoculated with agarose beads laden with Pseudomonas aeruginosa. Longitudinal MR lung images were acquired with cardiac gating. The effects of echo time and respiration gating were evaluated to improve the detection of lung inflammation. Results Cardiac gating and signal averaging sufficiently suppressed motion artifacts without requiring respiration gating. MRI detected moderate to severe inflammation in infected mice, which was confirmed by histology results. Conclusion In vivo longitudinal MRI methods can assess lung inflammation in P. aeruginosa-infected mice, which obviates serial sacrifice. MRI was able to detect inflammation in the absence of other physiological symptoms. J. Magn. Reson. Imaging 2008;28:527–532. © 2008 Wiley-Liss, Inc.
The stereospecific introduction of reporter groups to oligodeoxynucleotides by the labeling of individual phosphorus diastereomers

Abstract A procedure is described for the preparation of oligodeoxynucleotides tethering reporter groups or other labels to the phosphate backbone in a stereospecific manner.
An Initial State Perturbation Experiment with the GISS Model

Monthly mean global forecasts for January 1975 have been computed with the Goddard Institute for Space Studies model from four slightly different sets of initial conditions - a 'control' state and three random perturbations thereof - to simulate the effects of initial state uncertainty on forecast quality. Differences among the forecasts are examined in terms of energetics, synoptic patterns and forecast statistics. The 'noise level' of the model predictions is depicted on global maps of standard deviations of sea level pressures, 500 mb heights and 850 mb temperatures for the set of four forecasts. Initial small-scale random errors do not appear to result in any major degradation of the large-scale monthly mean forecast beyond that generated by the model itself, nor do they appear to represent the major source of large-scale forecast error.
Lead poisoning in zoo-dwelling primates.

Lead intoxication was diagnosed in 42 primates at the National Zoological Park. Diagnoses were made clinically by the observation of signs of encephalopathy and the finding of 200 μg lead or more/100 ml blood, or postmortem by the presence of renal acid-fast intranuclear inclusion bodies and excess lead in liver specimens. Twenty-five of the primates had signs or lesions of lead encephalopathy. Lead poisoning was most common in the Cercopithecidae, and in the summer months. Lead encephalopathy was most frequent in juveniles. Leaded paint on the monkey cages was determined to be the source of poisoning. Blood studies revealed slight hypochromic anemia and immature and stippled erythrocytes. Postmortem lesions included acid-fast intranuclear inclusions in renal tubular and other epithelial cells; metaphyseal bone changes (lead lines); necrosis of striated muscle fibers; and other lesions. Treatment of one monkey for encephalopathy was attempted and proved successful.
Sugarcane Harvest Logistics in Brazil

Sugar mills in Brazil represent significant capital investments. To maintain appropriate returns on their investment, sugar companies seek to run the mills at capacity over the entire nine months of the sugarcane harvest season. Because the sugar content of cane degrades considerably once it is cut, maintaining inventories of cut cane is undesirable. Instead, mills want to coordinate the arrival of cut cane with production. In this paper, we present a model of the sugarcane harvest logistics problem in Brazil. We introduce a series of valid inequalities for the model, and we introduce heuristics for finding an initial feasible solution and for lifting the lower bound. Computational results demonstrate the effectiveness of the inequalities and heuristics. In addition, we explore the value of allowing trucks to serve multiple rather than single locations and demonstrate the value of allowing the harvest speed to vary.
Polymethylated myricetin in trichomes of the wild tomato species Solanum habrochaites and characterization of trichome-specific 3'/5' and 7/4' myricetin O-methyltransferases

Flavonoids are a class of metabolites found in many plant species. They have been reported to serve several physiological roles, such as in defense against herbivores and pathogens and in protection against harmful ultraviolet radiation. They also serve as precursors of pigment compounds found in flowers, leaves, and seeds. Highly methylated, nonglycosylated derivatives of the flavonoid myricetin flavonoid, have been previously reported from a variety of plants, but O-methyltransferases responsible for their synthesis have not yet been identified. Here, we show that secreting glandular trichomes (designated types 1 and 4) and storage glandular trichomes (type 6) on the leaf surface of wild tomato (Solanum habrochaites accession LA1777) plants contain 3,7,3′-trimethyl myricetin, 3,7,3′,5′-tetramethyl myricetin, and 3,7,3′,4′,5′-pentamethyl myricetin, with gland types 1 and 4 containing severalfold more of these compounds than type 6 glands and with the tetramethylated compound predominating in all three gland types. We have also identified transcripts of two genes expressed in the glandular trichomes and showed that they encode enzymes capable of methylating myricetin at the 3′ and 5′ and the 7 and 4′ positions, respectively. Both genes are preferentially expressed in secreting glandular trichome types 1 and 4 and to a lesser degree in storage trichome type 6, and the levels of the proteins they encode are correspondingly higher in types 1 and 4 glands compared with type 6 glands.
Subwavelength nanoplasmonic ring resonators

Electromagnetic ring resonators composed of noncontacting metal nanoparticles are analyzed as building blocks of future plasmonic optical systems. Closed-form expressions for the electromagnetic modes are obtained, and conditions under which such structures exhibit low or high radiative losses are found. Most modes for subwavelength structures exhibit strongly suppressed radiative losses. Possible applications for subwavelength resonators are discussed. Nearest-neighbor tight-binding models are shown to be of severely circumscribed validity.
Wage rate determination with limited supplies of labour in developing countries: A comment

Summary This note analyses the working of the labour market under the assumption that the efficiency of labour is positively related to the wage level through effects of improved nutrition and health. The novel feature of this analysis is that although market adjustment takes place through workers hired and wage per worker, demand is defined in terms of efficiency units of labour and cost per efficiency unit. Nevertheless, as long as the wage elasticity of worker efficiency is less than unity, comparative‐static propositions of conventional supply‐demand analysis remain valid. Evidence is summarized which suggests this elasticity is much lower than unity in present‐day developing countries.
Separation of Anthocyanin Pigments in Wine by Low Pressure Column Chromatography

The fractionation of wine anthocyanins was accomplished by direct injection onto a low pressure chromatographic column. A gradient method was modified to include water as an eluent. The procedure was used to analyze five different wine styles made with Vitis vinifera and Vitis rotundifolia grapes. The gradient profile consistently resolved the pigments in both Vitis vinifera and Vitis rotundifolia wines into four distinct fractions. Resultant chromatographic profiles showed that mono- and diglucoside anthocyanins in wines aged differently. The addition of acetaldehyde also affected anthocyanins in different ways, leading to different chromatographic profiles from non-treated samples.
Developmental and Geographical Equity in Global Environmental Change: A Framework for Analysis

Change in climate and other portions of the globalenvironmentwill have uneven consequences across countries and regions. These changes already may be underway, will remain highly uncertain, and will prove challenging to diagnose. The geographical separation between the sources of human driving forces and the affected areas is a potential source of international tension and conflict. Some of these changes will exacerbate existing social and economic inequities and threaten sustainable development. This article examines the major equity prob lems arising from the interaction of geographical discontinuities, uncertainty, and international development.
The Distribution Of Child Nutritional Status Across Countries And Over Time

Malnutrition is manifested in various degrees of both underweight and overweight, with large differences and rapid changes in their prevalence and severity. This paper introduces a new approach to characterizing the distribution of a population’s nutritional status, to help analyze changes in that distribution over time and across countries. Our method draws on the poverty literature to construct Foster-Greer-Thorbecke measures for the incidence and severity of underand overweight, based on deviations in either direction from the median of a healthy population. We apply this median-based measure to the nutritional status of over 400,000 preschool children, as measured in 130 DHS surveys covering 53 countries over a period from 1986 to 2006. Unlike conventional threshold-based methods, the new approach counts changes in every child’s bodyweight. We find that this offers a more sensitive measure of differences across countries and changes over time, showing in particular that children’s bodyweights are closely linked to local agricultural output and gender equality as well as real GDP per capita.
Thermal and fluid processes of a thin melt zone during femtosecond laser ablation of glass: the formation of rims by single laser pulses

We study the formation mechanism of rims created around femtosecond laser ablated craters on glass. Experimental studies of the surface morphology reveal that a thin rim is formed around the smooth craters and is raised above the undamaged surface by about 50–100 nm. To investigate the mechanism of rim formation following a single ultrafast laser pulse, we perform a one-dimensional theoretical analysis of the thermal and fluid processes involved in the ablation process. The results indicate the existence of a very thin melted zone below the surface and suggest that the rim is formed by the high pressure plasma producing a pressure-driven fluid motion of the molten material outwards from the centre of the crater. The numerical solutions of pressure-driven fluid motion of the thin melt demonstrate that the melt can flow to the crater edge and form a rim within the first nanoseconds of the ablation process. The possibility that a tall rim can be formed during the initial stages of the plasma is suggestive that the rim may tilt outwards towards the low pressure region creating a resolidified melt splash as observed in the experiments. The possibility of controlling or suppressing the rim formation is discussed also.
Exceptions to the Rule: Chabad-Lubavitch and the Digital Sphere

This article explores the tension between the inside and the outside in Chabad practice as represented by the digital sphere. Drawing on a close reading of Chabad Web sites, as well as archival and theoretical sources and biblical and rabbinic analysis, Chabad's relationship to media generally and the Internet specifically is explored. I find that Chabad's institutional use of the Internet is as a space to disseminate information rather than create community. The Internet is, for Chabad, a temporary space designed to bring people together in the real world rather than to create a virtual community. The Web site is designed to encourage people to seek out in-person encounters with Chabad Rabbis, whose recruitment techniques rest largely on personal charisma and interactions.
Modeling and Control of a Partial Body Weight Support System

This paper reports on the modeling, control design and implementation as well as experimental results of a partial body weight support (PBWS) system, which facilitates walking and the relearning process for people suffering from gait impairment as a result of a neurological injury such as strokes. This apparatus is equipped with a load cell which constantly monitors the provided support force, and a linear motor, capable of taking immediate action to keep this support force very close to a predefined profile. To design a feedback control law that governs the action of the linear motor, a dynamic model of the PBWS system with a patient has been developed along with a procedure to identify the model parameters. Based on this model, the design of the feedback law is formulated and solved as an output regulation problem. The implementation of the resulting feedback law is described in detail and practical limitations of output regulation in this application are discussed. Simulation results as well as preliminary data from a clinical study with a stroke patient demonstrate the ability of this novel PBWS system to provide the desired support force patterns.
Enhancing the effectiveness and excitement of management education: a collection of experiential exercises derived from children's games

Is there truly any difference between the games we enjoyed as children and some of the more dynamic and energizing experiential exercises used today for management education, training, and developm...
Lithofacies and Formation Nomenclature in Upper Ordovician Stratigraphy, Central Appalachians

The Upper Ordovician of the central Appalachians may be subdivided into (1) three formations (Reedsville, Bald Eagle and Juniata) based largely on rock color, and (2) six clastic lithofacies, based on lithology only. The two methods of subdivision frequently disagree, and lithofacies are often contained in different formations. This phenomenon is caused by a nonsystematically fluctuating drab-red color boundary; areally, the drab Bald Eagle Formation is of irregularly variable thickness. Fossiliferous lithofacies constitute the Reedsville Formation, drab unfossiliferous lithofacies constitute the Bald Eagle Formation, and red unfossiliferous lithofacies make up the Juniata Formation.
Reformed epistemology and Christian apologetics

It is a widely held viewpoint in Christian apologetics that in addition to defending Christian theism against objections (negative apologetics), apologists should also present arguments in support of the truth of theism and Christianity (positive apologetics). In contemporary philosophy of religion, the Reformed epistemology movement has often been criticized on the grounds that it falls considerably short of satisfying the positive side of this two-tiered approach to Christian apologetics. Reformed epistemology is said to constitute or entail an inadequate apologetic methodology since it rejects positive apologetics or at least favours negative over positive apologetics. In this paper I argue that this common objection fails on two grounds. First, while the arguments of Reformed epistemology are relevant and useful to apologetics, neither Reformed epistemology nor its epistemological project should be identified with a distinct school or method of apologetics. Secondly, while certain claims of Reformed epistemology seem to imply a rejection of positive apologetics, or at least a preference for negative or positive apologetics, I argue that no such conclusion follows. In fact, although unimpressed by particular versions of natural theology and positive apologetics, Reformed epistemologists have provided criticisms of each that can constructively shape future approaches to the apologetic employment of natural theology and Christian evidences.
Incidence of Anterior Cruciate Ligament Injuries Among Elite Ballet and Modern Dancers A 5-year Prospective Study

BackgroundBallet and modern dance are jump-intensive activities, but little is known about the incidence of anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injuries among dancers.HypothesisRigorous jump and balance training has been shown in some prospective studies to significantly reduce ACL injury rates among athletes. Dancers advance to the professional level only after having achieved virtuosic jump and balance technique. Therefore, dancers on the elite level may be at relatively low risk for ACL injury.Study DesignDescriptive epidemiology study.MethodsDance exposure, injuries, and injury conditions were systematically recorded at 4 dance organizations over 5 years. Select neuromuscular and psychometric variables were compared between and within ACL-injured and noninjured dancers.ResultsOf 298 dancers, 12 experienced an ACL injury over the 5-year period. The incidence of ACL injury was 0.009 per 1000 exposures. Landing from a jump onto 1 leg was the mechanism of injury in 92% of cases. Incidence was not statistical...
Handling Missing Responses in Generalized Linear Mixed Model Without Specifying Missing Mechanism

In longitudinal studies, missingness of data is often unavoidable. Valid estimators from the generalized linear mixed model usually rely on the correct specification of the missing data mechanism. An incorrectly specified missing mechanism may lead to a biased estimator. In this article, we propose a class of unbiased estimating equations using pairwise conditional technique to deal with the generalized linear mixed model under benign non-ignorable missingness where specification of the missing model is not needed. We show that the proposed estimator is consistent and asymptotically normal under certain conditions. Simulation results and an example using longitudinal course of neuropsychological data are also shown.
Eaton‐lambert myasthenic syndrome: Long‐term treatment of three patients with prednisone

Three patients with the myasthenic syndrome of Eaton-Lambert (ELS) were treated with prednisone for 6 and 12 months and more than 3 years, respectively. Muscle strength increased considerably in all, reaching a peak after 3 to 4 months, and was accompanied by simultaneous electromyographic improvement. Reduction of prednisone led to deterioration in all 3 patients; strength was regained when the higher dosage of prednisone was resumed. Prednisone is an alternative form of treatment for ELS, although the mechanism for its action is unclear.
Hyperspectral Nitrogen Sensing System for Citrus

Citrus is the most important agricultural crop in Florida. Heavy reliance on agricultural chemicals and low efficiency of fertilizers have raised many environmental and economic concerns. In this study, a nitrogen sensing system for citrus leaf will be developed. Based on chlorophyll and protein absorbance bands, the sensing system will cover wavelength ranges of 620-950 nm and 1400-2450 nm. A reflectance housing was designed to block environmental noise and to ensure single leaf measurement. A halogen light source, two detector arrays, linear variable filters and a data acquisition board with 16-bit ADC were used. The designed system has no moving parts, so it is robust and resistant to vibration. The system will be tested in a laboratory and in commercial citrus groves. An algorithm will be developed to assess nitrogen status according to analysis results of previously collected data set. Some basic test results of the sensor showed that the system provided nitrogen information from the obtained spectrum. However, more tests are needed in the near future to improve the performance of the sensing system.
The scaling problem in neural networks for software reliability prediction

Recently, neural networks have been applied for software reliability growth prediction. Although the predictive capability of the neural network models are better than some of the well known analytic models, the scaling problem has not been completely addressed yet. With the present neural network models, it is necessary to scale the cumulative faults over a 0.0 to 1.0 range, so the user has to estimate in advance a maximum value for the total number of faults to be detected at the end of the test phase. In practice, such an estimate may not be accurate. Use of an inaccurate value for scaling the cumulative faults can severely affect the predictive capability of neural network models. This paper presents a solution to the scaling problem which uses a clipped linear unit in the output layer. With a clipped linear output unit, the neural networks can predict positive values in any unbounded range. The authors demonstrate the applicability of the proposed network structure with three data sets and compare its predictive accuracy with that of earlier models. Expressions for the failure rate process represented by the models of the proposed network structure are also derived. >
Investigation of fault modes of voltage-fed inverter system for induction motor drive

The reliability of power electronics systems is of paramount importance in industrial, commercial, aerospace, and military applications. The knowledge about the fault mode behavior of a converter system is extremely important from the standpoint of improved system design, protection, and fault tolerant control. This paper describes a systematic investigation into the various fault modes of a voltage-fed PWM inverter system for induction motor drives. After identifying all the fault modes, a preliminary mathematical analysis has been made for the key fault types, namely, input supply single line to ground fault, rectifier diode short circuit, inverter transistor base drive open, and inverter transistor short-circuit conditions. The predicted fault performances are then substantiated by simulation study. The study has been used to determine stresses in power circuit components and to evaluate satisfactory post-fault steady-state operating regions. The results are equally useful for better protection system design and easy fault diagnosis. They will be used to improve system reliability by using fault tolerant control. >
Geomechanical Aspects of Gas Outbursts in Louisiana Salt Mines

Gas outbursts in Louisiana salt mines are sudden eruptions of salt and gas from the face or roof of a mine heading that result in a generally semiellipsoidal cavity with axial length of up to 50 m or more. The potential risks from gas outbursts include loss of life or even the mine. Several characteristics of gas outbursts in Louisiana salt mines and suggested methods for their prevention are common to both coal mines and other salt mines. The objectives of this paper are to synthesize the available knowledge of the geomechanical aspects of gas outbursts, suggest a plausible mechanism for gas outbursts in Louisiana salt mines, recommend procedures for prediction and prevention of the outbursts, and outline the needs for further study in this important area of geomechanics. In Louisiana salt mines, a gas outburst occurs at a certain depth when a heading face approaches a pressure pocket (impure or altered salt with entrapped, high-pressure gas). It is proposed that a gas outburst is initiated by disking in biaxial compression and propagates by spalling of the cavity walls and further disking. The outburst is terminated by a combination of dilatancy hardening, increase in stress along the cavity axis, andmore » enlargement of the cavity to the boundaries of the pressure pocket. Identification of burst-prone areas will require research into in situ measurement of material characteristics and further understanding of the mechanism of gas outbursts. Shock blasting in advance of mining appears to be a promising technique for controlling gas outbursts.« less
Structural Features and the Persistence of Acquired Proteins

ORFan genes can constitute a large fraction of a bacterial genome, but due to their lack of homologs, their functions have remained largely unexplored. To determine if particular features of ORFan-encoded proteins promote their presence in a genome, we analyzed properties of ORFans that originated over a broad evolutionary timescale. We also compared ORFan genes to another class of acquired genes, heterogeneous occurrence in prokaryotes (HOPs), which have homologs in other bacteria. A total of 54 ORFan and HOP genes selected from different phylogenetic depths in the Escherichia coli lineage were cloned, expressed, purified, and subjected to circular dichroism (CD) spectroscopy. A majority of genes could be expressed, but only 18 yielded sufficient soluble protein for spectral analysis. Of these, half were significantly α-helical, three were predominantly β-sheet, and six were of intermediate/indeterminate structure. Although a higher proportion of HOPs yielded soluble proteins with resolvable secondary structures, ORFans resembled HOPs with regard to most of the other features tested. Overall, we found that those ORFan and HOP genes that have persisted in the E. coli lineage were more likely to encode soluble and folded proteins, more likely to display environmental modulation of their gene expression, and by extrapolation, are more likely to be functional.
RTMG: Scheduling real-time distributable threads in large-scale, unreliable networks with low message overhead

We consider scheduling real-time distributable threads in the presence of node/link failures, message losses, and dynamic node joins and departures. We present a distributed scheduling algorithm called RTMG. The algorithm uses gossip-based communication for discovering eligible nodes. Traditionally, gossip protocols incur high message overhead. We explain that this problem is not that serious. We present a hybrid message propagation protocol with lower message overhead, and improve it by evenly distributing the overhead into all gossip rounds. In scheduling local thread sections, RTMG exploits slacks to optimize gossip time utilization. Thereby, it satisfies end-to-end time constraints with probabilistic assurance. Our simulation studies verify our analytical results.
Efficacy of Chemical Root Surface Modifiers in the Treatment of Periodontal Disease. A Systematic Review

Background: Periodontal regeneration has been a relentless goal of the periodontist. Perhaps the oldest and most frequently attempted type of regeneration has involved chemical modification of the root surface. Varying results from histological and clinical studies have created controversy about the clinical effectiveness of root surface decalcification. Rationale: This systematic review assesses the efficacy of root surface biomodification through the use of citric acid, tetracycline, or ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid (EDTA) in patients with chronic periodontitis. Focused Question: Does the use of chemical root decalcification result in effective periodontal regeneration and improved clinical outcomes in patients with chronic periodontitis? Search Protocol: The Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews; Database of Abstracts of Reviews of Effectiveness; Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials; American College of Physicians Journal Club, evidence-based MEDLINE journals; and National Center for Biot...
CD/MCD/VTVH-MCD Studies of Escherichia coli Bacterioferritin Support a Binuclear Iron Cofactor Site

Ferritins and bacterioferritins (Bfrs) utilize a binuclear non-heme iron binding site to catalyze oxidation of Fe(II), leading to formation of an iron mineral core within a protein shell. Unlike ferritins, in which the diiron site binds Fe(II) as a substrate, which then autoxidizes and migrates to the mineral core, the diiron site in Bfr has a 2-His/4-carboxylate ligand set that is commonly found in diiron cofactor enzymes. Bfrs could, therefore, utilize the diiron site as a cofactor rather than for substrate iron binding. In this study, we applied circular dichroism (CD), magnetic CD (MCD), and variable-temperature, variable-field MCD (VTVH-MCD) spectroscopies to define the geometric and electronic structures of the biferrous active site in Escherichia coli Bfr. For these studies, we used an engineered M52L variant, which is known to eliminate binding of a heme cofactor but to have very minor effects on either iron oxidation or mineral core formation. We also examined an H46A/D50A/M52L Bfr variant, which...
The Portfolio Role of High-Frequency Hedge Funds

It is not obvious why trading over short time horizons should have a different return profile than those of more leisurely strategies applied to the same instruments. But the distinctiveness of directional high-frequency trading strategies is apparent when it is recognized that the source of their returns differs from that of longer-term strategies. Given sufficient diversification, high-frequency funds offer a more-effective form of market neutrality than is achievable by most market-neutral strategies. This conclusion is not always apparent to investors faced with a proposal to invest in a high-frequency fund, not least because of the paucity of data on high-frequency trading in general. This article seeks to establish a systematic explanation of why this should be so, although it is unable to offer statistical confirmation. However, the article notes that there is little that distinguishes high-frequency arbitrage from longer-horizon trades of that type.
Evaluation of effectiveness of intervention for patients with type 2 diabetes in Mentougou communities,Beijing

Objective To evaluate the influence of intervention on knowledge,attitude,behavior and status of diabetic control in community patients with type-2 diabetes.Methods One hundred and twelve patients with type-2 diabetes were selected from two communities in Mentougou District,Beijing,one with intervention and the other as control.All the subjects were interviewed with structured questionnaire and physically checked up.The second cross-sectional survey was preformed one year after intervention,also including questionnaire interview and physical checks-up.Results Awareness of the diagnostic criteria for diabetes,as well as behavior of physical exercises and weight reduction,in patients of intervention group were obviously improved after community intervention,much better than those in control group.But,no obvious improvement of behavior of medication taking and diet control according to physician's prescription in the patients of intervention group,as well as biochemical indexes,including fasting and post-prandial blood glucose levels,was found after intervention.Conclusion Knowledge,attitude and behavior of diabetic patients can be improved after community intervention,which should be lasted for a long term.
Effects of exogenous emulsifiers and fat sources on nutrient digestibility, serum lipids, and growth performance in weanling pigs.

Three experiments were conducted to determine whether emulsifiers improve utilization of fat from diets for early-weaned pigs. In Exp. 1, 96 weanling pigs (17 d old) were used in metabolism cages, with main effects of fat source (soybean oil, tallow, lard, and coconut oil) and emulsifier treatment (no emulsifier, lecithin, and lysolecithin as 10% of the added fat). Soybean oil and coconut oil were more digestible than tallow and lard (P < .001). Tallow was more digestible when lecithin and lysolecithin were added (P < .007), and pigs fed lecithin had lower serum triglycerides and cholesterol than pigs fed lysolecithin (P < .03). In Exp. 2, 270 weanling pigs (21 d old) were used in a growth assay. Treatments were 1) control diet; 2) Diet 1 with soybean oil; 3) Diet 1 with tallow; 4, 5, and 6) Diet 3 with lecithin replacing 5, 10, and 30% of the tallow, respectively; and 7, 8, and 9) Diet 3 with lysolecithin replacing 5, 10, and 30% of the tallow, respectively. At d 14 of the experiment, digestibility of tallow was improved more by lecithin than lysolecithin (P < .008). For the total experiment (d 0 to 35), the control pigs had poorer gain:feed ratio than did the pigs fed the fat sources (P < .002). In Exp. 3, 420 weanling pigs (21 d old) were used. Treatments were 1) control diet with soybean oil; 2) Diet 1 with tallow; and 3, 4, and 5) Diet 2 with 10% of the added fat as soybean oil, lecithin, or monoglyceride, respectively. Adding soybean oil, lecithin, and monoglyceride to tallow increased digestibility of total fat (P < .07). From d 0 to 14, pigs fed soybean oil gained weight faster than pigs fed the other treatments (P < .06), and pigs fed tallow without emulsifiers had the lowest ADG. Considering all experiments, addition of emulsifiers increased digestibility of nutrients but had minimal effect on growth performance.
Recent Developments in Peacekeeping — The Irish Military Experience

Peacekeeping is an activity most frequently associated with the United Nations as they pursue the primary purpose of that organization. This, according to the Charter, is: to maintain international peace and security, and to that end: to take effective collective measures for the prevention and removal of threats to the peace, and for the suppression of acts of aggression or other breaches of the peace and to bring about by peaceful means, and in conformity with the principles of justice and international law, adjustment or settlement of international disputes or situations which might lead to a breach of the peace.1
Progressive resistance exercise restores some properties of the triphasic EMG pattern and improves bradykinesia: the PRET-PD randomized clinical trial

In Parkinson's disease (PD), the characteristic triphasic agonist and antagonist muscle activation pattern during ballistic movement is impaired: the number of agonist muscle bursts is increased, and the amplitudes of the agonist and antagonist bursts are reduced. The breakdown of the triphasic electromyographic (EMG) pattern has been hypothesized to underlie bradykinesia in PD. Progressive resistance exercise has been shown to improve clinical measures of bradykinesia, but it is not clear whether the benefits for bradykinesia are accompanied by changes in agonist and antagonist muscle activity. This study examined the spatiotemporal changes in agonist and antagonist muscle activity following 24 mo of progressive resistance exercise and the combined relationship between spatiotemporal muscle activity and strength measures and upper limb bradykinesia. We compared the effects of progressive resistance exercise training (PRET) with a nonprogressive exercise intervention, modified Fitness Counts (mFC), in patients with PD. We randomized 48 participants with mild-to-moderate PD to mFC or PRET. At the study endpoint of 24 mo, participants randomized to PRET compared with mFC had significantly faster movement velocity, accompanied by significant increases in the duration, magnitude, and magnitude normalized to duration of the 1st agonist burst and fewer number of agonist bursts before peak velocity. The antagonist muscle activity was increased relative to baseline but did not differ between groups. Spatiotemporal EMG muscle activity and muscle strength were significantly associated with upper limb bradykinesia. These findings demonstrate that progressive resistance exercise improves upper limb movement velocity and restores some aspects of the triphasic EMG pattern.
Lingering Questions about Enhancer RNA and Enhancer Transcription-Coupled Genomic Instability

Intergenic and intragenic enhancers found inside topologically associated regulatory domains (TADs) express noncoding RNAs, known as enhancer RNAs (eRNAs). Recent studies have indicated these eRNAs play a role in gene regulatory networks by controlling promoter and enhancer interactions and topology of higher-order chromatin structure. Misregulation of enhancer and promoter associated noncoding RNAs (ncRNAs) could stabilize deleterious secondary DNA structures, noncoding RNA associated DNA/RNA hybrid formation, and promote collisions of transcription complexes with replisomes. It is revealing that many chromosomal aberrations, some associated with malignancies, are present inside enhancer and/or promoter sequences. Here, we expand on current concepts to discuss enhancer RNAs and enhancer transcription, and how enhancer transcription influences genomic organization and integrity.