cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Synoptic controls on summertime surface ozone in the northeastern United States

[1] The relationship between synoptic-scale circulation patterns and surface ozone (O 3 ) across the northeastern United States was investigated for summers 2000-2004. Observational data consisted of 1200 UT sea level pressure fields obtained from the National Centers for Environmental Prediction Global Final Analysis and O 3 measurements from 474 Environmental Protection Agency and five AIRMAP monitoring sites. The five most common circulation patterns, or map types (I-V), were identified with a correlation-based synoptic categorization technique, which persisted on 65% of the days during the study period. Map type I, characterized by stagnant warm conditions throughout the northeast, occurred most frequently (21%) with associated episodes of high O 3 . Interannual variability in O 3 varied regionally from a seasonally averaged daily maximum value of 64 ppbv in 2002 to a minimum of 52 ppbv in 2004. By considering both the sea level pressure system intensity and frequency of each map type, 46% of the interannual variability in summertime O 3 was reproduced with intensity being the dominant factor. The remaining interannual variability was possibly due to nonlinear relationships between climate and biogenic emissions and/or recent reductions of power plant emissions of nitrogen oxides (NO x ) over the eastern United States. The storm track of cyclones in the eastern United States was a key determinate of the intensity of circulation patterns.
The Influence of Informal Communication on Organizational Identification and Commitment in the Context of High-Intensity Telecommuting

The relationship between types of informal coworker communication and organizational identification and commitment is tested in the context of high-intensity telecommuting. Teleworkers recalled interactions in which they felt included or excluded, and responses were coded for integration of teleworkers' relational and identity aims with organizational goals. Inclusion message level, exclusion message level, and coworker social support predicted teleworkers' level of organizational identification and commitment; collegial talk was weakly associated. The quality of the relationship teleworkers had with the coworker they interacted with the most moderated the effect of exclusion messages on identification and commitment, but the general quality of coworker relationships was not a moderator.
Formation of a cobalt(III) imido from a cobalt(II) amido complex. Evidence for proton-coupled electron transfer.

The cobalt(II) amido complex, LCoNHtBu (L = bulky tris(carbene)borate) reacts with the 2,4,6-tri(tert-butyl)phenoxy radical to form the cobalt(III) imido, LCoNtBu. A computational investigation (SDD and 6-31G*) of possible reaction pathways provides evidence for a mechanism involving concerted proton-coupled electron transfer. The N−H BDE is computationally estimated to be 75 kcal/mol.
A fresh look at graduate programs in teacher leadership in the United States

Teacher leadership has been studied in the United States for 30 years, but less is known about American graduate programs that purport to prepare teacher leaders. Furthermore, the federal No Child Left Behind Act of 2001 prompted a closer look at teacher effectiveness, which then shifted the definition of teacher leadership and caused some scholars to question the connection. This paper describes a conceptual/qualitative investigation that first identified criteria for teacher leadership and teacher effectiveness in graduate programs. Using online resources, we identified 21 graduate teacher leadership programs in America. Using website material and interviews, we explored how they addressed teacher leadership versus teacher effectiveness. The 21 programs were sorted into five categories, which revealed a spectrum of responses to the teacher effectiveness agenda as well as other market forces.
Single Channel Sensing of dsDNA using the Membrane- Adapted Nanopore of phi29 DNA Packaging Motor

The bacteriophage phi29 DNA-packaging motor, geared by six pRNA molecules, contains a truncated cone shape connector channel that is 3.6nm in diameter at its narrow end and 6nm in diameter at its wide end. This channel allows dsDNA to enter and exit the virus procapsid during virus maturation and infection, respectively. We modified the genes that code for the core of the phi29 DNA packaging motor in order to change the amino acid sequence of its protein for membrane incorporation. The modified connector was reconstituted into liposomes and fused into a planar lipid bilayer membrane. Distinctive current jumps were found for each connector insertion. The conductance of each connector channel was measured and found to be uniform (4.8nS in 1M KCl). The membrane embedded connector channel was found to be able to translocate dsDNA. The translocations were recorded as blockage events of the current. The blockages were equal for each of the individual channels, generating a clean, homogenous and uniform signal representing DNA translocation.The connector channel is larger than the previously studied ion channels, which could only let ssDNA pass. The robust property of the connector in ion and dsDNA tranlocation has extensive potentials in microelectromechanical sensing, microreactors, gene delivery, drug loading and DNA sequencing. Single molecule and low concentration sensing can be achieved using this membrane embedded connector system. Additionally, the available crystal structure of the connector protein makes it easy to modify the channel for specific applications and the established large scale purification procedure of the connector will facilitate its practice.
Cytokine production by mouse myeloid dendritic cells in relation to differentiation and terminal maturation induced by lipopolysaccharide or CD40 ligation

Although it is known that dendritic cells (DCs) produce cytokines, there is little information about how cytokine synthesis is regulated during DC development. A range of cytokine mRNA/proteins was analyzed in immature (CD86−) or mature (CD86+) murine bone marrow (BM)- derived DCs. Highly purified, flow-sorted, immature DCs exhibited higher amounts of interleukin-1α (IL-1α), IL-1β, tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), transforming growth factor β1 (TGF-β1), and macrophage migration inhibitory factor (MIF) mRNA/protein than mature DCs. After differentiation, DC up-regulated the levels of IL-6 and IL-15 mRNA/protein and synthesized de novo mRNA/protein for IL-12p35, IL-12p40, and IL-18. Although immature BM-derived DCs did not stimulate naive allogeneic T cells, mature DCs elicited a mixed population of T helper (Th) 1 (mainly) and Th2 cells in 3d-mixed leukocyte reactions. CD86+ BM DCs switched to different cytokine patterns according to whether they were terminally differentiated by lipopolysaccharide (LPS) or CD40 ligation. Although both stimuli increased IL-6, IL-12p40, IL-15, and TNF-α mRNA/protein levels, only LPS up-regulated transcription of IL-1α, IL-1β, IL-12p35, and MIF genes. Although LPS and CD40 cross-linking increased the T-cell allostimulatory function of BM DCs, only LPS stimulation shifted the balance of naive Th differentiation to Th1 cells, a mechanism dependent on the up-regulation of IL-12p35 and not of IL-23. These results demonstrate that, depending on the stimuli used to terminally mature BM DCs, DCs synthesize a different pattern of cytokines and exhibit distinct Th cell–driving potential.
Calcium/Calmodulin Regulates Ubiquitination of the Ubiquitin-specific Protease TRE17/USP6

The TRE17 (USP6/TRE-2) oncogene induces tumorigenesis in both humans and mice. However, little is known regarding its regulation or mechanism of transformation. TRE17 encodes a TBC (Tre-2/Bub2/Cdc16)/Rab GTPase-activating protein homology domain at its N terminus and a ubiquitin-specific protease at its C terminus. In the current study, we identified the ubiquitous calcium (Ca2+)-binding protein calmodulin (CaM) as a novel binding partner for TRE17. CaM bound directly to TRE17 in a Ca2+-dependent manner both in vitro and in vivo. The CaM-binding site was mapped to two hydrophobic motifs near the C terminus of the TBC domain. Point mutations within these motifs significantly reduced the interaction of TRE17 with CaM. We further found that TRE17 is monoubiquitinated and promotes its own deubiquitination in vivo. CaM binding-deficient mutants of TRE17 exhibited significantly reduced monoubiquitination, suggesting that binding of Ca2+/CaM to TRE17 promotes this modification. Consistent with this notion, treatment of cells with the CaM inhibitor W7 reduced levels of TRE17 monoubiquitination. Interestingly, the calcium ionophore A23187 induced accumulation of a polyubiquitinated TRE17 species. The effect of A23187 was attenuated in CaM binding-deficient mutants of TRE17. Taken together, these studies indicate a role for Ca2+/CaM in regulating ubiquitination through direct interaction with TRE17.
Analysis of RFID technology usage for luggage management in the airline industry

Airlines are a vital part of the transportation industry, responsible for the movement of people and products. Air passenger luggage is a key component of such services. A primary function of radio frequency identification (RFID) in the airline industry is to improve customer service and reduce associated costs by effectively tracking passenger luggage. In the commercial airline industry, fierce competition and declining margins make adoption of technologies such as RFID an attractive option. In this paper, we analyse two airlines to identify the antecedents and outcome of the RFID adoption in the airline industry with specific reference to the management of customer luggage. Ultimately, we identify that RFID is a necessary but insufficient technology for airlines seeking to gain a competitive advantage in the ever-dynamic airline industry.
DIFFERENCES IN URINE VOLUME AND SUPERSATURATION IN 2 PHYSICIAN NETWORKS

Purpose: We determined whether a network of practices devoted to a broad range of urological care would achieve a decrease in metabolic stone risk comparable to that achieved by a network of similar practices that emphasized kidney stone management as a distinct specialized interest, provided that each was given equivalent access to high level urine testing and software support.Materials and Methods: Pretreatment and treatment 24-hour urine samples were obtained from patients in a large network of practices related by the shared use of lithotripsy facilities and instruments (group 2) and a contrasting network of practices that emphasize stone treatment over other concerns (group 1). All known urine risk factors, including supersaturation, were measured and calculated.Results: Treatment supersaturation values in group 2 exceeded those in group 1. The reason was unpredicted and unexplained but highly consistent lower urine volume in group 2 patients that was present before and persisted during treatment. Gr...
Gender in Twentieth-Century Children’s Books Patterns of Disparity in Titles and Central Characters

Gender representations reproduce and legitimate gender systems. To examine this aspect of the gendered social order, we analyze the representation of males and females in the titles and central characters of 5,618 children’s books published throughout the twentieth century in the United States. Compared to females, males are represented nearly twice as often in titles and 1.6 times as often as central characters. By no measure in any book series (i.e., Caldecott award winners, Little Golden Books, and books listed in the Children’s Catalog) are females represented more frequently than males. We argue that these disparities are evidence of symbolic annihilation and have implications for children’s understandings of gender. Nevertheless, important differences in the extent of the disparity are evident by type of character (i.e., child or adult, human or animal), book series, and time period. Specifically, representations of child central characters are the most equitable and animals the most inequitable; Li...
Newspaper reports: a source of surveillance for burns among women in Pakistan.

Background Our study attempts to describe the demographics, characteristics of victims and perpetrators, and circumstances leading to burn events among females in Pakistan. Methods Human Rights Commission of Pakistan (HRCP) systematically collected data on burns among women using newspaper reports from January 2004 till December 2005. We analyzed the aggregated data and estimated burn rates. Results A total of 222 burn events were reported from 2004 to 2005; complete data were not available for all variables. Adults (18 years) constituted 74% (91/123) of cases with 95% (121/127) being married. Most burns were caused by bursting of stoves (34%; 64/189) or victims set-on fire (33%; n ¼ 63/189). Burns using acids accounted for 13% (25/189). Husbands (52%; 51/98) and in-laws (23%; 23/98) were the perpetrators in known burn events. Burns were classified as accidental in half of cases (51%; 97/189) and related to domestic issues in a quarter (25%; 47/189). There were 49% of (92/189) burns that were reported as intentional. The mean annual rate of burns among women (15‐64 years of age) was found to be 33 per 100 000. Conclusion Newspaper reports are good source of surveillance when information is otherwise limited. Majority of burns (51%) were classified as accidental while 49% were reported as intentional, though there is a limitation in the accuracy of reported accidental events. There is a dire need for systematic data collection and devising preventive strategies for this important public health problem that remains largely neglected in Pakistan.
Open identification and linking of the four Ws

Platforms for social computing connect users via shared references to people with whom they have relationships, events attended, places lived in or traveled to, and topics such as favorite books or movies. Since free text is insufficient for expressing such references precisely and unambiguously, many social computing platforms coin identifiers for topics, places, events, and people and provide interfaces for finding and selecting these identifiers from controlled lists. Using these interfaces, users collaboratively construct a web of links among entities.
Incorporating VHDL into the digital curriculum

Summary form only given. Traditional courses in digital design, especially in engineering technology, have focused on and used TTL logic integrated circuits in lecture and lab. It is still difficult to find a textbook suitable for a technology program that is not based on these chips. However, TTL is very rarely used in industry today. This work in progress report discusses the planned implementation of advanced programmable logic devices (PLDs) and associated software into the digital curriculum, including introductory courses.
Is ITC bored with board test

If you look at the mix of papers published at ITC over the last ten years or so, there does appear to be a large swing away from board test topics and towards more IC-oriented technical papers. Why is that? Could one argue that board test became a solved problem after the introduction of the IEEE 1149.1 standard [1]? Hardly, since that original standard, as useful as it has proven to be, was still deficient in a number of areas and is being actively extended even today. The most notable recent extensions are the 1149.4 analog interface and the proposed P1149.6 extension for high speed digital signals. As an ASIC vendor, we work with many different companies on implementing ASICs in a variety of applications. Often, given the choice, our customers would opt not to implement boundary scan on their designs. It’s not clear if this is indicative of the perceived difficulty in using the approach, a lack of familiarity with the tools involved, the use of other more desirable solutions, or some combination of the above. Clearly, boards are not going untested. So, either via JTAG or other means, solutions exist for board level testing. But, if board manufacturers are opting for non-1149.1 test procedures, the question remains, why do we not see more active research in this area? There are probably at least two reasons:
Rising concentrations of atmospheric CO2 have increased growth in natural stands of quaking aspen (Populus tremuloides)

As atmospheric CO 2 levels rise, temperate and boreal forests in the Northern Hemisphere are gaining importance as carbon sinks. Quantification of that role, however, has been difficult due to the confounding effects of climate change. Recent large-scale experiments with quaking aspen (Populus tremuloides), a dominant species in many northern forest ecosystems, indicate that elevated CO 2 levels can enhance net primary production. Field studies also reveal that droughts contribute to extensive aspen mortality. To complement this work, we analyzed how the growth of wild aspen clones in Wisconsin has responded to historical shifts in CO 2 and climate, accounting for age, genotype (microsatellite heterozygosity), and other factors. Aspen growth has increased an average of 53% over the past five decades, primarily in response to the 19.2% rise in ambient CO 2 levels. CO 2 -induced growth is particularly enhanced during periods of high moisture availability. The analysis accounts for the highly nonlinear changes in growth rate with age, and is unaffected by sex or location sampled. Growth also increases with individual heterozygosity, but this heterozygote advantage has not changed with rising levels of CO 2 or moisture. Thus, increases in future growth predicted from previous large-scale, common-garden work are already evident in this abundant and ecologically important tree species. Owing to aspen's role as a foundation species in many North American forest ecosystems, CO 2 -stimulated growth is likely to have repercussions for numerous associated species and ecosystem processes.
Modeling disease progression using dynamics of pathway connectivity.

Motivation: Disease progression is driven by dynamic changes in both the activity and connectivity of molecular pathways. Understanding these dynamic events is critical for disease prognosis and effective treatment. Compared with activity dynamics, connectivity dynamics is poorly explored. Results: We describe the M-module algorithm to identify gene modules with common members but varied connectivity across multiple gene co-expression networks (aka M-modules). We introduce a novel metric to capture the connectivity dynamics of an entire M-module. We find that M-modules with dynamic connectivity have distinct topological and biochemical properties compared with static M-modules and hub genes. We demonstrate that incorporation of module connectivity dynamics significantly improves disease stage prediction. We identify different sets of M-modules that are important for specific disease stage transitions and offer new insights into the molecular events underlying disease progression. Besides modeling disease progression, the algorithm and metric introduced here are broadly applicable to modeling dynamics of molecular pathways. Availability and implementation: M-module is implemented in R. The source code is freely available at http://www.healthcare.uiowa.edu/ labs/tan/M-module.zip.
Energy-Efficient Range Assignment in Heterogeneous Wireless Sensor Networks

This paper considers a heterogeneous wireless sensor network consisting of a large number of energy constrained wireless sensor nodes and a connected subnetwork of resource-rich supernodes used for relaying sensor data to the user. We address the range assignment problem in this heterogeneous sensor network - selecting the transmission range for each sensor node such that a multihop communication path exists between each sensor node and a supernode. In order to balance power usage in the sensor network, the objective of this range assignment problem is to minimize the maximum transmission power consumed at each sensor nodes. We propose several solutions: an Integer Programming approach, a distributed greedy protocol, and a minimum spanning tree protocol based on clustering. We validate and evaluate the proposed solutions with simulations.
CO2 capture by metal-organic frameworks with van der Waals density functionals.

We use density functional theory calculations with van der Waals corrections to study the role of dispersive interactions on the structure and binding of CO 2 within two distinct metal-organic frameworks (MOFs): Mg-MOF74 and Ca-BTT. For both classes of MOFs, we report calculations with standard gradient-corrected (PBE) and five van der Waals density functionals (vdW-DFs), also comparing with semiempirical pairwise corrections. The vdW-DFs explored here yield a large spread in CO 2-MOF binding energies, about 50% (around 20 kJ/mol), depending on the choice of exchange functional, which is significantly larger than our computed zero-point energies and thermal contributions (around 5 kJ/mol). However, two specific vdW-DFs result in excellent agreement with experiments within a few kilojoules per mole, at a reduced computational cost compared to quantum chemistry or many-body approaches. For Mg-MOF74, PBE underestimates adsorption enthalpies by about 50%, but enthalpies computed with vdW-DF, PBE+D2, and vdW-DF2 (40.5, 38.5, and 37.4 kJ/mol, respectively) compare extremely well with the experimental value of 40 kJ/mol. vdW-DF and vdW-DF2 CO 2-MOF bond lengths are in the best agreement with experiments, while vdW-C09 x results in the best agreement with lattice parameters. On the basis of the similar behavior of the reduced density gradients around CO 2 for the two MOFs studied, comparable results can be expected for CO 2 adsorption in BTT-type MOFs. Our work demonstrates for this broad class of molecular adsorbate-periodic MOF systems that parameter-free and computationally efficient vdW-DF and vdW-DF2 approaches can predict adsorption enthalpies with chemical accuracy. © 2012 American Chemical Society.
Partner support and impact on birth outcomes among teen pregnancies in the United States.

Purpose Despite hypothesized relationships between lack of partner support during a woman’s pregnancy and adverse birth outcomes, few studies have examined partner support among teens. We examined a potential proxy measure of partner support and its impact on adverse birth outcomes (low birth weight (LBW), preterm birth (PTB) and pregnancy loss) among women who have had a teenage pregnancy in the United States.
Comparing the T scores from bone sonometer measurements in Hispanic and non-Hispanic white women

*Ethnicity is an important risk factor for the development of osteoporosis. Non-Hispanic white or Asian women are commonly considered at higher risk than other ethnicities. Hispanics in the U.S. are of Mexican, Caribbean, Central American, or South American descent. Conclusive data on the relative risk of osteoporosis in Hispanic women based upon heritage within the Hispanic population are not available. Objective: To investigate whether Hispanic white women are at a significantly lower risk than nonHispanic whites for the development of osteoporosis. Methods: Cross-sectional study. Setting: Community health screenings. Participants: Hispanic and non-Hispanic white women. Intervention: Bone density measurements of the non-dominant heel. Descriptive statistics and inferential statistics including regression analyses were performed using SPSS 14.0. Main Outcomes Measure: T scores. Results: Overall, measurements were obtained from 352 women (209 Hispanic & 143 non-Hispanic white) ranging in age from 55-97 years old. The mean T score obtained for Hispanic women was 1.194 and -1.280 for non-Hispanic white women. The correlation between the obtained T score and age was negative (r = -0.36, p<0.01), reflecting bone loss with increasing age. Regression analysis using age and ethnicity showed that ethnicity was a non-significant contributor to the best-fit regression line (t=0.60, p=0.55). Conclusion: This study indicates that Hispanic white women may be at comparable risk of developing osteoporosis as non-Hispanic white women.
A novel criticality computation method in statistical timing analysis

The impact of process variations increases as technology scales to nanometer region. Under large process variations, the path and arc/node criticality provide effective metrics in guiding circuit optimization. To facilitate the criticality computation considering the correlation, the authors define the critical region for the path and arc/node in a timing graph, and propose an efficient method to compute the criticality for paths and arcs/nodes simultaneously by a single breadth-first graph traversal during the backward propagation. Instead of choosing a set of paths for analysis prematurely, we develop a new property of the path criticality to prune those paths with low criticality at very earlier stages, so that our path criticality computation method has linear complexity with respect of the timing edges in a timing graph. To improve the computation accuracy, cutset and path criticality properties are exploited to calibrate the computation results. The experimental results on ISCAS benchmark circuits show that our criticality computation method can achieve high accuracy with fast speed
Effects of root competition on development of chestnut and oak regeneration following midstory removal

Partial canopy cover promotes regeneration of many ecologically and/or economically favoured tree species in temperate mesic forests. However, the specific effects of belowground resource competition from different canopystratainthesesystemsarepoorlyunderstood.ThisisparticularlythecaseforAmericanchestnut(Castanea dentata (Marsh.) Borkh.), a formerly dominant forest tree species in eastern North America that was functionally extirpated from the canopy byan exotic blight disease and for which there is now increased interest in forest restoration using blight-resistant backcross hybrids. We examined the influence of overstory and herbaceous root competition (via trenching or weeding) on growth and survival of 3-year-old, underplanted American chestnut and northern red oak (Quercus rubra L.) seedlings following midstory removal. Leaf physiology was evaluated on American chestnut throughout the third growing season. Compared with northern red oak, American chestnut had greaterrelative aboveground growth and its relative growth was more responsive to theremovalof overstory root competition. American chestnut had greater instantaneous water use efficiency in the absence of overstory root competition. Herbaceous root competition had no effect on seedling growth of either species. Thus, in lowlight conditions typical of an incomplete canopy, overstory root competition and not herbaceous competition limited American chestnut seedling growth and physiological development during establishment.
Efficient access control for distributed hierarchical file systems

To determine whether a user can access a file in a hierarchical file system a traversal of the directory hierarchy is required in order to check access control for all the parent directories. This traversal can be especially expensive in a distributed system where the files may be on separate devices. We present two approaches for representing the complete access control for a file and its parent directories such that it can be stored locally with each file in order to avoid traversal. We use the well-known CNF and DNF (conjunctive and disjunctive normal form) formats to store permission and ownership information compactly for the entire path to a file. An examination of the structure of an existing large shared file system demonstrates the efficacy of our solution.
Resistance-Distance Sum Rules*

The chemical potential for a novel intrinsic graph metric, the resistance distance, is briefly recalled, and then a number of » sum rules« for this metric are established. »Global« and » local « types of sum rules are identified. The sums in the » global « sum rules are graph invariants, and the sum rules provide inter-relations amongst different invariants, some involving the resistance distance while others do not. Illustrative applications to more » regular « graphs are made.
Point-Counterpoint: Teacher Professionalism

AbstractTwo perspectives on teaching as a profession offer an interesting contrast. One side focuses on teachers from a political perspective, while the other envisions transforming teaching into a true profession.
Membrane-proximal TRAIL species are incapable of inducing short circuit apoptosis signaling: Implications for drug development and basic cytokine biology

TRAIL continues to garner substantial interest as a recombinant cancer therapeutic while the native cytokine itself serves important tumor surveillance functions when expressed in membrane-anchored form on activated immune effector cells. We have recently developed the genetically stabilized TRAIL platform TR3 in efforts to improve the limitations associated with currently available drug variants. While in the process of characterizing mesothelin-targeted TR3 variants using a single chain antibody (scFv) delivery format (SS-TR3), we discovered that the membrane-tethered cytokine had a substantially increased activity profile compared to non-targeted TR3. However, cell death proceeded exclusively via a bystander mechanism and protected the mesothelin-positive targets from apoptosis rather than leading to their elimination. Incorporation of a spacer-into the mesothelin surface antigen or the cancer drug itself-converted SS-TR3 into a cis-acting phenotype. Further experiments with membrane-anchored TR3 variants and the native cytokine confirmed our hypothesis that membrane-proximal TRAIL species lack the capacity to physically engage their cognate receptors coexpressed on the same cell membrane. Our findings not only provide an explanation for the “peaceful” coexistence of ligand and receptor of a representative member of the TNF superfamily but give us vital clues for the design of activity-enhanced TR3-based cancer therapeutics.
Considering Human Milk Variability in the Nutritional Management of Low-Birth-Weight Infants:

Human milk is the preferred feeding for babies but requires fortification to meet the needs of low-birth-weight infants. Human milk is known to vary with length of gestation and state of lactation. We describe the degree of variability both between mothers and within a mother’s own milk supply in the setting of the neonatal intensive care unit. Aliquots from 24-hour supplies of human milk from mothers of infants weighing <2 kg at birth who were between 2 and 6 weeks of life were analyzed for lactose, bioavailable protein, and fat using a mid-infrared milk analyzer. Variability was estimated for each macronutrient by calculating the coefficient of variation (%) and was significantly less within one mother than between mothers (P < .05). The variability in macronutrient content between mothers supports the use of human milk analysis when establishing a nutritional management plan for low-birth-weight infants. Low variability within a mother’s own milk supply suggests that weekly analysis is sufficient to es...
Molecular and system parameters governing mass and charge transport in polar liquids and electrolytes.

Onsager’s model of the dielectric constant is used to provide a molecular-level picture of how the dielectric constant affects mass and charge transport in organic liquids and organic liquid electrolytes. Specifically, the molecular and system parameters governing transport are the molecular dipole moment μ and the solvent dipole density N. The compensated Arrhenius formalism (CAF) writes the temperature-dependent ionic conductivity or diffusion coefficient as an Arrhenius-like expression that also includes a static dielectric constant (es) dependence in the exponential prefactor. The temperature dependence of es and therefore the temperature dependence of the exponential prefactor is due to the quantity N/T, where T is the temperature. Using the procedure described in the CAF, values of the activation energy can be obtained by scaling out the N/T dependence instead of the es dependence. It has been previously shown that a plot of the prefactors versus es results in a master curve, and here it is shown th...
DTHZ-20 Intrinsically Safe Type Electromagnet for Unloading Valve Used in Mine

An intrinsically safe type electromagnet for underground hydraulic unloading valve was designed.The main technical indexes,performances and structure principle of the electromagnet were introduced,and selection of structure of the electromagnet was analyzed.The design of magnetic system of the electromagnet was expounded emphatically.The actual application showed that the electromagnet has features of small power,big suction and flexible action.
Levels and Influencing Factors of Phthalates Exposure in Two-Year-Old Infants in a County

[Objective]To evaluate exposure levels of phthalates and its influencing factors in infants at the age of 2 years old.[Methods]Questionnaires and spot urine samples were collected from 344 2-year-old infants in a county of Jiangsu Province from June 2011 to January 2012.The survey content included infants’ general information and their behaviors habits with potential exposure to phthalates.Nine urinary phthalate metabolites were determined by high performance liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry(HPLC-MS/MS).Non-parametric test and multiple linear regression analysis were used to identify the influencing factors of infant phthalates exposure.[Results]The phthalate metabolites were identified in all urine samples of these infants.The median levels were as follows: monomethyl phthalate(MMP),15.73μg/L;monoethyl phthalate(MEP),13.99μg/L;monobutyl phthalate(MBP),39.30μg/L;monoisobutyl phthalate(MiBP),29.23μg/L;mono-3-carboxypropyl phthalate(MCPP),2.90μg/L;mono-2-ethylhexyl phthalate(MEHP),2.88μg/L;mono-(2-ethyl-5-hydroxyhexyl) phthalate(MEHHP),11.93μg/L;mono-(2-ethyl-5-oxohexyl) phthalate(MEOHP),8.70μg/L,and mono-(2-ethyl-5-carboxypentyl) phthalate(MECPP),50.10μg/L.The positive rates were 100.00% for MMP,MEHHP,and MECPP,respectively;89.80% for MEHP;and 96.80%-99.71% for the other 5 metabolites.The usage of plastic milk bottles or plastic tableware was found to have statistically significant effects on concentrations of some urinary phthalate metabolites in infants’ urine samples(P0.05).[Conclusion]The findings suggest that the infants are widely exposed to phthalates.The usage of plastic milk bottles or plastic tableware might increase infants’ exposure to phthalates.
Evaluation of present day treatment of peptic ulcer.

The diagnosis and treatment of uncomplicated duodenal ulcer is discussed, including both medical and surgical treatment. A medical regimen is preferred, if the patient's symptoms can be controlled and if there are no complications. A patient is presented and her case described.
Dynamic optical arbitrary waveform generation from a heterogeneously integrated InP/Si3N4 chip-scale module

We demonstrate static and dynamic optical arbitrary waveform generation in a heterogeneously integrated Si3N4 AWG-InP modulator array-Si3N4 AWG chip-scale module. High contrast Si3N4 AWGs and nearly pure phase InP modulation provided high fidelity OAWG.
Low-Voltage Cathodoluminescent Phosphors

Phosphors have been used for the display of information since the invention of the cathode-ray tube (CRT) by Karl Ferdinand Braun in 1897. With the development of color television, an effort spanning approximately 30 years, came the most significant advances in phosphor technology. The most noteworthy was the shift to the all-sulfide system, and discovery of the red, rare-earth oxysulfide phosphors.
Pilot study of a multidisciplinary gout patient education and monitoring program

Objective Gout patient self-management knowledge and adherence to treatment regimens are poor. Our objective was to assess the feasibility and acceptability of a multidisciplinary team-based pilot program for the education and monitoring of gout patients.
Sequential circuit testing

After a brief recap of problem areas in sequential circuit testing different approaches to testing sequential circuits are reviewed. Both synchronous and asynchronous circuits are considered. Examples are given from the following areas: (1) functional techniques, such as the checking experiment, and its extension to built-in self-test (BIST) testing and to logic synthesis; (2) heuristic techniques, such as iterative test pattern generation; (3) scan-path techniques, and (4) alternatives to scan path. >
The cost-effectiveness of brief intervention versus brief treatment of Screening, Brief Intervention and Referral to Treatment (SBIRT) in the United States

Aims To conduct a cost-effectiveness analysis (CEA) comparing the delivery of brief intervention (BI) with brief treatment (BT) within Screening, Brief Intervention and Referral to Treatment (SBIRT) programs. Design Quasi-experimental differences in observed baseline characteristics between BI and BT patients were adjusted using propensity score techniques. Incremental comparison of costs and health outcomes associated with BI and BT. Setting Health-care settings in four US states participating in Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration SBIRT grant programs. Participants Ninety patients who received BT and 878 who received BI. Measurements Per-patient cost of SBIRT, patient demographics and six measures of substance use: proportion using alcohol, proportion using alcohol to intoxication, days of alcohol use, days of alcohol use to intoxication, proportion using drugs and days using drugs. Findings BI and BT were associated with better outcomes. The cost of SBIRT was significantly higher for BT patients ($75.54 versus 16.32, 95% confidence interval, P < 0.01). BT would be cost-effective if the decision-maker had a willingness to pay of $8.90 for a 1 percentage point reduction in the probability of using any alcohol. For the other five outcomes, BT was less effective and more costly, and BI would be a better use of resources. Conclusions It might be cost-effective to offer brief treatment if the goal is to abstain from alcohol. However, the higher effectiveness of brief treatment for this outcome is associated with considerable uncertainty and, because both brief intervention and brief treatment improve all outcomes, brief treatment does not appear to be a good use of resources.
Assessing preparedness of small businesses for hurricane disasters: Analysis of pre-disaster owner, business and location characteristics

Abstract Management decisions owners make to prepare their small businesses for hurricane events are strategic decisions that can affect the sustainability of their businesses. Therefore, there is value in understanding who prepares, what they do to protect their businesses, and in predicting these decisions from known demographics such as race, gender and business size. This study characterized the owners and businesses that did or did not undertake hurricane preparations and suggests education and policy strategies to assist these business owners. Small business owners in southern Mississippi participated in telephone interviews that provided data for the logit analyses in this study. The preparedness activities most practiced were risk transfer and structural mitigation. The least practiced activities were those related to protection of business operations and non-structural assets. Whether or not the business was located in a coastal county subject to surge highly predicted the use of certain types of preparation. Results demonstrate that preparation activities varied depending on the situation of the business (e.g. size, prior experience with disasters, property ownership) and characteristics of the owner (e.g. gender and education). However, differing threats to the business related to location (e.g. surge prone or not) and factors such as mandated insurance, local zoning, and commercial versus home-based locations were important influences.
Platelet counts in women with normal pregnancies: A systematic review

The occurrence of thrombocytopenia in 5% of pregnant women at delivery, described as gestational thrombocytopenia, is well documented. A commonly believed concept is that gestational thrombocytopenia is the result of gradually decreasing platelet counts in all women during pregnancy. The goal of our study was to evaluate the data supporting this concept. To learn what is known about platelet counts throughout normal pregnancies, we systematically reviewed all publications describing platelet counts during pregnancy. We identified 3,039 studies; 46 reporting ≥30 women with normal pregnancies were included in our analyses. The combined mean platelet counts from all studies supported the concept that platelet counts decrease during pregnancy and increase postpartum: first trimester, 251,000/µL (95% CI, 238,000-264,000/µL); second trimester, 238,000/µL (95% CI, 222,000-253,000/µL); third trimester, 224,000/µL (95% CI, 213,000-235,000/µL); delivery, 237,000/µL (95% CI, 209,000-264,000/µL); 4-8 weeks postpartum, 247,000/µL (95% CI, 207,000-287,000/µL). However, individual studies were inconsistent. Eleven longitudinal studies compared platelet counts on the same women at different times during gestation: seven reported a decrease; four reported no change. Ten cross-sectional studies compared platelet counts of different women at different times during gestation: five reported a decrease; five reported no change. Five studies compared platelet counts of pregnant to nonpregnant women: three reported that platelet counts were lower in pregnant women; one reported no difference; one reported that platelet counts were higher in pregnant women. These inconsistent data emphasize the need to accurately describe platelet counts throughout normal pregnancies. Accurate data are essential for evaluating the clinical importance of thrombocytopenia during pregnancy.
Development, Homeostasis, and Functions of Intestinal Intraepithelial Lymphocytes

The intestine is continuously exposed to commensal microorganisms, food, and environmental agents and also serves as a major portal of entry for many pathogens. A critical defense mechanism against microbial invasion in the intestine is the single layer of epithelial cells that separates the gut lumen from the underlying tissues. The barrier function of the intestinal epithelium is supported by cells and soluble factors of the intestinal immune system. Chief among them are intestinal intraepithelial lymphocytes (iIELs), which are embedded in the intestinal epithelium and represent one of the single largest populations of lymphocytes in the body. Compared with lymphocytes in other parts of the body, iIELs exhibit unique phenotypic, developmental, and functional properties that reflect their key roles in maintaining the intestinal epithelial barrier. In this article, we review the biology of iIELs in supporting normal health and how their dysregulation can contribute to disease.
Integrated Molecular Analyses of Biological Samples on a Bead-Based Microarray Platform

Molecular analyses of biological samples have traditionally been pursued in parallel, with those researchers studying genetic diversity having few technical approaches in common with those studying gene expression. Increasingly, scientists recognize the importance of integrating analytical technologies to further research, particularly into emerging fields such as epigenetics and the genetics of gene expression. In this chapter, we describe a suite of applications that take advantage of the Illumina® bead-based microarrays, all of which are read out on a single analytical instrument. The integration of whole genome genotyping, high throughput focused genotyping, whole transcriptome expression profiling, focused expression profiling of fresh or preserved tissues, allele-specific expression profiling and DNA methylation assays on the BeadArray™ Reader allows researchers to expand their perspectives, from whole genomes to single bases, from genetics to expression and on to epigenetics.
On Learning Correlated Boolean Functions Using Statistical Queries (Extended Abstract)

In this paper, we study the problem of using statistical query (SQ) to learn a class of highly correlated boolean functions, namely, a class of functions where any pair agree on significantly more than 1/2 fraction of the inputs. We give an almost-tight bound on how well one can approximate all the functions without making any query, and then we show that beyond this bound, the number of statistical queries the algorithm has to make increases with the “extra” advantage the algorithm gains in learning the functions. Here the advantage is defined to be the probability the algorithm agrees with the target function minus the probability the algorithm doesn’t agree. An interesting consequence of our results is that the class of booleanized linear functions over a finite field (f(a(x) = 1 iff o(a.x) = 1, where o is an arbitrary boolean function that maps any elements in GFp to ±1) is not efficiently learnable. This result is useful since the hardness of learning booleanized linear functions over a finite field is related to the security of certain cryptosystems ([B01]). In particular, we prove that the class of linear threshold functions over a finite field (f(a,b(x) = 1 iff a. x ≥ b) cannot be learned efficiently using statistical query. This contrasts with Blum et. al.’s result [BFK+96] that linear threshold functions over reals (perceptions) are learnable using the SQ model. Finally, we describe a PAC-learning algorithm that learns a class of linear threshold functions in time that is provably impossible for statistical query algorithms. With properly chosen parameters, this class of linear threshold functions become an example of PAC-learnable, but not SQlearnable functions that are not parity functions.
KQguard: Binary-Centric Defense against Kernel Queue Injection Attacks

Kernel callback queues (KQs) are the mechanism of choice for handling events in modern kernels. KQs have been misused by real-world malware to run malicious logic. Current defense mechanisms for kernel code and data integrity have difficulties with kernel queue injection (KQI) attacks, since they work without necessarily changing legitimate kernel code or data. In this paper, we describe the design, implementation, and evaluation of KQguard, an efficient and effective protection mechanism of KQs. KQguard uses static and dynamic analysis of kernel and device drivers to learn the legitimate event handlers. At runtime, KQguard rejects all the unknown KQ requests that cannot be validated. We implement KQguard on the Windows Research Kernel (WRK) and Linux and extensive experimental evaluation shows that KQguard is efficient (up to ~5% overhead) and effective (capable of achieving zero false positives against representative benign workloads after appropriate training and very low false negatives against 125 real-world malware and nine synthetic attacks). KQguard protects 20 KQs in WRK, can accommodate new device drivers, and through dynamic analysis of binary code can support closed source device drivers.
Investing in the Future: Expanding Educational Opportunities for First-Generation Latino College Students

In this new millennium, those with high levels of education have better health outcomes, increased civic participation, and higher social capital. The size of the Latino youth population and the role they will play in future labor markets warrants a larger public investment in their education. In this chapter, we argue that because so many current and future Latino college students are the first in their families to attend college, understanding both the academic and psychological needs of first-generation college students is critical. Given this discussion, we show how the creation of infrastructures to increase the number of Latino students in higher education must rest on three foundational strategies: (a) expand existing national and state policies to facilitate access to higher education through stronger financial aid packages and support programs, (b) pass legislation to address the educational needs of undocumented youth, and (c) develop institutional practices that facilitate retention.