cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Agro-ecological Data Aspects in Arid Zone and Role of Remote Sensing

Remote sensing data acquisition from the satellite images is very important for the scientific evaluation of land-use, monitoring changes, and to allow best management of use of the resources. Agro-ecosystems in arid lands are very important to provide the agricultural crops that can provide food for the living population on these lands. The arid lands are covering more than 30% of the total world areas (i.e. the classification of the dry-lands, are: Hyper-arid 7.5%, Arid 12.1% and semiarid 17.7% of the total world areas lands [13,049 million hectares] in consequence)[1]. The present paper will assess the agro-ecosystems in the arid zone and the effectiveness use of the remotely sensed data from satellite images. The remote sensing data showed that the agro-ecosystems in the arid zone are very susceptible to water shortages and reduction of rainfall. Further, the arid lands are characterized with the following phenomena: (1) agriculture in most arid zone countries is the main consumer of water; (2) most arid zone countries have high population growth, and rural population densities are generally much higher than overall population densities; (3) the arid zones have a surprising diversity of agro-ecological systems, with edaphically conditions that can deviate substantially from those of surrounding areas and this is due to the mosaic of changes in the water resources; (4) the surrounding of agro-ecosystems in these areas are very highly productive due to the intensive agricultural practice and the systems of comprehensive monoculture crops which in turn to establish the high productivity; (5) because of the vulnerability of the surrounding environment in the arid regions such as winds, sand storms, heat and these environmental issues can cause damages to these ecosystems and destruction and to accelerate the degradation; and (6) The human stresses in these ecosystems further encourage the further destruction of the soil, increasing salinity in the soil and further degradation and the reduction of productivity of these agricultural ecosystems. Using of spatial analysis of the GIS systems provided the important picture of the degraded ecosystems and the impact of human pressures on these ecosystems. I believe that the research which are targeted towards data spatialization and integration of remotely sensing information, in addition to meteorological data, terrestrial ecosystems data of land cover that were measured by using the Advanced Very High Resolution Radiometer (A VHRR) [2] that have of 1X1 km and other computer models will help to alleviate the handicap of sparse data to be combined to serve the human communities in supporting the better sustainable development of valuable natural resources of the earth.
Every time you go away: changes in affect, behavior, and physiology associated with travel-related separations from romantic partners.

This study investigated changes in day-to-day affect, behavior, and physiology (hypothalamic–pituitary– adrenocortical axis activity) associated with temporary physical separations from romantic partners (such as those brought about by work-related travel). Daily diaries and measures of salivary cortisol were collected from 42 couples over a 21-day period that was timed to coincide with a naturally occurring 4to 7-day separation. There were significant changes from preseparation to separation and from separation to reunion in the quality of partners’ interactions, their positive and negative affect, sleeping problems, subjective stress, physical symptoms, and cortisol levels. Separation and reunion effects were generally more pronounced in homebound partners, partners with high attachment anxiety, and partners who had less contact with each other during the separation. Separation and reunion effects were not moderated by relationship length, relationship satisfaction, how often couples underwent separations, or the presence of children in the home. The results are discussed with respect to the role of daily proximity and contact between partners for day-to-day affective and physiological regulation.
The Primacy of Welfare Rights

This paper deals with three topics: (1) types of rights, (2) the development of the terminology of rights, and (3) the question of the primacy of welfare rights. Because these topics are interrelated, my exposition does not observe rigid boundaries among them. There is no pretence at all that any of these subjects is fully covered here; nor is it proposed, except for one writer, to touch upon the contemporary literature on rights, as noteworthy as some of that literature is. In order to gain entrance into the field, on which the writing has grown to massive proportions, I shall begin with an interesting historical phenomenon, some of whose philosophical import I want to explore. I should say at the outset, however, that the general motivation of this paper is the problem of the significance of the language of “rights.” Does it really make a difference, for instance, to speak of the “rights of man” rather than the “common duties of humanity”? Does the term “rights” add anything of special significance or is its only significance rhetorical and ideological? Can we dispense with the language of rights and still say everything we need to say about our moral relations? I confess to a moderate skepticism about the necessity of the language of rights in the last analysis. At any rate, this paper is intended as a contribution, however small, to this problem. The historical phenomenon with which I am going to begin will enable us to bring into focus the issue of the meaning of “rights.”
The Benjamin-Feir instability and propagation of swell across the Pacific

About 40 years ago, Snodgrass and other oceanographers (1966) tracked ocean swell propagating across the entire Pacific Ocean. At about the same time, several investigators (including Benjamin and Feir) showed that a uniform train of plane waves of finite amplitude on deep water is unstable. Comparing these two results, each of which is highly cited, leads to the following question: in light of this instability, how did the waves tracked by oceanographers travel coherently more than 10,000km across the Pacific Ocean? A possible explanation is provided in recent work that re-examined the Benjamin-Feir instability in the presence of linear damping. The conclusion was that even small amounts of damping can stabilize the instability before nonlinear effects become important. In addition, the theoretical predictions agree well with results from laboratory experiments. In this paper we re-examine ocean data from 1966 to estimate whether the oceanic damping that was measured could have controlled the Benjamin-Feir instability for the swell that was tracked. We find that for one set of ocean swell, dissipation controls the Benjamin-Feir instability enough to allow coherent wave propagation across the Pacific. For a second set of ocean swell, it does not. For a third set of ocean swell, an integral that the theory predicts to be constant is not constant in the data; it decreases and correspondingly the spectral peak shifts to a lower frequency-this is frequency downshifting. For this case the theory is not an adequate model, so the corresponding Benjamin-Feir analysis can be misleading. Thus, our results from the historical records are inconclusive: we can assert neither that dissipation of ocean swell is always negligible, nor that it is always important. But our results show that dissipation can control the Benjamin-Feir instability for small-amplitude waves and that downshifting occurs in ocean swell with relatively small wave slopes.
Child-Care Use Among Welfare Mothers A Dynamic Analysis

The current welfare policy environment places considerable emphasis on employment as a means for reducing welfare dependency. Policy provisions that subsidize child-care use are aimed at encouraging work, exit from welfare, and sustained independence from public support. Yet there has been very little research on the child-care usage patterns of welfare mothers, particularly with respect to factors associated with the persistence of such patterns. This study analyzes the durability of child-care arrangements, using data from a 1983-1984 longitudinal survey of welfare mothers conducted in three cities. The specific questions addressed included the following: What are the correlates of durability of a child-care arrangement, especially those related to type and cost of care; and, how are a mother's subjective ratings of child-care quality related to the probability of ending or changing her current arrangement? The findings indicate that family day-care arrangements are the least durable; however, care in a...
H2O and HCl adsorption on single crystal α-Al2O3(0001) at stratospheric temperatures

Abstract The adsorption of H2O and HCl on single crystal α-Al2O3(0001) at stratospheric temperatures was studied using laser-induced thermal desorption (LITD) and temperature programmed desorption (TPD) techniques. The α-Al2O3(0001) surface was used to model stratospheric Al2O3 exhaust particles from solid rocket motors. H2O and HCl coverages may influence heterogeneous chemistry on Al2O3 particles at stratospheric temperatures of ∼200–270 K. Compared with earlier measurements at 298–300 K, the saturation coverages of both H2O and HCl on α-Al2O3(0001) were approximately two times higher at 210 K. The saturation coverages of H2O and HCl at 210 K were ΘH2O=4.4×1014 molecules/cm2 and ΘHCl=2.0×1014 molecules/cm2. The sticking coefficients for both H2O and HCl on α-Al2O3(0001) at 210 K were also higher than the corresponding sticking coefficients at 298–300 K. The sticking coefficients (S) for both H2O and HCl at 210 K were ∼0.08 at the lowest coverages. The TPD spectra revealed that H2O and HCl desorption occurred over a broad range of temperatures. These results indicate that H2O and HCl adsorb onto a wide distribution of binding sites on the α-Al2O3(0001) surface. The LITD and TPD results predict that α-Al2O3 rocket exhaust particles will be covered with chemisorbed H2O and HCl under stratospheric conditions. Additional H2O and HCl exposure can also replace the adsorbed HCl and H2O species, respectively, by exchange reactions.
Contrasting actions of cocaine, local anaesthetic and tetrodotoxin on discharge properties of rat aortic baroreceptors.

1. Effects of cocaine, lignocaine, benzocaine and tetrodotoxin (TTX) on the simultaneously measured pressure- and diameter-discharge frequency relations of single fibre baroreceptors were compared in rat in vitro aortic arch-aortic nerve preparations. 2. Between 1 and 10 microM, cocaine produced selective increases in the pressure threshold shifting the pressure-response curve without altering the gain or threshold frequency. At near-blocking concentrations, gain was depressed as well. Cocaine experiments were done in nitroprusside (NP, 1 microM). Neither NP or NP with cocaine altered diameter (P > 0.36). 3. Lignocaine (at > 10 microM) and benzocaine (at > 100 microM) shifted pressure-response curves to higher pressures and generally depressed discharge by increasing pressure threshold and decreasing maximum discharge frequency (P 0.14). 4. TTX increased thresholds and discharge frequencies at threshold but did not shift pressure-discharge curve locations. This produced superimposable discharge curves with changes occurring as losses of discharge points in the threshold region. Diameter was unaffected by TTX (P > 0.80). 5. The contrasting patterns of effects between TTX and local anaesthetics suggest that blockade of TTX-sensitive sodium channels alone may not be responsible for the effects of cocaine, lignocaine and benzocaine.
Fast nonlocal filtering applied to electron cryomicroscopy

We present an efficient algorithm for nonlocal image filtering with applications in electron cryomicroscopy. Our denoising algorithm is a rewriting of the recently proposed nonlocal mean filter. It builds on the separable property of neighborhood filtering to offer a fast parallel and vectorized implementation in contemporary shared memory computer architectures while reducing the theoretical computational complexity of the original filter. In practice, our approach is much faster than a serial, non-vectorized implementation and it scales linearly with image size. We demonstrate its efficiency in data sets from Caulobacter crescentus tomograms and a cryoimage containing viruses and provide visual evidences attesting the remarkable quality of the nonlocal means scheme in the context of cryoimaging. With such development we provide biologists with an attractive filtering tool to facilitate their scientific discoveries.
The Corps Battle Simulation: remodeling the model for new missions

During the mid 1980's the U.S. Army established the Corps Battle Simulation (CBS) as a standard tool for training commanders and their staffs. The CBS's architecture is typical of constructive training built during that era. It primarily models high intensity conflict in traditional theaters of operation. The technologies used in its construction reflect the wars then considered likely, the limited capability of uniprocessor computers, and third-generation distributed software environments. Nevertheless, the Army needs training tools that support emerging missions such as Low Intensity Conflict, multi-factional scenarios, Operations Other Than War, and joint and combined training. This paper describes the techniques used to transform the Corps Battle Simulation. To meet the needs of the late 1990's the large-scale force-on-force modeling paradigms are being replaced with representations more appropriate to the emerging world environment. The primary technology used to accomplish this transformation is called "Resolution Detailing" wherein new, more detailed and flexible functionality is selectively inserted without disturbing the overall workings of the system. Resolution Detailing permits the Army to specify focused areas for upgrade without perturbing overall system operation.
CD34+ cells from paroxysmal nocturnal hemoglobinuria (PNH) patients are deficient in surface expression of cellular prion protein (PrP c)

Abstract Objective Cellular prion protein (PrP c ) is a glycosylphosphatidylinositol (GPI)-anchored protein (GPI-AP) constitutively expressed by neurons but also in hematopoietic cells. In trasmissible spongiform encephalopathies, the protease-resistant form of prion (PrP s c ) converts the host PrP c into the pathologic form. We have investigated PrP c expression in hematopoietic cells from paroxysmal nocturnal hemoglobinuria (PNH). In this disease, due to somatic mutations in PIG-A gene, biosynthesis of the (GPI)-anchor is impaired and affected cells lack membrane expression of all GPI-AP. Methods Normal and PNH hematopoietic progenitors and paired wild-type (WT) and PIG-A mutant cell lines were used for analysis of intracellular and surface PrP c expression using flow cytometry and Western blot. Results By flow cytometry, PrP c was constitutively present on normal CD34 + cells, including more immature CD38 dim cells, as well as hematopoietic cell lines. Similar results were obtained in purified CD34 + . Phospholipase C treatment confirmed that PrP c was expressed on the membrane via the GPI-anchor. In PNH patients, GPI-AP-deficient CD34 + cells lacked PrP c membrane expression. PIG-A-mutated cell lines (Jurkat, K562, C EBV , A EBV ), in contrast to their normal counterparts, did not express surface PrP c . However, we detected intracellular PrP c at approximately equivalent levels in both normal and PIG-A-mutated cells using intracellular flow cytometry and Western blotting. Conclusion Cells and cell lines with PNH phenotype together with their normal counterparts may be a suitable system to explore the function of membrane PrP c in the hematopoietic system. Conversely, PrP c is a good model to elucidate the fate of GPI-AP in PIG-A-deficient cells.
Hume's View of ‘Is-ought’

I cannot forbear adding to these reasonings an observation, which may, perhaps, be found of some importance. In every system of morality, which I have hitherto met with, I have always remark'd, that the author proceeds for some time in the ordinary way of reasoning, and establishes the being of a God, or makes observations concerning human affairs; when of a sudden I am surpriz'd to find, that instead of the usual copulations of propositions, is, and is not, I meet with no proposition that is not connected with an ought, or an ought not. This change is imperceptible; but is, however, of the last consequence. For as this ought, or ought not, expresses some new relation or affirmation, 'tis necessary that it shou'd be observ'd and explain'd; and at the same time that a reason should be given, for what seems altogether inconceivable, how this new relation can be a deduction from others, which are entirely different from it. But as authors do not commonly use this precaution, I shall presume to recommend it to the readers; and am persuaded, that this small attention wou'd subvert all the vulgar systems of morality, and let us see, that the distinction of vice and virtue is not founded merely on the relations of objects, nor is perceiv'd by reason.
The Bacillus subtilis tyrZ Gene Encodes a Highly Selective Tyrosyl-tRNA Synthetase and Is Regulated by a MarR Regulator and T Box Riboswitch

ABSTRACT Misincorporation of d-tyrosine (d-Tyr) into cellular proteins due to mischarging of tRNA Tyr with d-Tyr by tyrosyl-tRNA synthetase inhibits growth and biofilm formation of Bacillus subtilis. Furthermore, many B. subtilis strains lack a functional gene encoding d-aminoacyl-tRNA deacylase, which prevents misincorporation of d-Tyr in most organisms. B. subtilis has two genes that encode tyrosyl-tRNA synthetase: tyrS is expressed under normal growth conditions, and tyrZ is known to be expressed only when tyrS is inactivated by mutation. We hypothesized that tyrZ encodes an alternate tyrosyl-tRNA synthetase, expression of which allows the cell to grow when d-Tyr is present. We show that TyrZ is more selective for l-Tyr over d-Tyr than is TyrS; however, TyrZ is less efficient overall. We also show that expression of tyrZ is required for growth and biofilm formation in the presence of d-Tyr. Both tyrS and tyrZ are preceded by a T box riboswitch, but tyrZ is found in an operon with ywaE , which is predicted to encode a MarR family transcriptional regulator. Expression of tyrZ is repressed by YwaE and also is regulated at the level of transcription attenuation by the T box riboswitch. We conclude that expression of tyrZ may allow growth when excess d-Tyr is present. IMPORTANCE Accurate protein synthesis requires correct aminoacylation of each tRNA with the cognate amino acid and discrimination against related compounds. Bacillus subtilis produces d-Tyr, an analog of l-Tyr that is toxic when incorporated into protein, during stationary phase. Most organisms utilize a d-aminoacyl-tRNA deacylase to prevent misincorporation of d-Tyr. This work demonstrates that the increased selectivity of the TyrZ form of tyrosyl-tRNA synthetase may provide a mechanism by which B. subtilis prevents misincorporation of d-Tyr in the absence of a functional d-aminoacyl-tRNA deacylase gene.
Cardiac Performance in Experimental Adrenal Insufficiency in Cats

Cardiac function was evaluated by ventricular function curves during the cardiovascular collapse observed in acute and chronic adrenal insufficiency. A progressive decline in peak cardiac work was observed in the acutely adrenalectomized cat (303; decrease at 1.8 hours and 50% at 3.5 hours after adrenalectomy). This impairment in cardiac work paralleled the decrease in mean arterial blood pressure which reached 50 mm Hg 3.5 hours after adrenalectomy. Cortisol and d-aldosterone, and the volume-expander, dextran, prevented a significant fall in mean arterial blood pressure and in peak cardiac work. When the mean arterial blood pressure of nonadrenalect omized cats was adjusted to follow the changes seen in adrenalectomized cats, a 49% depression in cardiac work resulted 3.5 hours after the initial decline in arterial blood pressure. The data suggest that the time course of the hypotension and presumed reduction in coronary perfusion pressure is sufficient to account for the large impairment in peak cardiac work observed. Cardiac work was reduced 56% in chronically adrenalectomized cats 8 to 10 days after adrenalectomy. Dexamethasone and deoxycorticosterone acetate, administered separately, prevented significant- myocardial impairment. Since the mean arterial blood pressure of conscious, chronically adrenalectomized cats was normal, the myocardial depression was not secondary to inadequate coronary perfusion in chronic adrenal insufficiency and thus represents direct impairment of myocardial performance.
Clifford Fibrations and Possible Kinematics

Following Herranz and Santander (Herranz F.J., Santander M., Mem. Real Acad. Cienc. Exact. Fis. Natur. Madrid 32 (1998), 59-84, physics/9702030) we will con- struct homogeneous spaces based on possible kinematical algebras and groups (Bacry H., Levy-Leblond J.-M., J. Math. Phys. 9 (1967), 1605-1614) and their contractions for 2- dimensional spacetimes. Our construction is different in that it is based on a generalized Clifford fibration: Following Penrose (Penrose R., Alfred A. Knopf, Inc., New York, 2005) we will call our fibration a Clifford fibration and not a Hopf fibration, as our fibration is a geometrical construction. The simple algebraic properties of the fibration describe the geometrical properties of the kinematical algebras and groups as well as the spacetimes that are derived from them. We develop an algebraic framework that handles all possible kinematic algebras save one, the static algebra.
Effects of Two Types of Emulsifying Salts on the Functionality of Nonfat Pasta Filata Cheese

Effects of 2 types of emulsifying salts (ES) on the functionality of nonfat pasta filata cheese were examined. Nonfat pasta filata cheese was made from skim milk by direct acidification. Trisodium citrate (TSC) and tetrasodium pyrophosphate (TSPP) were added to curds (at 1, 3, and 5%, wt/wt) at the dry-salting step, together with glucono-δ-lactone to maintain a constant pH. When TSC was added, there were no significant compositional differences, although insoluble Ca and P contents significantly decreased with the addition of TSC. When TSPP was added, fat content was not significantly different, but protein content decreased with increasing concentrations of TSPP. Both insoluble Ca and P contents increased with the addition of 1% TSPP. The addition of ES affected textural and functional properties. With increasing concentrations of TSC, meltability increased, whereas increasing the TSPP content decreased meltability. Cheese made with 1% TSC had better stretchability compared with control cheese. However, the addition of more than 3% TSC decreased stretchability. Addition of TSPP caused a considerable decrease in stretchabilty. Scanning electron microscopy revealed that the size and number of serum pockets decreased and protein appeared more hydrated with the addition of both ES. These results suggested that TSC and TSPP influenced the functionality of nonfat pasta filata cheese differently; that is, the effects of TSC were probably caused by a decrease in the number of colloidal calcium phosphate cross-links and an increase in electrostatic repulsion, whereas the effects of TSPP may have been related to the formation of new TSPP-induced casein-casein interactions.
Spatial Distribution of Grape Root Borer (Lepidoptera: Sesiidae) Infestations in Virginia Vineyards and Implications for Sampling

Grape root borer, Vitacea polistiformis (Harris) (Lepidoptera: Sesiidae) is a potentially destructive pest of grape vines, Vitis spp. in the eastern United States. After feeding on grape roots for ≍2 yr in Virginia, larvae pupate beneath the soil surface around the vine base. Adults emerge during July and August, leaving empty pupal exuviae on or protruding from the soil. Weekly collections of pupal exuviae from an ≍1-m-diameter weed-free zone around the base of a grid of sample vines in Virginia vineyards were conducted in July and August, 2008-2012, and their distribution was characterized using both nonspatial (dispersion) and spatial techniques. Taylor's power law showed a significant aggregation of pupal exuviae, based on data from 19 vineyard blocks. Combined use of geostatistical and Spatial Analysis by Distance IndicEs methods indicated evidence of an aggregated pupal exuviae distribution pattern in seven of the nine blocks used for those analyses. Grape root borer pupal exuviae exhibited spatial dependency within a mean distance of 8.8 m, based on the range values of best-fitted variograms. Interpolated and clustering index-based infestation distribution maps were developed to show the spatial pattern of the insect within the vineyard blocks. The temporal distribution of pupal exuviae showed that the majority of moths emerged during the 3-wk period spanning the third week of July and the first week of August. The spatial distribution of grape root borer pupal exuviae was used in combination with temporal moth emergence patterns to develop a quantitative and efficient sampling scheme to assess infestations.
Breast milk pumping beliefs, supports, and barriers on a university campus.

Background:Compared to nonemployed mothers, employed mothers are more likely to terminate breastfeeding sooner than recommended, due in part to a lack of workplace support.Objective:The purpose of this study is to compare the beliefs of employees and students affiliated with a university regarding pumping breast milk on campus.Methods:This qualitative study used semistructured interviews grounded in the theory of planned behavior, focused on behavioral, normative, and control beliefs regarding pumping on campus. Responses were independently coded and categorized based on common themes. Response frequencies were calculated and compared between students, staff, and faculty.Results:Thirty-two women (11 students, 8 staff, 13 faculty) participated in the interview. Overall, participants most frequently reported that maintaining milk supply/extending breastfeeding duration was an advantage to pumping on campus, and time/scheduling issues a disadvantage. The most commonly perceived supporters were peers, whereas...
Comparison of Two Schemes for the Redistribution of Moments for Modal Aerosol Model Applications

The modal method for modeling atmospheric aerosol size-distributions takes advantages of their observed lognormal characteristics to formulate computationally efficient algorithms for many of the dynamical processes governing their time evolution (Whitby et al., 1991). Thus this approach has been particularly attractive in large-regional-to-global-scale model simulations that must be run over long periods, as in climate change studies. In previous applications of such models, two modes have been typically used to simulate the fine aerosol distribution, and one to represent the coarse particles, with the number of modes remaining fixed throughout the simulation. A drawback in some of these applications has been that the smaller of the fine modes, used to represent Aitken particles, tends to grow to sizes typical of the larger (accumulation) mode and thus cause mode overlap, unless the aerosol moments are redistributed between the modes. Two methods for moment redistribution are compared in the MCNC Multiscale Air Quality Simulation Platform (MAQSIP). In the first scheme the condensation growth rate of the moments is used to detemine the initiation of moment transfer from the smaller to the larger of the fine modes to maintain two distinct modes. The second scheme uses a dynamic management of modes that takes account of all the dynamic processes that may lead to either two distinct fine modes, or a single mode, indistinguishable from the other. Size distribution parameters, as well as model performance parameters are compared between the two methods.
Runtime Fault-Handling for Job-Flow Management in Grid Environments

The execution of job flow applications is a reality today in academic and industrial domains. In this paper, we propose an approach to adding self-healing behavior to the execution of job flows without the need to modify the job flow engines or redevelop the job flows themselves. We show the feasibility of our non-intrusive approach to self-healing by inserting a generic proxy to an existing two-level job-flow management system, which employs job flow based service orchestration at the upper level, and service choreography at the lower level. The generic proxy is inserted transparently between these two layers so that it can intercept all their interactions. We developed a prototype of our approach in a real Grid environment to show how the proxy facilitates runtime handling for failure recovery.
Special Education Teachers' Experiences Supporting and Supervising Paraeducators: Implications for Special and General Education Settings.

In recent years, there has been an increase in paraeducator supports, in large part because students with low incidence disabilities are being included more frequently in general education settings...
Regulation of the insulin and asialoglycoprotein receptors via cGMP-dependent protein kinase.

Biotin regulation of asialoglycoprotein receptor expression and insulin receptor activity has been established in two human hepatoblastoma cell lines, Hep G2 and HuH-7. Second messenger cGMP mimics...
Computed Torque Control of Articulated Multibody Systems in the Generalized Divide and Conquer Algorithm Framework

An extension to the Generalized-Divide-and-Conquer Algorithm (GDCA) is presented in this paper in conjunction with the Computed-Torque-Control-Law (CTCL) to model and control fully actuated multibody systems. CTCL uses the inverse dynamics to provide control inputs to the system while, the dynamics of the system must be formed and solved in each iteration. Herein, the GDCA is extended to form and solve the inverse dynamics to find control torques. Further, this method is also extended to efficiently solve the equations of motion of the controlled system. This significantly reduces the complexity of modeling, simulating, and controlling the fully actuated multibody systems to O(n) or O(logn) operations in each iteration in the serial and parallel implementations, respectively.Copyright © 2015 by ASME
Cognitive Neuroscience: Applied Cognitive Psychology

The Society for Applied Research in Memory and Cognition (SARMAC) was founded in 1994 with a major purpose “to enhance collaboration and co-operation between basic and applied researchers in memory and cognition.” Cognitive neuroscience presents opportunities to help actualize the SARMAC vision. The current translational zeitgeist promoted by the National Institutes of Mental Health can be seen as a call for behavioral cognitive psychologists and researchers in cognitive and clinical neuroscience to collaborate to build cumulative knowledge that will advance understanding and treatment of mental disorders. I describe some examples of connections among cognitive psychology, cognitive neuroscience, and clinical neuroscience that are informative from my perspective as a basic researcher in cognitive psychology, and that address (but do not yet answer) some fundamental questions of clinical significance. I also note some challenges of balancing between the goals of understanding and prediction.
Abstract 3678: Reducing non-specific toxicity of cisplatin in head and neck cancer by targeted therapy using cisplatin-heparin-folic acid nanoparticles

Proceedings: AACR 101st Annual Meeting 2010‐‐ Apr 17‐21, 2010; Washington, DC View this table: Citation Format: {Authors}. {Abstract title} [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 101st Annual Meeting of the American Association for Cancer Research; 2010 Apr 17-21; Washington, DC. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2010;70(8 Suppl):Abstract nr 3678.
Guiding Oncology Patients Through the Maze of Precision Medicine

As the role of genomics in health care grows, patients increasingly require adequate genetic literacy to fully engage in their care. This study investigated a model for delivering consumer-friendly genetic information to improve understanding of precision medicine using health literacy and learning style principles. My Cancer Genome (MCG), a freely available cancer decision support tool, was used as a testbed. MCG content on a melanoma tumor mutation, BRAF V600E, was translated to a 6th-grade reading level, incorporating multiple learning modalities. A total of 90 patients and caregivers were recruited from a melanoma clinic at an academic medical center and randomized to 3 groups. Group A (control) received an exact copy of text from MCG. Group B was given the same content with hyperlinks to videos explaining key genetic concepts, identified and labeled by the team as knowledge pearls. Group C received the translated content with the knowledge pearls embedded. Changes in knowledge were measured through pre and post questionnaires. Group C showed the greatest improvement in knowledge. The study results demonstrate that providing information based on health literacy and learning style principles can improve patients' understanding of genetic concepts, thus increasing their likelihood of taking an active role in any decision making concerning their health.
Measures on Suppressing 3rd Harmonic Enlargement of High Voltage Shunt Capacitor at 220 kV Banqiao Substation

In this paper,the phase and the waveform distortion of three-phase current at both high voltage and low voltage side of main transformer in case of switching on 3 sets of capacitors at low voltage side of 220 kV Banqiao substation are analyzed.By harmonic detection at site,system simulation and equivalent calculation,it is found that the existence of 3rd harmonic source at 220 kV system and the unreasonable layout of parameters for capacitors at low voltage side of Banqiao substation lead to series resonance of 3rd harmonics and enlargement of 3rd harmonic current and,consequently current phase and waveform distortion at high voltage side and low voltage side of Banqiao substation.5% series reactor is adjusted into 12% series reactor in one set of capacitor at Banqiao substation in order to suppress enlargement of 3rd harmonics and assure normal operation of Banqiao substation.
Correlation of petiole sap nitrate-nitrogen concentration measured by ion selective electrode, leaf tissue nitrogen concentration, and tomato yield in Florida

ABSTRACTThe effectiveness of measuring petiole sap nitrate-nitrogen concentration (PSNC) using ion selective electrode (ISE) has been scrutinized due to claims that PSNC poorly predicts leaf tissue nitrogen concentration (LTNC) or crop yield. This study evaluated the relationship among PSNC, LTNC, and marketable yield of tomato (Solanum lycopersicum L.). Two tomato trials were conducted using seepage irrigation and controlled-release fertilizer (CRF) in fall 2011 and 2012. At 15 days intervals, six most recently mature leaves were collected to measure PSNC and LTNC. PSNC and LTNC declined throughout the growing seasons, but PSNC was affected by weather. PSNC and LTNC were correlated (P = 0.0001, r = 0.38), though not meaningfully. PSNC and LTNC correlated negatively and positively with crop yield in most correlations, respectively. Correlations of CRFs and soluble fertilizers (SFs) separately, did not improve relationships. Measuring LTNC may be a more reliable nutrient management tool compared to PSNC me...
Embedding Internship Programs to Augment BME Education

For undergraduate programs in biomedical engineering (BME), a comprehensive base of multiple disciplines required for BME studies on campus has been a big challenge, the Industry Professional Advisory Committee members usually recommend incorporating experiential learning modules of co-op or internship in the curriculum. Embedding cooperative modules within the undergraduate BME educational program is aimed to assist students in gaining the highly valuable real-life experience. The internship modules facilitate the students in exploring different realistic aspects of the complex work processes in the biomedical engineering field. It must be emphasized that different countries follow different models for BME education. At the international level, the developers of the BME curriculum find the inclusion of internship experience or internship with a heavy course load in the program a formidable challenge. Having a single model is not likely to work in different countries. The main objective of the present work is to develop cooperative experiential learning models for BME undergraduate students that can be applied internationally and to propose multiple partner organizations to host the co-op. In this paper, designs of a few co-op/internship models embedded in the undergraduate BME curriculum and an innovative array of co-op hosting organizations are described. The results obtained clearly support the proposed co-op/internship scheme. In conclusion, integrating the internship experience will be of significant value in biomedical engineering education by giving opportunities for real-life work experience to the students. For sustained success at the international level, it is essential that a suitable model must be selected to blend with the mission of the overall training program at the academic institution.
Incorporating delayed neutrons into the point-model equations routinely used for neutron coincidence counting in nuclear safeguards

Abstract We extend the familiar Bӧhnel point-model equations, which are routinely used to interpret neutron coincidence counting rates, by including the contribution of delayed neutrons. After developing the necessary equations we use them to show, by providing some numerical results, what the quantitative impact of neglecting delayed neutrons is across the full range of practical nuclear safeguards applications. The influence of delayed neutrons is predicted to be small for the types of deeply sub-critical assay problems which concern the nuclear safeguards community, smaller than uncertainties arising from other factors. This is most clearly demonstrated by considering the change in the effective (α,n)-to-spontaneous fission prompt-neutron ratio that the inclusion of delayed neutrons gives rise to. That the influence of delayed neutrons is small is fortunate, and our results justify the long standing practice of simply neglecting them in the analysis of field measurements.
Response to Comments on the application of the Scherrer equation in “Copper aluminum mixed oxide (CuAl MO) catalyst: A green approach for the one-pot synthesis of imines under solvent-free conditions”, by Suib et al. [Appl. Catal. B: Environ, 188 [2016] 227–234, doi:10.1016/j.apcatb.2016.02.007], Article Type: Correspondence

Abstract This paper concerns data analysis using X-ray line broadening and electron microscopy methods. The data reported here show that electron microscopy data are preferable in terms of determining a size distribution and an average size for these materials.
Whole exome sequencing of extreme age-related macular degeneration phenotypes.

Purpose Demographic, environmental, and genetic risk factors for age-related macular degeneration (AMD) have been identified; however, a substantial portion of the variance in AMD disease risk and heritability remains unexplained. To identify AMD risk variants and generate hypotheses for future studies, we performed whole exome sequencing for 75 individuals whose phenotype was not well predicted by their genotype at known risk loci. We hypothesized that these phenotypically extreme individuals were more likely to carry rare risk or protective variants with large effect sizes.
Political Tolerance: Balancing Community and Diversity

(2000). Political Tolerance: Balancing Community and Diversity. Public Integrity: Vol. 2, No. 3, pp. 263-264.
Treating complicated carbapenem-resistant enterobacteriaceae infections with ceftazidime/avibactam: a retrospective study with molecular strain characterisation

Ceftazidime/avibactam (CAZ/AVI) is the first antimicrobial agent with activity against carbapenem-resistant Enterobacteriaceae (CRE) approved by the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA). Notably, human clinical outcome data for this indication are limited. Therefore, a retrospective study was performed to evaluate the clinical outcomes and bacterial genomic characteristics of patients hospitalised at a tertiary medical centre with CRE infections treated for the first time with CAZ/AVI. From a total of 44 patients with CRE infections, 6 patients were treated with CAZ/AVI. The duration of CAZ/AVI treatment ranged from 7 days to 28 days. Five patients achieved clinical cure, however two relapsed with the same carbapenem-resistant Klebsiella pneumoniae (CR-Kp) strain within 3 weeks of completion of CAZ/AVI treatment. In addition, one patient with CR-Kp pneumonia experienced clinical failure despite having a documented CAZ/AVI-susceptible CR-Kp strain [minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) = 2 mg/L]. Consequently, the overall rate of unsuccessful outcome in this small cohort of patients was 50%. All strains carried KPC-3, OXA-9 and different TEM and SHV β-lactamases, but none carried the intrinsically avibactam-resistant class B metallo-β-lactamases. No obvious differences in antibiotic resistance genes were observed. This study provides an early glimpse of the clinical outcomes of patients with CR-Kp infections treated with CAZ/AVI. Findings of clinical failure and relapse in patients with no prior exposure to CAZ/AVI and with documented susceptibility to CAZ/AVI highlight the urgent need for well-designed clinical studies evaluating the effectiveness of CAZ/AVI in the treatment of CRE infections.
Abstract 5614: Novel mRNA purification method with RNaseIII improves efficacy of RNA chimeric antigen receptor T cells

Chimeric Antigen Receptor (CAR) T-cells made with mRNA offer a transient and safe alternative to viral CARs, mitigating the concern for persistent unwanted side effects from constitutively active T-cells. Previous studies have shown that mRNA CARs are transiently effective, but lack CAR persistence and have struggled to show success across tumor types. We hypothesized the efficacy of mRNA CARs could be improved by utilizing recent advancements in RNA technology including the use of modified uracil and a novel purification method with RNaseIII to prevent double stranding that induces toxicity. Using the established CD19 CAR model in B-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia, we created mRNA CARs using previously described methods and compared them to mRNA CARs created using modification of uracil and/or purification to remove any aberrant double stranded mRNA. Comparing the modified and purified mRNA CAR T cells to those created using prior methods of making mRNA, both modified and purified mRNA CAR T cells showed a two-fold increase in expression of the CAR on their surface initially, as well as a two-fold improvement in cytotoxic killing of leukemia cells in vitro that persisted for up to five days. Both the modified and purified mRNA CAR T cells also showed reduced expression of negative checkpoint regulators compared to original RNA CAR T cells. However, in vivo studies using a patient-derived xenograft model with a single dose of CAR T cells revealed purified RNA CAR T cells offered the most robust 2-log enhanced suppression of leukemic burden. RNaseIII is a novel purification technique that has not yet been reported in the literature for RNA manufacturing. Our results provide a time efficient purification method that can be easily incorporated into RNA production for use in clinical trials, and poise RNA CARs for increased efficacy as new CAR targets emerge and are being tested. Additional studies are ongoing investigating if the observed improved efficacy will translate to improved cytotoxicity in solid tumor models. Citation Format: Jessica Foster, Namrata Choudhari, Adam Resnick, David Barrett. Novel mRNA purification method with RNaseIII improves efficacy of RNA chimeric antigen receptor T cells [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the American Association for Cancer Research Annual Meeting 2017; 2017 Apr 1-5; Washington, DC. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2017;77(13 Suppl):Abstract nr 5614. doi:10.1158/1538-7445.AM2017-5614
Endoscopic sleeve gastroplasty: the learning curve.

Background and study aims Endoscopic sleeve gastroplasty (ESG) is gaining traction as a minimally invasive bariatric treatment. Concern that the learning curve may be slow, even among those proficient in endoscopic suturing, is a barrier to widespread implementation of the procedure. Therefore, we aimed to define the learning curve for ESG in a single endoscopist experienced in endoscopic suturing who participated in a 1-day ESG training program. Patients and methods Consecutive patients who underwent ESG between February 2016 and November 2016 were included. The performing endoscopist, who is proficient in endoscopic suturing for non-ESG procedures, participated in a 1-day ESG training session before offering ESG to patients. The outcome measurements were length of procedure (LOP) and number of plications per procedure. Nonlinear regression was used to determine the learning plateau and calculate the learning rate. Results Twenty-one consecutive patients (8 males), with mean age 47.7 ± 11.2 years and mean body mass index 41.8 ± 8.5 kg/m2 underwent ESG. LOP decreased significantly across consecutive procedures, with a learning plateau at 101.5 minutes and a learning rate of 7 cases (P = 0.04). The number of plications per procedure also decreased significantly across consecutive procedures, with a plateau at 8 sutures and a learning rate of 9 cases (P Conclusions Endoscopists experienced in endoscopic suturing are expected to achieve a reduction in LOP and number of plications per procedure in successive cases, with progress plateauing at 7 and 9 cases, respectively.
Type and amount of organic amendments affect enhanced biogenic methane production from coal and microbial community structure

Abstract Slow rates of coal-to-methane conversion limit biogenic methane production from coalbeds. This study demonstrates that rates of coal-to-methane conversion can be increased by the addition of small amounts of organic amendments. Algae, cyanobacteria, yeast cells, and granulated yeast extract were tested at two concentrations (0.1 and 0.5 g/L), and similar increases in total methane produced and methane production rates were observed for all amendments at a given concentration. In 0.1 g/L amended systems, the amount of carbon converted to methane minus the amount produced in coal only systems exceeded the amount of carbon added in the form of amendment, suggesting enhanced coal-to-methane conversion through amendment addition. The amount of methane produced in the 0.5 g/L amended systems did not exceed the amount of carbon added. While the archaeal communities did not vary significantly, the bacterial populations appeared to be strongly influenced by the presence of coal when 0.1 g/L of amendment was added; at an amendment concentration of 0.5 g/L the bacterial community composition appeared to be affected most strongly by the amendment type. Overall, the results suggest that small amounts of amendment are not only sufficient but possibly advantageous if faster in situ coal-to-methane production is to be promoted.
Numerical Recipes, The Art of Scientific Computing. By W. H. Press, B. P. Flannery, S. A. Teukolsky, and W. T. Vetterling

(1987). Numerical Recipes, The Art of Scientific Computing. By W. H. Press, B. P. Flannery, S. A. Teukolsky, and W. T. Vetterling. The American Mathematical Monthly: Vol. 94, No. 9, pp. 889-893.
Mescaline-induced changes of brain-cortex ribosomes. Effect of mescaline on the hydrogen-bonded structure of ribonucleic acid of brain-cortex ribosomes

1. The action of mescaline sulphate on the hydrogen-bonded structure of the RNA constituent of ribosomes of goat brain-cortex slices was studied by using the hyperchromic effect of heating and formaldehyde reaction. 2. The ribosomal total RNA species of the mescaline-treated brain-cortex slices have a smaller proportion of hydrogen-bonded structure than the ribosomal RNA species of the untreated brain-cortex slices. 3. Mescaline also appears to have affected this lowering of hydrogen-bonded structure of the ribosomal 28S RNA of brain-cortex tissue.