cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
An Indicator of Boarded Staff Good Practices About Waste Management.

In this manuscript, is complemented a study that carried out an analysis of the waste management system of the Portuguese Navy ships (earlier presented in [14]). This study, restricted to the pollution contemplated in Annexes I, IV and V of Marpol 73/78 [3] (namely hydrocarbons, sewage and all types of garbage), analyzed the methods and types of storage and disposal of ship waste to verify the existing equipment, operating conditions and on-board waste management plans. The evaluation of knowledge and cooperation of the military people on board and their contribution to the sustainability and environmental protection was also investigated. With such purpose, a questionnaire was created and implemented for the garrison of some NRP warships, after legal authorization. In [14] we were able to use Exploratory Factor Analysis (EFA) to identify important queries to identify the latent variables that take into account waste management skills. In the present manuscript it is proposes an indicator of good practices about environmental issues between embarked staff. Analysis of variance techniques were used to relate the proposed indicator with some explanatory variables.
Attojoule-per-bit electrical energy consumption optical modulators at 4K and 300K through energy harvesting

We present a CMOS photonic silicon optical modulator exploiting the photovoltaic effect to achieve electrical gain using an integrated transistor. Operation at 300K and 4K with $ drive and aJ/bit electrical energy consumption at speeds up to 100 MHz is demonstrated.
Sequences of Filtrations

Let M: O=M 0 ⊂ ··· ⊂ M k , = M and N: O=N 0 ⊂ ··· ⊂ N l = M be two filtrations of M. We say that N refines M if and only if for all i = 0,..., l − 1, there is a j, 0 ≤ j ≤ k − 1 such that (N i +1 − N i ) ⊂ (M j +1 − M j ).
Dentists can contribute expertise in a major public health disaster.

BACKGROUND AND OVERVIEW The time for dental professionals to educate themselves to respond to, and assist with, a catastrophic medical disaster is here. California dental healthcare workers must understand the various duties they may be asked to perform if a large-scale disaster were to occur. This article explores the various duties, which may need to be performed in the event of a medical disaster, and the duties a dentist, or dental auxiliary, may be able to complete, with minimal additional training. CONCLUSION California dentists must be educated, at minimum, to recognize the symptoms of exposure to biological agents or naturally occurring diseases, such as avian flu and SARs, in their patients. Dentists must be further educated to correctly counsel their patients who exhibit such symptoms. Finally, dentists must alert the appropriate public health authorities of such exposure. California should consider amending the California Dental Practice Act to provide for the expansion of the definition of the practice of dentistry in the event of a declared healthcare emergency. The new definition should, at minimum, allow dentists to administer vaccines and dispense medications at a mass prophylactic distribution site. The definition could be further expanded to allow dentists to perform more complicated or invasive duties in the event of a disaster with large numbers of bodily injuries. In either event, California will also need to provide limited liability to dentists who do participate in emergency situations, similar to the Good Samaritan laws, which currently apply to physicians and surgeons. PRACTICE IMPLICATIONS Dentists and their dental auxiliaries can augment the existing medical professionals, in responding to a declared medical emergency. In order to be ready to respond, dentists and their dental auxiliaries must receive additional training through continuing education courses developed specifically to train them in recognizing symptoms of exposure to biological agents.
A Chronicle of Canadian Hog Stabilization Programs and U.S. Countervailing Duties on Hogs and Pork

Canadian hog producers are eligible for a federal/provincial hog stabilization program which, under certain conditions, makes deficiency payments to producers enrolled in the program. Currently, producers pay premiums of approximately one-third of the cost of the program, whereas federal and provincial authorities share the remaining two-thirds of the cost. There are no direct subsidies to pork processors. In 1984, U.S. hog producers alleged that the Canadian stabilization program was an unfair production subsidy resulting in larger Canadian hog and pork exports that caused serious economic hardship for U.S. hog producers. The consequent trade actions against Canadian exports have entailed a countervailing duty on hog exports applied sporadically over the same time period. This paper provides a summary of the Canadian hog stabilization program and an overview of the economic and legal arguments made in the U.S. countervailing duty case involving Canadian hog and pork exports.
Electron quasi‐viscous effects in collisionless slow‐mode shocks

[1] The dynamics of collisionless slow-mode shocks are examined using one-dimensional full particle (kinetic ions and electrons) and hybrid (kinetic ions, massless fluid electrons) simulations. Full particle simulations indicate that the downstream electron temperature becomes anisotropic (T e > T e ⊥) at very oblique angles. The anisotropy results from both the large mirror effects and the electron heating due to the parallel electric field of very obliquely propagating kinetic Alfven waves; it gives rise to finite off-diagonal electron pressure tensor terms in the simulation frame. Inclusion of these electron quasi-viscous effects in hybrid simulations allows slow shocks to be set up at very oblique angles, as observed in the distant tail, where dissipation from ion-ion streaming becomes much weaker.
Initiation and detonation studies of condensed explosives using interferometric techniques

Abstract In this article we describe a laser interferometer system for measuring the particle velocity history of a diffuse reflector and related experimental techniques which are applicable to the study of shock and detonation behavior of condensed-phase explosives. This is followed by a discussion of the wide range of interferometric studies currently in progress which are aimed at obtaining new and more accurate data concerning the thermomechanical and thermochemical properties of explosives. These studies include work on the shock initiation of the heterogeneous and homogeneous explosives, PBX-9404 and liquid nitromethane, respectively. Both of these studies have provided quantitative information for the estimation of the overall reaction kinetics of condensed-phase explosives under shock loading.
Stochastic approximation algorithms for trailing stop

Trailing stops are often used in stock trading to limit a maximum-possible loss and to lock in a profit. In this venue, it is important to identify the optimal trailing stop percentage, which is difficult to find and no apparent analytic technique can be applied directly. This work develops stochastic approximation algorithms to estimate the optimal trailing stop percentage. A modification using projection is also proposed to ensure the approximation sequence constructed to stay in a bounded region. Convergence of the algorithm is obtained. Moreover, interval estimates are constructed. Simulation examples are presented to compare our algorithm with Monte Carlo methods. Finally, real market data are used to demonstrate the algorithms.
How do we guarantee trainee professional purity

In a weekly resident's meeting, the offers of several medical device companies to pay residents for completing their surveys and one endovascular company to pay for chief residents to attend a weekend conference about their products at an expensive resort are brought up. They ask for your approval. As residency director, you should: A Allow them to complete the surveys but not attend the conference. B Allow them to attend the conference but not complete the surveys. C Allow both activities. D Disallow both activities. E Discuss the context of the activities.
Some recent developments in spatial panel data models

Abstract Spatial econometrics has been an ongoing research field. Recently, it has been extended to panel data settings. Spatial panel data models can allow cross sectional dependence as well as state dependence, and can also enable researchers to control for unknown heterogeneity. This paper reports some recent developments in econometric specification and estimation of spatial panel data models. We develop a general framework and specialize it to investigate different spatial and time dynamics. Monte Carlo studies are provided to investigate finite sample properties of estimates and possible consequences of misspecifications. Two applications illustrate the relevance of spatial panel data models for empirical studies.
A Latent Infection of Baby Hamster Kidney-21 Cells with Mumps Virus:

Introduction We have recently reported the emergence of temperature-sensitive variants from a persistent infection of HeLa cells (HeLapi) with measles virus (1) and from a persistent infection of baby hamster kidney-21 cells (BHKpi) with mumps virus (2). The usefulness of in vitro persistent infections as correlates for in vivo disease processes is well recognized (3-5). The need for further study of mumps virus is indicated since the agent may be associated with clinical disorders such as diabetes (6), arthritis (7), primary endocardial fibroelastosis (8), Hodgkin's disease (9), and a number of other organ involvements (10-12). Moreover, the possibility exists that a persistent viral infection may be initiated by the use of attenuated strains of mumps virus in vaccine preparations.Our previous studies describing the characteristics of BHKpi revealed that at least two different populations of cell clones could be isolated (2). The first type consisted of normal BHK-21 cells lacking any detectable mumps vi...
Longevity of Post-Emergent Adult Pecan Weevil in the Laboratory and Field

Post-emergent pecan weevil, Curculio caryae (Horn) (Coleoptera: Curculionidae), adult longevity estimates were made using field-collected cohorts of adults. Observations were made in 1) the laboratory, 2) the field, and 3) by inferentially sampling emerging and dying adults. The latter provided the best estimate of post-emergent adult longevity. The inferential sampling method of calculating longevity indicated that males live from 15.5–29.9 days and females live from 22.6–25.6 days when emergence occurs in August and September. Adults delayed in emerging until October due to drought conditions, lived for shorter periods of time. Adults occurring in groves containing no pecan nuts were not observed to die in the grove, indicating both sexes emigrated. When pecan nuts were present and heavily infested with the pecan weevil, an equivalent number of males was observed emerging and dying. For every 2 females emerging, only one was observed dying, indicating that females will tend to emigrate from infested groves even when there are nuts present.
Bessel-Zernike Discrete Variable Representation Basis

The connection between the Bessel discrete variable basis expansion and a specific form of an orthogonal set of Jacobi polynomials is demonstrated. These so-called Zernike polynomials provide alternative series expansions of suitable functions over the unit interval. Expressing a Bessel function in a Zernike expansion provides a straightforward method of generating series identities. Furthermore, the Zernike polynomials may also be used to efficiently evaluate the Hankel transform for rapidly decaying functions or functions with finite support.
Phonological features and phonotactic constraints in speech production

Abstract Languages are subject to phonotactic constraints—restrictions on sound sequences. An implicit learning paradigm examined whether participants could acquire constraints at two levels of representation through exposure to a set of syllables. Participants were exposed to categorical segment-level constraints (e.g., /f/ only in onset, /s/ only in coda) as well as gradient featural-level constraints (e.g., labiodental fricatives /v/ and /f/ occurred in onset position 75% of the time, coda 25%). Speech errors revealed that participants encoded constraints at both levels of representation. By biasing errors towards a single syllable position, segmental constraints strengthened the tendency of errors to preserve target syllable position (e.g., virtually no /s/ errors occurred in onset). In contrast, since the featural constraint allowed errors to occur in both syllable positions, encoding it weakened the tendency to preserve target syllable position (e.g., /f/ errors, influenced by featural as well as segmental constraints, surfaced in coda more often than /s/ errors surfaced in onset). Finally, participants in a second study failed to learn featural constraints for dorsal stop consonants. The implications of these results for the representation and processing of features are discussed.
THE AXIAL VECTOR CURRENT ANOMALY AND THE MESON DECAY CONSTANTS FOR THE IMPROVED LATTICE FERMION ACTION

Abstract We discuss the anomaly in the axial vector current for the improved fermion action on the lattice. A detailed discussion of the fermion regularization dependence of the anomaly is given and it is shown that for finite lattice spacing the improved fermion action gives a more reasonable value for the anomaly contribution at finite quark mass than the Wilson action. We also present some results on the perturbatice corrections to the decay constants of mesons for the improved fermion action.
Teaching Mass Casualty Triage Skills Using Immersive Three-dimensional Virtual Reality

Objectives: Virtual reality (VR) environments offer potential advantages over traditional paper methods, manikin simulation, and live drills for mass casualty training and assessment. The authors measured the acquisition of triage skills by novice learners after exposing them to three sequential scenarios (A, B, and C) of five simulated patients each in a fully immersed three-dimensional VR environment. The hypothesis was that learners would improve in speed, accuracy, and self-efficacy. Methods: Twenty-four medical students were taught principles of mass casualty triage using three short podcasts, followed by an immersive VR exercise in which learners donned a head-mounted display (HMD) and three motion tracking sensors, one for their head and one for each hand. They used a gesture-based command system to interact with multiple VR casualties. For triage score, one point was awarded for each correctly identified main problem, required intervention, and triage category. For intervention score, one point was awarded for each correct VR intervention. Scores were analyzed using one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) for each student. Before and after surveys were used to measure self-efficacy and reaction to the training. Results: Four students were excluded from analysis due to participation in a recent triage research program. Results from 20 students were analyzed. Triage scores and intervention scores improved significantly during Scenario B (p < 0.001). Time to complete each scenario decreased significantly from A (8:10 minutes) to B (5:14 minutes; p < 0.001) and from B to C (3:58 minutes; p < 0.001). Self-efficacy improved significantly in the areas of prioritizing treatment, prioritizing resources, identifying high-risk patients, and beliefs about learning to be an effective first responder. Conclusions: Novice learners demonstrated improved triage and intervention scores, speed, and self-efficacy during an iterative, fully immersed VR triage experience.
Histochemical study of the enzymatic activity of human neoplasms. II. Histogenesis of renal cell carcinoma

Of 12 renal cell carcinomas studied, 7 stained positively for alkaline phosphatase; 5 did not. Acid phosphatase and nonspecific exterase activity, glycogen content, lipid staining and histologic pattern bore no constant relationship to alkaline phosphatase staining. There was excellent correlation of alkaline phosphatase staining with amino-peptidase activity and many also manifested glucose-6-phosphatase and 5′-nucleotidase. The authors conclude that those renal cell carcinomas with alkaline phosphatase activity are of proximal tubular origin while those that do not stain originate in other tubular segments.
GSR: A Global Stripe-Based Redistribution Approach to Accelerate RAID-5 Scaling

Under the severe energy crisis and the fast development of cloud computing, nowadays sustainability in large data centers receives much more attention than ever. Due to its high performance and reliability, RAID, particularly RAID-5, is widely used in these data centers. However, a challenge on the sustainability of RAID-5 is its scalability, or how to efficiently expand/reduce the disks. The main reason causing this problem is the special layout of RAID-5 with parity blocks. To address this problem, in this paper, we propose a novel redistribution approach to accelerate RAID-5 scaling, called Global Stripe-based Redistribution (GSR). The basic idea is to maintain the layout of most stripes while sacrificing a small portion of stripes according to a global view of all stripes. GSR has four main advantages: 1) It supports bi-directional RAID-5 scaling (both scale-up and scale-down), 2) GSR minimizes the overhead of scaling process, including the data migration cost, parity modification and computation cost, and the operations of metadata, 3) Different from previous approaches, GSR provides high flexibility and high availability for the write requests, 4) A disk array can achieve higher capacity, performance and storage efficiency by extending more disks via GSR. In our mathematical analysis, GSR maintains uniform distribution, saves up to 81.5% I/O operations and reduces the data migration time by up to 68.0%, which speeds up the scaling process by a factor of up to 3.13.
Agent-based scientific simulation

Natural organic matter (NOM) is a heterogeneous mixture of compounds affecting ecosystem function and drinking water treatment. An agent-based stochastic model simulates NOM transformations, allowing forward modeling of NOM's synthesis and degradation. Its use of Java and Web technologies makes the simulation model accessible to scientists worldwide.
Bayesian modeling of follow-up studies with missing data.

Purpose The purpose of this study is to illustrate the impact of ignoring missing data in follow-up studies and to provide a hierarchical Bayesian approach to simultaneously estimate rates and missing data probabilities. Methods To account for missing data in follow up studies, a hierarchical Bayesian procedure is proposed and investigated via simulation. Results A simulation study demonstrates the impact of ignoring missing data on inferences in terms of bias and in ranking populations in terms of risk. An example of rates of disabilities for various German construction worker professions also illustrates the usefulness of the method. Conclusions Use of a hierarchical Bayesian approach allows for flexible modeling of rates and data availability.
Ketamine-induced tongue protrusions in rats.

Abstract 1. The purpose of this study was to demonstrate that ketamine anesthesia (100 mg/kg) induces tongue protrusions (P) in addition to retrusions (R) and swallows (S) in adult rats. 2. These linguo-pharyngeal events occur alone or combined in various sequential patterns. 3. The SPR sequence is not the predominant pattern in all preparations suggesting profound disruption of physiological linkages by ketamine. 4. Haloperidol administration suppresses these events for 1–120 min depending on the dose (0.75–2.5 mg/kg). 5. Swallows are the least vulnerable to haloperidol. 6. This and previous findings provide further evidence that ketamine induced linguo-pharyngeal activity can serve as a model for acute or tardive dyskinesia better than stereotypies.
Two splittings of a square matrix

In this note it is shown that any square matrix A∈Cn×n can be represented as the sum A=\(\tilde S{\text{ }} + {\text{ }}\tilde T\), where \(\tilde S\) is complex symmetric and rank\((\tilde T)\)≤⌊\(\tfrac{n}{2}\)⌋. The corresponding persymmetric result can be used in finding the terms of a small rank perturbed Toeplitz matrix via an O(n2) computation. This allows one to perform fast matrix–vector products in case n is large.
Premorbid predictors of postconcussion symptoms in collegiate athletes.

Introduction: In recent years, the sports community has been faced with the challenge of determining when it is safe to return concussed athletes to play. Given that return-to-play decisions are partially dependent upon athletes’ endorsement of symptoms, better understanding what factors contribute to the presence of symptoms following concussion is crucial. The purpose of the present study was to better characterize the symptoms that athletes endorse at baseline and to determine what impact various premorbid (or preinjury) characteristics have on the presence and severity of postconcussion symptoms in the acute injury period following concussion. Method: Two groups of participants with similar ages and levels of education were examined: athletes at baseline (N = 702) and postconcussion (N = 55). Athletes were administered a comprehensive battery of neuropsychological tests, consisting of neurocognitive and neurobehavioral measures, at both time periods. The main outcome measure was the Post-Concussion Sy...
Dynamics of the Cloud-Environment Interface and Entrainment in Small Cumuli: Two-Dimensional Simulations in the Absence of Ambient Shear

Abstract We employ a two-dimensional numerical model with interacting nested domains to simulate the evolution of a small nonprecipitating cumulus cloud in the absence of shear. Grid nesting permits the use of a realistic boundary layer forcing to initiate cloud growth and, at the same time, the specification of very high spatial resolution in the vicinity of the cloud. The finest mesh employed in this study (5 m) gives about 160 points across the base of the cloud. Initially, the model produces a cloud which has a smooth upper surface. About eight to nine minutes after the onset of condensation, nodes appear on the upper cloud boundary. These nodes have a characteristic tangential length scale which is small compared to the width of the cloud base. In one of our simulations, a down-draft forms above the center of the cloud top and penetrates into the interior of the cloud. The entrainment of this unsaturated air reduces the liquid water content of the cloud below the adiabatic value and curtails growth o...
Parental Beliefs and Children's School Performance.

Immigrant parents from Cambodia, Mexico, the Philippines, and Vietnam and native-born Anglo-American and Mexican-American parents responded to questions about child rearing, what teachers of first and second graders should teach their children, and what characterizes an intelligent child. Immigrant parents rated conforming to external standards as being more important to develop in their children than developing autonomous behaviors. In contrast, American-born parents favored developing autonomy over conformity. Parents from all groups except Anglo-Americans indicated that noncognitive characteristics (i.e., motivation, social skills, and practical school skills) were as important as or more important than cognitive characteristics (i.e., problem-solving skills, verbal ability, creative ability) were to their conceptions of an intelligent first-grade child. Parental beliefs about conformity were correlated with measures of kindergarten (5- and 6-year-olds) and first- (6- and 7-year-olds) and second-grader (7- and 8-year-olds) children's school performance (i.e., teacher ratings of children's classroom performance; Comprehensive Test of Basic Skills reading, math, and language scores; and Sternberg Triarchic Abilities Test scores).
Atrioventricular Block During Fetal Life

Congenital complete atrioventricular (AV) block occurs in approximately 1 in 20,000 live births and is known to result in significant mortality and morbidity both during fetal life and postnatally. Complete AV block can occur as a result of an immune or a non-immune mediated process. Immune mediated AV block is a multifactorial disease, but is associated with the trans-placental passage of maternal autoantibodies (anti-Ro/SSA and/or anti-La/SSB). These autoantibodies attach to and subsequently damage the cardiomyocytes and conduction tissue in susceptible fetuses. In this report, we examine the evidence in reference to means of assessment, pathophysiology, and potential prenatal therapy of atrioventricular block.
INBORN ERRORS OF UREAGENESIS; RESULTS OF THERAPY IN 44 PATIENTS

13 patients with complete deficiencies of CPS or OTC were treated for with a low protein, essential amino acid (EAA)diet plus arginine (Arg) or citrulline(Cit)(1 mmol/kg)plus 250 mg/kg of benzoate(B)(Regimen I). 5 of these patients died during 11 patient years of therapy. Phenylacetate(P)(250 mg/kg)was added in 12 patients (Regimen II) for 14 patient years, during which one patient died due to an overdose of B and P. Partition of urinary nitrogen (PUN) in 5 such patients revealed that hippurate-N(HAN) and phenylacetylglutamine-N (PAGN) respectively accounted for(m±SD) 21.8±4.2 and 38.2± 8.1% of effective urinary waste nitrogen (EWN)for a total of 60%. 7 patients with ASA synthetase deficiency (AS) were treated with Regimen I plus additional Arg to supply 2-4 mmol kg/d (Regimen III) for 18.4 patient years; one patient died. Regimen III was modified by substituting protein for the EAA and adding P for 3 patient years with no deaths. PUN in 3 AS children revealed that HAN, PAGN and Cit-N accounted for 17, 22 and 12% of EWN for a total of 51%. 17 patients with AL deficiency were treated with 1.5-2.0 g/d of protein supplemented with 2-4 mmol/kg Arg for 37 patient years; one died. ASA-N accounted for 54% of EWN in 2 patients. Thus HAN, PAGN, Cit-N and ASA-N are adequate EWN substitutes for urea and support life in these otherwise fatal diseases.
Site-specific mutagenesis studies of cytochromes c.

Abstract Cytochromes c are among the best characterized proteins, which consequently make them attractive candidates for study by mutagenesis. Site-specific mutagenesis studies have been reported for five species of cytochromes c , including those from Rhodobacter capsulatus, Saccharomyces cerevisiae, Drosophila melanogaster , rat and horse. The effect of mutations to highly conserved residues on redox potential indicates that substitutions of the M80 axial heme ligand result in the greatest effect (i.e., > 200 mV ) while other mutations generally have a small negative effect (i.e., mV ). Denaturation of the mutants suggests that conformational stability is generally decreased upon substitution of conserved residues, with the largest observed destabilization being approx. 4 kcal/mol. As judged by the p K for the alkaline transition of the mutants, the stability of the Fe-S bond can be increased or decreased by approx. 1 kcal/mol with the largest effects occurring when the mutated group is proximal to the heme. Electron transfer reactions between cytochrome c mutants and various physiological partners are generally not affected to a large degree, an observation that is consistent with their function in vivo. Structural characterization of several mutants by X-ray crystallography suggests that site-specific substitutions generally do not disrupt the overall conformation but result in small local and remote structural perturbations. NMR characterization of several mutants supports the lack of large structural changes but suggests that changes in the dynamic properties of mutants often occur. Taken together, these observations suggest that comprehensive study of equivalent mutations in a number of species is necessary to understand the determinants of cytochrome c structure and function as well as the determinants of evolutionary conservation.
Effect of Race in the Response to Metoprolol in Patients With Congestive Heart Failure Secondary to Idiopathic Dilated or Ischemic Cardiomyopathy

We sought to determine the effect of race in response to metoprolol in patients with dilated cardiomyopathy. We found no difference in exercise, hemodynamic, and neurohormonal responses to metoprolol based on race in patients with cardiomyopathy.
A multivariate control quantile test using data depth

The objective of this article is to present a depth based multivariate control quantile test using statistically equivalent blocks ( D S E B S ). Given a random sample { x 1 , ? , x m } of R d -valued random vectors ( d ? 1 ) with a distribution function ( D F ) F , statistically equivalent blocks ( S E B S ), a multivariate generalization of the univariate sample spacings, can be constructed using a sequence of cutting functions h i ( x ) to order x i , i = 1 , ? , m . D S E B S are data driven, center-outward layers of shells whose shapes reflect the underlying geometric features of the unknown distribution and provide a framework for selection and comparison of cutting functions. We propose a control quantile test, using D S E B S , to test the equality of two D F s in R d . The proposed test is distribution free under the null hypothesis and well defined when d ? max ( m , n ) . A simulation study compares the proposed statistic to depth-based Wilcoxon rank sum test. We show that the new test is powerful in detecting the differences in location, scale and shape (skewness or kurtosis) changes in two multivariate distributions.
Does endophyte influence resource acquisition and allocation in defoliated tall fescue as a function of microsite conditions

Abstract Tall fescue [ Lolium arundinaceum (Schreb.) Darbysh.] often benefits in terms of productivity and persistence when infected with Neotyphodium coenophialum ([Morgan-Jones and Gams], Glenn, Bacon, and Hanlin) endophyte, but the influence of novel non-ergogenic endophytes is unclear. We conducted a field experiment using container-grown tall fescue plants to determine how plants allocated resources when clipped repeatedly in microsites differing in the amount of available light associated with open (full sun), and partially shaded (about 20 or 40% of full sun) conditions. Plants of the same tall fescue cultivar (Jesup) were host to either a native or novel non-ergogenic fungal endophyte (MaxQ™), or were devoid of endophyte. Seedlings of plants infected with the novel endophyte had slower germination, germinated later, and allocated more photosynthate to shoots than roots, when compared to J− or J+ plants. Herbage production of undisturbed canopies was not influenced by host–endophyte association within a microsite, with more herbage produced at the open than at the heavily shaded site. Clipping plants to a 5- or a 10-cm residue height tended to accentuate differences, with diminished productivity and greater variability occurring when plants were maintained at 5 cm. This trend was supported by allometric resource allocation patterns, and in terms of vegetative propagule mass relative to the number of propagules. Tall fescue, irrespective of host–endophyte association, grown as forage in silvopastoral situations should be managed to maintain no less than a 10-cm residual plant height. Trends in photosynthate allocation and plant size might influence persistence and should be investigated for more than two growing seasons.
Orienting Task Specificity in Incidental Motor Learning

The manipulation of the retention of a linear movement by means of different orienting tasks in an incidental learning paradigm was investigated. Subjects were presented with a target position followed by a different nontarget position on each of four presentation trials. After the presentation trials subjects were required to recall the target and nontarget positions. One group made verbal estimates of the distance between the target and nontarget positions, another group discriminated between the target and nontarget positions, while no verbal responses were required for a third group. The verbal-response groups, while not differing from each other, had less error at recall than the nonverbalizing group. These findings were discussed in terms of the levels of processing framework for memory research (Craik & Lockhart, 1972).
Understanding processes of change: how some patients reveal more than others-and some groups of therapists less-about what matters in psychotherapy.

AbstractObjective: We identify difficulties researchers encounter in psychotherapy process-outcome investigations, and we describe several limitations of the popular “variance accounted for” approach to understanding the effects of psychotherapy. Methods & Results: Using data simulations, we show how the expected correlation between an excellent measure of therapy quality and outcome would be surprisingly small (approximately .25) under conditions likely to be common in psychotherapy research. Even when we modeled conditions designed to increase the likelihood that strong process-outcome relationships would be observed, we found that the expected correlations were still only in the modest range (.38–.51). Conclusions: We discuss the implications of our analysis for the interpretation of process-outcome findings as well as for design considerations in future investigations.
Application of a Sensemaking Approach to Ethics Training in the Physical Sciences and Engineering

Integrity is a critical determinant of the effectiveness of research organizations in terms of producing high quality research and educating the new generation of scientists. A number of responsible conduct of research (RCR) training programs have been developed to address this growing organizational concern. However, in spite of a significant body of research in ethics training, it is still unknown which approach has the highest potential to enhance researchers’ integrity. One of the approaches showing some promise in improving researchers’ integrity has focused on the development of ethical decision-making skills. The current effort proposes a novel curriculum that focuses on broad metacognitive reasoning strategies researchers use when making sense of day-to-day social and professional practices that have ethical implications for the physical sciences and engineering. This sensemaking training has been implemented in a professional sample of scientists conducting research in electrical engineering, atmospheric and computer sciences at a large multi-cultural, multi-disciplinary, and multi-university research center. A pre-post design was used to assess training effectiveness using scenario-based ethical decision-making measures. The training resulted in enhanced ethical decision-making of researchers in relation to four ethical conduct areas, namely data management, study conduct, professional practices, and business practices. In addition, sensemaking training led to researchers’ preference for decisions involving the application of the broad metacognitive reasoning strategies. Individual trainee and training characteristics were used to explain the study findings. Broad implications of the findings for ethics training development, implementation, and evaluation in the sciences are discussed.
Non-Destructive Testing of Fiber Reinforced Composite Materials Using a Capacitance Bridge

Fiber reinforced polymeric composites are used in many applications due to their uniqueness, and the ability to tailor specific properties to satisfy necessary requirements. Like many other materials, composites are susceptible to defects, which may significantly degrade their physical properties. Hence, fiber-reinforced polymeric composites should be tested both prior and during the life of the part to ensure that defects are either not present, or are not severe enough to compromise the integrity and performance of the materials. Composites, however, present a unique challenge to non-destructive testing because of their non-homogenous structure, and the wide variety of materials that are used in the manufacturing process. This study deals with the non-destructive testing of glass fiber reinforced composite materials using a capacitance bridge. The major advantage of using this method is that we can simultaneously determine voids, cracks and moisture uptake, which may occur during manufacturing and the usage of the composites.Copyright © 2009 by ASME
Differences Among Medicago Species in Resistance to Oviposition by the Alfalfa Weevil

Resistance of alfalfa to the alfalfa weevil, Hypera postica (Gyllenhal), was sought first among commercial alfalfa varieties and North Carolina synthetics in small field plots. All commercial varieties tested were susceptible to the weevil. A search for weevil resistance among species of Medicago was then initiated. These investigations were conducted in the greenhouse and laboratory where adult preference for feeding and oviposition could be critically evaluated in the absence of larval damage. Plants and excised stems were exposed to an adult weevil population far larger than normal fall populations. Medicago sativa var. gaetula Urb. (accession 59–7) a round-stemmed variety of alfalfa, was found to be nearly immune to weevil injury and oviposition in a laboratory study conducted in 1960–61. The resistance of Gaetula to egg laying has been repeatedly confirmed in greenhouse tests since 1961. Another accession of Gaetula and also M. falcata L. exhibited a high degree of resistance in these same tests when the commercial alfalfa variety Atlantic ( M. sativa L.) was used as the susceptible check. The total number of eggs recovered from the stems of Gaetula and M. falcata accession averaged 4 to 18% as many as from the stems of the Atlantic check. Reduction in total eggs was correlated with reduction in number and size of egg masses and associated with a decrease in stem pith or an increase in stem solidness. Since the alfalfa weevil is known to be developing resistance to the chlorinated insecticides, the transmission of Gaetula or M. falcata resistance to an agronomically desirable alfalfa would be especially important.
Characterization of Peptide Adsorption on InAs Using X-ray Photoelectron Spectroscopy

The well-de! ned structure and high stability of peptides make them attractive biotemplates for low-temperature synthesis of semiconductor nanocrystals. Adsorbed peptide monolayers could also potentially passivate semiconductors by preventing regrowth of the oxide layer. In this work, the adsorption and passivation capabilities of di" erent collagen- binding peptides on InAs surfaces were analyzed by X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS). Before peptide functionalization, Br2- and HCl-based etches were used to remove the native oxide layer on the InAs surfaces. The presence of the N 1s peak for peptide-functionalized samples con! rms the adsorption of peptides onto the etched InAs surfaces. Calculated coverages were similar for all peptide sequences and ranged from ! 20 to 40% of a monolayer using the deconvoluted C 1s spectra and from ! 2 to 5% for the N 1s spectra. The passivation ability of the peptides was analyzed by comparing the ratios of the oxide components to the nonoxide components in the XPS spectra. The thickness of the oxide layer was also approximated by accounting for the attenuation of the substrate photoelectrons through the oxide layer. We ! nd that the oxide layer regrowth still occurs after peptide functionalization. However, the oxide layer thicknessesforpeptide-functionalized samplesdonotreach asreceived levels,indicatingthatthepeptidesdohave somepassivation ability on InAs.
Same-day microsurgical arthroscopic lateral-approach laser-assisted (SMALL) fluoroscopic discectomy

The 2-year experience of one neurosurgeon with Kambin's orthopedic instruments and frame for arthroscopic microdiscectomy is reported. Arthroscopy using a unilateral approach and monoportal technique is a valuable adjunct to fluoroscopic monitoring. One hundred patients underwent same-day microsurgical arthroscopic lateral-approach laser-assisted (SMALL) fluoroscopic discectomy. In addition, suspected spinal tumors in three patients were treated by biopsy and infection of the disc space was drained in one. A prototype operating discoscope was employed for delivery of the neodymium:yttrium-aluminum-garnet laser beam to assist with hemostasis. Seventy-five "ideal" cases were identified that exhibited the following features: 1) up to a 6-month history of unilateral sciatica symptoms, which responded to bed rest; 2) mechanical signs of nerve root irritation when the patient was erect; 3) computerized tomography or magnetic resonance imaging studies interpreted as showing one protruding or prolapsed disc without extrusion; 4) no segmental spondylosis at the level of a herniated nucleus pulposus; 5) no motor weakness; 6) no prior disc surgery; 7) no obesity; and 8) no diabetes mellitus. Twenty-five "nonideal" cases failed to meet one or more of the above criteria. Good outcome rates were not substantially different in the two groups, success being judged in part by patient satisfaction. Complete success was evidenced in two-thirds of cases by early return to work, but improvement was also determined by increased mobility and a reduction in pain medication from narcotic to analgesic agents. Three patients underwent repeat surgery (laminotomy), but only one improved. Two years has provided sufficient clinical experience to determine that a percutaneous endoscopic procedure under neuroleptanalgesia may become a significant surgical alternative.
A Critique of Critical Geopolitics

Comparisons between classical and critical geopolitics are made with the suggestion that both versions, although different in most respects, are equally legitimate for study and perhaps may be brought closer together, at least in ways that may complement each other, after inspection of their comparative approaches. The classical version deserves consideration as a contribution to international relations theory and to foreign policy making. The critical approach provides a needed and necessary critique of the classical, exposing its weaknesses and suggesting an emancipatory alternative. Accordingly, the author has selected a variety of associated characteristics that show the primary variations between the classical and the critical, illustrated by appropriate quotations and examples, with again the conclusion that both versions of geopolitics, the classical and the critical, merit credibility, and that a possibility exists where certain connections may be located between the two that could mutually clarif...
Dynamic mechanical evaluation of a rubber toughened graphite-epoxy composite with application for laminate analysis

Abstract The dynamic mechanical properties of Hexcel F-155 rubber toughened epoxy was evaluated as a pure matrix and as a graphite-fiber composite. The materials were evaluated using a Dynastat mechanical analyzer at from −100°C to 200°C to provide temperature dependent elastic constants for composite laminate analysis. The pure matrix material showed a secondary transition, which has an effect on the mechanical properties of the composite laminate. The experimental results for complex modulus and thermal expansion of the pure matrix and unidirectional laminate were used to provide direct and indirect temperature dependent properties through micromechanics to predict properties of a composite laminate.
IR kinetic spectroscopy investigation of the CH4 + O(1D) reaction.

The branching of the title reaction into several product channels has been investigated quantitatively by laser infrared kinetic spectroscopy for CH4 and CD4. It is found that OH (OD) is produced in 67 ± 5% (60 ± 5%) yield compared to the initial O(1D) concentration. H (D) product is produced in 30 ± 10%(35 ± 10%). H2CO is produced in 5% yield in the CH4 system (it was not possible to measure the CD2O yield in the CD4 case). D2O is produced in 8% yield in the CD4 system (it was not feasible to measure the H2O yield). The ratio of the overall rate constant of the CD4 reaction to the overall rate constant of the O(1D) + N2O reaction was determined to be 1.25 ± 0.1. A measurement of the reaction of O(1D) with NO2 gave 1.3 × 10-10 cm3 molecule-1 s-1 relative to the literature values for the rate constants of O(1D) with H2 and CH4. Hot atom effects in O(1D) reactions were observed.
Transition from gaseous compounds to aerosols in Titan's atmosphere

We investigate the chemical transition of simple molecules like C2H2 and HCN into aerosol particles in the context of Titan's atmosphere. Experiments that synthesize analogs (tholins) for these aerosols can help understand and constrain these polymerization mechanisms. Using information available from these experiments, we suggest chemical pathways that can link simple molecules to macromolecules, that will be the precursors to aerosol particles: polymers of acetylene and cyanoacetylene, polycyclic aromatics (PAHs), polymers of HCN and other nitriles, and polynes. Although our goal here is not to build a detailed kinetic model for this transition, we propose parameterizations to estimate the production rates of these macromolecules, their C/N and C/H ratios, and the loss of parent molecules (C2H2, HCN, HC3N and other nitriles, C6H6) from the gas phase to the haze. We use a 1-dimensional photochemical model of Titan's atmosphere to estimate the formation rate of precursors macromolecules. We find a production zone slightly lower than 200 km altitude with a total production rate of 4 x 10(exp -14) g/ sq cm s and a C/N approx. = 4. These results are compared with experimental data, and to microphysical models requirements. The Cassini/Huygens mission will bring a detailed picture of the haze distribution and properties, that will be a great challenge for our understanding of those chemical processes.
SKIN CANCER SCREENING

The key to reducing morbidity and mortality from skin cancer is early detection. Prevention through education is, of course, ultimately the best outcome of collective human efforts. Many questions are still unresolved, but skin cancer screening by general internists, family practitioners, dermatologists, and other health professionals could prove cost-effective and reliable. As more knowledge becomes available, clinicians will have the resources to improve skills in prevention and early detection.
A strategy to study regional hydrology and terrestrial ecosystem processes using satellite remote sensing, ground-based data and computer modeling

A strategy is presented for integrating scanning multichannel microwave radiometer data from the Nimbus-7 satellite with meteorological station records and computer simulations of land surface hydrology, terrestrial nutrient cycling, and trace gas emission. Analysis of the observations together with radiative transfer analysis shows that in the tropics the temporal and spatial variations of the polarization difference are determined primarily by the structure and phenology of vegetation and seasonal inundations of major rivers and wetlands. It is concluded that the proposed surface hydrology model, along with climatological records, and, potentially, 37-GHz data for phenology, will provide inputs to a terrestrial ecosystem model that predicts regional net primary production and CO2 gas exchange.
Continuity of HIV-related medical care, New York City, 2005-2009: Do patients who initiate care stay in care?

Abstract In this era of effective antiretroviral therapy, early diagnosis of HIV and timely linkage to and retention in care are vital to survival and quality of life. Federal guidelines recommend ...
Integrating Cognitive Behavioral Therapy Into Primary Care Settings

Abstract This article serves as an introduction to the first issue of the Cognitive and Behavioral Practice special series on cognitive-behavioral practice in medical settings. This first issue of our two-part series focuses on strategies and recommendations for integrating cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) into primary care settings and the unique challenges primary care in particular presents. Our subsequent issue will focus on the implementation of CBT in other, more specialized forms of medical care, including cancer treatment and HIV care.