cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Absorptiometric determination of sulfate in waters

Abstract An absorptiometric method is proposed for sulfate determination, based on the colour produced by heating sulfuric acid with saccharose at 85° for 60 min. The method was applied to the determination of sulfate in treated waters; chloride was removed by precipitation with silver acetate, and sulfate was converted to sulfuric acid with a cation exchange resin column.
Metastatic small cell carcinoma of the prostate: Population-based analysis of patient characteristics and treatment paradigms

Abstract Introduction Small cell carcinoma of the prostate is a rare malignancy comprising Methods Using the National Cancer Database, we identified patients between 1998 and 2011 diagnosed with pure small cell carcinoma of the prostate as their only malignancy who presented with nodal involvement or distant metastasis. Results Treatment information was available for 379 patients. Of them, 122 (32.5%) underwent chemotherapy (CT) alone, 25 (6.7%) received hormonal therapy (androgen-deprivation therapy) alone, 10 (2.7%) underwent radiation therapy alone, 3 (1%) underwent radical prostatectomy, and 167 (44.4%) underwent combination therapy. The 1- and 3-year survival rates were 35.3% and 4.4%, respectively. Those receiving any CT as part of their treatment had a median survival of 9.3 vs. 3.2 months for those not receiving it (P Conclusion Men presenting with metastatic small cell carcinoma of the prostate have poor overall survival. Older patients and those presenting with distant metastases have an increased risk of death. It appears that patients receiving CT experience a modest survival benefit. The role of hormonal therapy in this population remains unclear.
Environmental bioremediation for organometallic compounds: Microbial growth and arsenic volatillization from soil and retorted shale

Nutrient effects on microbial growth and arsenic volatilization from retorted oil shale and soil were evaluated in a laboratory study. Dimethylarsinic acid (DMAA), methanearsonic acid (MAA) and sodium arsenate amendments were used with added nutrients, or with retort process water added to simulate possible co-disposal conditions. In experiments with soil and retorted shale, dimethylarsinic acid showing the highest cumulative arsenic releases, in comparison with added inorganic sodium arsenate (SA). Low but detectable amounts of innate arsenic present in retorted shale could be volatilized with added organic matter. In soil, arsenic volatilization showed a direct relationship to nutrient levels and microbial growth. With shale, in comparison, a threshold response to available nutrients was evident. Distinct increases in fungal community development occurred with nutrients available at a level of 2.5% w/v, which also allowed incresed arsenic volatization. Codisposal of retort process waters with shale allowed arsenic volatilization without the addition of other nutrients. The presence of retort process water limited arsenic volatilization from the added organometallic compounds DMAA and MAA, but not from SA or innate arsenic. These differences should be useful in the definition of permissive and non-permissive environmental conditions for arsenic volatilization in bioremediation programs.
Conversion of electron spectrum associated with fission into the antineutrino spectrum

The accuracy of the procedure that converts the experimentally determined electron spectrum associated with fission of the nuclear fuels 235U, 239Pu, 241Pu, and 238U into the antineutrino [overline nu ]e spectrum is examined. By using calculated sets of mutually consistent spectra, this work shows that the conversion procedure can result in a small ~1% error provided several conditions are met. Chief among them are the requirements that the average nuclear charge as a function of the beta-decay endpoint energy is independently known and that the [overline nu ]e spectrum is binned into bins that are several times larger than the width of the slices used to fit the electron spectrum.
Self-Portrait with Ruins: Maerten van Heemskerck, 1553

This article revisits a turning point in the history of Western Europe's engagement with ancient ruins, the sixteenth-century Renaissance. The author puts pressure on the notion that modernity's fascination with ruins rests on an interest in the historical past exclusively. A close look at the oeuvre of the Haarlem-based artist Maerten van Heemskerck and his Self-Portrait with the Colosseum of 1553 reveals ruins’ appeal as multivalent. For Heemskerck and other sixteenth-century artists, ruins engendered encounters and confrontations between the material and the immaterial, the self and history, life and death. What is more, the temporality of ruins is more polymorphous than now classic essays on the ruin by Georg Simmel and others have us imagine. In Heemskerck's Renaissance, the depiction of ancient ruins also resonated with the violence-induced ruination of recent events such as the Sack of Rome.
Transmission, Acquisition, Parameter-Setting, Reanalysis, and Language Change.

Jurgen Meisel's (JM) article is literally thought-provoking, especially for the issues that one can raise out of the central position that he develops, viz., “although bilingual acquisition in situations of language contact can be argued to be of significant importance for explanations of grammatical change, reanalysis affecting parameter settings is much less likely to happen than is commonly assumed in historical linguistics” (p. 142). This is a position that calls for grounding language change, hence historical linguistics, in the pragmatics/ethnography of language practice, a question that linguists can continue to ignore no more than the actuation question (Weinreich, Labov & Herzog, 1968; McMahon, 1994; Labov, 2001; Mufwene, 2008). The latter regards what particular ethnographic factors trigger particular changes at particular places and at particular times but not at others. In other words, do structural changes happen simply because they must happen or because particular agents are involved at specific times under specific ecological conditions of language practice?
Continuous Online Auditing: A Program of Research

The progressive computerization of business processes and widespread availability of computer networking make it possible to dramatically increase the frequency of periodic audits by redesigning the auditing architecture around Continuous Online Auditing (COA). Continuous auditing is viewed here as a type of auditing that produces audit results simultaneously with, or a short period of time after, the occurrence of relevant events. It is arguable that continuous auditing can be implemented only as an online system, i.e., a system that is permanently connected through computer networking to both auditees and auditors. This article proposes a research agenda for the emerging field of COA. First, the history, institutional background, feasibility of and some experiences in COA are briefly reviewed. Thereafter, a number of research issues relating to the architecture of COA, factors affecting the use of COA, and the major consequences of COA are presented. Finally, a selected number of research issues are hig...
Diabetes, coronary intervention, and platelet glycoprotein IIb/IIIa blockade: the triad revisited.

Diabetes mellitus is associated with inferior outcome after percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI).1 Platelet glycoprotein IIb/IIIa (GP IIb/IIIa) inhibition is an important adjunctive therapy during PCI and may be particularly so in patients with diabetes mellitus.2 Platelet GP IIb/IIIa inhibitors are potent antithrombotic agents, and in several large-scale clinical trials with balloon angioplasty and coronary stenting, these agents have produced a consistent and marked reduction in both 30-day ischemic events and long-term (up to 1 to 3 years) mortality.3 In most cases, a greater magnitude of survival benefit with abciximab has been observed in patients with diabetes as compared with patients without diabetes.3–5 Furthermore, clinical risk stratification with diabetes and other variables reliably predicts abciximab benefit for late survival, thereby validating the important mortality benefits (nearly 3 lives saved per 100 patients treated) with abciximab use in high-risk patients during PCI.6 This large body of evidence has led to the widespread acceptance of platelet GP IIb/IIIa inhibitors to neutralize the excessive mortality associated with PCI among patients with diabetes as compared with patients without diabetes. See p 3627 The introduction of clopidogrel has changed the landscape of clinical outcomes in PCI. In patients with diabetes, clopidogrel has been shown to be superior to aspirin in reducing recurrent ischemic events.7 The use of preprocedural clopidogrel can attenuate the increase in C-reactive protein and other inflammatory markers after PCI, even in the presence of abciximab.8,9 Pretreatment with clopidogrel (300 to 600 mg) has been suggested to reduce ischemic events during PCI, and long-term (1 year) clopidogrel therapy has been shown to reduce long-term clinical events.10 Recently, the ISAR-REACT (Intracoronary Stenting and Antithrombotic Regimen-Rapid Early Action for Coronary Treatment) study found no benefit with abciximab therapy versus placebo in low- and intermediate-risk patients undergoing PCI who …
Hybridization and cytoplasmic incompatibility among alfalfa weevil strains

Cross-matings were conducted among eastern, western, and Egyptian alfalfa weevil strains. Fully viable progenies were produced in reciprocal crosses between eastern and Egyptian weevils. The cross between western males and females of eastern or Egyptian strains was incompatible, producing infertile eggs, while the reciprocal cross yielded viable progeny but with a distorted sex ratio, predominantly female. The cause of incompatibility is due to the presence in the western weevil of a rickettsia, which is transmitted through the female parent. Of eight weevil populations surveyed, only the western weevil and a weevil population from the Netherlands harbored the rickettsiae. We conclude that all alfalfa weevil populations in the United States belong to the same species, Hypera postica (Gyllenhal), and that they are potentially interbreeding populations. RESUME Hybridation et incompatibilite cytoplasmique entre lignees d'Hypera postica Des croisements ont ete effectues entre 3 lignees d'H. postica et H. brunneipennis. Des descendants totalement viables ont ete obtenus par croisements reciproques entre H. postica de Beltsville et H. brunneipennis. Les croisements entre males de H. postica de Logan et femelles de H. postica de Beltsville ou de H. brunneipennis ont ete incompatibles, produisant des oeufs steriles, tandis que les croisements reciproques donnaient une descendance viable, mais avec un taux sexuel modifie avec predominance de femelles. La cause de l'incompatibilite est due a la presence d'une rickettsia dans les H. postica de Logan, transmise par la femelle. Des 8 populations examinees, seule celle de Logan et 1 des Pays Bas hebergeaient des rickettsia. Nous en concluons que toutes les populations des USA appartiennent a H. postica Gyllenhal, et qu'elles sont toutes potentiellement interfecondes.
Azimuthal dependence in leptoproduction: A simple parton model calculation

Semi-inclusive leptoproduction,  + p -+ Q' + h + X, is considered in the naive patton model. The scattered parton shows an azimuthal asymmetry about the momentum transfer direction. Simple derivations for the effects in ep, up and -~7,p scattering are given. Reduction of the asymmetry due to fragmentation of partons into hadrons is estimated. The results cast doubt on the utility of such azimuthal asymmetry as a clean test of quantum chromodynamics. Semi-inclusive leptoproduction, ~ + p ~ ~' + h + X, is of special interest because, in the patton model, the observed hadron is a fragment of the struck quark parton. An extensive lore about fragmentation of quarks into hadrons has developed since the initiating work of Feynman [1] and of Bjorken and coworkers [2]. Among the motivations for studying this process were the inability of formal techniques (short distance expansions) to deal with the reaction and a proposal of Feynman that neutrino production might eventually provide a means of measuring the charge of a quark [3,11. More recently, Georgi and Politzer have proposed the process as a testing ground for quantum chromodynamics [4]. Their program is designed to show the consistency of QCD with the parton model as modified by certain Q2 dependent, calculable corrections. It is hoped that the problem of confinement can be finessed and that the renormalization group will enable one to prove the consistency of the scheme. As a part of their investigation, Georgi and Politzer considered the azimuthal dependence of semi-inclusive leptoproduction. If the z-axis is chosen to be opposite the direction of the momentum transfer, q, of the lepton, the observed hadron's azimuthal angle about the z-axis may be measured away from the x-axis, which is defined by choosing the x-z plane to be the lepton scattering plane, with the incident and exiting leptons
Actions of calcium ions and a calcium-influx blocker on basal and TRH- and GnRH-stimulated hormone release in patients with pituitary adenomas

We investigated the influence of calcium ions on the secretion of anterior pituitary hormones basally and in response to exogenous hypothalamic releasing factors in 6 men with pituitary tumors. To this end, concentrations of LH, FSH, TSH, growth hormone and prolactin were measured in blood collected at 10-min intervals basally and during a continuous infusion of combined TRH (2 μg/min) and GnRH (1 μg/min). Study sessions were randomized to iv saline, calcium, or diltiazem infusions or oral diltiazem administration. Our results indicate that in contrast to responses in normal men, iv calcium injections do not suppress circulating prolactin concentrations in patients with prolactin-secreting pituitary tumors. Moreover, neither oral diltiazem administration for one week nor acute iv diltiazem infusion suppressed the hyperprolactinemia of tumor patients. However, there were significant effects of drug and calcium treatments on serum concentrations of FSH, GH and testosterone, but not LH or TSH. Moreover, during GnRH-TRH stimulation, there were significant differences in LH, TSH, and testosterone responses in tumor patients compared to normal men. In summary, iv calcium infusion was associated with invariant basal release of anterior pituitary tumoral hormones in patients with pituitary adenomas. However, there were significant differences in the GnRH/TRH-stimulated release of certain anterior pituitary hormones in tumor patients compared to normal men in response to iv calcium and the calcium-channel antagonist, diltiazem.
Tumor-related lipid exudation after plaque radiotherapy of choroidal melanoma: the role of Bruch's membrane rupture.

Purpose To identify the risk factors predictive of development of tumor-related lipid exudation (TRLE) after plaque radiotherapy of posterior uveal melanoma. Design Case-control study. Participants Cases included 294 patients with posterior uveal melanoma who had developed TRLE after plaque radiotherapy. Controls included 294 patients with posterior uveal melanoma who had not developed TRLE after plaque radiotherapy. Controls were matched with cases for age, gender, and initial tumor thickness. Methods Data were extracted from medical charts containing demographic, clinical, and treatment information. Detailed fundus drawings and color fundus photographs were reviewed for each patient. Main Outcome Measures Tumor and ocular features of eyes with posterior uveal melanoma treated with plaque radiotherapy. Results Multivariate analysis identified Bruch's membrane rupture ( P P ≤0.019), closer proximity to the optic disc and foveola ( P = 0.004 and 0.013, respectively), greater tumor base ( P = 0.035), failure to receive transpupillary thermotherapy (TTT) after radiation ( P P P = 0.003). The mean interval between plaque radiotherapy and onset of TRLE was 14 months (median, 11 months; range, 2–97 months), with 88% of cases developing TRLE within 2 years of radiation. The interval between the onset of TRLE and the first evidence of its regression was a mean of 33 months (median, 38 months; range, 2–194 months). Conclusions Our study identified Bruch's membrane rupture as an important factor predisposing to development of TRLE after plaque radiotherapy of posterior uveal melanoma. Other predictive factors included serous RD before radiation, large tumor basal diameter, posterior tumor location, lack of adjunctive TTT, and early increase of serous RD after plaque radiotherapy. Financial Disclosure(s) The author(s) have no proprietary or commercial interest in any materials discussed in this article.
Symbolic Analysis of Sonar Data for Underwater Target Detection

This paper presents a symbolic pattern analysis method for robust feature extraction from sidescan sonar images that are generated from autonomous underwater vehicles (AUVs). The proposed data-driven algorithm, built upon the concepts of symbolic dynamics and automata theory, is used for detection of mines and mine-like objects in the undersea environment. This real-time algorithm is based on symbolization of the data space via coarse graining, i.e., partitioning of the two-dimensional sonar images. The statistical information, in terms of stochastic matrices that serve as features, is extracted from the symbolized images by construction of probabilistic finite state automata. A binary classifier is designed for discrimination of detected objects into mine-like and nonmine-like categories. The pattern analysis algorithm has been validated on sonar images generated in the exploration phase of a mine hunting operation; these data have been provided by the Naval Surface Warfare Center. The algorithm is formulated for real-time execution on limited-memory commercial-of-the-shelf platforms and is capable of detecting objects on the seabed-bottom.
Reported Characteristics of Participants in Physical Therapy–Related Clinical Trials

Background The inclusion of sociodemographic and anthropometric variables in published clinical trials enables physical therapists to determine the applicability of trial results to patients in their clinics. Objective The aim of this study was to examine the reporting of participant sociodemographic and anthropometric characteristics in published physical therapy–related clinical trials. Design This was a retrospective review of clinical trials from 2 samples drawn from literature applicable to physical therapy. Methods Two reviewers independently extracted data from a random sample of 152 clinical trials from the Physiotherapy Evidence Database (PEDro) and a purposive sample of 85 clinical trials published in the journal Physical Therapy ( PTJ ). A database containing the occurrence of sociodemographic (age, sex, race/ethnicity, level of education, marital status) and anthropometric variables (height, weight, body mass index) in each article was created to generate descriptive statistics about both samples. Results Among the sociodemographic variables, at least 90% of articles reported the sex and age of trial participants. Additional sociodemographic characteristics that were reported in 20% to 26% of articles were participant level of education and participant race/ethnicity. The reporting of anthropometric data differed between the 2 samples, with body mass index being most commonly reported in the PEDro sample (48.0%) and weight being most commonly reported in the PTJ sample (38.8%). Limitations Articles reviewed were limited by year of publication (from 2008 to 2012 for PTJ articles and 2010 for clinical trials from PEDro) and to English-language–only literature. Conclusions The physical therapy literature would benefit from enhanced reporting requirements for both sociodemographic and anthropometric data about participants.
Skeletal Muscle Fuel Selection Occurs at the Mitochondrial Level

Mammals exponentially increase the rate of carbohydrate oxidation as exercise intensity rises, while birds combust lipid almost exclusively while flying at high percentages of aerobic capacity. The fuel oxidized by contracting muscle depends on many factors: whole-body fuel storage mass, mobilization, blood transport, cellular uptake, and substrate selection at the level of the mitochondrion. We examined the fuel preferences of mitochondria isolated from mammalian and avian locomotory muscles using two approaches. First, the influence of substrates on the kinetics of respiration (Km,ADP and Vmax) was evaluated. For all substrates and combinations, Km,ADP was generally twofold higher in avian mitochondria. Second, fuel competition between pyruvate, glutamate and/or palmitoyl-l-carnitine at three levels of ATP free energy was determined using the principle of mass balance and the measured rates of O2 consumption and metabolite accumulation/utilization. Avian mitochondria strongly spared pyruvate from oxidation when another substrate was available and fatty acid was the dominant substrate, regardless of energy state. Mammalian mitochondria exhibited some preference for fatty acid over pyruvate at lower flux (higher energy state), but exhibited a much greater tendency to select pyruvate and glutamate when available. Studies in sonicated mitochondria revealed twofold higher electron transport chain electron conductance in avian mitochondria. We conclude that substantial fuel selection occurs at the level of the mitochondrial matrix and that avian flight muscle mitochondria are particularly biased toward the selection of fatty acid, possibly by facilitating high β-oxidation flux by maintaining a more oxidized matrix.
Channel estimation for asynchronous CDMA systems in time-varying multipath channels

A matching pursuit followed by a cancellation (MPC) algorithm is proposed for channel estimation in time-varying multipath channels for asynchronous CDMA. The algorithm has low computational complexity and consists of two steps. In the first step, a basic matching pursuit algorithm that identifies the strongest channel taps, and successively cancels them is used. The second step of the algorithm uses the already estimated channel taps to remove interference from the received vector in order to identify the channel coefficients more accurately. Analytical insights in terms of the Cramer-Rao lower bound are developed in order to understand the benefit of the MPC technique over the conventional least squares (LS) approach. The MPC algorithm is found to outperform the conventional LS technique when the channel is sparse with large delay spreads and/or the users are highly asynchronous. Our simulation results show that the proposed approach is highly robust against the number of users and it performs very well in rapidly fading channels.
In vivo uptake of 125 I-Relaxin in the guinea pig.

Relaxin uptake in the guinea pig showed a time-dependent concentration in the uterine cervix and symphysis pubis. Binding in target tissues was displaceable by a concurrently adminis- tered excess of unlabeled hormone. Exogenous estrogen priming in the virgin female and retired breeder was unnecessary to demonstrate displaceable binding and concentration in the uterine cer- vix, while priming decreased displaceable binding in the uterine horns compared with similar un- primed animals. No displaceable binding or concentration was found in other tissues, including connective tissues. Thus, the uterus and symphysis pubis appear to be the principal if not the sole target tissues for relaxin.
MEI4, a meiosis-specific yeast gene required for chromosome synapsis.

Abstract The MEI4 gene product is required for meiotic induction of recombination and viable spore production in the yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae. DNA sequence analysis shows that the MEI4 gene encodes a 450-amino-acid protein bearing no homology to any previously identified protein. The MEI4 coding region is interrupted by a small intron located near the 5' end of the gene. Efficient splicing of the MEI4 transcript is not dependent on the MER1 protein, which is required for splicing the transcript of another meiotic gene, MER2. Expression of a mei4::lacZ fusion gene is meiosis-specific and depends on both heterozygosity at the mating-type locus and nutrient limitation. Northern (RNA) blot hybridization analysis suggests that MEI4 gene expression is regulated at the level of transcription. A functional MEI4 gene is not required for meiotic induction of transcription of the MER1, MER2, MEK1, RED1, SPO11, or RAD50 gene. Cytological analysis of mei4 mutant strains during meiotic prophase demonstrates that the chromosomes form long axial elements that fail to undergo synapsis. The meiosis II division is delayed in mei4 strains.
Restorative proctocolectomy with ileal pouch-anal anastomosis in very young patients with refractory ulcerative colitis

Abstract Background/purpose Restorative proctocolectomy with ileal pouch-anal anastomosis (IPAA) is the standard surgical treatment for ulcerative colitis (UC). The purpose of the current study was to determine the outcome of very young patients (≤10 years of age) with UC undergoing IPAA. Methods Between 1978 and 2002, 13 patients 10 years of age or younger underwent IPAA for management of UC at the authors' institution. Charts were reviewed for patient characteristics, and a standardized telephone interview was performed. Results Average age at diagnosis was 4.0 years (range, 1.0 to 8.4 years), and patients underwent IPAA at a mean of 6.8 years (range, 3.7 to 10.8 years). Pancolitis was present in 100%. The mean follow-up was 9.1 years (1.0 to 16.1 years), the average number of stools per day was 5 (3 to 8). All patients are continent while awake. Pouchitis was documented in 9 patients (75%). All patients or their parents rated the outcome of their procedures as "excellent." Conclusions When compared with older children, very young patients with UC tend to have more frequent total colonic involvement and a greater frequency of pouchitis after IPAA. The functional outcome and patient/family satisfaction with the procedure endorse IPAA as an attractive procedure even in the very young population with UC.
First Step to Success: An Early Intervention for Elementary Children At Risk for Antisocial Behavior.

The increased prevalence and seriousness of antisocial behavior displayed by today's youths have become serious concerns for parents, educators, and community members. Antisocial behavior has a dev...
Detection of moving radioactive sources using sensor networks

A variety of recent applications have led to a great interest in the development and application of sensor networks with the goal of providing more effective detection of moving radioactive sources. This paper endeavors to analyze and evaluate the costs and benefits associated with the use of a network of radiation detectors for applications involving the detection of a moving radioactive source. This analysis is restricted to the one-dimensional case, i.e., to the case where the moving source is constrained to move along a single path. It is found that the relative advantage resulting from sensor dispersal depends upon the goals, objectives, and constraints of the measurement scenario. The dispersal of sensors into a network may be advisable or required for operational reasons, but from a statistical perspective does not directly lead to improved performance in terms of detection efficiency and false detection rate.
Representational literacy and participatory learning in large engineering classes using pen-based computing

Representations are central to engineering practice. In this paper we present a theoretical model of how technology enables learning through participation by facilitating creation, sharing, recording, and reflection of representations. Our study is focused on large lecture classes (150-300 students) of a freshman year engineering course Engineering Exploration. Large classes provide unique challenges to the use of representations as the use of gestures and facial expressions in communication is hindered due to the size of classes. We found that when used concurrently Tablets and DyKnow supported representational practice facilitating student expression and increasing engagement in lectures. The technology further supported awareness and feedback within lectures and allowed co-construction of shared representations among faculty and students leading to a feedback based learning environment. We argue that there is some evidence that pen-based computing can transform large lecture classes to make them more inclusive and participatory. This technology driven innovation can help us in developing effective formative assessment strategies to redesign learning environment, particularly in large classrooms, to support the conceptual understanding of students. We analyzed and present both qualitative and quantitative assessment data collected from freshman engineering students through in-class and end of semester course exit survey (N~500).
1. The Effect of a Dextranase Mouthwash on Dental Plaque in Young Adults and Children

The first article in this three-part feature reports two clinical studies, the first with young adults and the second with children. In young adults, the dextranase had no statistically significant effect on plaque score, dry weight, carbohydrate concentration, percent of the bacteria that were dextranformers, or on differential microscopic counts of plaque bacteria. However, there was a significant increase in the nitrogen concentration of the plaque during plaque formation. In children, the dextranase mouthwash had no demonstrable effect on plaque formation as evidenced by plaque score and dry weight measurements.
The 137-year history of the Kansas State University Herbarium

Abstract The KSU Herbarium had a modest beginning and grew slowly during the first 20 years. Early campus political turmoil and inadequate funding created difficult circumstances and a high faculty turnover. Dedicated individuals, who recognized the value of a botany reference collection, persisted. These individuals and others who followed made the KSU Herbarium the largest in the state throughout its first century and primary in providing applied research and public service. The extensive historical holdings (pre-1900) are unique in the state and significant in supplying solid data for measuring floristic changes as well as for fundamental botanical studies. Today the KSU Herbarium contains collections of bryophytes, seeds, algae, pollen, and fossil plants. The vascular plant collection numbers ca. 185,000 specimens.
Voltage control of nanoscale magnetoelastic elements: theory and experiments (Presentation Recording)

Electromagnetic devices rely on electrical currents to generate magnetic fields. While extremely useful this approach has limitations in the small-scale. To overcome the scaling problem, researchers have tried to use electric fields to manipulate a magnetic material’s intrinsic magnetization (i.e. multiferroic). The strain mediated class of multiferroics offers up to 70% of energy transduction using available piezoelectric and magnetoelastic materials. While strain mediated multiferroic is promising, few studies exist on modeling/testing of nanoscale magnetic structures. This talk presents motivation, analytical models, and experimental data on electrical control of nanoscale single magnetic domain structures. This research is conducted in a NSF Engineering Research Center entitled Translational Applications for Nanoscale Multiferroics TANMS. The models combine micromagnetics (Landau-Lifshitz-Gilbert) with elastodynamics using the electrostatic approximation producing eight fully coupled nonlinear partial differential equations. Qualitative and quantitative verification is achieved with direct comparison to experimental data. The modeling effort guides fabrication and testing on three elements, i.e. nanoscale rings (onion states), ellipses (single domain reorientation), and superparamagnetic elements. Experimental results demonstrate electrical and deterministic control of the magnetic states in the 5-500 nm structures as measured with Photoemission Electron Microscopy PEEM, Magnetic Force Microscopy MFM, or Lorentz Transmission Electron Microscopy TEM. These data strongly suggests efficient control of nanoscale magnetic spin states is possible with voltage.
Conductivity of Nanowire Arrays under Random and Ordered Orientation Configurations

A computational model was developed to analyze electrical conductivity of random metal nanowire networks. It was demonstrated for the first time through use of this model that a performance gain in random metal nanowire networks can be achieved by slightly restricting nanowire orientation. It was furthermore shown that heavily ordered configurations do not outperform configurations with some degree of randomness; randomness in the case of metal nanowire orientations acts to increase conductivity.
Permittivity and dielectric loss measurement of paraffin films for mmW and THz applications

Complex permittivity measurement of thick paraffin films at the frequency range of 0.3 THz–1 THz is presented. Paraffin is a low loss dielectric that undergoes reversible volumetric mechanical phase change. These unique properties of the paraffin can be employed to develop reconfigurable antenna systems and RF components at millimeter wave (mmW) and terahertz (THz) bands. In order to characterize the dielectric properties of the paraffin, terahertz time domain spectroscopy is used. Complex dielectric permittivity is modeled using Havriliak-Negami relaxation and measured data are fitted using three-layer propagation model. Measured loss tangent for various paraffin films is in the range of 0.3 × 10−3–7.7 × 10−3 and the relative permittivity is found to be 2.26.
Specific Surface Area of Clay Using Water Vapor and EGME Sorption Methods

Specific surface area (SSA) is a valuable intrinsic property of clayey soils that can be directly related to more general properties and engineering behavior, including plasticity, cation exchange capacity, and swelling behavior, among many others. Laboratory methods available for estimating SSA, however, remain somewhat complicated and are not routinely used in geotechnical practice. This paper evaluates and compares methods for determining SSA using the conventional ethylene glycol monoethyl ether (EGME) method and various approaches involving sorption of water vapor under controlled humidity conditions. Surface areas estimated from water vapor adsorption and desorption isotherms are comparable for non-expansive clays with SSA values less than about 100 m2/g. Measurements are appreciably different for soils containing expansive clay minerals, where the SSA estimated via Brunauer–Emmett–Teller (BET) analysis of desorption isotherms is consistently about twice the SSA determined from adsorption isotherms. Surface areas estimated from water vapor and EGME methods are comparable at SSAs less than 100 m2/g, but measurements obtained using water vapor for larger SSAs are consistently about half of the EGME-based values. Simplified one-point methods for estimating SSA using water vapor sorption compare well with BET-based methods for SSAs less than 150 m2/g. Recommendations are provided for applying water vapor and EGME sorption methods in geotechnical practice.
Changes in Specific Gravity of Developing Western Corn Rootworm Eggs

Percent hatch and number of days to hatch were determined for eggs of Diabrotica virgifera LeConte separated in salt and sucrose solutions of various specific gravities (1.03–1.17). Eggs were found to decrease in specific gravity during post-chill development. A linear regression of mean number of days to hatch on specific gravity was highly significant and accounted for 94.7% of the variability. Eggs with specific gravities less than 1.08 had a significantly higher percent hatch than eggs with specific gravities 1.08–1.10.
Impact of Human Resources on Implementing an Evidence-Based HIV Prevention Intervention

Evidence-based interventions (EBIs) often require competent staff, or human resources (HR), for implementation. The empirical evidence characterizing the influence of HR fluctuations on EBI delivery is limited and conflicting. Using the Interactive Systems Framework, we explored staff fluctuation and the subsequent influence on RESPECT, an HIV prevention EBI. We conducted interviews with staff in two waves (n = 53, Wave I; n = 37, Wave II) in a national sample of organizations delivering RESPECT (N = 29). We analyzed interviews qualitatively to describe changes among RESPECT staff and explore the subsequent influences on RESPECT implementation. Organizations reported downsizing, turnover, and expansion of staff positions. Staff changes had multiple influences on RESPECT implementation including clients reached, fidelity to specific RESPECT protocols, and overall sustainability of RESPECT over time. HR fluctuations are common, and our analyses provide an initial characterization of the relationship between HR fluctuation and EBI implementation. Given the prominent influence of HR on EBI implementation, the Interactive Systems Framework is a useful guiding tool for future examinations.
Discussing the monography of "Management of Hygienic Pest"

The monography of "Management of Hygienic Pest" firstly introduces the concept of management to concerning monography on hygienic pest control.Management has the equal position with environmental control,physical control,chemical control,biological control et al.Management plays a pivotal role which concerns the success or failure of the vector cotrol in especially important actions and events.Its frame construction is reasonable,contents is arranged carefully.It discovers and makes use of the strong points of all others,absorbs the quintessence of adjacent subjects.The content covers ecology and characteristics,relationship with diseases,control countermeaures and so on of 21 kinds of pests.The monography is of popular and succinct language.It treats a difficult matter in a simple and explicit way.It is excellent in both pictures and texts.The monography has new contents and strong practicicability.There are 20 chapters,88 tables and 267 figures which not only increase the information but also is easy to be understood.
Body composition and energy utilization by steers of diverse genotypes fed a high-concentrate diet during the finishing period: I. Angus, Belgian Blue, Hereford, and Piedmontese sires.

Objectives of the study were to 1) describe body composition and composition of gain of crossbred steers sired by Angus, Hereford, Belgian Blue, or Piedmontese sires from Angus, Hereford, or MARC III dams and 2) determine the influence of sire and dam type on energy utilization during the finishing period. Beginning at 330 kg, 70 steers were adjusted to a high-corn diet and individual feeding. Steers were assigned, by sire and dam breed, to be killed as an initial slaughter group or fed either a limited amount or ad libitum for 140 d, then killed. Organ weights, carcass traits, and body composition were obtained. Effects included in the statistical model were nutritional treatment (T), sire breed (S), dam breed (D), and the S x T and D x T interactions. All traits were influenced (P .10) regressions of heat production on ME intake. Fasting heat production and maintenance were estimated to be 80.6 and 124.4 kcal ME/(kgx75xd). The nonlinear relationship between energy gain (Y, kcal/[kgx75xd]) and ME intake (X, kcal/[kgx75xd]) was Y = 74.69 x (1 - 2.60 x exp(-.0159x(ME - 80.597))), and indicated energy gain approached an asymptote (74.69) as ME intake increased. This relationship also implies that efficiency of ME use for gain decreased as ME intake increased.
Tobacco exposure and maternal psychopathology: Impact on toddler problem behavior

Prenatal exposure to tobacco has consistently predicted later problem behavior for children. However, little is known about developmental mechanisms underlying this association. We examined a conceptual model for the association between prenatal tobacco exposure and child problem behavior in toddlerhood via indirect paths through fetal growth, maternal depression, and maternal aggressive disposition in early infancy and via maternal warmth and sensitivity and infant negative affect in later infancy. The sample consisted of 258 mother-child dyads recruited during pregnancy and assessed periodically at 2, 9, and 16months of child age. Pathways via maternal depression and infant negative affect to toddler problem behavior were significant. Further, combined tobacco and marijuana exposure during pregnancy and reduced fetal growth also demonstrated important associations with infant negative affect and subsequent problem behavior. These results highlight the importance of considering the role of maternal negative affect and poor fetal growth as risk factors in the context of prenatal exposure.
Techniques for Robotic Urogynecology and Pelvic Reconstructive Surgery

Laparoscopic urethropexy was introduced in the early 1990s, and the first robot-assisted sacral colpopexy was reported in 2004. Over the past 10–15 years, laparoscopic and robot-assisted laparoscopic techniques have been applied to many prolapse and incontinence procedures. After the United States Food and Drug Administration approved its use in gynecologic surgery in 2005, the da Vinci Surgical System (Intuitive Surgical, Inc.; Sunnyvale, CA) gave gynecologic surgeons another minimally invasive option for surgeries that had been previously performed by laparotomy, vaginally, or by the traditional laparoscopic technique.
The Home Rule Advantage: Motives and Outcomes of Local Anti-fracking Mobilization:

The professionalization of environmental advocacy in the United States has pushed grassroots environmental activists to the margins of federal and state policy arenas. Frequently, individuals or co...
Action selection methods for multi-agent navigation in crowded environments

In real-time multi-agent navigation, agents need to move towards their goal positions while adapting their paths to avoid potential collisions with other agents and static obstacles. Existing methods compute motions that are optimal locally but do not account for the motions of the other agents, producing inefficient global motions especially when many agents move in a crowded space. In my thesis work, each agent has only a limited sensing range and uses online action selection techniques to dynamically adapt its motion to the local conditions. Experimental results obtained in simulation under different conditions show that the agents reach their destinations faster and use motions that minimize their overall energy consumption.
The use of the local truncation error for the increase in accuracy of the linear finite elements for heat transfer problems

Abstract A new approach for the increase in the order of accuracy of the linear finite elements used for the time dependent heat equation and for the time independent Laplace equation has been suggested. It is based on the optimization of the coefficients of the corresponding discrete stencil equation with respect to the local truncation error. By a simple modification of the coefficients of the elemental mass and stiffness matrices, the accuracy of the linear finite elements is improved by two orders for the heat equation and by four orders for the Laplace equation. Despite the significant increase in accuracy, the computational costs of the new technique are the same as those for the conventional linear finite elements on a given mesh. 2- D and 3- D numerical examples are in a good agreement with the theoretical results for the new approach and also show that the new linear finite elements are much more accurate than the conventional linear and quadratic finite elements at the same numbers of degrees of freedom.
Does the Public Availability of Market Participants' Trading Data Affect Firm Disclosure? Evidence from Short Sellers

This study examines whether and how an increase in market transparency affects firm disclosure. Market transparency determines how much market data are publicly available for investors to use, while firm disclosure affects the extent to which investors can gain access to firms’ inside information. By using a unique setting in which the frequency of publicly available short-interest data increased exogenously, this paper shows that increasing short-selling transparency has a positive effect on firms’ voluntary disclosure around the short-interest announcement date. This setting also enables me to examine disclosure behavior before a prescheduled arrival of a public signal as featured in the dynamic disclosure theory of Acharya, DeMarzo, and Kremer (2011). The empirical evidence sheds light on managers’ desire to preempt bad news before it might be revealed by other sources, and informs regulators regarding the underexplored effect of market transparency on firms’ disclosure behavior.
Soft-Tissue Reconstruction of Large Spinal Defects: A 12-Year Institutional Experience.

BACKGROUND Spinal resections can lead to defects requiring soft-tissue reconstruction. The purpose of this study was to review the authors' institutional experience with reconstruction of spinal defects and identify risk factors predictive of wound complications, focusing on timing of reconstruction with ablative surgery. METHODS The authors retrospectively reviewed patients who underwent spinal resection and required soft-tissue reconstruction from 2002 to 2014. Logistic regression was performed to identify risk factors for complications. RESULTS Of 289 reconstructions performed in 259 patients, 64 cases (22.1 percent) had major wound complications requiring reoperation. Lumbosacral defects were the most common location (43.6 percent) and paraspinous muscle flaps were the preferred reconstructive method used for all defect regions. A total of 224 reconstructions (77.5 percent) were performed immediately at the time of spinal surgery, and 65 (22.5 percent) were performed in delayed fashion as a result of wound complications from previous spinal surgery. Patients undergoing immediate reconstruction had significantly lower rates of instrumentation removal (0.9 percent versus 4.6 percent; p = 0.043), unplanned reoperations (0.5 versus 1.3; p < 0.001), and mortality (0.9 percent versus 9.2 percent; p < 0.001) compared with those undergoing delayed reconstruction. On logistic regression analysis, presence of instrumentation (OR, 3.2; p = 0.012), requirement for a free flap (OR, 9.0; p = 0.016), and spinal cord exposure (OR, 2.6; p = 0.036) were associated with increased odds of a major wound complication. CONCLUSION Spinal resections carry significant surgical-site morbidity, and selection of high-risk patients for immediate reconstruction with locoregional muscle flaps may be beneficial for improving wound-related outcomes. CLINICAL QUESTION/LEVEL OF EVIDENCE Therapeutic, III.