cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Compact 3D display using dual LCDs

Stereo imagery has been a goal in optics research since the invention of the stereoscope in 1834. While the market has been inundated with displays of various types, sizes, and formats, no general purpose, easy to use, inexpensive method for the display of imagery in stereo has been developed. The benefits of stereo vision are numerous and quickly become apparent when attempting to perform simple tasks without the aid of stereo cues. Numerous approaches to the display of stereo imagery have been demonstrated. Stereoscopic displays typically require the user to wear special headgear. Autostereoscopic displays, so named because they do not require the headgear, typically have tight limitations on the position of the viewer's head. The research proposed here will investigate the application of two readily available, inexpensive liquid crystal panels sandwiched together to form a compact, rugged stereoscopic display. The appropriate drive signals are provided to the two stacked panels, which encode in polarization, the left and right images. Standard polarized 3D glasses can then be used to view the image in stereo. The proposed display will provide stereo pairs without loss of resolution or frame rate and without strict limitations on the placement of the viewer’s head.
Pediatric radiation exposure during the initial evaluation for blunt trauma.

Background: Increased utilization of computed tomography (CT) scans for evaluation of blunt trauma patients has resulted in increased doses of radiation to patients. Radiation dose is relatively amplified in children secondary to body size, and children are more susceptible to long-term carcinogenic effects of radiation. Our aim was to measure radiation dose received in pediatric blunt trauma patients during initial CT evaluation and to determine whether doses exceed doses historically correlated with an increased risk of thyroid cancer. Methods: A prospective cohort study of patients aged 0 years to 17 years was conducted over 6 months. Dosimeters were placed on the neck, chest, and groin before CT scanning to measure surface radiation. Patient measurements and scanning parameters were collected prospectively along with diagnostic findings on CT imaging. Cumulative effective whole body dose and organ doses were calculated. Results: The mean number of scans per patient was 3.1 ± 1.3. Mean whole body effective dose was 17.43 mSv. Mean organ doses were thyroid 32.18 mGy, breast 10.89 mGy, and gonads 13.15 mGy. Patients with selective CT scanning defined as ≤2 scans had a statistically significant decrease in radiation dose compared with patients with >2 scans. Conclusions: Thyroid doses in 71% of study patients fell within the dose range historically correlated with an increased risk of thyroid cancer and whole body effective doses fell within the range of historical doses correlated with an increased risk of all solid cancers and leukemia. Selective scanning of body areas as compared with whole body scanning results in a statistically significant decrease in all doses.
Long-Term Stability of N1 Sources Using Low-Resolution Electromagnetic Tomography

The purpose of this study was to investigate the long-term stability of auditory N1 sources using low-resolution electromagnetic tomography (LORETA). Data collected from 72 electrodes in ten young adult female participants were analyzed. For each participant, N1 peak amplitude and latency values at Cz (referred to M2) were compared for right, left, and bilateral stimulation across three separate recording sessions. Further, sources calculated by LORETA were analyzed in three regions of interest: right temporal, left temporal, and frontal. Peak amplitude and latency measurements were stable across session and ear of stimulation. Three-way RM-ANOVAs revealed relatively stable source amplitudes and stable three-dimensional locations of the sources in each region of interest with shifts of up to 2 cm around the mean locations. The 2 cm variability may be attributable both to normal hemispheric asymmetries and electrode placement variability. These results suggest that N1 scalp activity and its underlying sources are stable.
Solution structure of the major G-quadruplex formed in the human VEGF promoter in K+: insights into loop interactions of the parallel G-quadruplexes.

Vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) proximal promoter region contains a poly G/C-rich element that is essential for basal and inducible VEGF expression. The guanine-rich strand on this tract has been shown to form the DNA G-quadruplex structure, whose stabilization by small molecules can suppress VEGF expression. We report here the nuclear magnetic resonance structure of the major intramolecular G-quadruplex formed in this region in K+ solution using the 22mer VEGF promoter sequence with G-to-T mutations of two loop residues. Our results have unambiguously demonstrated that the major G-quadruplex formed in the VEGF promoter in K+ solution is a parallel-stranded structure with a 1:4:1 loop-size arrangement. A unique capping structure was shown to form in this 1:4:1 G-quadruplex. Parallel-stranded G-quadruplexes are commonly found in the human promoter sequences. The nuclear magnetic resonance structure of the major VEGF G-quadruplex shows that the 4-nt middle loop plays a central role for the specific capping structures and in stabilizing the most favored folding pattern. It is thus suggested that each parallel G-quadruplex likely adopts unique capping and loop structures by the specific middle loops and flanking segments, which together determine the overall structure and specific recognition sites of small molecules or proteins. LAY SUMMARY: The human VEGF is a key regulator of angiogenesis and plays an important role in tumor survival, growth and metastasis. VEGF overexpression is frequently found in a wide range of human tumors; the VEGF pathway has become an attractive target for cancer therapeutics. DNA G-quadruplexes have been shown to form in the proximal promoter region of VEGF and are amenable to small molecule drug targeting for VEGF suppression. The detailed molecular structure of the major VEGF promoter G-quadruplex reported here will provide an important basis for structure-based rational development of small molecule drugs targeting the VEGF G-quadruplex for gene suppression.
Glyme−Lithium Salt Phase Behavior

Phase diagrams are reported for glyme mixtures with simple lithium salts. The glymes studied include monoglyme (DME), diglyme, triglyme, and tetraglyme. The lithium salts include LiBETI, LiAsF6, LiI, LiClO4, LiBF4, LiCF3SO3, LiBr, LiNO3, and LiCF3CO2. The phase diagrams clearly illustrate how solvate formation and thermophysical properties are dictated by the ionic association strength of the salt (i.e., the properties of the anions) and chain length of the solvating molecules. This information provides critical predictive capabilities for solvate formation and ionic interactions common in organometallic reagents and battery electrolytes.
Mitochondrial enzyme activity in "senescent" and virus-transformed human fibroblasts.

Abstract The possible role of changes in mitochondrial content in limiting the in vitro lifespan of human fibroblasts in culture and on the cell line permanence engendered by virus transformation was evaluated. The specific activity of a mitochondrial enzyme, cytochrome oxidase, was determined in a normal human fibroblast strain from shortly after its in vitro cultivation to the cessation of division. Enzyme specific activity was also determined in an SV40-transformed permanent human fibroblast line. No age-dependent reduction in cytochrome oxidase specific activity was found in “senescent” human fibroblasts, nor was the specific activity of virus-transformed human fibroblasts significantly different than that of non-transformed cells. These data argue against changes in mitochondrial content as the basis for the limited in vitro lifespan of normal human fibroblasts, or for the cell line permanence of virus-transformed human fibroblasts.
The Influence of Proximity to a National Forest on Emotions and Fire-Management Decisions

Because American national forests are managed for all citizens, it is important that researchers explore the differences and similarities between citizens living both near and far from publicly managed land. We surveyed residents living at various distances from nationally managed land to collect resident perceptions of different forest fire-management techniques, to determine public preferences for these techniques, and to examine the motivations behind these preferences. Participants both close to and far away from national forests tended to favor a multipronged approach to fire management by preferring the use of a combination of two or more fire-management techniques. There were no significant differences by proximity in participants’ self-rated emotions, types of fire-management techniques preferred, or the reasons and rationales for their preferred fire-management technique(s), indicating that the proximity variable may not be as significant as previously thought.
Anchistrotos Occidentalis C. B. Wilson, 1924 (Crustacea, Copepoda), a Parasite of the Orange Filefish

Das adulte Weibchen des cyclopoiden Copepoden Anchistrotos occidentalis Wilson, welches an den Kiemen des in Woods Hole, Massachusetts, vorkommenden Alutera schoepfi lebt, wird wiederbeschrieben. Das bisher unbekannte Mannchen wird beschrieben. Die Unterscheidung dieser Art von anderen Arten der Gattung wird diskutiert.
In situ changes in native fluorescence from Bacillus subtilis during endospore formation

ABSTRACT Native fluorescence emission and excitation spectra were used to monitor changes in Bacillus subtilis (Bs ) andStaphylococcus aureus (Sa ) subjected to starvation conditions. Initially, the fluorescence spectra from the Bs and Sa wasdominated by tryptophan emission. After the second day, a fluorescence band with an emission peak at 410 nm and anexcitation peak at 345 nm appeared in the Bs . This emission is from dipicolinic acid, a major constituent of bacterialendospores. The dipicolinic acid intensity increased steadily during the next 2 to 4 days as the number of Bs forming sporesincreased. No dipicolinic acid signal was observed in the (non-spore forming) Sa . The addition of E -hydroxybutyric acid toeither the Bs or Sa resulted in the emergence of a third band with very strong fluorescence emission maximum at 460 nm andwith excitation maxima at 250, 270 and 400 nm. This 460 nm emission was quenched with the addition of Fe 2+ , indicatingthat the source of this emission is a siderophore produced by the bacteria.Key Words : Native Fluorescence, bacteria detection, spore detection, siderophore, dipicolinic acid.
Reactivation of epigenetically silenced HER4/ERBB4 results in apoptosis of breast tumor cells.

Experimental and clinical data support a growth inhibitory role for HER4 in breast cancer. Clinically HER4 expression is extinguished during breast tumorigenesis supporting a tumor suppressor function for HER4, however, a molecular mechanism to explain the selective loss of HER4 expression has remained elusive. Epigenetic mechanisms, for example, aberrant gene promoter hypermethylation, have been shown to ablate tumor suppressor gene expression in breast carcinomas. We identified a CpG island within the HER4 promoter and show by pyrosequencing of bisulfite-treated DNA an inverse correlation between HER4 expression and the extent of promoter methylation. Treatment of the HER4-negative BT20 cell line with the DNA demethylating agent 5-aza-2′-deoxycytidine (DAC)-enhanced HER4 expression, confirming a role for DNA methylation in suppressed HER4 expression. DAC treatment to reactive HER4 expression in combination with the HER4 ligand heregulin-β1 (HRG) resulted in apoptosis of BT20 cells providing a novel therapeutic strategy for triple-negative tumors. The BT20 cells were rescued from apoptosis when preincubated with HER4 small interfering RNA, thereby confirming a role for HER4 in DAC/HRG-induced apoptosis. We verified HER4 promoter methylation in primary breast carcinomas and detected a significant increase in HER4 promoter methylation in HER4-negative breast tumors (P<0.001). Furthermore, increased levels of HER4 promoter methylation were significantly associated with worse patient prognosis (P=0.0234). Taken together, our data support a tumor suppressor function for HER4, which is epigenetically suppressed in breast tumors through promoter hypermethylation.
The polarity of synthesis of the ribonucleic acid of tobacco mosaic virus

Abstract Tobacco mosaic virus-RNA was labeled with 33 P for 90 min in Turkish tobacco plants in the presence of actinomycin D. The resulting product was extracted from the leaf tissue by treatment with 80% phenol and reconstituted with TMV-protein. Protein subunits were then stripped from the 3′-end of the RNA by treatment with sodium dodecyl sulfate. Digestion of the partially exposed RNA with pancreatic ribonuclease showed a concentration of 32 P near the 3′-end. It is therefore concluded that the direction of synthesis of tobacco mosaic virus-RNA is from the 5′- to the 3′-end.
Spontaneous Necrosis of Choroidal Melanoma.

Background/Aims: The purpose of this study was to examine the clinical presentations and pathological features of spontaneously necrotic choroidal melanomas. Methods: The clinical and histological features of patients who underwent enucleation for uveal melanoma from 1989 to 2012 at Emory University and were found to have spontaneously necrotic choroidal melanomas were retrospectively analyzed. Results: A total of 6 cases were identified. All cases had 90-100% tumor necrosis and also exhibited marked ischemic necrosis of the iris and ciliary body; 5 of 6 cases exhibited marked ischemic necrosis of the retina. The tumor consisted of melanoma ghost cells often surrounded by a zone of pigmented macrophages. Thrombi were not found in any of the cases. All of the tumors in our cases were centered around the equatorial choroid and 2 extended into the ciliary body. One of the cases exhibited a wedge-shaped infarct in a lateral aspect of the tumor. In most of the cases, microscopic areas of intact tumor cells were present in the peripheries of the tumors. Conclusions: Spontaneous necrosis may occur in uveal melanoma. We believe that this occurs secondary to tumor hypoxia in the center of the tumor, followed by secondary inflammation, generalized ischemia and finally complete tumor necrosis.
A comparison of Stirling engines for use with a 25 kW dish-electric conversion system

Two designs for an advanced Stirling conversion system (ASCS) are described. The objective of the ASCS is to generate about 25 kW of electric power to an electric utility grid at an engine/alternator target cost of $300.00/kW at the manufacturing rate of 10,000 unit/yr. Both designs contain a free-piston Stirling engine (FPSE), a heat transport system, solar receiver, a means to generate electric power, the necessary auxiliaries, and a control system. The major differences between the two concepts are: one uses a 25 kWe single-piston FPSE which incorporates a linear alternator to directly convert the energy to electricity on the utility grid; and in the second design, electrical power is generated indirectly using a hydraulic output to a ground based hydraulic motor coupled to a rotating alternator. Diagrams of the two designs are presented.
Structure-function relationships of second hyperpolarizabilities in two-dimensional molecules

The enhancement of the third order susceptibilities X{sup (3)} and second order molecular hyperpolarizabilities in a series of covalently stacked dimer and trimer macrocycles (SiPc and SiNc) was observed through the phase conjugated signals from DFWM measurements at both 1064 and 532 nm. The FWHM of the phase conjugated signals at 532 nm is much smaller than those at 1064 nm and those of the reference compound CS{sub 2}. The values at both wavelengths as a function of number of the monomer units (n) have an approximate n{sup 3} dependence, differing only in the scaling constant. The origin of such enhancement is discussed and compared to those in one-dimensional {pi}-conjugated systems.
Workpiece Thermal Distortion in Minimum Quantity Lubrication Deep Hole Drilling—Finite Element Modeling and Experimental Validation

This paper presents the three dimensional (3-D) finite element analysis (FEA) to predict the workpiece thermal distortion in drilling multiple deep-holes under minimum quantity lubrication (MQL) condition. Heat sources on the drilling hole bottom surface (HBS) and hole wall surface (HWS) are first determined by the inverse heat transfer method. A 3-D heat carrier consisting of shell elements to carry the HWS heat flux and solid elements to carry the HBS heat flux has been developed to conduct the heat to the workpiece during the drilling simulation. A thermal–elastic coupled FEA was applied to calculate the workpiece thermal distortion based on the temperature distribution. The concept of the heat carrier was validated by comparing the temperature calculation with an existing 2-D advection model. The 3-D thermal distortion was validated experimentally on an aluminum workpiece with four deep-holes drilled sequentially. The measured distortion on the reference point was 61 μm, which matches within uncertainty the FEA predicted distortion of 51 μm.
Reevaluating the effect of N-ach on economic growth

Abstract In this paper, we offer a review of McClelland's methodology in the definitive test of his original hypothesis regarding the effect of n-ach on modern economic growth. We find that though many of his methodological decisions seem to have been made post hoc, his findings for the period 1929–50 are largely substantiated. We then replicate the study for the period 1950–77, making improvements in variable proxies as suggested by McClelland in his original study. There is no support for McClelland's hypothesis in the 1950–77 period. In light of this finding and the absence of a close correlation between electricity production and purchasing power adjusted measures of GNP, we conclude that McClelland's original findings was the chance result of data mining.
Sedimentology of miospores in the Middle to Upper Devonian Oneonta Formation, Catskill Magnafacies, New York

Abstract Studies of miospores in the siltstones of various fluvial depositional environments in the Catskill magnafacies have demonstrated a strong correlation between environment and miospore concentration. Most overbank samples are barren, whereas channel bar samples are usually productive of spores. The concentration is lower than in Cenozoic samples of similar origin: about 5000/g maximum. Channel fill samples are another order of magnitude lower: 700/g maximum. Non-red shales, siltstones and silty sandstones contain spores, while red rocks are regularly barren. However, studies of samples collected for palynology on field determination of silt content and non-red color show no “fine tuned” correlation between spore-content and either (1) grain-size as measured in thin section, or (2) ferric/ferrous iron ratios (as a measure of oxidation-level, either at the time of deposition or later).
The UNH EAVE-East Vehicle

EAVE (Experimental Autonomous Vehicle) is a system for the development of technology for untethered, unmanned underwater vehicles. The central focus of this program is the use of a microprocessor system dedicated to mission performance and to the control of distributed processors. The slave processors interface with the vehicle environment, and activate appropriate responses. This paper describes the early development of EAVE as an autonomous pipeline follower. It then discusses the on-going effort to perform three-dimensional structural inspection missions. The objectives of system development, the integration of key technologies, the evaluation of the multiprocessor computer as well as the hardware and software configurations are reviewed.
THE FOREIGN LANGUAGE “CRISIS” IN THE UNITED STATES: ARE HERITAGE AND COMMUNITY LANGUAGES THE REMEDY?

Recent national security concerns and global trade interests have led many to claim that there is a foreign language “crisis” in the US. Some argue that heritage and community language (HL-CL) speakers in the US constitute a resource waiting to be tapped to solve this crisis. This article addresses the issue of whether heritage and community language speakers can or should be exploited to ameliorate this perceived crisis. To address these issues, the paper considers the demographic context of language diversity in the US and how it relates to languages being taught. It analyzes the ideological nature of the discourse about language diversity in the US and reviews the historical position of HLs-CLs. The paper considers current challenges to promoting HLs-CLs given the condition of language teaching. Last, it explores future prospects for promoting community languages in the US and the extent to which HLs-CLs might help to expand foreign language (FL) instruction within the post 9/11 context.
Interpreting the Profile of McCarthy Scale Indexes: A Revision.

Silverstein's approach to the interpretation of test profiles was applied to the McCarthy Scales of Children's Abilities. This resulted in differences required for significance that are two points greater than those suggested by Kaufman and Kaufman.
Subgroups of autistic children based on social behavior display distinct patterns of brain activity

Two questions were addressed in the present study: (1) Do autistic and normally developing children exhibit regionally specific differences in electroencephalographic (EEG) activity? (2) Do subgroups of autistic children classified according to Wing and Gould's (1979) system which emphasizes degree of social impairment exhibit distinct patterns of EEG activity? Twenty-eight children with autism (5 to 18 years of age) and two groups of normally developing children (one matched on chronological age and the other on receptive language level) participated. EEG was recorded from left and right frontal, temporal, and parietal regions during an alert baseline condition. Compared to normally developing children, autistic children exhibited reduced EEG power in the frontal and temporal regions, but not in the parietal region. Differences were more prominent in the left than the right hemisphere. Furthermore, subgroups of autistic children based on Wing and Gould's system displayed distinct patterns of brain activity. Compared to autistic children classified as "active-but-odd," "passive" autistic children displayed reduced alpha EEG power in the frontal region.
HLA-linked genetic markers in Chinese and other Oriental populations

The polymorphic variants of the HLA-linked genetic markers Bf, C2, C4 and GLO-I were studied in three mongoloid populations. Analysis of linkage dis-equilibrium between these markers and HLA-A, B, C and DR antigens was carried out on test results from 140 unrelated Chinese individuals. The phenotypes BfS and GLO-2 were found at significantly higher frequencies than in Caucasians. BfS was associated with B12 in Japanese but not in Chinese. A single individual with the rare Bf variant S1 was found. No C2 deficient individuals were observed. The C2C (common) allele occurred at a gene frequency of 0.949 and the more basic allele C2B at 0.039. The acidic variant, C2A, was observed at a frequency of 0.011 and appeared to be associated with BfF. Eighty-nine per cent of the Chinese were phenotypically C4FS. In contrast to Bf and C2, each of which is coded for by codominant alleles at a single genetic locus, C4 is coded for by two genes, C4F (Rodgers) and C4S (Chido). The C4F locus allele, C4F1 (extra fast), was strongly associated with HLA-B17, as has been found in other populations, but a new association of the C4S locus deficiency allele, C4so (Ch-), with B17 was also observed. All HLA-B17;C4so haplotypes were BfS position. As has been previously found in Caucasian populations, individuals of the C4F phenotype (i.e. genotypically FsoFso) were all found to be Chido negative. The frequencies of the various HLA-linked genetic markers, however, as much as the frequencies and associations of the HLA antigens themselves, distinguish these populations from other ethnic groups.
VLSI interconnect linewidth variation: a method to characterize depth of focus and proximity effects

Describes two types of test structure that are used to characterize a VLSI process. The first is a depth-of-focus structure to measure the linewidth with differing amounts of underlying topography. The second is a proximity test structure. Scaling of VLSI ICs is increasing the number of levels of interconnections and decreasing the wiring pitches. Variations in metal linewidth can directly affect the delay and power dissipation. The effect of the underlying layers on the metal width was analyzed by using the test structures. The effect of the underlying levels was shown to increase the metal line resistance by 15% and to increase the standard deviation by 140% for a triple-level metal. The experimental data were analyzed by using the SAMPLE program. >
Separating methane production and consumption with a field-based isotope pool dilution technique

[1] Despite the importance of methane for climate, it has remained difficult to measure gross rates of methane production and consumption without inducing artifacts. To remedy this, we have developed, tested, and applied a field-based 13CH4 pool dilution technique. Laboratory tests, sensitivity analyses, and field data indicate that this technique is robust for measuring gross rates of methane production and consumption. In our analyses of 130 soil cores from 17 field sites of differing environmental conditions, we encountered a wide range of gross methane production rates (0.04–930 mg CH4-C m−2 day−1), but encountered a narrower range of consumption rates (0.1–9.2 mg CH4-C m−2 day−1). Unexpectedly, we found that gross production of methane was common (mean = 0.15 mg CH4-C m−2 day−1) even in dry, oxic soils where average soil conditions cannot support methane producers. Through improved measurement of methane turnover in soils, this technique can offer a more fine-grained understanding of how productive and consumptive processes are linked to soil-atmosphere trace gas balances.
The Effects of Flying-Adder Clocks on Digital-to-Analog Converters

This brief presents the theoretical and simulation results of the effects of flying-adder (FA) clocks on digital-to-analog converters (DACs). A closed-form expression for the frequency spectrum of the DAC output is derived. Analyses show that there exists a lower bound of the clock frequency above which the FA clock does not introduce any additional frequency components in the DAC output. For an FA clock of frequency between the Nyquist frequency and this lower bound, a closed-form expression of the DAC signal-to-distortion ratio is derived.
Materials Science Measurement of in vivo Corrosion Rates in Baboons, and Correlation with in vitro Tests

The Linear Polarization Technique was used to determine the polarization resistances and corrosion currents of various dental restorative and implant alloys and amalgams placed in the teeth of animals, and as laboratory samples in artificial saliva. Gold- and chromium-containing alloys corroded the least, and amalgams generated the highest corrosion currents. There was good agreement between measurements made in vivo and in vitro. This is the first time that corrosion currents have been measured in the mouth repeatedly over a long time span. These methods may be developed into useful predictive tests of in vivo corrosion.
Patch test results may vary depending on where testing is performed: a comparison of patch test results from three geographically distinct sites in the USA.

Background Do patch test results vary from one part of the USA to another? Few reports directly compare the results of patch testing across centers within the USA. Objectives Our objective was to compare results of patch testing from three geographically disparate Mayo Clinic sites in the USA to ascertain whether there are any differences in allergic patch test rates. Methods We retrospectively reviewed patch test results for patients tested with a standard allergen series using our enterprise-wide protocol for patch testing. We compared data collected from January 1, 2001, through to December 31, 2007, from our practice sites in the Midwest, Southwest, and Southeast regions of the USA. Results In total, 5063 patients underwent patch testing. The mean (standard deviation) number of allergens tested per patient was 70.3 (3.8) (range: 10–87; interquartile range: 68–73). Analyses were conducted separately for 72 allergens with positive reactions from at least 20 patients. Risk-adjusted positive reaction rates (RAPRRs) for 44 allergens differed significantly (P < 0.05) among the geographic sites; RAPRRs differed significantly across all three sites for 11 allergens and between two of the three sites for 33 allergens. Conclusions Allergic patch test rates differed among our three practice sites for many allergens. It is likely that many factors contributed to these observed differences, including variations in the population undergoing patch testing, variations in allergen exposure, and variations in climate.
How much does the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program alleviate food insecurity? Evidence from recent programme leavers.

Objective To estimate the effect of the US Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) on the food security (consistent access to adequate food) of recipients, net of the effect of the self-selection of more food-needy households into the programme. Design The food security of current SNAP recipients and recent leavers is compared in cross-sectional survey data, adjusting for economic and demographic differences using multivariate logistic regression methods. A similar analysis in 2-year longitudinal panels provides additional control for selection on unobserved variables based on food security status in the previous year. Setting Household survey data collected for the US Department of Agriculture by the US Census Bureau. Subjects Households interviewed in the Current Population Survey Food Security Supplements from 2001 to 2009. Results The odds of very low food security among households that continued on SNAP through the end of a survey year were 28 % lower than among those that left SNAP prior to the 30-d period during which food security was assessed. In 2-year panels with controls for the severity of food insecurity in the previous year, the difference in odds was 45 %. Conclusions The results are consistent with, or somewhat higher than, the estimates from the strongest previous research designs and suggest that the ameliorative effect of SNAP on very low food security is in the range of 20-50 %.
Predictors of mortality after emergent surgery for acute colonic diverticulitis: Analysis of National Surgical Quality Improvement Project data

BACKGROUND: The surgical treatment of acute colonic diverticulitis is associated with significant morbidity and mortality. However, patient and operative characteristics associated with mortality in this patient population are unclear. We hypothesize that demographic and perioperative variables can be used to predict postoperative mortality. The purpose of this study was to identify perioperative variables predictive of postoperative mortality after emergent surgery for acute diverticulitis. METHODS: Patients with diverticulitis undergoing colostomy and/or partial colectomy with or without primary anastomosis were retrieved from the American College of Surgeons National Surgical Quality Improvement Program database for years 2005 to 2008 inclusive. Only patients undergoing emergent surgery for acute diverticulitis were included. Univariate analyses were performed to compare demographic characteristics, preoperative laboratory values, comorbidities, and intraoperative variables. Variables with a significant (p G 0.10) difference between survivors and nonsurvivors were included in a stepwise logistic regression model to determine predictors of 30-day mortality. Concordance indices (c indices) for postoperative mortality were calculated using 2005 to 2008 data to determine predictive accuracy and validated on 2009 data. RESULTS: A total of 2,214 patients met inclusion criteria. Mean age was 61 years, and 50% of patients were male. Thirty-day mortality was 5.1%. Nine preoperative variables were significantly associated with postoperative mortality on multivariable analysis. The c index of this nine-variable model was 0.901. Renal dysfunction, hypoalbuminemia, American Society of Anesthesiologists class, and age were chosen to create a simpler model, with a c index of 0.886 for 2005 to 2008 data and 0.893 for 2009 data. CONCLUSION: Four readily available perioperative variables can be used to predict 30-day mortality after emergent surgery for acute diverticulitis. (J Trauma Acute Care Surg. 2013;74: 611Y616. Copyright * 2013 by Lippincott Williams & Wilkins)
Virtual fixtures: Perceptual tools for telerobotic manipulation

In order to enhance operator performance and understanding within remote environments, most research and development of telepresence systems has been directed towards improving the fidelity of the link between operator and environment. Although higher fidelity interfaces are important to the advancement of a telepresence system, the beneficial effects of corrupting the link between operator and remote environment by introducing abstract perceptual information into the interface called virtual fixtures are described. >
Climate change, insurance and the buildings sector: technological synergisms between adaptation and mitigation

Examining the intersection of risk analysis and sustainable energy strategies reveals numerous examples of energy efficient and renewable energy technologies that offer insurance loss-prevention benefits. The growing threat of climate change provides an added motivation for the risk community to better understand this area of opportunity. While analyses of climate change mitigation typically focus on the emissions-reduction characteristics of sustainable energy technologies, less often recognized are a host of synergistic ways in which these technologies also offer adaptation benefits, e.g. making buildings more resilient to natural disasters. While there is already some relevant activity, there remain various barriers to significantly expanding these efforts. Achieving successful integration of sustainable energy considerations with risk-management objectives requires a more proactive orientation, and coordination among diverse actors and industry groups.
Modification of biochar surface by air oxidation: Role of pyrolysis temperature

Abstract This paper reports the effects of pyrolysis temperature on biochar to oxidation by air. Eighteen biochars were produced from the pyrolysis of Douglas fir wood (DFW), Douglas fir bark (DFB), and hybrid poplar wood (HP) at six temperatures (623, 673, 723, 773, 823 and 873 K) in a lab scale spoon reactor. The oxidation step for all biochars produced was conducted at 523 K in the presence of air in a spoon reactor. The elemental and proximate analyses of all the oxidized and un-oxidized chars suggest that the carbonaceous materials produced at low temperature are more susceptible to oxidation than those produced at high temperature. A number of surface properties of resultant biochars were examined to better understand how pyrolysis temperatures and feedstock sources relate to the development of surface characteristics. The removal of volatiles during the pyrolysis step resulted in the gradual creation of microporosity detectable by CO 2 adsorption but which was difficult to detect with N 2 adsorption, suggesting that the chars contain micropores mostly less than 1 nm in entrance dimension. In some cases, the surface area decreased after being oxidized likely due to the blockage of micropores by oxygen-containing functional groups. The surface composition determined by XPS and Boehm titration confirms that greater quantities of carbonyl and carboxyl groups are formed on biochars produced at low temperature. The formation of these oxygenated functional groups contributes to add negative charges on the surface and consequently the pH at the point of zero charge increases for un-oxidized biochars.
Achieving Economic Operation and Secondary Frequency Regulation Simultaneously Through Local Feedback Control

This paper presents an exciting finding for the power industry: The parameters of secondary frequency control based on integral or proportional integral control can be tuned to achieve economic operation and frequency regulation simultaneously within a considerable short period. We show that if the power imbalance is represented by frequency deviation, an iterative dual-ascent-based economic dispatch solving is equivalent to integral control. An iterative method of multipliers based economic dispatch is equivalent to proportional integral control. Similarly, if the controller parameters of the secondary frequency controls are chosen based on generator cost functions, these secondary frequency controllers achieve both economic operation and frequency regulation simultaneously.
Recent measurements of particle masses, lifetimes, and decays

The data on the masses and other properties of the mesons and baryons appearing in sections 1 through 28 do not include results after March, 1964. Since that time, a number of more accurate measurements have been made. We give here some of the larger changes arising from the recent measurements. We also include the results of some measurements of quantities not previously determined. Unless the reference is given in the following, the data are taken from the compilation of Rosenfeld et al. (1964 a). References to the original papers may be found in this compilation.
Cultural Socialization Across Contexts: Family–Peer Congruence and Adolescent Well-Being

Racial/ethnic minority youth live at the intersection of diverse cultures, yet little is known about cultural socialization outside families or how cultural socialization in multiple settings conjointly influences adolescent well-being. In a sample of 236 8th graders (51 % female; 89 % Latinos, 11 % African Americans), we examined adolescents’ perceptions of family and peer cultural socialization toward the heritage culture and the mainstream American culture. A variable-centered approach demonstrated that the socioemotional and academic benefits of family cultural socialization were most evident when peer cultural socialization was congruently high. Although family and peer cultural contexts are often assumed to be drastically different, we identified similar proportions of adolescents experiencing congruently high, congruently low, and incongruent cultural socialization from families and peers using a person-centered approach. Although the incongruent group received relatively high levels of cultural socialization in one setting, their well-being was similar to the congruently low group. The findings highlight the importance of considering cultural socialization across multiple developmental settings in understanding racial/ethnic minority youth’s well-being.
High-Order Implicit Large-Eddy Simulations of Supersonic Corner Flo

Large-eddy simulations are used to investigate a supersonic wall-bounded turbulent corner flow. Solutions are obtained using a high-fidelity time-implicit numerical scheme and an implicit large-eddy simulation approach. The inclusion of the sidewall leads to the development of a corner core flow which grows in size as the flow progresses downstream. A grid resolution study, with over a billion cells for the fine grid, is performed and both mean and time-accurate statistics are analyzed. The solutions are compared to a spanwiseperiodic flat-plate turbulent boundary layer developed at the same conditions and yield similar results when measured sufficiently far from the corner. Two-point autocorrelations verify that the domain’s cross-sectional area is sufficient to de-correlate the corner core flow front eh turbulent equilibrium boundary-layer developed on each of the adjoining flat-plate walls. In addition, triple products are collected and demonstrate that the corner-dominated flow is significantly different from the rest of the domain.
Density Functional Theory Modeling of Multilayer “Epitaxial” Graphene Oxide

ConspectusGraphene oxide (GO) is a complex material of both fundamental and applied interest. Elucidating the structure of GO is crucial to achieve control over its properties and technological applications. GO is a nonstoichiometric and hygroscopic material with a lamellar structure, and its physical chemical properties depend critically on synthesis procedures and postsynthesis treatments. Numerous efforts are in place to both understand and exploit this versatile layered carbon material.This Account reports on recent density functional theory (DFT) studies of “epitaxial” graphene oxide (hereafter EGO), a type of GO obtained by oxidation of graphene films grown epitaxially on silicon carbide. Here, we rely on selected X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), infrared spectroscopy (IR), and X-ray diffraction (XRD) measurements of EGO, and we discuss in great detail how we utilized DFT-based techniques to project out from the experimental data basic atomistic information about the chemistry and structure o...
Psychological Contract Development, Distributive Justice, and Performance of Independent Contractors The Role of Negotiation Behaviors and the Fulfillment of Resources

In today’s “gig economy,” more and more jobs are offered to independent contractors. Independent contractors have a highly defined, narrow, finite set of obligations to their employing organizations. As such, independent contractors gain the benefit of flexibility, choosing who and when they work, and organizations gain the benefit of nimbleness, expanding, and contracting their workforce at will without taking on the robust obligations they must typically offer to a full-time employee. As this sector of the U.S. economy grows, how our existing theories of employee–employer relationships apply is of interest. The present study sought to explore how one such theory (psychological contract theory) manifests in the independent contractor–organization relationship. Drawing on this theory’s findings with respect to key antecedents of an employment relationship, we explore how particular types of negotiation behavior an organization uses with an independent contractor affect the resources allocated to the indep...
Optimizing multiplex CRISPR/Cas9-based genome editing for wheat

Background: CRISPR/Cas9-based genome editing holds great promise to accelerate the development of improved crop varieties by providing a powerful tool to modify the genomic regions controlling major agronomic traits. The effective deployment of this technology for crop improvement still requires further optimization of the components of the CRISPR/Cas9 system for different applications. Here we have optimized a multiplex gene editing strategy for hexaploid wheat. Results: The functionality of the various components of the CRISPR/Cas9 gene editing system was validated using the wheat protoplast transformation assay followed by the next-generation sequencing (NGS) of the targeted genomic regions. The wheat codon optimized Cas9 was shown to be effective tool for the targeted gene editing in the wheat genome. Multiple single guide RNAs (gRNAs) were evaluated for the ability to target the homoeologous copies of four genes controlling important agronomic traits in wheat. Low correspondence was found between the gRNA efficiency predicted bioinformatically and that assessed in the protoplast transient expression assay. Multiplex gene editing was successfully accomplished using the construct with several gRNA-tRNA units under the control of a single promoter for the RNA polymerase III. Conclusions: Here we demonstrate that by integrating the fast transient expression assay in the protoplasts with multiplexed NGS, it is possible to perform functional screens for a large number of gRNAs and to optimize constructs for effective editing of multiple independent targets in the wheat genome. We further showed that multiplex gene editing in wheat can be effectively accomplished using a construct with multiple tandemly arrayed tRNA−gRNA units under the control of the wheat U3 snoRNA promoter. A polycistronic gene construct that can be quickly assembled using the Golden Gate reaction along with the wheat codon optimized Cas9 further expand the set of tools available for engineering the wheat genome.
A theory for non-Newtonian viscoelastic polymeric liquids

Abstract In many existing theories for incompressible polymeric liquids the Cauchy stress is decomposed as T = − p 1 + S v + S e , where p is an arbitrary pressure, S v = 2 μ s D a deviatoric viscous stress with μs a viscosity and D the deviatoric stretching tensor, and Se is a deviatoric elastic stress which is introduced to account for stiffening arising from the alignment of long-chain polymer molecules during flow. A constitutive equation for Se needs to be prescribed and there are a large number of different proposals in the literature, with most proposals involving a hypoelastic rate constitutive equation for Se given in terms of a suitable frame-indifferent rate, which is usually taken as the Oldroyd or upper-convected rate. As is well-known, a hypoelastic equation for the stress is not thermodynamically consistent, in the sense that the constitutive equation for Se is not derived form a free energy function. The purpose of this paper is to present an alternative — thermodynamically-consistent and frame-indifferent — continuum theory for incompressible viscoelastic liquids. The theory is based on a Kroner-type multiplicative decomposition of the deformation gradient F of the form F = FeFp. In this theory the elastic stress Se is derived from a free-energy function which is prescribed in terms of a suitable measure based on the unimodular elastic distortion tensor Fe. This relation is supplemented by an evolution equation for the unimodular plastic distortion tensor Fp — the plastic flow rule. We study the response of the constitutive theory in steady simple shearing and steady extensional flows. We show: (i) that the theory qualitatively reproduces the experimentally-observed transient shear-thinning and normal stress effects during shearing flows of a polymer melt; and (ii) that it also reproduces the transient extensional response of a polymer melt.
Analysis on testing results of hand-foot-mouth disease in Nanping in 2008

Objective:To investigate the main type of the intestinal virus causing Hand-foot-mouth disease in Nanping in 2008,and provide the basis for the prevention and disease control,and evaluate the results of nucleic acid detection of throat swab,herpes fluid samples.Methods:Virus RNA was collected from 482 patients with Hand-foot-mouth,and detected for the nucleic acid of enterovirus RNA virus 71(EV71) and Coxsackie virus 16(CoxA16) by the method of reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction(RT-PCR).Results:The positive rate of EV71 was 32.8%(158/482),and that of CoxA16 was 0.21%(1 /482).The positive rate of throat swab was 28.6%,and that of herpes fluid was 34.7%.Conclusion:The epidemic pathogen is EV71 in Hand-foot-mouth disease,and the children under the age of 4 are high-risk groups.
Review of Eduardo Aldunate's 'Backpacks Full of Hope': The UN Mission in Haiti

The Haitian Revolution in 1789 set Haiti on a collision course with contemporary world leaders. The events of 1789 have remained relevant throughout history, and to the present-day.No other revolution has left people so desolate for over two centuries. Haiti is still reeling from the repercussions that were meted out to it by Europe, specifically, France, and the United States after Haitians fought for, and won, their independence from French slave masters in 1789. Since then, Haiti has gained reputation as the poorest nation in the Western Hemisphere. As a result of the slave revolt in 1789, France and the United States imposed an economic embargo on Haiti. Moreover, as punishment for the revolt’s success, the French imposed fines on Haiti to pay financial reparations for loss of property. Payment of this debt to France was completed in 2004, 215 years after the Haitian Revolution.