cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
On the boundary behavior of open discrete mappings with unbounded characteristic

We study the problem of extension of mappings $ f:D\to \overline{{{{\mathbb{R}}^n}}} $ , n ≥ 2, to the boundary of a domain D. Under certain conditions imposed on a measurable function Q(x), Q:D → [0, ∞], and the boundaries of the domains D and D′ = f (D), we show that an open discrete mapping $ f:D\to \overline{{{{\mathbb{R}}^n}}} $ , n ≥ 2, with quasiconformality characteristic Q(x) can be extended to the boundary ∂D by continuity. The obtained statements extend the corresponding Srebro’s result to mappings with bounded distortion.
A perturbation method for estimation of dynamic systems

A novel framework called the Perturbed Jth Moment Extended Kalman Filter (PJMEKF), based on a classical perturbation technique is proposed for estimating the states of a nonlinear dynamical system from sensor measurements. This method falls under a class of architectures under investigation primarily to study the interplay of major issues in nonlinear estimation such as nonlinearity, measurement sparsity, and initial condition uncertainty in an environment with low levels of process noise. Taylor series expansion of the departure motion dynamics about the best estimate is used to derive a series representation of the unforced motion. It is found that such series representation evolves as a set of differential equations that force each other in a cascade manner, adding up to give the unforced motion (in a so-called “triangular” structure). This formal perturbation solution for the departure motion dynamics is used in deriving the differential equations governing the time evolution of the high order statistical moments of the estimation error. These tensor differential equations are found to possess a similar high order triangular structure in addition to being symmetric (in N tensorial dimensions and we appropriately term the evolution equations as Tensor Lyapunov Equations of statistical moment perturbations). Elegance of the tensor differential equations thus derived is accompanied by the computational advantages due to symmetry in all tensorial dimensions. A vector matrix representation of tensors is proposed with which the representation and solution of the tensor differential equations can be carried out effectively. Approximations are introduced to incorporate low levels of process noise forcing function in the propagation phase of the moment equations. The statistics thus propagated are used in a filtering framework to estimate the state vector of a nonlinear system from noisy measurements, within the traditional Kalman update paradigm. The Kalman gain thus determined is utilized in updating all high order moments in preparation for the subsequent propagation phase leading to improved estimation accuracy. The filter developed is applied to an orbit estimation problem and comparisons are presented with classical extended Kalman filter.
Proton magnetic resonance studies of actinomycin‐related peptides containing N‐methyl groups

The PMR spectra of several cyclic and acyclic dipeptide derivatives representing portions of the actinomycin structure have been studied. In the spectra of the acyclic compounds temperature-dependent duplicity resulted from the equilibration of conformers possessing cis and trans peptide bonds. The lanthanide shift reagent Eu(FOD)3 was utilized to distinguish N-methyl groups in the two conformations and observations were made on the steric dependence of the observed shifts. The origin of the wide variation in chemical shift of N-methylvalyl α-protons is discussed in relation to the conformation of actinomycin.
Ability of Vibrio vulnificus to obtain iron from transferrin and other iron-binding proteins

The ability of virulent and avirulent strains ofVibrio vulnificus to overcome iron limitations by using iron bound to iron-binding proteins was examined. While no strains were able to obtain iron from lactoferrin or ferritin when these proteins were not fully saturated with iron, growth was enhanced by the iron-saturated form of these proteins. None of the strains was able to scavange iron from 30% saturated transferrin, but there were strain differences in the ability to obtain iron from the saturated form. The virulent strains were able to compete more efficiently with transferrin when it was fully saturated with iron than were the avirulent strains.
Sperm storage is not subject to cephalic control in the caribbean fruit fly, Anastrepha suspensa.

Male Anastrepha suspensa exhibit a repertoire of “copulatory” behaviors involving the female head. This study examined the effect of female decapitation on copulation duration, and quantity and distribution of sperm in the four storage organs. Copulation duration and sperm storage were highly variable (16 to 160 min and 0 to 2,643 sperm, respectively). Sperm quantity variation was due primarily to storage patterns among three spermathecae. There was no significant correlation (Pearson, P > 0.05) between body size and copulation duration, or sperm stored in relation to both variables. Although mean copulation duration was significantly shorter for non-decapitated females (t-test, t = 8.48, P < 0.001), sperm quantity and storage patterns were not significantly different. These data suggest the near autonomy of the abdominal ganglion’s role in any female mediated effects on sperm storage.
Identification and Characterization of Murine Mitochondria-associated Neutral Sphingomyelinase (MA-nSMase), the Mammalian Sphingomyelin Phosphodiesterase 5

Sphingolipids play important roles in regulating cellular responses. Although mitochondria contain sphingolipids, direct regulation of their levels in mitochondria or mitochondria-associated membranes is mostly unclear. Neutral SMase (N-SMase) isoforms, which catalyze hydrolysis of sphingomyelin (SM) to ceramide and phosphocholine, have been found in the mitochondria of yeast and zebrafish, yet their existence in mammalian mitochondria remains unknown. Here, we have identified and cloned a cDNA based on nSMase homologous sequences. This cDNA encodes a novel protein of 483 amino acids that displays significant homology to nSMase2 and possesses the same catalytic core residues as members of the extended N-SMase family. A transiently expressed V5-tagged protein co-localized with both mitochondria and endoplasmic reticulum markers in MCF-7 and HEK293 cells; accordingly, the enzyme is referred to as mitochondria-associated nSMase (MA-nSMase). MA-nSMase was highly expressed in testis, pancreas, epididymis, and brain. MA-nSMase had an absolute requirement for cations such as Mg2+ and Mn2+ and activation by the anionic phospholipids, especially phosphatidylserine and the mitochondrial cardiolipin. Importantly, overexpression of MA-nSMase in HEK293 cells significantly increased in vitro N-SMase activity and also modulated the levels of SM and ceramide, indicating that the identified cDNA encodes a functional SMase. Thus, these studies identify and characterize, for the first time, a mammalian MA-nSMase. The characterization of MA-nSMase described here will contribute to our understanding of pathways regulated by sphingolipid metabolites, particularly with reference to the mitochondria and associated organelles.
TNFα inhibits skeletal myogenesis through a PW1-dependent pathway by recruitment of caspase pathways

Cachexia is associated with poor prognosis in patients with chronic disease. Tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNFα) plays a pivotal role in mediating cachexia and has been demonstrated to inhibit skeletal muscle differentiation in vitro. It has been proposed that TNFα-mediated activation of NFκB leads to down regulation of MyoD, however the mechanisms underlying TNFα effects on skeletal muscle remain poorly understood. We report here a novel pathway by which TNFα inhibits muscle differentiation through activation of caspases in the absence of apoptosis. TNFα-mediated caspase activation and block of differentiation are dependent upon the expression of PW1, but occur independently of NFκB activation. PW1 has been implicated previously in p53-mediated cell death and can induce bax translocation to the mitochondria. We show that bax-deficient myoblasts do not activate caspases and differentiate in the presence of TNFα, highlighting a role for bax-dependent caspase activation in mediating TNFα effects. Taken together, our data reveal that TNFα inhibits myogenesis by recruiting components of apoptotic pathways through PW1.
Interventions to address challenges associated with the transition from residency training to independent surgical practice.

Background Concerns regarding preparation of residents for independent surgical practice are widespread and support for junior surgeons entering practice is variable across institutions and practices. The American College of Surgeons (ACS) Division of Education partnered with the Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education (ACGME) to convene a National Invitational Conference to define key issues relating to the transition to practice and develop recommendations to address various challenges. Outcomes of the National Invitational Conference Leaders from ACS, ACGME, certifying boards, residency review committees, program director organizations, and professional societies representing the breadth of surgical specialties, along with other key stakeholders, were invited to participate in the 1.5-day conference in July 2012. Key recommendations generated during the conference included the need to focus on the transition to practice within the context of the continuum of professional development; definition of specific levels of knowledge and skills expected of graduating surgery residents; development and adoption of competency-based methods for training, assessment, and advancement of residents; implementation of special interventions during the chief resident year to prepare residents for practice; robust evaluations of residents before graduation; intake assessments of junior surgeons during the onboarding processes; and effective mentorship for junior surgeons as they enter practice. Recommendations also highlighted major regulatory, legal, and financial issues. The key role of ACS and other national organizations in implementing the recommendations was underscored. Conclusion The recommendations from the conference should be of great help in addressing various challenges associated with the transition from surgery residency to independent practice.
Are most transporters and channels beta barrels

Given the sequence of transporters or channels of unknown secondary structure, it is usual to predict their putative transmembrane regions as alpha-helical. However, recent evidence for a facilitative glucose transporter (GLUT1) appears inconsistent with such predictions, which has led us to propose an alternative folding model for GLUTs based on the 16-stranded antiparallel beta-barrel of porins. Here we apply the same predictive algorithms we used for GLUTs to several other membrane proteins. For some of them, a high-resolution structure has been derived (beta-barrels: Rhodobacter capsulatus and Escherichia coli porins; multihelical: colicin A, bacteriorhodopsin, and reaction center L chain); we use them to test the prediction procedures. The other proteins we analyze (GLUT1, CHIP28, acetylcholine receptor alpha subunit, lac permease, Na(+)-glucose cotransporter, shaker K+ channel, sarcoplasmic reticulum Ca(2+)-ATPase) are representative of classes of similar membrane proteins. As with GLUTs, we find that the predicted transmembrane segments of these proteins are consistently shorter than expected for transmembrane spanning alpha-helices, but are of the correct length and number for the proteins to fold instead as porin-like beta-barrels.
Pretransplant pulmonary function predicts cytomegalovirus-associated interstitial pneumonia following bone marrow transplantation.

Study Objective To determine the value of pulmonary function tests (PFTs) in predicting the development of human cytomegalovirus (CMV)-associated interstitial pneumonia (IP) in allogeneic bone marrow transplant (BMT) recipients. Design Nonrandomized, prospective, open-trial study. Setting Tertiary referral medical center. Patients 66 evaluable CMV-seropositive patients with hematologic malignancies who were undergoing allogeneic BMT. Intervention FEV1, FVC, FEV1/FVC, TLC, Dcoc/VA, PaO2, and P(A-a)O2 were measured on days – 13, +33, and + 44 following BMT. CMV-IP was diagnosed when typical roentgenographic findings developed with confirmatory positive bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) using standard cytologic and/or rapid culture techniques. Measurement and Main Results Univariate logistic regression analysis to predict the development of CMV-IP revealed significant associations with the day – 13 and + 33 percent predicted FEV1, FVC, and TLC (p<0.01) but no associations with other PFT parameters or with changes in these parameters. Stepwise logistic regression analysis demonstrated that only BAL positivity for CMV (odds ratio 14.8; p = 0.0002) and day – 13 percent predicted FEV1 (odds ratio 0.92; p = 0.0004) were significant independent predictors of CMV-IP. Conclusion Pretransplant lung function is a previously unrecognized strong predictor and risk factor for the subsequent development of CMV-IP in BMT recipients.
Untangling causation issues in law and medicine: hazardous substance litigation.

Judges and juries are increasingly being asked to settle questions about disease caused by hazardous products. With the growth of litigation on toxic substances and unsafe products, more and more courts must wrestle with the complicated scientific proof of the relation between exposure and disease or injury. This proof frequently involves the use of probabilistic evidence in the form of statistical tests and epidemiologic studies. Anglo-American law relies on deductive notions of causation and is suspicious of probabilistic evidence of causation. As a result, court decisions of hazardous substance cases are sometimes based on a confused understanding of the critical causal connection. Physicians who testify in such cases, either as the treating doctor or as expert witnesses, must be aware of the court's difficulty with probabilistic evidence. In addition, physicians must state clearly the role of such evidence in the identification of a hazardous substance as the cause of a disease or injury. 43 references.
Monte Carlo sampling of a microcanonical ensemble of classical harmonic oscillators.

Abstract Two efficient methods are presented for performing exact microcanonical sampling of harmonic oscillators. It is shown that orthant sampling, which has previously been used to approximately sample microcanonical ensembles of anharmonic oscillators, is an exact sampling technique when applied to harmonic oscillators.
Playing a Different Race Card: Examining the Limits of Elite Influence on Perceptions of Racism

There is much debate about the reach and seriousness of racial prejudice today. We ask: How do ordinary people come to view events as racist? Using an experiment, we investigate the effects of elite charges of racism on public perceptions of police conduct. We test several hypotheses, including discounting, expertise, and ingroup bias, pertaining to how public stereotypes moderate elite influence. We find that stereotypes matter, and that Democrats, Republicans, blacks, and whites cannot make claims about racism with equal success.
Nonparametric likelihood ratio model selection tests between parametric likelihood and moment condition models

We propose a nonparametric likelihood ratio testing procedure for choosing between a parametric (likelihood) model and a moment condition model when both models could be misspecified. Our procedure is based on comparing the Kullback–Leibler Information Criterion (KLIC) between the parametric model and moment condition model. We construct the KLIC for the parametric model using the difference between the parametric log likelihood and a sieve nonparametric estimate of population entropy, and obtain the KLIC for the moment model using the empirical likelihood statistic. We also consider multiple (>2) model comparison tests, when all the competing models could be misspecified, and some models are parametric while others are moment-based. We evaluate the performance of our tests in a Monte Carlo study, and apply the tests to an example from industrial organization.
EFFECTS OF MALVIDIN-3,5-DIGLUCOSIDE AND CYANIDIN CHLORIDE ON FOUR SALMONELLA SEROTYPES

SUMMARY— Reductions in numbers but no depression of respiration of 4 Salmonellaserotypes over a 7.0-hr period was noted when they were incubated in the presence of anthocyanin pigments, malvidin-3.5diglucoside or cyanidin chloride. At certain concentrations of these pigments in the presence of glucose, stimulation of the respiration of some serotypes was evident. Slight reductions in cell numbers were noted as concentrations of malvidin-3,5-diglucoside increased. Comparable counts were obtained upon plating the cells on minimal and complete media, indicating lack of metabolic damage to those cells present. An enzyme assay utilizing the respiration of Saccharomyces cerevisiae var. ellipsoideus indicated the possibility of an anthocyanase in the cells which had been preincubated in the presence of the diglucoside of malvidin without glucose but not with glucose. If this observation were substantiated, it would indicate the production of a glucose-repressible anthocyanase. No evidence was obtained to indicate utilization of the aglycone by any of the 4 serotypes.
Synthesis and Characterization of Poly(alkyl-substituted p-phenylene ethynylene)s

A series of substituted poly(p-phenyleneethynylene)s, PPE, were synthesized by alkyne metathesis. The substituents dibutyl 4a, dioctyl 4b, ditetradecyl 4c, di-2-ethylhexyl 4d, and di-2-cyclohexylethyl 4e were placed on the 2,5-positions of the phenyl rings. X-ray diffraction studies indicated that the main chains of each polymer were arranged in regular, layered arrays. Liquid crystalline structures were obtained by polarized optical microscopy in PPE 4b, 4c, and 4d. The temperatures of isotropization of the liquid crystalline structures coincided with the disordering temperatures determined by differential scanning calorimetry. The UV absorption spectra showed a gradual blue shift of the λmax from 4a to 4e, suggesting a decrease in the electronic delocalization along the chain as the size and geometry of the side group changed. The photoluminescence spectra in dilute toluene solutions are consistent with vibronic coupling and emission from localized excited states. The emission spectra of thin films show...
Protein Quality Determination of Bone Residue from Mechanically Deboned Chicken Meat

Abstract The mechanically deboned meat residue was finely ground and lyophilized. The freeze dried bone residue was extracted with ether to remove all fat. Two fractions were obtained from the ether extracted material, one being a fibrous material and the other the final product. Both the freeze dried bone residue and the final product were high in protein and ash content. The fibrous material was 84.48% protein. The in vitro protein digestibilities of the final product and fibrous fraction were in the range of 80 to 85%. The computed PER value of the final product was observed to be substantially lower than that of casein. Nevertheless, this by-product would be an excellent animal feed protein and mineral supplement.
Effect of fluctuating wind direction on cross natural ventilation in buildings from large eddy simulation

Abstract A large eddy simulation (LES) program with the Smagorinsky subgrid-scale model has been used to study cross natural ventilation in buildings, which has experimental data available from on-site measurements and a wind tunnel. Since natural wind changes direction over time, it is hard to reproduce this effect in a conventional wind tunnel where the “wind” direction is fixed. There are discrepancies between the on-site and wind-tunnel cases for the wind-pressure difference across the buildings, the eddy size behind the buildings, and the wind speed distribution inside an apartment with cross ventilation. LES can successfully simulate both cases by changing or fixing incoming wind direction, and the simulated results agree reasonably with the corresponding experimental data.
Central Banks as Agents of Economic Development

In the last two decades, there has been a global sea change in the theory and practice of central banking. The currently dominant ‘best practice’ approach to central banking consists of the following: (1) central bank independence (2) a focus on inflation fighting (including adopting formal ‘inflation targeting’) and (3) the use of indirect methods of monetary policy (that is, short-term interest rates as opposed to direct methods such as credit ceilings). This paper argues that this neo-liberal approach to central banking is highly idiosyncratic in that, as a package, it is dramatically different from the historically dominant theory and practice of central banking, not only in the developing world, but, notably, in the now developed countries themselves. Throughout the early and recent history of central banking in the US, England, Europe, and elsewhere, financing governments, managing exchange rates, and supporting economic sectors by using ‘direct methods’ of intervention have been among the most important tasks of central banking and, indeed, in many cases, were among the reasons for their existence. The neo-liberal central bank policy package, then, is drastically out of step with the history and dominant practice of central banking throughout most of its history.
Towards an experimental testbed facility for cyber-physical security research

Cyber-Physical Systems (CPSs) are under great scrutiny due to large Smart Grid investments and recent high profile security vulnerabilities and attacks. Research into improved security technologies, communication models, and emergent behavior is necessary to protect these systems from sophisticated adversaries and new risks posed by the convergence of CPSs with IT equipment. However, cyber-physical security research is limited by the lack of access to universal cyber-physical testbed facilities that permit flexible, high-fidelity experiments. This paper presents a remotely-configurable and community-accessible testbed design that integrates elements from the virtual, simulated, and physical environments. Fusing data between the three environments enables the creation of realistic and scalable environments where new functionality and ideas can be exercised. This novel design will enable the research community to analyze and evaluate the security of current environments and design future, secure, cyber-physical technologies.
Proving loop programs

Given a `DO WHILE' program P and a function F on a domain D, the authors investigate the problem of proving (or disproving) if P computes F over D. It is shown that if P satisfies certain natural constraints (well behaved), then there is a loop assertion independent of the structure of the loop body, that is both necessary and sufficient for proving the hypothesis. These results are extended to classes of loop programs which are not well behaved and to FOR loops. The sufficiency of Hoare's DO WHILE axiom for well-behaved loop programs is shown. Applications of these ideas to the problem of mechanical generation of assertions is discussed.
Honoring the Journey: The Wayward Paths of Conversion in the Catholic Worker and Camphill Movements

Recent scholarship on religious conversion has challenged the widespread perception that most converts experience a dramatic, instantaneous transformation akin to Saint Paul's experience on the Damascus road. This essay builds on this scholarship by exploring the conversions of people who experienced a change of spiritual affiliation in the context of their participation in an intentional community affiliated with either the Catholic Worker or the Camphill movement. Drawing on participant observation and personal interviews, it argues that conversion for Catholic Workers and Camphillers is more often a wayward journey than a flash of light. Individual participants may discover a new religious identity or rediscover their roots while living in community, but most often the community itself encourages them to engage in ongoing experimentation and discovery over the course of a lifetime.
Optimal Monetary Policy under Staggered Loan Contracts

The …rst aim of the paper is to investigate a new source of economic stickiness, staggered nominal loan interest rate contracts between a private bank and a …rm. We introduce this staggered loan contract mechanism into a standard New Keynesian model in a tractable way. Simulation results show that staggered loan contracts play an important role in determining both the amplitude and the persistence of economic ‡uctuations. The second aim of the paper is to analyze optimal monetary policy in this environment with staggered loan contracts. To this end, we derive an approximated microfounded-welfare function in the model. Unlike the loss functions derived in other New Keynesian models, this
Fracture of Nitinol under Quasistatic and Dynamic Loading

Owing to the potential application of Nitinol as an advanced structural material, it is essential to thoroughly understand the deformation and fracture behavior of Nitinol under various loading conditions. The present study explores the fracture behavior of Nitinol under quasistatic and dynamic loading, with emphasis on the fracture toughness and fracture mechanism of Nitinol. To this end, the precracked bend sample was employed to perform dynamic fracture testing using a modified (pulse-shaped) Hopkinson-pressure-bar-loaded fracture-testing system. The dynamic fracture initiation toughness was measured under stress-state equilibrium conditions at a loading rate of \( \sim 10^{6} {\text{MPa}}{\sqrt {\text{m}} }{\text{/s}} \). To further investigate the fracture mechanism, additional dynamic fracture tests were performed using double-crack, four-point bend samples. The experimental results indicate that the dynamic fracture toughness of Nitinol is higher than it is under quasistatic loading, and that the loading rate influences the fracture mechanisms of Nitinol. The interplay between the dynamic strength of Nitinol and the activation stress for stress-induced martensite (SIM) transformation plays an important role in the fracture behavior of Nitinol.
PHYLOGENETIC ANALYSIS OF A FREE-LIVING STRAIN OF SYMBIODINIUM ISOLATED FROM JIAOZHOU BAY, P.R. CHINA1

Recently, the isolation of a free-living strain of symbiotic dinoflagellate belonging to the genus Symbiodinium was reported. Although the specimen procured and characterization from Jiaozhou Bay, P.R. China is a Symbiodinium spp., the manner in which this isolate was classified is inconsistent with the currently used and accepted Symbiodinium cladal nomenclature. To avert unnecessary confusion in the field, I place this important scientific contribution into the proper context and state of Symbiodinium research.
A New Fragment of Athanasius's Thirty-Ninth Festal Letter : Heresy, Apocrypha, and the Canon

Athanasius of Alexandria's thirty-ninth Festal Letter remains one of the most significant documents in the history of the Christian Bible. Athanasius wrote the letter, which contains the first extant list of precisely the twenty-seven books of the current New Testament canon, in 367 c.e. , during the final decade of his life. Like many of his annual Easter letters, the thirty-ninth was fairly long, but only a small portion of the text survives in Greek. 1 The Greek excerpt contains Athanasius's lists of the books of the Old and New Testaments, which he calls “canonized,” and a list of a few additional books, like the Shepherd of Hermas , which he says are not canonized, but are useful in the instruction of catechumens. Most studies of the formation of the Christian canon, including very recent ones, examine only this Greek fragment and so discuss only the contents of the lists. But already in the late-nineteenth-century fragments of the much more extensive Coptic translation had been published, and a few scholars, such as Carl Schmidt and Theodor Zahn, used them to write penetrating studies of the letter. 2 In 1955 Lefort published all the then-known Coptic fragments in his book of Coptic Athanasiana, and then in 1984 Coquin published another long fragment. 3 These served as the basis for my 1995 translation and my 1994 article in this journal on the social context of canon formation in fourth-century Egypt. 4
Terrain-aided localization using feature-based particle filtering

The localization of vehicles on roadways without the use of a GPS has been of great interest in recent years and a number of solutions have been proposed for the same. The localization of vehicles has traditionally been divided by their solution approaches into two different categories: global localization which uses feature-vector matching, and local tracking which has been dealt by using techniques like Particle Filtering or Kalman Filtering. This paper proposes a unifying approach that combines the feature-based robustness of global search with the local tracking capabilities of a particle filter. Using feature vectors produced from pitch measurements from Interstate I-80 and US Route 220 in Pennsylvania, this work demonstrates wide area localization of a vehicle with the computational efficiency of local tracking.Copyright © 2011 by ASME
Measurement of the extraradical mycelium of a vesicular-arbuscular mycorrhizal fungus in soil by chitin determination

Development of a vesicular-arbuscular mycorrhizal (VAM) fungus in association with soybean was determined in a greenhouse soil mix by chitin assay. Samples were sieved to eliminate hexosamine-containing contaminants. This preparation reduced the interference caused by extraneous soil substances and permitted quantitative measurement of extraradical VAM fungal mycelium in the soil mix by colorimetric assay. Recovery of added chitin, used as an internal standard, was greater in the soil mix than in an inert medium indicating that some hexosamine was stabalized from chemical degradation by other soil components.
Modeling Effects of Sediment Diagenesis on Recovery of Hypolimnetic Oxygen

AbstractDiagenesis of particulate organic matter in sediments can have important effects on the dissolved oxygen (DO) resources of lakes and delay potential benefits from reductions in phosphorus (P) loading. A sediment diagenesis model of intermediate complexity, Sed2Ks, is developed and tested for Onondaga Lake, New York, and linked to a validated one-dimensional mechanistic hydrodynamic/stratification model (UFILS4). Modeling was supported by detailed characterization of the pelagic sediments and long-term monitoring of the lake’s water column that included transformation from hypereutrophy to upper mesotrophy and coupled improvements in hypolimnetic DO. Sed2Ks performed well in representing the observed decreasing trajectory of the downward flux of particulate organic carbon and in predicting the decreases in sediment effluxes of dissolved inorganic carbon and sediment oxygen demand over a 30-year period. Sed2Ks and the linked overall water-quality model, UFILS4/Sed2Ks, were applied to project the ext...
An object-oriented framework for collaborative engineering design

Engineering projects, in general, involve a large number of components and the interaction of multiple technologies. The components included in the product are decided in an iterative design process. In each iteration, interfaces and interface conditions among these components are designed with slack to account for potential variations created when the components and interface values become better known. Iteration proceeds towards increasing detail; design personnel may change, and their numbers expand with increasing level of detail. This multi-faceted nature of engineering problems demands considerable coordination between various participants. Lack of coordination may result in several undesirable effects, which may result in a productivity loss.
Imagery: A Metaphor for Health in Three Cancer Patients

The use of imagery to promote healing and improved mental states in cancer patients has been studied extensively in recent years, providing strong evidence that individuals can use their own creative images to produce positive treatment of the psychological and physical effects of this devastating disease. For example, the interactions of mind and body have been examined by Simonton and Simonton in an attempt to increase host resistance to the invasion of cancer cells by mobilizing the patient’s imagery to fight malignancy. Patients are told to visualize their disease, their treatment and their own immune system acting upon the cancer.
Gestational Age at Cervical Length and Fetal Fibronectin Assessment and the Incidence of Spontaneous Preterm Birth in Twins

Objectives To estimate the risk of spontaneous preterm birth in twin pregnancies based on transvaginal sonographic cervical length, fetal fibronectin (fFN) testing, and the gestational age at which these tests were performed. Methods Women with twin pregnancies, cervical length assessment, and fFN testing between 22 weeks and 31 weeks 6 days in a single maternal-fetal medicine practice from 2005 to 2013 were included. All testing was done on asymptomatic women on an out-patient basis. Women with monochorionic monoamniotic twins and twin-twin transfusion were excluded. Logistic regression analysis was used to estimate the risk of spontaneous preterm birth before 35, 32, and 28 weeks. Results Six hundred eleven patients were included and underwent a total of 2406 cervical length measurements and 2279 fFN tests over the course of the study period. The likelihood values for spontaneous preterm birth before 35, 32, and 28 weeks were 19.1%, 6.3%, and 2.3%, respectively. The risk of spontaneous preterm birth before 35 weeks increased with a decreasing cervical length (coefficient for the log of the odds ratio [OR coefficient], −0.13; P < .01; 95% confidence interval [CI], −0.22 to −0.037), a positive fFN result (OR coefficient, 1.04; P < .01; 95% CI, 0.45 to 1.64), as well as earlier gestational ages at testing (OR coefficient, −0.214; P < .01; 95% CI, −0.33 to −0.10). Similar results were seen for spontaneous preterm birth before 32 and 28 weeks. Conclusions In asymptomatic patients with twin pregnancies, the cervical length, fFN, and gestational age are all significantly associated with spontaneous preterm birth.
Reaching Out from the Writing Classroom

This article analyzes college-level composition by exploring how premises that prevail in current research on context-situated writing inform the design of college-level composition courses. Specifically, the discussion builds on the premise that writing in any context, in school or out, should be seen as a situated, public act that makes sense within a constellation of literacy practices. This chapter illustrates how we have enacted these principles in the design and sequencing of assignments in the first-year research writing course at our own institution, Eastern Michigan University. The design of our first-year research writing course is located within the theoretical premises informing our pedagogy; these challenge the notion that college-level writing courses should focus exclusively on helping students enter an “academic discourse community” and suggest instead that they should help students think strategically and become flexible writers.
Effects of Hyposmolar Solutions on Membrane Currents of Hippocampal Interneurons and Mossy Cells In Vitro

Baraban, Scott C. and Philip A. Schwartzkroin. Effects of hyposmolar solutions on membrane currents of hippocampal interneurons and mossy cells in vitro. J. Neurophysiol. 79: 1108–1112, 1998. Whole cell voltage-clamp recordings in rat hippocampal slices were used to investigate the effect of changes in extracellular osmolarity on voltage-activated potassium currents. Currents were evoked from oriens/alveus (O/A) interneurons, hilar interneurons, and mossy cells. Hyposmolar external solutions produced a significant potentiation of K+ current recorded from O/A and hilar interneurons, but not from mossy cells. Hyposmolar solutions also dramatically potentiated the spontaneous excitatory postsynaptic currents recorded from mossy cells. These results suggest that hippocampal excitability can be modulated by the complex actions exerted by changes in extracellular osmolarity.
Stock Analysts Efficiency in a Tournament Structure: The Impact of Analysts Picking a Winner and a Loser

A financial analyst who can give accurate return predictions is highly valued. This study uses a unique data set comparing CNBC’s Fast Money’s ‘March Madness’ stock picks as a proxy for analysts’ stock return predictions. With this data, set up as a tournament, the analysts pick both a winner and a loser. With the tournament structure, I find that these analysts have no superior ability to pick the winning stock in terms of frequency. However, I do find that taking a long/short portfolio of their picks yields an abnormal return.
Postwar Planning and the Rural-Urban Balance

/M OST thinking about a desirable postwar employment pattern assumes that the way to prosperity in the future will be the same as it has been in the past. It assumes, in other words, that we shall have a constantly greater expansion of urban industry than of agriculture, with a corresponding further shift of population from the country to the town. Not back to the land, but forward to yet more factories, must be the watchword. Full employment in say 1950, as the United States Department of Agriculture envisages the matter, will occupy about 55 million full-time workers, some 8 million of them on farms and the rest in nonagricultural occupations. That number of workers will be required to produce a national income of 150 billions of dollars, which is about the lowest figure compatible with full employment and at the same time with maintenance of our living standards. But the distribution of these workers between farms and factories will be different from what it is now. It will involve the transfer of many hundreds of thousands from rural to urban jobs, and also provision for a steady continued transfer of workers in the same direction. In this general form come all workable plans for postwar full employment, with no exception whatsoever. Necessarily, however, the proposed greater increase of farm than of factory production presupposes markets. On this head the formulations up to now are vague. Obviously, the markets must be either foreign or domestic; but beyond this truism the analysis falters, for a reason which to be sure we must acknowledge to be formidable. If the market for an increased industrial output is to be sought in foreign trade, it must be exclusively a one-way proposition; it must involve additional exports but not additional imports. As a means of absorbing more production than would otherwise be absorbed, this foreign trade must be strictly an outlet and not an inlet. How to contrive, or even to justify such an arrangement, has economists baffled. On the other hand, the provision of a market at home for the desired increased industrial production obviously raises problems in income distribution. No wonder the dilemma persists. It should be resolved, nevertheless, in
C−H vs C−C Bond Activation of Acetonitrile and Benzonitrile via Oxidative Addition: Rhodium vs Nickel and Cp* vs Tp′ (Tp′ = Hydrotris(3,5-dimethylpyrazol-1-yl)borate, Cp* = η5-Pentamethylcyclopentadienyl)

The photochemical reaction of (C5Me5)Rh(PMe3)H2 (1) in neat acetonitrile leads to formation of the C−H activation product, (C5Me5)Rh(PMe3)(CH2CN)H (2). Thermolysis of this product in acetonitrile or benzene leads to thermal rearrangement to the C−C activation product, (C5Me5)Rh(PMe3)(CH3)(CN) (4). Similar results were observed for the reaction of 1 with benzonitrile. The photolysis of 1 in neat benzonitrile results in C−H activation at the ortho, meta, and para positions. Thermolysis of the mixture in neat benzonitrile results in clean conversion to the C−C activation product, (C5Me5)Rh(PMe3)(C6H5)(CN) (5). DFT calculations on the acetonitrile system show the barrier to C−H activation to be 4.3 kcal mol−1 lower than the barrier to C−C activation. A high-energy intermediate was also located and found to connect the transition states leading to C−H and C−C activation. This intermediate has an agostic hydrogen interaction with the rhodium center. Reactions of acetonitrile and benzonitrile with the fragment [...
Exploring the relationship between spiritual well-being and quality of life among patients newly diagnosed with advanced cancer

Objective: In our context, existential plight refers to heightened concerns about life and death when people are diagnosed with cancer. Although the duration of existential plight has been proposed to be approximately 100 days, evidence from longitudinal studies raises questions about whether the impact of a diagnosis of advanced cancer may require a longer period of adjustment. The purpose of our study was to examine spiritual well-being (SpWB) and quality of life (QoL) as well as their interrelationship in 52 patients with advanced cancer after 100 days since the diagnosis at one and three months post-baseline. Method: The study was designed as a secondary data analysis of a cluster randomized clinical trial involving patients with stage 3 or 4 cancer undergoing treatment. SpWB was measured using the 12-item Functional Assessment of Chronic Illness Therapy–Spiritual Well-Being Scale (FACIT–Sp–12); common factor analyses revealed a three-factor pattern on the FACIT– Sp–12. Quality of life was measured with the Functional Assessment of Cancer Therapy– General (FACT–G). We limited our sample to participants assigned to the control condition (n ¼ 52). Results: SpWB and QoL remained stable between one and three months post-baseline, which were a median of 112 and 183 days after diagnosis, respectively. SpWB was found to be associated with QoL more strongly than physical and emotional well-being. Peace and Meaning each contributed unique variance to QoL, and their relative importance shifted over time. Faith was positively related to QoL initially. This association became insignificant at three months post-baseline. Significance of results: This study underscores the significance of SpWB for people newly diagnosed with advanced cancer, and it highlights the dynamic pattern of Peace, Meaning, and Faith in association with QoL. Our results confirm that patients newly diagnosed with advanced cancer experience an existential crisis, improve and stabilize over time. Future studies with larger samples over a longer period of time are needed to verify these results.
A Parametric Study of Maximum Flight Efficiency for Micro Aerial Vehicles

Comparisons of flight efficiency are drawn between four different flight vehicle configurations which include fixed and rotary wings as well as insectand avian-like flappers. The comparisons are made for a range of sizes spanning from one centimeter to one meter and from hover to ten meters per second of flight speed. The study demonstrates that hover-capable configurations are most efficient in the hover regime and that their performance ultimately degrades with forward flight as the flow field becomes more complex. Considerations of actuator and transmission efficiency are found to govern the sizes between which man-made and biological flyers should be applied. Man-made configurations, characterized by the use of rotary motion, should be employed at all size scales where motors are the most efficient actuator available. This constraint results in flapping being preferred only for the smallest aircraft. Estimates for the possible flight endurance approach three hours.
The subchronic toxicity of trichloroisocyanuric acid (TCICA) on rats

The SD rats were randomly divided into high dosage group(1/8LD_(50)),middle dosage group(1/16LD_(50)),low dosage group(1/64LD_(50))and control group according sex and body weight.After 90-day feeding with the feeds contained various contents of TCICA,the examinations on body weight,blood and urine routines,blood biochemistry indices,organ relative weight and pathological changes were performed.Result showed that comparing with the controls,the female rats in high dosage group showed slow growth from 70th day after exposure to TCICA and kept until the end of the experiment,the serum activeties of AST and ALT increased obviously;the male rats showed obvious accretion in the ratio of testis weight/body weight,and rise in serum AST activity and BUN level.The serum AST activity and BUN level in middle dosage group were also increased;whlie in low dosage group,no obvious change could be seen,and no any pathological change occurred in all the experimental rats.Trichloroisocyanuric acid has the inhibition effect on growth of body weight,and also has some harmful effects on the function of liver and kidney.The subchronic oral threshold dosages of TCICA for female and male rats are 99.25 mg/kg and 49.62 mg/kg respectively,and its maximal non-effective dosage for female and male rats are 49.62 mg/kg and 12.41 mg/kg respectively.
EVALUATION OF THE QUALITY OF INFECTIOUS DISEASE CONTROL AND DISINFECTION IN COMMUNITY HEALTH SERVICE CENTERS

Objective To master the current status of disinfection quality in community health service centers of our administrative district,and to explore management model suitable for home disinfection of contagious diseases.Methods Quality of home disinfection of 413 infectious cases randomly chosen from 26 community health centers was evaluated through field survey combined with follow-up investigation.Results From 2007 to 2008,random survey results showed that primary type of infection was enteric infectious disease,followed by respiratory infection.The other types of infection were less frequent.Home disinfection instruction rate was 59.08%,disinfection completion rate was 58.84%,and rate of timeliness of disinfection was 76.33%.The on-the-spot instruction of home disinfection accounted for 37.86%,telephone instruction accounted for 48.56%.Conclusions Rate of disinfection carried out by community health centers is low.Disinfection measures was not timely implemented.Quality of home disinfection still leaves much to be improved.
Risk of shedding Salmonella organisms by market-age hogs in a barn with open-flush gutters.

OBJECTIVE: To compare prevalence of fecal shedding of Salmonella organisms and serum antibodies to Salmonella sp in market-age pigs housed in barns with partially slotted floors or solid floors with open-flush gutters. DESIGN: Cross-sectional study of prevalence. SAMPLE POPULATION: Finishing-age pigs deemed by the producer to be within 1 month of slaughter. PROCEDURE: Fecal and serum samples were obtained from a group of 121 pigs housed in a barn with solid floors (31 fecal samples, 30 serum samples) and from a group of about 400 pigs housed on partially slotted floors (57 fecal samples, 64 serum samples). Fecal samples were submitted for bacteriologic culture to detect Salmonella organisms, and serum samples were tested for antibodies by use of ELISA. RESULTS: Salmonella agona was isolated from 26 of 31 (84%) fecal samples obtained from pigs housed in the open-flush gutter barn, compared with 5 of 57 (9%) fecal samples from pigs in the barn with slotted floors. Median value for optical density was higher for serum samples from pigs housed in the open-flush gutter barn. CLINICAL IMPLICATIONS: Housing of finishing-age swine in barns with open-flush gutters may contribute to increased shedding of Salmonella sp. Analysis of our observations indicated that repeated exposure to infected feces is important in prolonging fecal shedding by swine.