cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Calibration of Capacitance Probe Sensors using Electric Circuit Theory

Capacitance probe sensors are an attractive electromagnetic technique for estimating soil water content. There is concern, however, about the influence of soil salinity and soil temperature on the sensors. We present an electric circuit model that relates the sensor frequency to the permittivity of the medium and that is able to correct for dielectric losses due to ionic conductivity and relaxation. The circuit inductance L is optimized using sensor readings in a modified setup where ceramic capacitors replace the sensor's capacitance plates. The three other parameters in the model are optimized using sensor readings in a range of nonconductive media with different permittivities. The geometric factor for the plastic access tube gp is higher than the geometric factor for the medium gm, indicating that most of the electromagnetic field does not go beyond the access tube. The effect of ionic conductivity on the sensor readings is assessed by mixing salts in three of the media. The influence is profound. The sensor frequency decreases with increasing conductivity. The effect is most pronounced for the medium with the lowest permittivity. The circuit model is able to correct for the conductivity effect on the sensors. However, as the dielectric losses increase, the frequency becomes relatively insensitive to permittivity and small inaccuracies in the measured frequency or in the sensor constants result in large errors in the calculated permittivity. Calibration of the capacitance sensors can be simplified by fixing two of the constants and calculating the other two using sensor readings in air and water.
Structural discrimination via density functional theory and lattice dynamics: Monoclinic Mg 2 NiH 4

Two distinct crystal structures for the monoclinic, low-temperature phase of ${\text{Mg}}_{2}{\text{NiH}}_{4}$, which we designate as LTI and LTII, are available in the published literature. We demonstrate that density functional theory and lattice dynamics can easily identify LTII as the preferable structure at two levels of inquiry. First, enthalpies of formation $\ensuremath{\Delta}H$ calculated using three different forms for the exchange-correlation energy functional are in better agreement with experiment for LTII. Second, the phonon spectrum calculated for LTII contains no anomalies while that for LTI exhibits a variety of soft modes. By analyzing the soft modes in LTI as well as those we find for the known ${\text{CaMgNiH}}_{4}$ structure with Ca replaced by Mg we derive a crystal structure that closely approximates LTII.
Application of accounting data in evaluating computer system performance

A method of determining the utiliaztion of the processor, the channel and the disk device using the accounting data is described. Controlled experiments are performed with an IBM 370/155 in a dedicated environment using a software monitor, Configuration Utilization Evaluator (CUE). The accounting data collected by Systems Management Facility (SMF) during these experiments are used to calculate the utilization of the processor, the channel and the disk device. The calculated values compare favourably with those measured by the software monitor.
Population, climate, and electricity use in the Arctic integrated analysis of Alaska community data

Towns and villages of Arctic Alaska experience substantial year-to-year variations in weather, overlaid on longer-term warming trends. Community populations often are changing as well, reflecting highly variable net migration, overlaid on longer-term trends of natural increase. Both environmental and population change affect Arctic communities’ energy needs. Energy needs in the Arctic tend to be high and expensive, posing challenges to communities’ long-term viability. In this paper, we analyze relationships between weather, population, and one important measured component of energy—community-level electricity consumption. Electricity for the most part is generated locally from diesel fuel, which has a local environmental footprint as well. Taking a new approach to the integrated analysis of climate and human-dimensions data, we apply mixed-effects modeling to time series of electricity, weather, population, and price indicators across 42 Alaska towns and villages. Population dominates annual variations in electricity use, showing both general and community-specific effects that are strongest in the regional centers. Weather also affects electricity use, but for different reasons than it does in more urban areas to the south. Given population stability, a warming climate should lead to lower electricity demand. Population growth can override climate effects, however. Net of population, weather, and price, there has been an upward trend in per capita electricity use.
Adsorption-Resistant Acrylic Copolymer for Prototyping of Microfluidic Devices for Proteins and Peptides

A poly(ethylene glycol)-functionalized acrylic copolymer was developed for fabrication of microfluidic devices that are resistant to protein and peptide adsorption. Planar microcapillary electrophoresis (μCE) devices were fabricated from this copolymer with the typical cross pattern to facilitate sample introduction. In contrast to most methods used to fabricate polymeric microchips, the photopolymerization-based method used with the copolymer reported in this work was of the soft lithography type, and both patterning and bonding could be completed within 10 min. In a finished microdevice, the cover plate and patterned substrate were bonded together through strong covalent bonds. Additionally, because of the resistance of the copolymer to adsorption, fabricated microfluidic devices could be used without surface modification to separate proteins and peptides. Separations of fluorescein isothiocyanate-labeled protein and peptide samples were accomplished using these new polymeric μCE microchips. Separation ...
SCREENING SYSTEM: School Physical Examination and Mass Screening for Tuberculosis

The spread of tuberculosis has been arrested in Japan, and this is especially remarkable in children. Taking as an example the incidence rate of tuberculosis in children of 5 ∼ 9 years of age, there has been a remarkable decrease from 261.3 in 1962 to 4.2 in 1983. In Japan, mass examination for tuberculosis is performed on primary school children in the 1st grade and also on junior high school children in the 1st grade. The detection rate of tuberculosis for these groups is very low. The future direction of examination for tuberculosis in school is as follows: 1) Records of examinations should be prepared carefully, so as to avoid omitting absentees in examinations. 2) Emphasis should be placed on examination of children who are in contact with newly detected active tuberculous patients. 3) Early visits to doctors are recommended when symptoms such as fever of unknown origin or persistent cough appear.
Cerebellopontine angle cyst compressing the vagus nerve: case report.

Objective The cerebellopontine angle (CPA) is a rare location for an arachnoid cyst. We describe a patient with a CPA arachnoid cyst who presented with hoarseness (unilateral vocal cord paralysis) and dysphagia secondary to isolated compression of the vagus nerve. This rare presentation of a CPA arachnoid cyst has not been reported previously. Clinical presentation The patient described is a 50-year-old man who experienced a precipitous onset of hoarseness and dsyphagia. An otolaryngological evaluation revealed right-sided vocal cord paralysis. Brain magnetic resonance images displayed a cystic mass at the right CPA and anterior displacement of the vagus nerve. Intervention The patient underwent retrosigmoidal craniectomy with cyst fenestration, which was well tolerated. Intraoperatively, Cranial Nerve X was found splayed over the cyst and was consequently decompressed. Conclusion Postoperatively, the patient's dysphagia completely resolved. However, the results of a laryngeal electromyocardiogram revealed minimal evidence of recovery in the affected vocal fold, and the patient continued to suffer from dysphonia. Although CPA arachnoid cysts are rare, they should be considered when a patient presents with an isolated cranial nerve palsy. Treatment options include cyst fenestration and cranial nerve decompression.
Adaptive energy efficient sensor scheduling for wireless sensor networks

In this paper, we consider an adaptive energy efficient sensor scheduling mechanism. We consider a wireless sensor network where the sink sends queries form time to time, and sensors are equipped with one or more sensing components. Our goal is to design an adaptive sensor scheduling mechanism to choose sets of active sensors to work alternatively such that different types of queries are served, the global connectivity requirements can be met, and network lifetime is maximized. A connected dominating set (CDS) based localized mechanism is proposed. Initially, a basic backbone is constructed, then when a query is issued, new sensors are activated locally such that to meet the requirements of the query and global connectivity. When a query expires, some sensors return to sleep and the CDS is restored. Our simulation results show that the solution is effective and it improved network lifetime.
Calculations of B(1) distribution, SNR, and SAR for a surface coil adjacent to an anatomically-accurate human body model.

Calculations of the radiofrequency magnetic (B1) field, SAR, and SNR as functions of frequency between 64 and 345 MHz for a surface coil against an anatomically-accurate human chest are presented. Calculated B1 field distributions are in good agreement with previously-published experimental results up to 175 MHz, especially considering the dependence of field behavior on subject anatomy. Calculated SNR in the heart agrees well with theory for low frequencies (nearly linear increase with B0 field strength). Above 175 MHz, the trend in SNR with frequency begins to depend largely on location in the heart. At all frequencies, present limits on local (1 g) SAR levels are exceeded before limits on whole-body average limits. At frequencies above 175 MHz, limits on SAR begin to be an issue in some common imaging sequences. These results are relevant for coils and subjects similar to those modeled here. Magn Reson Med 45:692‐ 699, 2001. © 2001 Wiley-Liss, Inc.
Bacterial aerosols generated by a package treatment plant

Abstract Airborne bacteria were monitored near the aeration tank of a package sewage treatment plant serving a mobile‐home community. The concentrations of airborne coliforms were similar to those found at a conventional activated sludge unit. HC type Millipore filters were found to be the most efficient for the recovery of airborne fecal coliforms.
Celebrating Two Decades of the Program for Climate Model Diagnosis and Intercomparison

What: to celebrate the twentieth anniversary of PCmDi and to honor its founder, w. lawrence gates, more than 100 specialists and leaders in climate modeling met to discuss PCmDi’s history and the future of climate modeling When: 6 april 2009 Where: bethesda, maryland T wenty years ago, W. Lawrence (Larry) Gates approached the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) Office of Energy Research (now the Office of Science) with a plan to coordinate the comparison and documentation of climate model differences. This effort would help improve our understanding of climate change through a systematic approach to model intercomparison. Early attempts at comparing results showed a surprisingly large range in control climate from such parameters as cloud cover, precipitation, and even atmospheric temperature. The DOE agreed to fund the effort at the Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory (LLNL), in part because of the existing computing environment and because of a preexisting atmospheric science group that contained a wide variety of expertise. The project was named the Program for Climate Model Diagnosis and Intercomparison (PCMDI), and it has changed the international landscape of climate modeling over the past 20 years. In spring 2009 the DOE hosted a 1-day symposium to celebrate the twentieth anniversary of PCMDI and to honor its founder, Larry Gates. Through their personal experiences, the morning presenters painted an image of climate science in the 1970s and 1980s, that generated early support from the international community for model intercomparison, thereby bringing PCMDI into existence. Four talks covered Gates’s early contributions to climate research at the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA), the RAND Corporation, and Oregon State University through the founding of PCMDI to coordinate the Atmospheric Model Intercomparison Project (AMIP). The speakers were, in order of presentation, Warren Washington [National Center for Atmospheric Research (NCAR)], Kelly Redmond (Western Regional Climate Center), George Boer (Canadian Centre for Climate Modelling and Analysis), and Lennart Bengtsson [University of Reading, former director of the European Centre for Medium-Range Weather Forecasts (ECMWF)]. The afternoon session emphasized the scientific ideas that are the basis of PCMDI’s success, summarizing their AFFILIATIONS: Potter—University of California Davis, Davis, California; bader—oak ridge national laboratory, oak ridge, tennessee; riChes and josePh—office of biological and environmental research, U.s. Department of energy, washington, D.C.; baMzai—Climate and large-scale Dynamics Program, national science foundation, arlington, Virginia CORRESPONDING AUTHOR: gerald l. Potter, Department of geology, University of California, Davis, one shields avenue, Davis, Ca 95616 e-mail: jpotter@ucdavis.edu
A contraction theory approach to singularly perturbed systems with application to retroactivity attenuation

In this paper, we revisit standard results for singularly perturbed systems on the infinite time interval by employing tools from nonlinear contraction theory. This allows us to determine explicit bounds both on the rate of convergence of trajectories to the slow manifold, and on the distance between these trajectories and those of the reduced system. We illustrate the application of the proposed technique to the problem of retroactivity attenuation in biomolecular systems, that is, to the problem of attenuating the effects of output loading due to interconnection to downstream systems. By virtue of the explicit bounds, we can single out the key biochemical parameters to tune in order to enhance retroactivity attenuation. This provides design guidelines for synthetic biology devices that are robust to loading and can function as insulation devices just like insulating amplifiers work in electronics.
Reproductive performance of commercial broodmares after induction of ovulation with HCG or Ovuplant™ (deslorelin)

Abstract Soon after Ovuplant™, the sustained-release implant containing the gonadotropin releasing hormone (GnRH) agonist deslorelin, was approved for commercial use in the United States for induction of ovulation in mares, anecdotal field observations were reported that some Ovuplant™—treated mares that did not become pregnant experienced a delayed return to estrus and prolonged inter-ovulatory interval. Although those observations have been subsequently confirmed, further data on how mares respond to Ovuplant™ compared to human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) during the post-treatment period is needed. The objective of this study was to further evaluate the clinical use of Ovuplant™ by comparing the reproductive performance of commercial broodmares treated with hCG or Ovuplant™. This retrospective study was completed by examining the 1999 reproductive records of 106 mares treated with hCG during 134 estrous cycles and 117 mares treated with Ovuplant™ during 151 estrous cycles. There were no differences (P > 0.10) in follicle size at the time of treatment (39.4 ± 0.5 vs. 38.9 ± 0.5 mm), interval from treatment to ovulation (2.2 ± 0.1 vs. 2.2 ± 0.1 days), proportion of mares that failed to ovulate after treatment (3.0 vs. 4.6 %), or per-cycle pregnancy rate (47.7 vs. 51.4 %) between hCG-and Ovuplant™-treated mares, respectively. The interval from ovulation to return to estrus (25.8 ± 1.3 vs. 15.5 ± 0.6 days) and the inter-ovulatory interval (30.4 ± 1.5 vs. 20.8 ± 0.6 days) were longer (P
A gene from the fungal plant pathogen Nectria haematococca that encodes the phytoalexin-detoxifying enzyme pisatin demethylase defines a new cytochrome P450 family

The gene PDAT9 from the fungus Nectria haematococca encodes pisatin demethylase, an enzyme that detoxifies the phytoalexin pisatin, an antimicrobial compound produced by pea in response to infection by this plant pathogen. PDAT9 was found to contain an open reading frame (ORF) encoding 515 amino acids and four introns of 52–58 nucleotides each within its coding region. The amino acid sequence F-G-A-G-S-R-S-C-I-G, indicative of the “fifth ligand binding site” present in all cytochrome P454s, occurs as residues 446 to 455, confirming that PDAT9 is a cytochrome P450. The deduced amino acid sequence is distinct from all other reported cytochrome P-450s, and PDAT9 has been assigned to a new cytochrome P450 family, CYP57. A 1.3 kb SacI fragment of the PDAT9 ORF that lacked the fifth ligand binding site, hybridized to unique DNA fragments in N. haematococca isolates known to possess PDA genes that encode different whole cell phenotypes for pisatin demethylating activity. These genes were also tentatively identified as cytochrome P450s by the hybridization of the same fragments to separate subclones of PDAT9, one of which contained the fifth ligand sequence. That probe also hybridized to DNA other than that attributed to pisatin demethylase genes; these other DNAs are presumed to represent other cytochrome P450s.
An adaptive procedure for the numerical parameters of a particle simulation

In this article, a computational procedure that automatically determines the optimum time step, cell weight and species weights for steady-state multi-species DSMC (direct simulation Monte Carlo) simulations is presented. The time step is required to satisfy the basic requirements of the DSMC method while the weight and relative weights fields are chosen so as to obtain a user-specified average number of particles in all cells of the domain. The procedure allows the conduct of efficient DSMC simulations with minimal user input and is integrable into existing DSMC codes. The adaptive method is used to simulate a test case consisting of two counterflowing jets at a Knudsen number of 0.015. Large accuracy gains for sampled number densities and velocities over a standard simulation approach for the same number of particles are observed.
An Improved Wall-Distance-Free Version of the Baldwin-Barth Turbulence Model

This paper presents a modified version of the Baldwin-Barth (BB) turbulence model. This modification accounts for the asymptotic boundary value of the pseudo eddy viscosity as the wall is approached. The BB Model tends to respond strongly to an adverse pressure gradient, in the sense that it always predicts a large decrease in skin friction relative to the measured values. Hence, in the present work, the importance of the modifications for improving the skin friction prediction of flows with adverse pressure gradient is addressed. All of the implemented modifications are free of wall functions and coordinate independent, which renders the model advantageous relative to other wall dependent models. The results are compared with both the original BB and the Spalart-Allmaras (SA) models. The accuracy of these and the present model is assessed against experimental data for transonic flows over NACA-0012 and RAE 2822 airfoils. In general, good agreement with experiments is indicated.Copyright © 2003 by ASME
A Query-Based Medical Information Summarization System Using Ontology Knowledge

As huge amounts of knowledge are created rapidly, effective information access becomes an important issue. Especially for critical domains, such as medical and financial areas, efficient retrieval of concise and relevant information is highly desired. In this paper we propose a new user query based text summarization technique that makes use of unified medical language system, an ontology knowledge source from National Library of Medicine. We compare our method with keyword-only approach, and our ontology-based method performs clearly better. Our method also shows potential to be used in other information retrieval areas
Novel STY/nBA/GMA and STY/nBA/MAA core-shell latex blends : Film formation, particle morphology, and cross-linking. 20. A spectroscopic study

These studies focus on behavior of sodium dioctylsulfosuccinate (SDOSS) surfactant molecules in styrene/n-butyl acrylate/glycidyl methacrylate (Sty/nBA/GMA) and styrene/n-butyl acrylate/methacrylic acid (Sty/nBA/MAA) blended latexes during their film formation process. Using a combination of Fourier transform infrared (FT-IR) microanalysis and FT-Raman techniques, not only stratification of SDOSS surfactant molecules during film formation process can be assessed but also the effect of latex particle structures and cross-linking reactions during coalescence can be determined. For Sty/nBA/GMA and Sty/nBA/MAA blended copolymer latexes, SDOSS exhibit nonuniform distributions at the film air (F−A) interface. However, for core/shell Sty/nBA-GMA and Sty/nBA-MAA blended latexes, SDOSS is distributed uniformly near the F−A interface, and its concentration levels are lower as compared to copolymer latex blends. At elevated coalescence temperatures, SDOSS migration to the F−A interface is prohibited due to cross-lin...
Developmental Change in Readers' Responses to Unknown Words

Two experiments examined factors affecting the likelihood that readers will recognize failures of word comprehension and the basis by which they judge the disruptiveness of an unknown word to sentence comprehension. In Experiment 1, third- and fifth-grade skilled and less skilled readers read and evaluated the comprehensibility of short paragraphs containing nonwords varying in number of syllables (1 vs. 3) and syntactic form class (noun vs. adjective). Third graders were more likely to identify the longer nonwords as problematic than the shorter nonwords, but the fifth graders were not influenced by word length. Fifth graders were somewhat more sensitive to the greater disruption in comprehensibility caused by unknown nouns relative to unknown adjectives. In a second task in Experiment 1, and in Experiment 2 (which included adults as well as third- and fifth-grade average readers), subjects evaluated the relative comprehensibility of pairs of sentences in which the nonwords contrasted in number of syllables, syntactic class or both. Whereas the younger readers were more likely to focus on word length in their judgments of comprehensibility, the older readers were more likely to focus on meaning. The results have implications for research and instruction in comprehension monitoring and vocabulary acquisition.
Patient and family engagement: a survey of US hospital practices

Background Patient and family engagement (PFE) in healthcare is an important element of the transforming healthcare system; however, the prevalence of various PFE practices in the USA is not known. Objective We report on a survey of hospitals in the USA regarding their PFE practices during 2013–2014. Results The response rate was 42%, with 1457 acute care hospitals completing the survey. We constructed 25 items to summarise the responses regarding key practices, which fell into three broad categories: (1) organisational practices, (2) bedside practices and (3) access to information and shared decision-making. We found a wide range of scores across hospitals. Selected findings include: 86% of hospitals had a policy for unrestricted visitor access in at least some units; 68% encouraged patients/families to participate in shift-change reports; 67% had formal policies for disclosing and apologising for errors; and 38% had a patient and family advisory council. The most commonly reported barrier to increased PFE was ‘competing organisational priorities’. Summary Our findings indicate that there is a large variation in hospital implementation of PFE practices, with competing organisational priorities being the most commonly identified barrier to adoption.
An Inductor-Less Broadband LNA with Gain Step

This paper presents a compact, inductor-less broadband LNA fabricated in a 90nm CMOS process. The LNA has 5.5GHz 3dB bandwidth, ~25dB voltage gain, a noise figure between 2-2.5 dB, iIP3 better than - 18dBm and provides a 28dB step coarse gain control. It occupies 0.03mm 2 and is the most compact broadband LNA with step gain control to our knowledge
Mechanisms of Oxygen Effects on Exercise in Patients with Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease

Administration of supplemental oxygen significantly improved exercise tolerance in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. This was achieved by a reduction of ventilatory requirements for the same work load, such that limiting ventilatory capacity was not achieved until later in incremental work. Breathing supplemental oxygen produced lower levels of lactate, but relief of anaerobiasis did not contribute to ventilatory changes, since potential acid-base alterations were balanced by concomitant retention of carbon dioxide.
Antecedents and Antidotes for Ingredient Fears

With frequent news reports of tainted foods of various types, it is not uncommon for people to develop a temporary fear of specific foods or ingredients suspected of contamination. Instead of focusing on incident food fears resulting from contamination events, this research investigates food fears that are more categorical in nature and focused on ingredients – such as sugar, fat, or salt substitutes. A phone survey of 1008 U.S. mothers suggests four preliminary results: First, those who are most prone to expressing ingredient food fears may be people who have relatively higher perceptions of risks (and lower perceptions of benefits) or they may be people who have a greater need for social approval among their reference group (the Prius Effect). Second, those with ingredient food fears receive more information from internet sources than from television or print media. Third, ingredient food fears tend to be exacerbated if these ingredients are largely associated with less nutritious foods (such as soft drinks or snacks). Fourth, effectively communicating the background, the purpose, and the history of an ingredient may moderate extreme views. These findings suggest new theories for predicting what foods and ingredients are most at risk of generating ingredient food fears and which people will be most prone to these fears.
Analytical Modeling of Calcium Carbonate Deposition for Laminar Falling Films and Turbulent Flow in Annuli: Part II—Multispecies Model

The present study proposes a multispecies transport model to predict calcium carbonate deposition. The model has been applied to predict the deposition flux, the mean fouling layer thickness, and the profile of local thickness along a heated plate of a laminar falling film. Good agreement is found when comparing with experimental data. Similarly, the model is applied to predict the fouling layer in a turbulent annulus flow system and a good agreement of the predicted results is also found with recent experimental data. Finally, solutions in dimensionless forms are presented to show the effects of various dimensionless parameters on calcium carbonate deposition.
Genetic algorithm based methodology for breaking the steganalytic systems

Steganalytic techniques are used to detect whether an image contains a hidden message. By analyzing various image features between stego-images (the images containing hidden messages) and cover-images (the images containing no hidden messages), a steganalytic system is able to detect stego-images. In this paper, we present a new concept of developing a robust steganographic system by artificially counterfeiting statistic features instead of the traditional strategy by avoiding the change of statistic features. We apply genetic algorithm based methodology by adjusting gray values of a cover-image while creating the desired statistic features to generate the stego-images that can break the inspection of steganalytic systems. Experimental results show that our algorithm can not only pass the detection of current steganalytic systems, but also increase the capacity of the embedded message and enhance the peak signal-to-noise ratio of stego-images.
Eugenie: Multi-Touch and Tangible Interaction for Bio-Design

We present a case study of applying TEI research to a data-intense scientific workflow that requires the exploration of large datasets through the construction of complex queries. We describe our two-year-long effort and design iterations of Eugenie, an interface for helping synthetic biologists through the collaborative and intricate process of bio-design. We introduce new interaction techniques for browsing large data sets and for constructing complex queries with active tangible tokens and an interactive tabletop. We also discuss challenges and opportunities for applying TEI to support data-driven inquiry.
Neurocognitive profile analysis in obsessive-compulsive disorder

Although neurocognitive deficits have been identified in obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), little research has focused on whether these deficits are generalized or specific to a given cognitive domain. We assessed the relative strengths and weaknesses of 26 adult patients with OCD compared to 38 age- and sex-matched healthy volunteers in domains of motor, verbal memory, visual memory, reasoning/problem solving, processing speed processing, and language. Profile analysis revealed an overall neurocognitive deficit of 1/2 standard deviation in OCD patients versus healthy volunteers, with relative weaknesses in motor and processing speed domains. In contrast, relative strengths were observed in language, verbal memory, and reasoning/problem solving. Our findings demonstrate neurocognitive impairment in OCD that may relate to functional outcome in this population. Findings of specific abnormalities on tasks of motor and processing speed are consistent with a hypothesized role of thalamocortical and basal ganglia regions in the pathogenesis of OCD.
Understanding Conceptual Climate Change Meanings and Preferences of Multi-Actor Professional Leadership in New York

AbstractThis article sets out to evaluate the range of meanings and preferences for the concepts of adaptation, resilience, mitigation and coping of a variety of professionals in New York who are undertaking leadership positions in developing climate change policies and practices. This article positions a normative set of simplified meanings for each of the aforementioned concepts based on a review of existing literature. Utilizing a survey, these normative meanings are evaluated by and between the: (a) concepts and meanings; (b) concepts and applications and (c) applications and preferences, as applied to various risk-based scenarios ranging from sea-level rise to heat waves. This survey tests the hypotheses that the respondents: (i) are unable to consistently match the concept of resiliency with the normative meanings or applications: and (ii) will not consistently show a preference for resilience applications or outcomes ahead of other concepts. The results of the survey confirm both hypotheses, which ...
Policy and advocacy concepts and processes: innovative content in early childhood teacher education

ABSTRACTKnowledge and skills regarding policy and advocacy are important expectations for today's early childhood workforce, yet policy and advocacy content and processes have not traditionally been emphasized in teacher preparation programmes. This article describes an innovative undergraduate course that goes beyond traditional foci on developmental research and pedagogy and aims to inform future early childhood professionals about policies and policy-making procedures. The course also prepares students to engage in advocacy efforts on behalf of young children and their families by providing content on advocacy processes and opportunities, and by requiring students to complete an advocacy project. The authors present student responses to the course and discuss possible implications for research and practice.
A within-subject comparison of seizure duration with etomidate and methohexital in electroconvulsive therapy

Objective: To determine whether etomidate is associated with longer seizures than methohexital in ECT anesthesia. Methods: Retrospective chart review in 39 patients who were switched from one anesthetic to the other. We compared motor and EEG seizure duration in the last ECT session on one anesthetic and the first session on the other anesthetic. Results: Motor seizures were about 10 seconds longer with etomidate (p < 0.05). However, few of the increases in seizure duration had obvious clinical import. Conclusions: Etomidate can lengthen ECT seizure time compared with methohexital, but the clinical significance of this observation requires further study.
Insulin-mediated translocation of GLUT-4-containing vesicles is preserved in denervated muscles

Skeletal muscle denervation decreases insulin-sensitive glucose uptake into this tissue as a result of marked GLUT-4 protein downregulation (∼20% of controls). The process of insulin-stimulated glu...
Pay Now, Die Later

The story of the enactment of Internal Revenue Code Section 685, which facilitates separate taxation of pre-need funeral trusts. The enactment of Section 685 was a mistake. it stems from the failure of Congress, and especially the staffs of the tax-writing committees, to understand what was truly at stake.
Cure monitoring of composite laminates used in the manufacturing of snowboards

The application of embedded sensors for use in monitoring the cure of composite snowboards during manufacturing was demonstrated. Ultrasonic and capacitive sensors were used and the results compared. Both techniques showed indications of the end of cure in the evaluation of plots of wave attenuation versus time and change in capacitance versus time.
Reversal of Insulin-Induced Hypoglycemia in Chick Embryos by Nicotinamide and α-Ketoglutaric Acid.∗:

SummaryThe duration of insulin-induced hypoglycemia is reduced following the administration of nicotinamide and α-ketoglutaric acid to insulin treated chick embryos. Nicotinamide, which is the more effective in preventing insulin-induced abnormalities, is also more effective in decreasing the duration of the hypoglycemia.
Geographic analysis of cardiac interventional services in Alabama.

BACKGROUND Cardiovascular disease is the leading cause of death in the state of Alabama. The purpose of this study was to explore the geographical accessibility of the Alabama population to cardiac interventional services (CISs) for the treatment of acute myocardial infarction. METHODS A descriptive ecological study design was used. Census tract-level population census data were used to describe access to CIS in Alabama. Descriptive analysis was conducted within a geographical information system (GIS) and provided empirical measures of travel time, calculated population proportions, and generated maps for visual identification of areas of low access. Descriptive statistics are reported as proportions (percentages) of the population with access by travel time. FINDINGS The GIS analysis revealed that 58.2%, 85.9%, and 96.0% of the total Alabama population were within 30-, 60-, or 90-minute travel time, respectively, of a hospital with CIS. Maps provided visualization of CIS coverage areas for Alabama. One distinct area within the Alabama Black Belt was at greater than 90 minutes from a hospital with CIS. This area is known as a mostly black, impoverished population subject to health disparities. CONCLUSIONS The GIS showed that 96% of the Alabama population is within 90-minute travel time of a hospital with CIS. For the best outcomes to occur allowing adequate time for symptom recognition, travel time, and 30-minute door-to-needle time, only 85.9% and 58.2% are within 60- and 30-minute travel time, respectively.
Intermediate-term survival results in clinically understaged prostate cancer patients following radical prostatectomy.

AbstractTo determine the natural history of clinically understaged prostatic cancer patients who were followed without adjuvant therapy for at least 6 years after radical prostatectomy we reviewed the clinical courses of 21 patients (1 with clinical stage A and 20 with clinical stage B disease). All patients underwent radical retropubic prostatectomy and 9 had pathological stage C disease (6 with capsular penetration only and 3 with seminal vesicle invasion). A total of 12 patients had pathological stage D1 disease by virtue of positive nodes on permanent sections after frozen sections were read as negative. Among the patients with pathological stage C disease 67 per cent were free of recurrence 6 years after radical prostatectomy. Of the patients with seminal vesicle invasion 33 per cent had recurrence compared to 17 per cent of those with capsular penetration only. Among the 12 stage D1 cancer patients 75 per cent were free of recurrence at 6 years. In both groups patients who were followed beyond 7 yea...
Genetic Factors in Type 1 Diabetes

Insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus (IDDM), or type 1 diabetes, is a chronic and yet incurable disease characterized by autoimmune destruction of pancreatic s-cells and complete insulin deficiency (1). The disease develops predominantly in children or adolescents, but it can develop at a much later age, and it is quite heterogeneous in its clinical expression. A large body of evidence indicates that inherited genetic factors influence both susceptibility to and resistance from the disease. During the past few years, dramatic improvements in the ability to investigate the genetics of complex diseases have been introduced. The increasing availability of polymorphic microsatellite markers, automated typing technology (2), and large collections of families with affected sib-pairs have enabled the design of large scale, genome-wide scans to map IDDM susceptibility genes. Such scans have provided evidence to link diabetes susceptibility with numerous chromosomal regions and suggested that type 1 diabetes is a polygenic disorder. Moreover, there is evidence for epistatic phenomena involving several loci, and complex parental effects appear to influence susceptibility by modifying the transmission and expression of inherited genes.
On ISSM and leveraging the Cloud towards faster quantification of the uncertainty in ice-sheet mass balance projections

With the Amazon EC2 Cloud becoming available as a viable platform for parallel computing, Earth System Models are increasingly interested in leveraging its capabilities towards improving climate projections. In particular, faced with long wait periods on high-end clusters, the elasticity of the Cloud presents a unique opportunity of potentially "infinite" availability of small-sized clusters running on high-performance instances. Among specific applications of this new paradigm, we show here how uncertainty quantification in climate projections of polar ice sheets (Antarctica and Greenland) can be significantly accelerated using the Cloud. Indeed, small-sized clusters are very efficient at delivering sensitivity and sampling analysis, core tools of uncertainty quantification. We demonstrate how this approach was used to carry out an extensive analysis of ice-flow projections on one of the largest basins in Greenland, the North-East Greenland Glacier, using the Ice Sheet System Model, the public-domain NASA-funded ice-flow modeling software. We show how errors in the projections were accurately quantified using Monte-Carlo sampling analysis on the EC2 Cloud, and how a judicious mix of high-end parallel computing and Cloud use can best leverage existing infrastructures, and significantly accelerate delivery of potentially ground-breaking climate projections, and in particular, enable uncertainty quantification that were previously impossible to achieve. HighlightsNASA/JPL's Ice Sheet System Model ported to the Amazon EC2 Cloud.First ever application of Cloud computing to modeling of polar ice flow.Combining ISSM high-end and EC2 Cloud computing accelerates delivery of projections.Cloud elasticity eliminates batch queuing time in uncertainty quantification runs.Demonstrates feasibility of uncertainty quantification in sea-level projections.
Sexual Trauma in Young Blind Children.

Severely disturbed blind children referred to the authors for training and therapy had suffered a wide range of sexually traumatic experiences. Citing specific cases, attention is focused on incide...
123 : IL-33 drives biphasic IL-13 production for noncanonical type 2 immunity against hookworms

Parasitic helminths are a major cause of chronic human disease, affecting more than 3 billion people worldwide. Host protection against most parasitic helminths relies upon Type 2 cytokine production, but the mechanisms that regulate interleukin (IL) 4 and 13 production from CD4+ T helper 2 cells (TH2) and innate lymphoid type 2 cells (ILC2s) remain incompletely understood. The epithelial cell-derived cytokines IL-25 and IL-33 promote Type 2 responses, but the extent of functional redundancy between these cytokines is unclear and whether Type 2 memory relies upon either IL-25 or IL-33 is unknown. Herein, we demonstrate a pivotal role for IL-33 in driving primary and anamnestic immunity against the rodent hookworm Nippostrongylus brasiliensis . IL-33–deficient mice have a selective defect in ILC2–derived IL-13 during both primary and secondary challenge infections but generate stronger canonical CD4+ T helper 2 cells responses (IL-4, IgE, mast cells, and basophils) than WT controls. Lack of IL-13 production in IL-33–deficient mice impairs resistin-like molecule beta (RELM β ) expression and eosinophil recruitment, which are two mechanisms that eliminate N. brasiliensis parasites from infected hosts. Thus, IL-33 is requisite for IL-13 but not IL-4–driven Type 2 responses during hookworm infection.
Graphing Calculator Programs for Instructional Data Diagnostics and Statistical Inference

A number of programs written for the TI-83 Plus calculator are demonstrated in this article to illustrate this graphing calculator's surprisingly advanced statistical capabilities. Examples include...
Susceptibility of Aronia (Aronia melanocarpa) to Drosophila suzukii (Diptera: Drosophilidae)

Drosophila suzukii is an invasive pest of cultivated fruit crops in Europe, Asia, and the Americas. However, more information is needed to understand the extent of D. suzukii utilization of wild fruit and specialty crops as suitable hosts, such as aronia (Aronia melanocarpa), for which risk assessment has not yet been established. Both laboratory bioassays and field monitoring were conducted to assess the susceptibly of aronia to D. suzukii. No-choice bioassays were conducted on damaged, destemmed, and undamaged aronia fruit. Field infestation was assessed using yeast-sugar traps for adults and fruit samples for larvae during the 2015 growing season at three farms in south-central Wisconsin. In bioassays, D. suzukii successfully completed its life cycle in damaged and destemmed aronia, while undamaged aronia did not support larval or adult development. Adult flies which emerged from damaged aronia took longer to develop and weighed less compared to adults emerging from raspberry. In the field, adults were abundant throughout the growing season (late June–late September) and larvae were detected in low numbers in ripe fruit samples collected from late August through late September. After harvest, fruit sampled from the processing and packing line revealed low numbers of drosophila larvae. Overall, these findings suggest that damaged or destemmed aronia is susceptible to D. suzukii infestation, while intact fruit is resistant to D. suzukii. In addition, the bioassays suggest that aronia may serve as a suboptimal host compared to raspberry. These findings suggest the importance of preventing fruit damage before harvest and add to a growing understanding of how wild and specialty crops, such as aronia, may affect population dynamics of this invasive fly.
Problem-Solving Education to Prevent Depression Among Low-Income Mothers: A Path Mediation Analysis in a Randomized Clinical Trial.

Importance Although problem solving has been an important component of successful depression prevention and treatment interventions, evidence to support problem solving’s mechanism of action is sparse. Objective To understand the mechanism of an efficacious depression prevention intervention, problem-solving education (PSE). Design, Setting, and Participants A multivariate path analysis was embedded within a randomized efficacy trial (February 15, 2011, to May 9, 2016). Participants were mothers with depressed mood, anhedonia, or depression history (but not in current major depressive episode) at 1 of 6 Head Start agencies. Participants were followed up for 12 months with serial assessments of potential intervention mediators and depressive symptoms. Interventions Problem-solving education (n = 111) and usual Head Start services (n = 119). Main Outcomes and Measures Primary outcomes were depressive symptom elevations, which were measured bimonthly. Eight plausible intervention mediators were assessed: problem-solving ability; mastery; self-esteem; perceived stress; behavioral activation; and avoidant, problem-focused, and social coping. Results Among 230 participants, 152 (66.1%) were Hispanic; mean (SD) age was 31.4 (7.3) years. Based on associations with either PSE participation or depressive symptom outcomes, problem-solving ability, perceived stress, behavioral activation, and problem-focused coping were included in a parsimonious, multivariate path model. In this model, only perceived stress was associated with both PSE participation and depressive symptoms. Participants in the PSE group had adjusted standardized perceived stress change scores that were 11% lower than controls (95% CI, −0.19 to −0.03), and improvement in perceived stress generated an adjusted rate ratio (aRR) of 0.42 (95% CI, 0.33-0.53) for depressive symptom elevations. Participants in the intervention group also had standardized behavioral activation change scores 15% greater than controls (95% CI, 0.01-0.30) and problem-focused coping change scores 17% greater than controls (95% CI, 0.03-0.31); however, changes in these constructs were not associated with a differential rate of depressive symptom elevations. The direct effect of PSE on depressive symptom elevations (aRR, 0.72; 95% CI, 0.52-0.97) was greater than the mediated effect explained by improvement in perceived stress (aRR, 0.91; 95% CI, 0.85-0.98). Conclusions and Relevance Problem-solving education is efficacious in preventing depressive symptoms and appears to work by decreasing perceived stress; however, the mechanism for much of PSE’s impact on depression remains unexplained. These results can be used to simplify the intervention model in preparation for effectiveness testing. Trial Registration ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier:NCT01298804
Silt flow in soils

Abstract Nettleton, W.D., Brasher, B.R., Baumer, O.W. and Darmody, R.G., 1994. Silt flow in soils. In: A.J. Ringrose-Voase and G.S. Humphreys (Editors), Soil Micromorphology: Studies in Management and Genesis. Proc. IX Int. Working Meeting on Soil Micromorphology, Townsville, Australia, July 1992. Developments in Soil Science 22, Elsevier, Amsterdam, pp. 361–371.
Dynamic interplay of cell fate, polarity and force generation in ascidian embryos

A fundamental challenge in developmental biology is to understand how forces produced by individual cells are patterned in space and time and then integrated to produce stereotyped changes in tissue-level or embryo-level morphology. Ascidians offer a unique opportunity to address this challenge by studying how small groups of cells collectively execute complex, but highly stereotyped morphogenetic movements. Here we highlight recent progress and open questions in the study of ascidian morphogenesis, emphasizing the dynamic interplay of cell fate determination, cellular force generation and tissue-level mechanics.