cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Annual cycles of phytoplankton community-structure and bloom dynamics in the Neuse River Estuary, North Carolina

The spatiotemporal distributions of major phytoplankton taxa were quantified to estimate the relative contribution of different microalgal groups to biomass and bloom dynamics in the eutrophic Neuse River Estuary, North Carolina, USA. Biweekly water samples and ambient physical and chemical data were examined at sites along a salinity gradient from January 1994 through December 1996. Chemosystematic photopigments (chlorophylls and carotenoids) were identified and quantified using high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). A recently-developed factor-analysis procedure (CHEMTAX) was used to partition the algal group-specific chlorophyll a (chl a) concentrations based on photopigment concentrations. Results were spatially and temporally integrated to determine the ecosystem-level dynamics of phytoplankton community-constituents. Seasonal patterns of phytoplankton community-composition changes were observed over the 3 yr. Dinoflagellates reached maximum abundance in the late winter to early spring (January to March), followed by a spring diatom bloom (May to July). Cyanobacteria were more prevalent during summer months and made a large contribution to phytoplankton biomass, possibly in response to nutrient-enriched freshwater discharge. Cryptomonad blooms were not associated with a particular season, and varied from year to year. Chlorophyte abundance was low, but occasional blooms occurred during spring and summer. Over the 3 yr period, the total contribution of each algal group, in terms of chl a, was evenly balanced, with each contributing nearly 20% of the total chl a. Cryptomonad, chlorophyte, and cyanobacterial dynamics did not exhibit regular seasonal bloom patterns. High dissolved inorganic-nitrogen loading during the summer months promoted major blooms of cryptomonads, chlorophytes, and cyanobacteria.
Racial profiling and searches: Did the politics of racial profiling change police behavior?*

Research Summary Scholarly research has documented repeatedly that minority citizens are disproportionately stopped, searched, and arrested relative to their baseline populations. In recent years, policymakers have brought increased attention to this issue as law-enforcement agencies across the United States have faced allegations of racial profiling. In the 1990s, the politics generated by accounts of racially biased policing placed heightened pressure on law-enforcement agencies. However, to date, few studies have explored whether the increased social and political scrutiny placed on police organizations influenced or changed their general pattern of enforcement among black and white citizens. Using data in the search and citation file from the North Carolina Highway Traffic Study, this research specifically examined whether the politics generated by the media coverage of racial profiling and racial profiling legislation in North Carolina influenced the search practices of officers of the North Carolina State Highway Patrol's drug interdiction team. The findings suggest that media accounts and the passage of new legislation were particularly powerful influences, which thereby reduced racial disparity in searches. Declines in the use of consent searches and an increased probability of finding contraband also were influenced by the politics of racial profiling. Policy Implications The results of this study suggest several important policy recommendations. First, law-enforcement agencies must monitor the policing practices of their officers because such supervision can influence officer compliance with fair and unbiased policing policies. Next, supervisors need to familiarize themselves with enforcement data to identify potential problem officers and organizational practices. By doing so, police organizations will not only increase officer accountability but also will potentially improve communication with their local communities. Such communication can empower community members to file charges against officers who violate their civil rights. Next, the media and political effects documented in this study suggest that external oversight can be particularly influential on police practices. Therefore, police agencies should consider developing a citizen complaint board, which is an external oversight board that would be responsible for investigating allegations against officers who engage in racial profiling or other racially biased enforcement practices. Such a board could assist police administrators in identifying problem officers as well as in making recommendations for corrective action. Finally, external social and political pressure must continually be placed on police forces to improve equity in police behavior. These external forces can assist in creating opportunities for police to increase the overall quality and efficacy of policing.
Reading and Integrated Literacy Strategies (RAILS): An Integrated Approach to Early Reading.

The goal of this project was to develop and test the efficacy of a research-based early reading program that provided integrated reading instruction in kindergarten through 2nd grade. The Reading and Integrated Literacy Strategies (RAILS) program provided integrated instruction in word reading, vocabulary development, and comprehension to students in regular and self-contained special education classes in 2 schools serving low-income populations. Teachers provided explicit instruction in the alphabetic principle, phonemic analysis, word reading, vocabulary development, listening comprehension, and reading comprehension. Classes were organized so students received 2 periods of reading instruction daily, a longer morning period of instruction and a shorter afternoon review of instruction. The students in the RAILS program had significantly higher performance on standardized reading and language achievement tests, as well as on individually administered tests of phonemic awareness and reading fluency. The im...
Characterization of fused-silica capillary tubing by contact angle measurements

Abstract The capillary rise method has been used to obtain contact angle measurements on untreated fused silica and fused silica treated with a variety of deactivating reagents. The contact angle data were used in the construction of Zisman plots which allowed characterization of the wettability of the surfaces by their critical surface energies. The wettability of raw fused silica was found to be widely variable which adversely affects attempts to fully deactivate the surface. Hydrothermal treatment of the fused silica with nitric acid was found to be adequate for cleaning and hydroxylating the surface so as to allow complete deactivation. Simple silylating reagents, cyclic siloxanes, and polysiloxanes covering a wide range of polarity were used and evaluated as deactiviting reagents.
Examining IFOV error and demodulation strategies for infrared microgrid polarimeter imagery

For the past several years we have been working on strategies to mitigate the effects of IFOV errors on LWIR microgrid polarimeters. In this paper we present a detailed, theoretical analysis of the source of IFOV error in the frequency domain, and show a frequency domain strategy to mitigate those effects.
Reduction Techniques for Strongly Graded Rings and Finite Representation Type

Abstract We present reduction techniques for studying the category of lattices over strongly graded orders. In particular, we apply these techniques in order to reduce the problem of classifying those strongly graded orders with finite representation type to the case where the coefficient ring is a maximal order in a division ring.
Oxidation performance of VCrTi alloys

Vanadium-base alloys are being considered as candidates for the first wall in advanced V-Li blanket concepts in fusion reactor systems. However, a primary deterrent to the use of these alloys at elevated temperatures is their relatively high affinity for interstitial impurities, i.e., O, N, H, and C. The authors conducted a systematic study to determine the effects of time, temperature, and oxygen partial pressure (pO{sub 2}) in the exposure environment on O uptake, scaling kinetics, and scale microstructure in V-(4--5) wt.% Cr-(4--5) wt.% Ti alloys. Oxidation experiments were conducted on the alloys at pO{sub 2} in the range of 5 x 10{sup {minus}6}-760 torr (6.6 x 10{sup {minus}4}-1 x 10{sup 5} Pa) at several temperatures in the range of 350--700 C. Models that describe the oxidation kinetics, oxide type and thickness, alloy grain size, and depth of O diffusion in the substrate of the two alloys were determined and compared. Weight change data were correlated with time by a parabolic relationship. The parabolic rate constant was calculated for various exposure conditions and the temperature dependence of the constant was described by an Arrhenius relationship. The results showed that the activation energy for the oxidation process is fairly constant at pO{sub 2} levels in the range of 5 x 10{sup {minus}6}-0.1 torr. The activation energy calculated from data obtained in the air tests was significantly lower, whereas that obtained in pure-O tests (at 760 torr) was substantially higher than the energy obtained under low-pO{sub 2} conditions. The oxide VO{sub 2} was the predominant phase that formed in both alloys when exposed to pO{sub 2} levels of 6.6 x 10{sup {minus}4} to 0.1 torr. V{sub 2}O{sub 5} was the primary phase in specimens exposed to air and to pure O{sub 2} at 760 torr. The implications of the increased O concentration are increased strength and decreased ductility of the alloy. However, the strength of the alloy was not a strong function of the O concentration of the alloy, but an increase in O concentration did cause a substantial decrease in ductility.
The structures and hydrogen ion dependence of the complexes between orotic acid derivatives and the ions, Ni(II) and Eu(III)

Abstract Orotic acid (I) and 3-methylorotic acid (II) form complexes with Ni(II) and Eu(III), but none of the following orotic acid derivatives form such complexes: 1-methylorotic acid (III), 1,3-dimethylorotic acid (IV), the methyl (V) and isopropyl (V) esters of orotic acid, and 6-acetyluracil (VI). These observations support a bidentate structure (VII) for these complexes. The concentrations of these complexes are observed to be functions of the hydrogen ion concentration in the pH range 4.5–6.5 because only the orotic acid dianion (X) is able to form such complexes. An expression for the stability constant for these complexes has been formulated, including the hydrogen ion dependence, and values for the stability constants of Eu(III)/orotic acid and Ni(II)/3-methylorotic acid complexes are reported.
A Behavioral Approach to Building Cognitive Foundations for Effective Thought and Action

This research documents the process and results of an approach to teaching university undergraduates intentional self-development skills designed to promote self-generated goals, routines, and lifestyle choices. These skills may provide effective behavioral foundations for developing metacognitive awareness, intentionality, and individual well-being. The results of six original behavioral interventions, implemented in two James Madison University courses, provide initial support for the effectiveness of these instructional methodologies.
The transcriptome of Mycobacterium tuberculosis

In this review, we summarize the present understanding of the Mycobacterium tuberculosis transcriptome and catalog both experimentally verified findings and computationally derived predictions. We also provide a new analysis for a range of discoveries by comparing the results of previously independent research papers. Bringing these data together and improving their accessibility should help catalyze further discoveries. This minireview also provides some general insights that may be valuable to those working to characterize the transcriptome of less-studied prokaryotes.
Expanding the definition of hypertension to incorporate global cardiovascular risk

Recent epidemiologic analyses have changed the way that hypertension is viewed. Cardiovascular risk has been found to be elevated at levels of blood pressure previously believed to be normal and not imparting additional risk. Furthermore, the approach to hypertension has been shifted from viewing and treating it in isolation to a more comprehensive approach that incorporates a focus on global cardiovascular risk and the risk factors commonly associated with having an elevated blood pressure. However, control rates not only for hypertension but also for associated risk factors, such as hyperlipidemia and diabetes, remain abysmal, providing an even greater challenge to providers of care. To change this alarming trend, physicians must become aggressive in using the available armamentarium of lifestyle modifications and drugs in treating hypertension and other risk factors that increase the burden of atherosclerosis.
A novel single mask “pit and pitch” MOSFET design and simulation

This paper proposes a novel MOSFET design using a single mask. The proposed design, referred to as Pit and Pitch (PP), uses a single lithography step to “pit” layers of material and a series of angled implantations and depositions (the “pitch”) to build a vertically oriented MOSFET. Both n-channel and p-channel devices are simulated using Silvaco Athena and Atlas software and then compared to conventional MOSFETS of a similar lithographic node and evaluated on performance, economic and scaling possibilities. The results show that the PP MOSFET has very comparable performance to similarly sized MOSFETs and offers a large potential to reduce lithography costs.
Copolymer modification of nylon-6,6 with 2-methylpentamethylenediamine

Polyamides were prepared in which part or all of the hexamethylenediamine (HMD) in nylon-6,6 was replaced by its isomer, 2-methylpentamethylenediamine (MPMD). The intermediate compositions are considered random copolymers between the two homopolymers (66 and MPMD-6). The crystalline properties of these polymers were studied by differential scanning calorimetry, X-ray diffraction and optical microscopy. It was concluded that the two kinds of units, 66 and MPMD-6, do not co-crystallize. In copolymers containing large fractions of HMD, the MPMD units are excluded from the crystals. With appropriate thermal treatment, MPMD-6 can crystallize with two different unit cells and a variety of spherulitic morphologies. The two crystal forms can be distinguished by their crystallization, melting and optical properties. The crystallization kinetics of the copolymers are slower than those of the homopolymers, which is associated with the slower rate of nucleation formation rather than the transport ability. This is consistent with the dielectric results, which showed that the glass transition temperatures of the different copolymers are similar. It was found that MPMD-6 can be quenched into an amorphous state. The properties of the amorphous portions were further investigated through dielectric relaxations. Although, the incorporation of MPMD tends to shift the dielectric gamma relaxation towards higher temperatures, the total effects of variations on chemical structure were much smaller than those which pertain to the crystalline phase.
Heterodyne measurement of Wigner distributions for classical optical fields.

We demonstrate a two-window heterodyne method for measuring the x-p cross correlation, ??(*)(x)? (p)?, of an optical field ? for transverse position x and transverse momentum p. This scheme permits independent control of the x and p resolution. A simple linear transform of the x-p correlation function yields the Wigner phase-space distribution. This technique is useful for both coherent and low-coherence light sources and may permit new biological imaging techniques based on transverse coherence measurement with time gating. We point out an interesting analogy between x-p correlation measurements for classical-wave and quantum fields.
Environmental tritium as a hydrometeorologic tool in the Roswell basin, New Mexico, I. Tritium input function and precipitation-recharge relation☆

Abstract Tritium analyses of precipitation collected in central New Mexico in the years 1957–1968 were combined with precipitation distribution patterns in space and time. An empirical tritium input function (effective fallout) for the Roswell artesian basin in southeastern New Mexico was constructed. Rather than linearly related to precipitation, recharge is proportional to a sliding function of the mean annual precipitation. Proper selection of precipitation measuring stations was of critical importance in constructing the tritium input function.
Understanding the influence of turbulence in imaging Fourier transform spectroscopy of smokestack plumes

A Telops Hyper-Cam Fourier-transform spectrometer (IFTS) was used to collect infrared hyper-spectral imagery of the smokestack plume from a coal-burning power facility to assess the influence of turbulence on spectral retrieval of temperature (T) and pollutant concentrations (Ci ). The mid-wave (1.5-5.5 μm) system features a 320x256 InSb focal-plane array with a 326 μrad instantaneous field-of-view (IFOV). The line-of-sight distance to the 76mtall smokestack exit was 350m(11.4 x 11.4 cm2 IFOV). Approximately 5000 interferogram cubes were collected in 30 minutes on a 128x128 pixel window corresponding to a spectral resolution of 20 cm-1. Radiance fluctuations due to plume turbulence were observed on a time scale much shorter than hyper-spectral image acquisition rate, suggesting scene change artifacts (SCA) would be present in the Fourier-transformed spectra. Time-averaging the spectra minimized SCA magnitudes, but accurate T and Ci retrieval requires a priori knowledge of the statistical distribution of temperature and other stochastic flow field parameters. A method of quantile sorting in interferogram space prior to Fourier-transformation is presented and used to identify turbulence throughout the plume. Immediately above the stack exit, T and CO2 concentration estimates from the median spectrum are 395 K and 6%, respectively, which compare well to in situ measurements. Turbulence is small above the stack exit and introduced systematic errors in T and Ci on the order of 0.5 K and 0.01%, respectively. In some plume locations, turbulent fluctuations introduced errors in T and Ci on the order of 8 K and 1%, respectively. While more complicated radiance fluctuations precluded straightforward retrieval of the temperature probability distribution, the results demonstrate the utility of additional information content associated with multiple interferogram quantiles and suggest IFTS may find use as a tool for non-intrusive flow field analysis.
Mixed monolayers of straight and branched chain fatty acids Part 1: Mixed monolayers of n-tridecanoic, n-tetradecanoic and n-pentadecanoic acids with the iso-fatty acids 13-methyltetradecanoic acid, 14-methylpentadecanoic acid, 15-methylhexadecanoic acid, 16-methylheptadecanoic acid and 17-methyloctadecanoic acid

Abstract A study has been initiated to investigate the behavior of mixed straight-chain/iso-branched-chain fatty acid monolayer systems. In this publication we examine the effects of changing the iso-branched chain length while maintaining the chain-length of the straight-chain fatty acid constant. Three straight-chain fatty acids were selected: n-tridecanoic, n-tetradecanoic and n-pentadecanoic acid. The second component, iso-branched fatty acids selected were 13-methyltetradecanoic, 14-methylpentadecanoic, 15-methylhexadecanoic, 16-methylheptadecanoic and 17-methyloctadecanoic. The behavior of these systems is characterized primarily in terms of the shift of the liquid expanded/liquid condensed phase transition of the straight-chain acid produced by the addition of the iso-branched acids. The shifts are compared in terms of a relative chain-length number which is defined as the number of carbon atoms by which the pentadecanoic acid exceeds, or falls short of the branching carbon atom of the iso-branched acid. The shifts of the straight-chain acid phase change were found to range from large positive to smaller negative surface pressure changes as the relative chain-length number changed from +2 to −2. The two phase region width showed a corresponding dependency. Finally, it was found that, in spite of compensatory factors, the internal energies of the liquid expanded/liquid condensed phase change for iso-branched acids are much smaller than those of the corresponding straight-chain acids and for the mixed systems the (negative) values of the internal energy change increase as the iso-branched chain increases in length. This latter observation shows that the effects of chain branching decrease with an increase in the overall branched chain length or a decrease in the relative chain-length number.
Plant Density and Hybrid Impacts on Corn Grain and Forage Yield and Nutrient Uptake

ABSTRACT Corn (Zea mays L.) production recommendations should be periodically evaluated to ensure that production practices remain in step with genetic improvements. Since most of the recent increases in corn grain yield are due to planting at higher densities and not to increased per-plant yield, this study was undertaken to measure the effects of plant density and hybrid on corn forage and grain yield and on nutrient uptake. Plant density (4.9, 6.2, 7.4, and 8.6 seeds m−2) and hybrid relative maturity (RM) [early (108 day RM); medium (114 day RM); and late (118 day RM)] combinations were evaluated over five site-years under irrigated and non-irrigated conditions. The interaction of hybrid with plant density was never significant for grain, stem, or leaf biomass. The latest RM hybrid out-yielded the medium and early hybrids by 550 and 1864 kg ha−1, respectively. Grain yield was highest at 8.6 plants m−2. Total stem yield was also greatest at the highest plant density but by only 340 kg ha−1 more than at ...
Tectonic processes now in action

Tectonic processes may act either gradually as in connection with plastic flow, or as sudden movements connected with earthquakes. The first sort of movements requires that in a layer the stresses are larger than the strength of the material in opposing plastic or pseudo-plastic flow; the second that somewhere they surpass the breaking strength. In three papers [see 1, 2, 3 of “References” at end of paper], one of them jointly with Dr. Richter, the author recently has investigated such processes. In the present paper, it is intended to give a summary and to draw certain conclusions.
Hypervariable DNA Markers Reveal High Genetic Variability within Striped Bass Populations of the Lower Chesapeake Bay

Abstract We used a survey of hypervariable, variable number of tandem repeat (VNTR) loci to detect nuclear genetic differentiation within and among populations of striped bass Morone saxatilis in the lower Chesapeake Bay. This species has been refractory to population genetic analysis because it is depauperate in genetic variability. Previously described morphological differences and possible physiographic barriers to gene flow suggest the potential for differentiation among lower bay populations. In this study, we found considerable interindividual variation but relatively small levels of interpopulation variation among samples from the lower western shore of the Chesapeake Bay. The results suggest that stochastic genetic differentiation among these populations is unlikely and that relatively strong selection for locally adapted genotypes would be required for interpopulation differentiation to occur.
Correction of errors in scientific research

Four ways to reduce scientific errors are by tests of equipment and programs, examination of results, peer review, and replication. This article describes various types of errors that may occur and procedures available for the prevention and correction of both unintentional and intentional errors in experiments that use computer programs to generate the stimuli, record the responses, or analyze the data. We describe a case study of a particular experiment that produced a result that has been found to be erroneous. The case study provides additional evidence of the essential importance of replication for the identification and elimination of scientific error.
Substance P receptor-mediated chemotaxis of human monocytes

Abstract The undecapeptide substance P (SP) was tested for its ability to promote human monocyte chemotaxis in a modified Boyden chamber assay. Substance P was found to be active in this assay system with an ED50 for chemotactic effect of approximately 10−13 M. This response was shown to be chemotactic in nature since a concentration gradient of attractant was required for maximal effect. Other substance P analogs tested showed a rank order of potency of substance P ≧ SP (3–11) > SP (8–11) ≅ SP (9–11) ⪢ SP (1–9) , SP, free acid. These results suggest that chemotactic responsiveness is largely encoded in the C-terminus of the molecule. The relative potency order for SP and its analogs in promoting monocyte chemotaxis correlates well with their potencies in displacing labeled SP when binding sites are directly measured in other tissues, such as rat brain or human lymphocytes. Additionally, the chemotactic effects of SP could be partially reversed by the weak antagonist [D-Arg1, D-Pro2, D-Trp7,9, Leu11]-SP. The N-formyl peptide receptor antagonist, t-Boc-Phe-Leu-Phe-Leu-Phe, did not block SP-mediated chemotaxis, further indicating the specificity of these effects. These results suggest the existence of a specific substance P receptor on human monocytes which directs this chemotactic response. The ability of monocytes to respond chemotactically to SP may be relevant to the enhancing effects of SP in arthritis or other inflammatory diseases.
The Yamabe invariant of a class of symplectic 4-manifolds

Abstract We compute the Yamabe invariant for a class of symplectic 4-manifolds of general type obtained by taking the rational blowdown of Kahler surfaces. In particular, for any point on the half-Noether line we exhibit a simply connected minimal symplectic manifold for which we compute the Yamabe invariant.
HIV acquires functional adhesion receptors from host cells.

CD4 is known to serve as the principal cellular receptor for HIV. However, several observations suggest that other molecules may be involved in infection of cells by HIV. Cell adhesion molecules and their ligands expressed on HIV-susceptible cells have been implicated in the biology of HIV in a number of studies. We have recently reported that HIV and SIV acquire cell adhesion molecules from host cells. We now report that a specific cell adhesion molecule, CD44, that is acquired by HIV retains its biological activity when expressed on the virus. We tested CEMx174 cells, which are CD4-positive and HIV-susceptible for phorbol ester-inducible binding to hyaluronic acid through CD44. Phorbol ester-stimulated but not unstimulated CEMx174 cells bound hyaluronic acid. Likewise, HIV from stimulated cells but not from unstimulated cells bound hyaluronic acid through acquired CD44 molecules. This is the first demonstration that adhesion molecules acquired by HIV are functional and the results imply that HIV may hav...
Reactions and Diffusion of Water and Oxygen Molecules in Amorphous SiO2

Water and oxygen molecules determine many of the properties of amorphous SiO2 used in several technologies, but the underlying atomic-scale processes remain unresolved. We report results of firstprinciples calculations showing that a wide range of behavior is possible in an amorphous environment, including diffusion of the molecule as a whole and various reactions with the network. Experimental data including oxygen exchange reaction and radiation sensitivity are accounted for. The possibility of H3O 1 formation as a source of positive charge is discussed. Amorphous silicon-dioxide is a key component of metal-oxide semiconductor field-effect transistors, solar cells, and optical fibers, all of which are basic elements of modern technology. Practical applications are often limited by point defects that can change the mechanical, electrical [1], and optical [2] properties of the oxide. Many impurities, like hydrogen [3], alkali metals [4], or oxygen [5], are also known to affect the properties of the oxide. Water and oxygen molecules are also known to play important roles in determining the properties of amorphous SiO2, but the relevant atomic-scale configurations and processes remain unresolved. There exists no detailed account of whether these molecules remain intact in the interstitial regions, if they diffuse as molecules without breaking up, and if they attach whole to the network. In the case of water, vibrational data reveal signatures of both interstitial H2O molecules and silanol groups (SiOH) [6], with the ratios depending on sample preparation, total water uptake, and temperature. Experiments using H2O molecules with 18 O found that the latter exchange with network O atoms even at 400 ± C when oxidation processes are negligible [7]. Other experiments using tritiated water [8] found that tritium diffuses with an activation energy in the range of 0.6‐ 0.8 eV, which is in agreement with the value extracted from thermal oxidation data [9], although the identification of the diffusing species is uncertain. The above experiments are consistent, but suggest a rather complex diffusing mechanism that involves reactions with the network. 18 O tagged oxygen diffusion experiments show that
AN ANALYTICAL INVESTIGATION OF INSTRUCTIONS DESIGNED TO ELICIT TEST ANXIETY

Components of motivating instructions typically used to elicit performance decrements in high test-anxious Ss were investigated to determine whether: (a) the mention of a test, (b) identifying the test as an intelligence measure, or (c) suggesting evaluation in relation to a peer-group is primarily responsible for the observed decrement. High and low test-anxious Ss were given 12 paired-associated lists of common English word pairs, and experimental instructions between the 8th and 9th lists. Analyses of post-instruction changes in PA anticipation responses showed significant differences only between the instruction containing all three components and the control condition. The magnitude of the reliable performance decrement produced by the instructions was inversely related to Ss' level of performance before the instructions were given, and no decrement occurred for most Ss at the highest levels of pre-instructional proficiency. Increased emphasis might well be given to the analysis of effects of test an...
Root canal preparation in endodontics: conventional versus laser methods

ABSTRACT Conventional cleaning and shaping of root canal systems employs hand and/or rotaryinstrumentation to remove the contents of the canal and shape the canal to receive a filling material. With the advent of the Nd:YAG laser system another method of accomplishing proper cleaning and shaping is evaluated. Single rooted teeth were radiographed bucco-lingually and mesio-distally and were divided into 2 groups. The first group was accessed and the root canalsystems cleaned and shaped with a step back technique utilizing hand files and gates glidden burs.At completion of the procedure the teeth were again radiographed at the same positions as thoseprior to the procedure. The teeth were split longitudinally and examined under scanning electronmicroscopy to assess cleaning. The second group of teeth were accessed, and cleaning and shapingwas accomplished using the Nd:YAG laser in combination with hand files and rotary instruments.These teeth were subjected to the same analysis as those in the first group. The before and afterradiographs of each group were subjected to image analysis to determine effectiveness of the twomethods in shaping the canal systems. We will discuss the ability of Nd:YAG to clean and shaperoot canal spaces and remove smear layer and organic tissue remnants from those areas.1. INTRODUCTIONEndodontics is the removal of diseased tissue from the root canal system space of a tooth.Preparation of root canal system spaces involves the removal of organic tissue canal contents andshaping of the canal space to receive a filling material. The cleaning, shaping, and filling of theroot canal space is necessary to preserve the tooth in its natural position and return it to health andnormal function. Since the root canal space has a curved and complex geometry, hand instrumentsused to achieve proper preparation must be able to negotiate the space through its entire length.Conventional methods utilize a series of tapered stainless steel files, 25 to
Current pharmacotherapy for chemotherapy-induced nausea and vomiting in cancer patients.

Introduction: Nausea and vomiting are two of the most frequent and troubling side effects patients experience during chemotherapy, interfering with compliance with cancer therapies and quality of life. While newly available treatments have improved our ability to manage nausea and vomiting, anticipatory and delayed nausea and vomiting are still major problems for patients receiving chemotherapy. Many cancer patients consider delaying future chemotherapy cycles and some contemplate stopping chemotherapy altogether because of their fear of experiencing further nausea and vomiting. Areas covered: The purpose of this article is to provide an overview of the pathopsychophysiology of chemotherapy-induced nausea and vomiting (CINV), the recommended guidelines for treatment, and current agents in late-stage clinical trials, and future research needs to address the continued challenges of treatment-related nausea and vomiting. Expert opinion: Despite advances in pharmaceutical and behavioral therapies, and the pro...
Multistability, cross-modal binding and the additivity of conjoined grouping principles

We present a sceptical view of multimodal multistability—drawing most of our examples from the relation between audition and vision. We begin by summarizing some of the principal ways in which audio-visual binding takes place. We review the evidence that unambiguous stimulation in one modality may affect the perception of a multistable stimulus in another modality. Cross-modal influences of one multistable stimulus on the multistability of another are different: they have occurred only in speech perception. We then argue that the strongest relation between perceptual organization in vision and perceptual organization in audition is likely to be by way of analogous Gestalt laws. We conclude with some general observations about multimodality.
Nutrigenomics: Hope for Personalized Nutrition

Nutrigenomics is a science frontier between nutrition and genomics. The study of nutrigenomics has been made possible by advances in human nutrition, genomics, and computation science. Screening of health-related genes can be carried out for less than $100 because a person does not need the whole genome to assess his or her risks. There are many examples that personalized nutrition is a reality where people with different genotypes respond differently to nutrients or dietary habits. However, it is a different story for nutrition issues that are controlled by multiple genes. Human nutritionists need to further their collaboration with genomic researchers and computer scientists to solve the problems of the complicated interactions between nutrients and genes. Education and outreach are also needed to build the professional capacity of this new field.
Resilient node self-positioning methods for MANETS based on game theory and genetic algorithms

We present a distributed and scalable game participated by autonomous MANET nodes to place themselves uniformly over a dynamically changing environment. A node spreading potential game, called Rel-NSPG, run at each node, autonomously makes movement decisions based on localized data while the best next location to move is selected by a genetic algorithm (GA). Since it requires only a limited synchronization among the closest neighbors of a player, and does not require a priori knowledge of the environment, Rel-NSPG is a good candidate for node spreading class of applications used in military tasks. The performance of Rel-NSPG degrades gracefully when the number of MANET nodes decrease either due to equipment malfunction or hostile activities. We show that this resilience to loss of nodes is inherent in Rel-NSPG. Simulation experiments demonstrate that, after a subset of the MANET nodes arbitrarily become unavailable, the remaining nodes recover and offset lost nodes. Similarly, when there are losses concentrated in a given region, remaining nodes reconfigure their positions to compensate for the missing area coverage. The simulation experiments with arbitrarily placed obstacles, in addition to lost assests, produce promising results.
Integrating expectations from different sources to help end users acquire procedural knowledge

Role-limiting approaches using explicit theories of problem-solving have been successful for acquiring knowledge from domain experts. However most systems using this approach do not support acquiring procedural knowledge, only instance and type information. Approaches using interdependencies among different pieces of knowledge have been successful for acquiring procedural knowledge, but these approaches usually do not provide all the support that domain experts require. We show how the two approaches can be combined in such a way that each benefits from information provided by the other. We extend the role-limiting approach with a knowledge acquisition tool that dynamically generates questions for the user based on the problem solving method. This allows a more flexible interaction pattern. When users add knowledge, this tool generates expectations for the procedural knowledge that is to be added. When these procedures are refined, new expectations are created from interdependencymodels that in turn refine the information used by the system. The implemented KA tool provides broader support than previously implemented systems. Preliminary evaluations in a travel planning domain show that users who are not programmers can, with little training, specify executable procedural knowledge to customize an intelligent system.
An optimization-based approach for connecting partitioned mobile sensor/Actuator Networks

Wireless Sensor and Actuator Networks (WSANs) employ mobile nodes in addition to stationary tiny sensors. Similarly, mobile sensors make it possible to have the flexibility of mobility in mobile sensor network (MSN) applications. Mobility can be exploited to connect partitioned WSANs and MSNs due to large scale damages or deployment problems. However, since mobility consume significant energy and it can be limited due to terrain constraints, the travel distance for the mobile nodes should be minimized in such a recovery effort. In this paper, we present a mathematical model which minimizes the total travel distance for connecting a given number of partitions. The idea is based on network flows and the problem is modeled as a mixed integer nonlinear program. The nonlinear terms in the model are linearized using a polygon approximation for computational efficiency. We evaluated the performance of the proposed approach in terms of total distance as well as the time to reconnect the partitions. The results show that our approach outperforms the heuristic approach in terms of total distance and delay and reveals various trade-offs involved in connecting multiple partitions.
Key issues in the persistence of underrepresented minority students

Research on retention of students of color suggests possible areas of intervention to improve academic success.
Grandeur et servitude de l'immunologie humaine

> Les progres de la medecine ont permis a des millions d’individus de profiter d’une vie plus longue et de meilleure qualite. Ces progres sont principalement dus au controle des maladies infectieuses, grâce aux vaccins et aux antibiotiques. Mais il reste beaucoup a faire sur de nombreux fronts. L’emergence de nouveaux agents infectieux fait planer un risque incessant. De plus, la plupart des maladies actuelles sont d’evolution chronique, et leur morbidite est souvent associee a un dysfonctionnement du systeme immunitaire, qui echoue a nous proteger contre ces agents infectieux, contre les cellules tumorales, ou qui se retourne contre nos propres antigenes. Cela est flagrant dans les manifestations des maladies liees a l’auto-immunite, l’allergie, l’inflammation chronique ou l’atherosclerose. C’est la lourde tâche de l’Immunotherapie que de reduire ce dysfonctionnement immunitaire, en accroissant l’efficacite de la reponse immune, pour detruire ou bouter l’intrus hors de l’organisme, ou en perennisant ou restaurant un etat de tolerance dans les cas d’auto-immunite, d’inflammation, d’allergie ou de rejet de greffe. Cela se fera via des vaccins therapeutiques, qui constituent l’immunotherapie active, ou l’administration d’anticorps monoclonaux, de cytokines, de cellules immunes pre activees dans l’immunotherapie passive. Il faut reconnaitre a cette derniere de beaux succes medicaux (et commerciaux), comme les anticorps anti-TNF (tumor necrosis factor) ou anti-CD20, l’Interferon α, le G-CSF (granulocyte colony-stimulating factor)... Mais beaucoup reste a faire, et c’est le but de cet editorial de discuter les obstacles (agony) mais aussi les sources d’enthousiasme (ecstasy) que suscite le champ de recherches de l’immunologie humaine.
Incremental cost consensus algorithm in a smart grid environment

In a next generation power system, effective distributed control algorithms could be embedded in distributed controllers to properly allocate electrical power among connected buses autonomously. In this paper, we present a novel approach to solve the economic dispatch problem. By selecting the incremental cost of each generation unit as the consensus variable, the algorithm is able to solve the conventional centralized control problem in a distributed manner. The row-stochastic matrices have been used to indicate the different topologies of distribution systems and their configuration properties, such as convergence speeds. The simulation results of several case studies are provided to verify the algorithm.
Implications of Attitude Change Theories for Numerical Anchoring: Anchor Plausibility and the Limits of Anchor Effectiveness

Abstract Effects of extreme versus moderate numerical anchors are investigated. Similar to past results in attitude change, three separate data collections show that extreme anchors can have less influence on judgments than more moderate anchors. Though difficult to account for using traditional “anchor-and-adjust” and recent “selective accessibility” views, the findings are consistent with theories of attitude change. Implications of an attitude-change view of numerical anchoring are discussed.
Human activity recognition in video using a hierarchical probabilistic latent model

In this work, we address the recognition of human activities from a sequence of visual data. To this end, a novel hierarchical probabilistic latent (HPL) model is proposed, which consists of four layers from bottom-up: spatiotemporal visual features layer, atomic pattern layer, latent topic layer, and behavior pattern layer. In this manner, the complicated human activities can be decomposed into low level features, atomic patterns, and latent topics, which are much better suited for the automatic understanding of human behaviors. Given a video sequence, both spatial and temporal interest points are extracted as the low level visual features, which are clustered into distributions of atomic patterns using hierarchical Bayesian networks (HBNs). Then, the proposed hierarchical probabilistic latent model is applied to represent the behavior patterns and latent topics as distributions over atomic patterns. Extensive experimental results based on the KTH dataset have demonstrated the efficiency of the proposed framework.
Application of the Frequency Response Matrix Method for an Extended Target

The frequency response matrix (FRM) method is a super-resolution technique used to locate point targets and to retrieve their reflection coefficients. This method applies a MUSIC-style subspace approach to a multistatic data matrix, which is formed by using all antenna array elements for both transmission and reception. Thus, a single snapshot of multistatic data acquisition provides richer information than its classical MUSIC counterpart. In this paper we augment the original (point target based) formulation of the FRM method so as to make it applicable to extended targets of moderate size. First we show that the same pseudo-distribution used in H. Lev-Ari and A.J. Devaney (2000) and R. Zandifar (2001) to locate point targets can still be used to obtain a reliable estimate of the location of the extended target. Then, we rely on a Taylor series expansion to construct a low-rank approximation of the acquired multistatic data matrix, and use it to estimate the target's size and scattering amplitude (a.k.a reflection coefficient). Mathematical analysis is presented and simulation results are shown
Antihypertensive and Renoprotective Mechanisms of Renin Inhibition in Diabetic Rats

Diabetic nephropathy, the most common cause of end-stage renal disease (ESRD) in the Western world, is characterized by suppression of the systemic but activation of the intrarenal tissue renin-angiotensin system (RAS).1 Blockade of the RAS with angiotensin converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors or angiotensin type-1 receptor blockers (ARBs) retards but does not eliminate the progression of diabetic nephropathy to ESRD in prospective, randomized, controlled clinical trials.2–4 Studies have demonstrated that a major component of tissue protection from RAS blockers derives from reduction in blood pressure.5 However, a possibility for failure to prevent completely the decline in renal function attributable to tissue damage is that the activity of the intrarenal RAS may be inadequately suppressed by these drugs. Renin, an aspartyl protease cleaving angiotensinogen (Agt) at the origin of the angiotensin peptide cascade, has been a logical target for RAS inhibition. Since 1982, when the first peptide analogues of Agt were designed to block its catalytic cleavage by renin,6 multiple attempts have been made to inhibit renin, first by dipeptide transition-state analogue inhibitors of the renin active site and most recently by nonpeptide compounds, of which aliskiren is the most successful example.7 Aliskiren, approved for the treatment …
Is IDDQ Test of Microprocessors Feasible

Quiescent leakage current (Iddq) test has proven very effective for detecting defects that escape other test methods, such as small delay faults or reliability hazards. However, leakage currents in microprocessors, digital signal processors, and graphics processors have risen to the point that these products no longer use Iddq test. Quality must be achieved through other test methods, often at higher development and application cost. We propose to bring Iddq test back to high performance chips by using a practical built-in current sensor (BICS). 180 nm test chip results show that a small sensor can achieve a resolution of 54 muA, which is adequate to detect most small delay defects and reliability hazards
Effectiveness of the Surgery Core Clerkship Flipped Classroom: a prospective cohort trial

Abstract Background The flipped classroom has been proposed as an alternative curricular approach to traditional didactic lectures but has not been previously applied to a surgery clerkship. Methods A 1-year prospective cohort of students ( n = 89) enrolled in the surgery clerkship was taught using a flipped classroom approach. A historical cohort of students ( n = 92) taught with a traditional lecture curriculum was used for comparison. Pretest and post-test performance, end-of-clerkship surveys, and National Board of Medical Examiners (NBME) scores were analyzed to assess effectiveness. Results Mean pretest and post-test scores increased across all modules ( P P = .28). Mean ratings of career interest in surgery increased after curriculum completion (4.75 to 6.50, P Conclusions Implementation of a flipped classroom in the surgery clerkship is feasible and results in high learner satisfaction, effective knowledge acquisition, and increased career interest in surgery with noninferior NBME performance.