cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
A Standardized Approach to Parenteral Nutrition for the Geriatric Patient

: Parenteral nutrition can be a useful therapeutic and prophylactic tool in managing some geriatric patients who present with nutritional deficiences that accompany acute and chronic diseases. An outline is given of recommended procedures, e.g., solutions, dosages, indications, and contraindications. The techniques described permit a standardized approach to parenteral nutrition for most patients.
REGULATION OF DEOXYADENOSINE AND NUCLEOSIDE ANALOG PHOSPHORYLATION BY HUMAN ADENOSINE KINASE: 89

The phosphorylation of dadenosine and nucleoside analogs is important in adenosine deaminase deficiency and for specific anticancer and antiviral drugs. We examined the regulation of nucleoside phosphorylation by adenosine kinase purified 4000-fold (2.1 μmol/min/mg). The Km values of dadenosine and ATP were 135 μM and 4 μM, respectively. Potassium and magnesium are absolute requirements for dadenosine phosphorylation and 150 mM potassium and 5 mM MgCl2 are critical for linear kinetics. At 0.4 mM MgCl2 in excess of ATP levels, the Km for dadenosine increased 10-fold. ADP is a competitive inhibitor with a Ki of 13 μM with variable MgATP2-, while it is a mixed inhibitor with a Ki and Ki' of 600 μM and 92 μM, respectively, when dadenosine is variable. AMP is a mixed inhibitor with Ki and Ki' of 180 μM and 20 μM, respectively, with variable dadenosine. Adenosine kinase phosphdrylates adenine arabinoside (ara-A) with an apparent Km value of 1 mM. The Km values for 6-methylmercapto-purine riboside and 5-iodotubercidin were estimated to be 7 μM and 3 nM, respectively. These data indicate that dadenosine phosphorylation is regulated by its Km, and levels of Mg, ADP, and AMP. The high Km values for phosphorylation of dadenosine and ara-A suggest that adenosine kinase may have a limited role for phosphorylation of these nucleosides in vivo.
Neopentylglycolborylation of aryl mesylates and tosylates catalyzed by Ni-based mixed-ligand systems activated with Zn.

The mixed-ligand system NiCl2(dppp)/dppf is shown to be an effective catalyst for the neopentylglycolborylation of ortho-, meta-, and para-substituted electron-rich and electron-deficient aryl mesylates and tosylates. The addition of Zn powder as a reductant dramatically increases the reaction yield and reduces the reaction time by more than an order of magnitude, providing complete conversion in 1−3 h.
Longitudinal measures of lung function in infants with bronchopulmonary dysplasia

Summary. We previously demonstrated that infants with a history of bronchopulmonary dysplasia (BPD) exhibit airflow obstruction and air trapping. The purpose of this study was to assess longitudinal changes in pulmonary function in infants with a history of BPD over the first 3 years of life, and the relationship to somatic growth. Spirometry was measured using the raised volume rapid thoracoabdominal compression technique, and lung volumes measured by plethysmog- raphy. Eighteen infants (mean gestational ageSD 27.3 � 2.2 weeks, birthweight 971 � 259 g) underwent two lung function studies. Average age at first test was 58.8 weeks. Spirometry demonstrated significant reductions in forced expiratory volume in 0.5 sec (FEV0.5, 76.0 � 15.9% predicted, Z-score � 2.13 � 1.69), forced expiratory flow at 75% of expired forced vital capacity (FEF75, 54.8 � 31.1%, � 3.58 � 2.73), and FEF25-75 (67.8 � 33.3%, � 1.79 � 1.76). Group mean total lung capacity (TLC) was in the low normal range (82.9 � 13.5% predicted) and residual volume (RV)/TLC was mildly elevated (122.4 � 38.2% predicted). Repeat testing was performed an average of 32.7 weeks after initial testing. At re-evaluation, group mean lung volumes and flows tracked at or near their previous values; thus, in general, there was a lack of catch-up growth. However, compared to infants with below average or average somatic growth (as represented by g/day), infants with above average growth showed significantly greater improvements in percent predicted FVC, FEV0.5, TLC, and RV/TLC (all P < 0.05, ANOVA). We conclude that longitudinal measures of pulmonary function in infants and young children with BPD demonstrate significant airflow obstruction and modest restriction, which tends to persist with time. On the other hand, infants with above average somatic growth showed greater lung growth than their peers. Additional studies examining the effects of various nutritional regimens on lung function are warranted.
Comment on "Electromagnetic production of kaons"

We comment on a recent paper from Adelseck and Wright in which kaon photoproduction and electroproduction data have been fit within a diagrammatic model. The importance of the resonance ${K}_{1}$(1280) in recovering the canonical Born coupling constants is questioned.
Rescue of photoreceptor degeneration in rhodopsin-null Drosophila mutants by activated Rac1.

Rhodopsin is essential for photoreceptor morphogenesis; photoreceptors lacking rhodopsin degenerate in humans, mice, andDrosophila. Here we report that transgenic expression of a dominant-active Drosophila Rho guanosine triphosphatase, Drac1, rescued photoreceptor morphogenesis in rhodopsin-null mutants; expression of dominant-negative Drac1 resulted in a phenotype similar to that seen in rhodopsin-null mutants. Drac1 was localized in a specialization of the photoreceptor cortical actin cytoskeleton, which was lost in rhodopsin-null mutants. Thus, rhodopsin appears to organize the actin cytoskeleton through Drac1, contributing a structural support essential for photoreceptor morphogenesis.
What is Consciousness For

Abstract The question “What is consciousness for?” is considered with particular relevance to objects created using interactive technologies. It is argued that an understanding of artificial life with it attendant notion of robotic consciousness is not separable from an understanding of human consciousness. The positions of Daniel Dennett and John Searle are compared. Dennett believes that by understanding the process of evolutionary design we can work towards an understanding of consciousness. Searle's view is that in most cases mental attributes such as consciousness are either dispositional or are observer relative. This opposition is taken as the basis for a discussion of the purposes of consciousness in general and how these might be manifest in human and robotic forms of life.
Effect of corticosteroid interval on markers of inflammation in spontaneous preterm birth

Objective The objective of the study was to evaluate whether the time interval from corticosteroid administration to delivery is associated with variations in inflammatory/infectious markers in women with spontaneous preterm birth (SPTB). Study Design We conducted a secondary analysis of a prospectively collected cohort of women experiencing SPTB from 23 0/7 to 31 6/7 weeks. Patients were categorized by corticosteroid receipt and time interval until delivery. Prevalence of markers of inflammation and colonization/infection (cord blood interleukin [IL]-6 levels; Ureaplasma urealyticum [UU], Mycoplasma hominis [MH], and other anaerobic/aerobic cultures; histology of the placental disc, membranes and cord) were compared between groups using χ 2 and Mantel-Haenszel tests. Results Two hundred seventy-three patients had SPTB. Prevalence of elevated IL-6 ( P = .028) and positive UU/MH cultures ( P = .019) were highest in women not receiving corticosteroids and those delivering more than 7 days from receipt. The prevalence of both decreased in groups with delivery delayed at least 12 hours but increased as the interval lengthened to more than 48 hours. Overall positive placental cultures also nadired among those delivering at 12-24 hours after corticosteroids ( P = .049). As the interval increased, prevalence of acute inflammation at the rupture site increased ( P = .017). There were similar, but nonsignificant, increases in chorionic plate inflammation and funisitis. Conclusion The relationship between time interval from corticosteroids and evidence of inflammation in women experiencing SPTB is U shaped, suggesting earlier stages of inflammation in women with delayed delivery or transient decreases of inflammation in response to corticosteroids. This warrants further investigation to elucidate the natural history of SPTB and its modulation by corticosteroids.
Luminescence response of an osmium(II) complex to macromolecular polyanions for the detection of heparin and chondroitin sulfate in biomedical preparations

Heparin, dextran sulfate (DS), chondroitin sulfate (CS), and carrageenan are found to enhance the luminescence intensity of an osmium(II) carbonyl complex with phenanthroline (phen) and 4-phenylpyridine (4-phpy) ligands in aqueous and ethanol solutions. The enhancing effect of the polyanions on the luminescence of the complex is heavily dependent on the sulfate content and other factors such as structure, solubility, and counter ions of the polyanion. The highly sulfated dextran and ι-carrageenan have the most profound effect, while the low charged κ-carrageenan and CS have the least response in aqueous solution. All polyanions exhibited enhanced luminescence intensity of the complex in ethanol solutions, and even the low charged CS and κ-carrageenan enhanced the luminescence more than 4 times. DS contamination of the sodium heparin at 5% can show a significant increase in luminescence response. The osmium complex is found to be highly successful in the fast and sensitive detection of heparin in commercial injectable samples with various backgrounds as well as the detection of CS in over the counter food supplement tablets.
Hand and eye preference in unilaterally brain ablated monkeys.

Abstract Monkeys were observed for hand and eye preferences before and after having different amounts of unilateral brain ablation. Hemicerebrectomized monkeys were limited to using the hand ipsilateral to the ablation and consistently preferred the ipsilateral eye although each eye contributed to the remaining visual field. Animals with a similar visual field defect, as a result of occipital lobectomy, also preferred the ipsilateral hand and eye. Measurements taken 23–29 months later indicated a tendency for eye preference in the occipital group to return to preoperative levels, whereas eye preference decreased only sightly, if at all, for hemicerebrectomized animals. Results for normal monkeys and those with prestriate decortication showed no specific pattern of change from measurement to measurement. The results were discussed with regard to (a) locating or identifying modes of visual processing, (b) the directness of intrahemispheric connections as compared to interhemispheric pathways, and (c) related human data. The possibility of functional differences between the nasal and temporal retina in relationships with ipsilateral and contralateral motor control of the hand was suggested by these data.
Is complexity really the enemy of software security

Software complexity is often hypothesized to be the enemy of software security. We performed statistical analysis on nine code complexity metrics from the JavaScript Engine in the Mozilla application framework to investigate if this hypothesis is true. Our initial results show that the nine complexity measures have weak correlation (ρ=0.30 at best) with security problems for Mozilla JavaScript Engine. The study should be replicated on more products with design and code-level metrics. It may be necessary to create new complexity metrics to embody the type of complexity that leads to security problems.
Potential energy curves and electronic structure of 3d transition metal hydrides and their cations

We investigate gas-phase neutral and cationic hydrides formed by 3d transition metals from Sc to Cu with density functional theory (DFT) methods. The performance of two exchange-correlation functionals, Boese-Martin for kinetics (BMK) and Tao-Perdew-Staroverov-Scuseria (TPSS), in predicting bond lengths and energetics, electronic structures, dipole moments, and ionization potentials is evaluated in comparison with available experimental data. To ensure a unique self-consistent field (SCF) solution, we use stability analysis, Fermi smearing, and continuity analysis of the potential energy curves. Broken-symmetry approach was adapted in order to get the qualitatively correct description of the bond dissociation. We found that on average BMK predicted values of dissociation energies and ionization potentials are closer to experiment than those obtained with high level wave function theory methods. This agreement deteriorates quickly when the fraction of the Hartree-Fock exchange in DFT functional is decreased. Natural bond orbital (NBO) population analysis was used to describe the details of chemical bonding in the systems studied. The multireference character in the wave function description of the hydrides is reproduced in broken-symmetry DFT description, as evidenced by NBO analysis. We also propose a new scheme to correct for spin contamination arising in broken-symmetry DFT approach. Unlike conventional schemes, our spin correction is introduced for each spin-polarized electron pair individually and therefore is expected to yield more accurate energy values. We derive an expression to extract the energy of the pure singlet state from the energy of the broken-symmetry DFT description of the low spin state and the energies of the high spin states (pentuplet and two spin-contaminated triplets in the case of two spin-polarized electron pairs). The high spin states are build with canonical natural orbitals and do not require SCF convergence.
Bisabolyl-derived sesquiterpenes from tobacco 5-epi-aristolochene synthase-catalyzed cyclization of (2Z,6E)-farnesyl diphosphate.

We report the structures and stereochemistry of seven bisabolyl-derived sesquiterpenes arising from an unprecedented 1,6-cyclization (cisoid pathway) efficiently catalyzed by tobacco 5-epi-aristolochene synthase (TEAS). The use of (2Z,6E)-farnesyl diphosphate as an alternate substrate for recombinant TEAS resulted in a robust enzymatic cyclization to an array of products derived exclusively (≥99.5%) from the cisoid pathway, whereas these same products account for ca. 2.5% of the total hydrocarbons obtained using (2E,6E)-farnesyl diphosphate. Chromatographic fractionations of extracts from preparative incubations with the 2Z,6E substrate afforded, in addition to the acyclic allylic alcohols (2Z,6E)-farnesol (6.7%) and nerolidol (3.6%), five cyclic sesquiterpene hydrocarbons and two cyclic sesquiterpene alcohols: (+)-2-epi-prezizaene (44%), (−)-α-cedrene (21.5%), (R)-(−)-β-curcumene (15.5%), α-acoradiene (3.9%), 4-epi-α-acoradiene (1.3%), and equal amounts of α-bisabolol (1.8%) and epi-α-bisalolol (1.8%). The structures, stereochemistry, and enantiopurities were established by comprehensive spectroscopic analyses, optical rotations, chemical correlations with known sesquiterpenes, comparisons with literature data, and GC analyses. The major product, (+)-2-epi-prezizaene, is structurally related to the naturally occurring tricyclic alcohol, jinkohol (2-epi-prezizaan-7β-ol). Cisoid cyclization pathways are proposed by which all five sesquiterpene hydrocarbons are derived from a common (7R)-β-bisabolyl+/pyrophosphate− ion pair intermediate. The implications of the “cisoid” catalytic activity of TEAS are discussed.
The influence of matrix and laser energy on the molecular mass distribution of synthetic polymers obtained by MALDI-TOF-MS

Abstract The molecular mass distribution (MMD) obtained in synthetic polymer characterization by matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization time-of-flight mass spectrometry (MALDI-TOF-MS) may be biased by preferential desorption/ionization of low mass polymer molecules, preferential ion attachment to larger polymers, or degradation and fragmentation due to the desorption process. In this study we focus on the effect of matrix and laser energy on the MMD of four synthetic polymers of low polydispersity with varying thermal stabilities. The four polymers considered were polystyrene (PS), poly(ethylene glycol) (PEG), poly(methyl methacrylate) (PMMA) and poly(tetrahydrofuran) (PTHF). The matrix in which the polymer is analyzed may also influence the laser energy effect of MALDI and was also considered in this paper. Three common matrixes were considered, dithranol, all trans-retinoic acid (RA) and 2,5-dihydroxybenzoic acid (DHB). Statistical analyses of the molecular mass distributions, obtained by varying laser energy and matrixes, reveal trends that can be used to describe the influences of matrix and laser energy on MALDI-TOF-MS data measurement of synthetic polymers. The statistical analysis revealed that the matrix has a greater effect on the polymer MMD than was expected. Polymers analyzed in DHB yielded lower mass moments than polymers analyzed in RA and dithranol. The effects of laser power on the MMD of the polymers were found to be matrix dependent.
Examination of the psychometric properties of the temperament and character inventory self-transcendence dimension

Using a sample of 376 undergraduate students, the present investigation examined the validity of the Self-Transcendence Dimension of the Temperament and Character Inventory (TCI). Though evidence of reliability, criterion validity, and convergent validity for the total Self-Transcendence dimension was generally obtained, factor analysis of the TCI Self-Transcendence items provided marginal support for its five subscale structure. Based on additional factor analytic work, four revised subscales were developed for TCI Self-Transcendence. Labeled Spiritual and Religious Beliefs (SRB), Unifying Interconnectedness (UIC), Belief in the Supernatural (BSN), and Dissolution of Self in Experience (DSE), these subscales were found to produce scores of adequate to excellent reliability and all but DSE demonstrate strong associations with conceptually similar constructs. The paper concludes with a discussion of the meaning and implications of our findings for the TCI and future research on spirituality and personality.
NOAA-3 Satellite Observations of Thunderstorms in Alaska

Abstract The very high resolution radiometer imagery from the NOAA-3 satellite is used to obtain the spatial and temporal distribution of thunderstorms in Alaska. Although the observations presented here are confined to only one summer, they show 1) the capability of NOAA-3 very high resolution radiometer imagery for thunderstorm studies, and 2) that the widespread thunderstorm development is the result of the interaction of large-scale motion with topography of certain areas in the interior of Alaska.
Star formation in spiral galaxies. I - H-alpha observations

This paper presents large-aperture photometric measurements of H-alpha + forbidden N II emission line strengths in 110 spiral galaxies. These galaxies represent three different samples of objects: (1) low surface brightness spiral galaxies; (2) galaxies of extreme arm classifications (flocculent versus grand design); and (3) galaxies with measured (B -H) colors which have been used to study the color-absolute magnitude relation for spiral galaxies. Details of the observations are given, and a comparison is made with previous work. Future papers will use this data to study the star-formation rates in the various samples. 13 refs.
The Influence of Surgical Approach on Quality of Life After Parathyroid Surgery

Background It is well established that quality of life improves after parathyroidectomy. Less well understood is the impact of surgical approach on quality of life during recovery. This study was undertaken to determine whether surgical approach influences quality of life after surgery for hyperparathyroidism.
CAUSES OF INCREASED HOSPITAL STAY AFTER RADICAL CYSTECTOMY IN A CLINICAL PATHWAY SETTING

Purpose: Our institution targets postoperative days 6 to 8 for discharge home after radical cystectomy. We examined this population to determine the causes of increased hospital stay and risk factors that may predict prolonged hospitalization.Materials and Methods: We reviewed the records of 304 consecutive patients who underwent radical cystectomy from October 1995 to July 2000. The variables examined included age, gender, race, American Society of Anesthesiologists score, urinary diversion type, smoking history, estimated blood loss, transfusion requirement, operative time, hospital stay, perioperative minor and major complications, and the mortality rate.Results: Of the 304 patients 144 (47.4%) underwent ileal conduit diversion and 145 (47.7%) underwent orthotopic bladder substitution. Median hospital stay was 7 days (range 4 to 48). Of 302 patients 225 (74%) were discharged home by postoperative day 8, while 52 of the remaining 77 (67.5%) with increased hospital stay were discharged home by day 12. Po...
Possible Origin and Early Dynamical Evolution of the Pluto-Charon Binary

Abstract The dynamical state of the Pluto-Charon binary is distinctive in several respects including its well-known position in the Neptune 3:2 mean motion resonance, its librating argument of perihelion, and its high heliocentric eccentricity and inclination. Here we present a suite of numerical simulations of bodies in the outer Solar System which demonstrate that Pluto's high-heliocentriceccentricity and high-inclination states can both result directly from objects initially on low-inclination, nearly-circular orbits. This evolution occurs entirely due to gravitational interactions with the giant planets in their present orbits and causes objects to be trapped in both the Neptune 3:2 mean motion resonance and a perihelion libration similar to Pluto's, but with a 3:2 libration amplitude that is much larger than that of the Pluto-Charon binary. Therefore, in order to achieve a complete scenario for the evolution of Pluto into its present dynamical state, it is also necessary for Pluto's 3:2 libration amplitude to be damped by some dissipative event or events. We show that there are several mechanisms that can achieve this dissipation including (i) a single giant impact (which may have formed the binary itself), or (ii) a large number of physical collisions and gravitational interactions with the primordial Kuiper belt population.
High-speed modulation of InGaAs-GaAs strained-layer multiple-quantum-well lasers fabricated by chemically assisted ion-beam etching

Graded-index separate-confinement heterostructure (GRINSCH) strained-layer lasers with five In/sub 0.3/Ga/sub 0.7/As quantum wells have been fabricated with cavity lengths from 50 to 400 mu m using chemically assisted ion-beam etching (CAIBE) to form the laser mirrors. The dry-etching process is thermally assisted, which gives a reproducible etching rate. A minimum threshold-current value is observed at a cavity length of 50 mu m, showing that the multiquantum-well design is optimum for short-cavity lasers. A relaxation oscillation frequency of 10 GHz and a -3 dB bandwidth of 15 GHz have been measured on a 200*10 mu m mesa-structure device. >
UWAN-MAC: An Energy-Efficient MAC Protocol for Underwater Acoustic Wireless Sensor Networks

In this paper, we propose a distributed, scalable, energy-efficient media access control (MAC) protocol that works despite long, unknown propagation delays of the underwater acoustic medium. This protocol can be used for delay-tolerant applications such as underwater ecological sensor networks between energy-limited nodes. Our protocol differs significantly from ALOHA, multiple access with collision avoidance (MACA), and the media access protocol for wireless LANs (MACAW) in that energy is the main performance metric in our case rather than bandwidth utilization. We show that under a realistic underwater sensor network scenario, our MAC protocol wastes only 4% of the transmit energy and only 1.5% of the receive energy due to collisions, when the average number of neighbors is four, and the duty cycle is 0.004. This distributed, scalable MAC protocol has the potential to serve as a primer for the development of energy-efficient MAC protocols for future underwater sensor networks.
Biomass density and filament length synergistically affect activated sludge settling: Systematic quantification and modeling

Settling of the biomass produced during biological treatment of wastewater is a critical and often problematic process. Filamentous bacteria content is the best-known factor affecting biomass settleability in activated sludge wastewater treatment systems, and varying biomass density has recently been shown to play an important role as well. The objective of this study was to systematically determine how filament content and biomass density combine to affect microbial biomass settling, with a focus on density variations over the range found in full-scale systems. A laboratory-scale bioreactor system was operated to produce biomass with a range of filamentous bacterium contents. Biomass density was systematically varied in samples from this system by addition of synthetic microspheres to allow separation of filament content and density effects on settleability. Fluorescent in-situ hybridization indicated that the culture was dominated by Sphaerotilus natans, a common contributor to poor settling in full-scale systems. A simple, image-based metric of filament content (filament length per floc area) was linearly correlated with the more commonly used filament length per dry biomass measurement. A non-linear, semi-empirical model of settleability as a function of filament content and density was developed and evaluated, providing a better understanding of how these two parameters combine to affect settleability. Filament content (length per dry biomass weight) was nearly linearly related to sludge volume index (SVI) values, with a slightly decreasing differential, and biomass density exhibited an asymptotic relationship with SVI. The filament content associated with bulking was shown to be a function of biomass density. The marginal effect of filament content on settleability increased with decreasing biomass density (low density biomass was more sensitive to changes in filament content than was high density biomass), indicating a synergistic relationship between these factors. Consideration of both biomass density and filament content, as by the methods and model described herein, should improve operation and troubleshooting of settling processes for biological solids.
Mobility-Aware Routing Protocol for Mobile Ad-Hoc Networks

This paper introduces a novel mobility-aware routing protocol (MARP) for mobile, cognitive ad-hoc networks. Traditional routing protocols trigger the routing updates after the nodes detect the route failure. Even if the link condition is getting worse which means the link is likely to break in the future, the nodes will still transmit the packets along the current path. MARP uses cognitive techniques to predict when the link is likely to break so that it can inform the previous hop to trigger the routing updates before the link breaks. In this way, the nodes are aware of the physical topology changes. Based on simulation results, MARP can increase overall performance of the network significantly.
Normalisation of prescribed dose in BNCT

Normalisation of prescribed dose in boron neutron capture therapy (BNCT) is needed to facilitate combining clinical data from different centres in the world to help expedite development of the modality. The approach being pursued within the BNCT community is based upon improving precision in the measurement and specification of absorbed dose. Beam characterisations using a common method are complete as are comparative dosimetry measurements between clinical centres in Europe and the USA. Results from treatment planning systems at these centres have been compared with measurements performed by MIT, and the scale factors determined are being confirmed with independent tests using measurements in an ellipsoidal water phantom. Dose normalisations have successfully been completed and applied to retrospectively analyse treatment plans from Brookhaven National Laboratory (1994-99) so that reported doses are consistently expressed with the trials performed during 1994-2003 at Harvard-MIT. Dose response relationships for adverse events and other endpoints can now be more accurately established.
Victims of Stalking A Study of Service Needs as Perceived by Victim Services Practitioners

In the past decade, there has been a growing effort across numerous disciplines to begin to document, explain, and address the problem of stalking. Because community services for stalking victims have scarcely been addressed in the literature, this study sought to explore the provision of services to stalking victims in the context of crime-victim service delivery networks. A 40-item questionnaire was mailed to all victim services programs listed in Florida and California. Victim services practitioners (VSPs) were asked to describe and evaluate the needs of stalking victims and their communities' responses to this population. The study found that: (a)VSPs' perceptions and provision of services varied significantly across employment settings (criminal justice vs. private/nonprofit or university-based programs), (b) victims of nondomestic stalking (perpetrated primarily by acquaintances and strangers) appear to be underserved, and (c) VSPs suggest community and service-provider education and training would ...
Stabilization of an embedded fiber optic Fabry-Perot sensor for ultrasound detection

A method is proposed to stabilize an intrinsic fiber optic Fabry-Perot interferometric sensor embedded in a solid material for the purpose of detecting ultrasound. Without stabilization the interferometer drifts out of quadrature due to the presence of low-frequency dynamic strains. Stabilization is achieved by using active homodyne stabilization which tunes the laser frequency to maintain quadrature. A control loop shifts the laser frequency by 10 GHz at rates less than 25 Hz in order to compensate for induced drifts. The stabilization procedure was tested for a sensor embedded in an epoxy plate. Ultrasonic pulses, generated by a 5 MHz piezoelectric transducer, were detected with the embedded fiber sensor stabilized in the presence of applied low frequency strains. Improvements in sensitivity which result from stabilization are demonstrated. Additionally, a simulated acoustic emission signal, generated by a lead pencil break (Hsu-Neilson source), was detected with the sensor stabilized in the presence of dynamic strains. >
Loss of Radioactivity From Barium Carbonate Samples

The exchange loss of radioactivity from solid samplos of barium carbonate through the agency of carbonic acid and its ions has been investigated under a variety of conditions. It is concluded that the losses observed are greatly dependent upon the method of sample preparation, in particular the nature or any heat treatment which the sample materials undergo.
Fuzzy automata and life

Boolean cellular automata may be generalized to fuzzy automata in a consistent manner. Several fuzzy logics are used to create 1-dimensional automata and also 2-dimensional automata that generalize the game of life. These generalized automata are investigated and compared to their Boolean counterparts empirically and using rule entropy and repeated input response functions. Fuzzy automata offer new mechanisms for classification of classical automata and can be used for insight into their qualitative behavior. © 2002 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Market segment analysis to target young adult wine drinkers

Consumer segmentation in the wine industry takes on many forms: demographic, geographic, behavioral, and others. In the United States, one of the most promising new demographic segments is the Millennial or Echo Boomer segment, which is being targeted by many consumer industries due to its size and buying power. For the wine industry, this group currently fits the legal drinking age range of 21 to 28. This empirical study describes the perceptions and attitudes of 108 Millennials regarding wine and what the wine industry can do to better market to them in a responsible manner. Results indicate that there is a need for greater wine advertising to this group utilizing fun, social, and relaxed settings; more innovative packaging and labels; a focus on “value” wines; as well as taste enhancements and environmental emphasis. [EconLit citations: M310]. © 2006 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Agribusiness 22: 307–322, 2006.
Psychotherapy for self-stigma among rural clients

The stigma of mental disorders and psychological treatment afflicts rural clients more than most. This article provides practitioners with guidance in selecting and utilizing effective treatments for self-stigma in rural settings. We review both public stigma and self-stigma. Public stigma explains society's negative impact on individuals, while self-stigma describes an individual's internalization of public stigma. We review treatment principles and empirical research on psychotherapy for self-stigma rural settings. We finish with a case illustration of cognitive therapy with a rural client suffering from self-stigma.
Embryo culture media and neonatal birthweight following IVF

BACKGROUND Infants conceived from IVF are at increased risk for low birthweight. Animal studies suggest that embryo culture medium influences birthweight but it is unknown whether this association exists in humans. This study examines the relationship between culture medium and birthweight following IVF. METHODS We identified all IVF cycles with start dates between 1 January 1999 and 31 December 2008 that used autologous oocytes with resulting embryos cultured in G1.3, Global or G1.5 medium. The population was restricted to singleton deliveries following Day 3, fresh single embryo transfer, or twin deliveries following Day 3, fresh double embryo transfer, at a gestational age of ≥ 34 weeks. Only the first cycle during the study period was included for each woman. Women were excluded if the number of gestational sacs on ultrasound differed from the number of infants born. Variables were evaluated with the χ²-test or analysis of variance. Multiple linear regressions controlled for potential confounders. RESULTS Of the 198 women with singleton deliveries, 102 embryos were cultured in G1.3, 53 in Global and 43 in G1.5 medium. Of the 303 twin deliveries, 172 pairs of embryos were cultured in G1.3, 58 in Global and 73 in G1.5 medium. No significant association between culture medium and birthweight was observed, even when controlling for potential confounders. CONCLUSIONS This retrospective study demonstrated no significant association between embryo culture medium and birthweight following IVF. Although our careful selection of patients minimized the influence of potential confounders, further research is required to elucidate this issue with larger numbers of patients.
Phylogeny of Heliconius Butterflies Inferred from Mitochondrial DNA Sequences (Lepidoptera: Nymphalidae)

The genus Heliconius has been revised more than a dozen times, yet relationships among many of its species groups remain obscure. A reliable phylogenetic hypothesis is desirable, because the genus has been a model system for studies of tropical community ecology, mimicry, and ecological genetics for the last 3 decades. A new cladogram for 35 species of Heliconius and the related genera Eueides, Laparus, and Neruda is presented, based on mitochondrial sequences spanning part of the COI gene and the COII gene. The data support most traditionally recognized species groups and also the monophyly of the above four genera with respect to other heliconiine outgroups. However, Heliconius is paraphyletic with respect to the other three genera. These data will allow a reinvestigation of problematical morphological, behavioral, and cytological traits in the group.
Effects and Utility of Minimum Length Limits and Mortality Caps for Flathead Catfish in Discrete Reaches of a Large Prairie River

Abstract Populations of flathead catfish Pylodictis olivaris in four reaches of the Kansas River, Kansas, were examined to evaluate the effects of three minimum length limits (305 (the minimum size that anglers are willing to harvest), 610, and 762 mm total length (TL)) on population size structure and number harvested over a 30-year simulation. We used electrofishing and hoopnetting to capture and tag flathead catfish throughout the Kansas River from 2005–2006. Current exploitation (u) based on tag returns was probably less than 10%, and total annual mortality A ranged from 14% to 28% across all reaches. Increased river access and promotion of this fishery may increase u in the future, so model simulations were conducted with conditional natural mortality (cm) and u ranging from 10% to 40%. Proportional stock density (PSD) and the relative stock density of preferred-length fish (RSD-P) substantially declined (by >25% and >15%, respectively) as u increased with the 305-mm TL limit over the 30-year simulat...
Does Allan variance determine the spectrum

The phase-noise spectrum determines the Allan variance by a well-known integral formula. It is shown here that unique inversion of this formula is not possible in general because the mapping from spectrum to Allan variance is not one-to-one. A necessary and sufficient condition for two distinct phase spectra to have the same Allan variance is given.
HIV Treatment Scale-Up and HIV-Related Stigma in Sub-Saharan Africa: A Longitudinal Cross-Country Analysis.

Objectives. We estimated the association between antiretroviral therapy (ART) uptake and HIV-related stigma at the population level in sub-Saharan Africa.Methods. We examined trends in HIV-related stigma and ART coverage in sub-Saharan Africa during 2003 to 2013 using longitudinal, population-based data on ART coverage from the Joint United Nations Program on HIV/AIDS and on HIV-related stigma from the Demographic and Health Surveys and AIDS Indicator Surveys. We fitted 2 linear regression models with country fixed effects, with the percentage of men or women reporting HIV-related stigma as the dependent variable and the percentage of people living with HIV on ART as the explanatory variable.Results. Eighteen countries in sub-Saharan Africa were included in our analysis. For each 1% increase in ART coverage, we observed a statistically significant decrease in the percentage of women (b = −0.226; P = .007; 95% confidence interval [CI] = −0.383, −0.070) and men (b = −0.281; P = .009; 95% CI = −0.480, −0.082...
Chemical order in PMN-related relaxors: structure, stability, modification, and impact on properties

High temperature thermal treatments were used to modify the cation order in several tantalate and niobate members of the Pb(Mg1/3Nb2/3)O3 (PMN) family of relaxors. The observation of complete 1:1 structural order in several compositions, and the refined cation occupancies of well-ordered samples conflict with the predictions of the “space charge” model, and support the “random site” description for the B-site order. In this charge balanced model one of the positions in the ordered structure is solely occupied by Ta (Nb), while the other contains a random distribution of Mg and the remaining Ta (Nb) cations. The stability of the order and magnitude of the domain growth is strongly influenced by solid solution additives. For Pb(Mg1/3Ta2/3)O3 (PMT), ordering-enhancing Zr, Sc, or La substituents increase the cation order–disorder transition temperature (∼1375°C in pure PMT) and promote extensive domain coarsening. For pure PMN a low temperature (<1000°C) order–disorder transition prevents any structure modification, and domain growth could only be realized with additives (Tb, Sc, or La) that stabilize the order to temperatures where the samples are “kinetically active”. The retention of relaxor behavior in all the fully 1:1 ordered, large-domain PMT and PMN-based ceramics suggests that the disorder on the random site is critical in frustrating ferroelectric order. By systematically controlling the concentration of ferroelectrically active cations on this position in fully ordered (1−x)Pb(Mg1/3Ta2/3)O3–(x)Pb(Sc1/2Ta1/2)O3 solid solutions, a crossover from relaxor to normal ferroelectric behavior was induced at x=0.5.
Endoscopic ultrasound in pediatric patients

Abstract Endoscopic ultrasound is becoming increasingly popular in the practice of pediatric gastroenterology. It is widely used in adults to both diagnose and treat gastrointestinal tract pathology, including, but not limited to, congenital abnormalities, submucosal lesions, cholelithiasis, malignancies, autoimmune diseases (ie, Crohn's disease, ulcerative colitis), pancreaticobiliary disease, and eosinophilic esophagitis. Experience with this technology in pediatric population is still limited but is rapidly growing. Certain aspects of pediatric cases require special consideration, especially differences in size of anatomy, leading to increased use of miniprobes. In this article, we will review the current role of endoscopic ultrasound in the pediatric population and highlight the published experience with this technology in children.
Energy sorghum biomass harvest thresholds and tillage effects on soil organic carbon and bulk density

Bioenergy feedstock production systems face many challenges, among which is the lack of guidelines on sustainable biomass harvest thresholds and tillage cropping systems that maintain soil quality and productivity. We used the ALMANAC crop model to evaluate four biomass removal rates, 0%, 50%, 75% and 100%, and four tillage cropping systems, continuous No Till (NT), and Conventional Till (CT), and periodically plowed or subsoiled NT lands at Shorter, AL, for a Lynchburg loamy sand soil, over 51 yr of actual weather data: 1960–2010. Farmers periodically plow or subsoil NT lands to alleviate problems of drainage, pests, and soil compaction. Given the importance of soil organic carbon (SOC) as a soil quality indicator, we premised sustainability upon the maintenance of SOC at or above the initial SOC levels. As expected, NT had the highest SOC and lowest bulk density (BD) across the four biomass removal rates and gained the highest percent SOC over the 51-yr simulation period. For this study, the 75% biomass removal rate was applied sustainably on NT energy sorghum production systems, giving an annual harvestable biomass yield of 18.0 ± 0.9, residue biomass, 6.2 ± 0.3, and a root biomass of 7.2 ± 0.4 Mg ha−1. However, the 75% removal rate also significantly increased soil bulk density, a critical indicator of soil compaction, by 30%. Compared to conventional tillage, subsoil tillage maintained SOC and better alleviated soil compaction in NT systems, but at the reduced biomass removal threshold of 50%. Long-term biomass removal resulted in reduced total biomass yields over time due to nutrient depletion as reflected by increased N stress days on subsequent crops. We attributed the N stress to N immobilization by the decomposing residues, reduced mineralization and N losses. Additional inputs will be needed to avoid increased N uptake from the soil which could result in soil mining.
Dynamics of molecular processes at surfaces: vibrational lineshapes and spectra

Abstract Extremely useful connections exist between the dynamics of adsorbed molecule vibrations, as revealed in spectroscopic lineshapes, and the dynamics of molecular processes at surfaces because in both cases, the constituent atoms of a molecule, solid, or combination of the two execute multi-dimensional, motion over the same potential energy surfaces. In this paper, recent insights and advances in surface dynamics will be applied to the problem of vibrational lineshapes. Classical particle and semi-classical wavepacket dynamics will be used to address the issues of energy decay (T 1 ) vs. pure dephasing (T 2 '), overtones, and non-linear dynamics as they apply to lineshape analysis.
Measurement of flow maldistribution in parallel channels and its application to ex-situ and in-situ experiments in PEMFC water management studies

Uniform flow distribution is critical to obtaining high performance in many heat and mass transfer devices. It also plays an important role in the effective operation of a proton exchange membrane fuel cell (PEMFC). Presently there are a few theoretically based models available for predicting flow distribution in individual fuel cell channels and across fuel cell stacks in PEMFCs, but little or no experimental data has been published on the actual flow rates measured in individual channels. This is mainly because of the lack of experimental techniques available to measure the instantaneous flow rates in parallel channels. In this work, a novel technique based on the entrance region pressure drop measurements is presented for monitoring fluid flow maldistribution in individual channels. The method is validated using liquid water flow in a test section with four tubes in parallel, and then applied to assess the air flow maldistribution in PEMFCs using (a) an ex-situ experimental setup simulating the two-phase flow in parallel channels, and (b) an in-situ experimental setup with an operating fuel cell. While an almost uniform air distribution is obtained for the parallel channels with an impermeable backing (plastic sheet), severe maldistribution is observed for the same channels with porous GDL backing. The maldistribution caused by the water blockage in an ex-situ test setup is further investigated and the results are verified by the high-speed images of the two-phase flow in channels. The technique has also been applied in an in-situ experimental setup to obtain the flow maldistribution under electrochemical reaction conditions in the presence of two-phase flow in the cathode side gas channels.
Small‐scale electric fields in downward auroral current channels

[1] The origin and spatiotemporal properties of small-scale, intense electric fields and currents commonly observed by low-altitude, polar-orbiting satellites in the vicinity of discrete auroral arcs are investigated numerically. It is shown that these electromagnetic structures can be generated by the development of ionospheric feedback instability inside the resonant cavity formed by the ionospheric E-layer and an auroral acceleration region. The major factor regulating feedback unstable dynamics is the downward current channel of a large-scale, slowly evolving auroral current system interacting with the ionosphere. The downward current lowers the instability threshold by depleting the E-region plasma density and conductivity, thereby allowing the development of a large perpendicular electric field in the E-layer. The downward field-aligned current also produces a collisionless resistive layer in the lower magnetosphere where the parallel drift speed of current-carrying electrons exceeds a critical threshold for onset of microinstability. This resistive layer provides a highly reflective upper boundary for the
Supplier Relations and Selection in the Foodservice Industry

This paper reports the results of a questionnaire-based study of large-scale foodservice organizations with regard to supplier selection criteria and supplier relationships. It also examines current trends in vendorbases in terms of the number of vendors used, the amount of international buying being done, and the practice of single sourcing.
Laser-Induced Damage Probability at 1.06 μm and 0.69 μm

The first directly comparable measurements of the laser-induced surface damage process at both ruby and Nd:YAG laser wavelengths are reported. The most striking feature of the data is that all the materials studied are harder to damage at 0.69 μm than at 1.06 μm. The probabilistic nature of the laser-induced damage process at 1.06 μm was explored further by measuring the distribution of breakdown starting times with an image-converter streak camera. The observed distribution is described by the compound probability that breakdown occurs at a particular time, given that it has not occurred before that time. In addition, several connections between the probabilistic and thresholdlike interpretations of laser-induced damage are discussed. It is shown that these points of view are not totally incompatible.