cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Research on Image Recognition of Power Inspection Robot Based on Improved YOLOv3 Model

YOLO series models are widely used in power inspections, but they are prone to miss inspections for small targets and diverse targets. In response to this defect, an improved network model of YOLOv3-g suitable for GPU cores and an improved network model of YOLOv3 mini suitable for CPU cores are proposed. By reducing the number of small and medium-scale targets, the number of convolution kernels is increased, and the small and medium-scale targets are increased. The intensity of feature extraction reduces the amount of network calculations and better solves the problem of inaccurate detection and recognition of small targets in electric robot scenes.
Medical Student Research Productivity: Which Variables are Associated with Matching to a Highly Ranked Orthopaedic Residency Program?

Objective Little is known about the importance of an applicant's research productivity in terms of matching into a highly-ranked orthopaedic residency. We characterized the research of orthopaedic residents who matched in 2017 to determine whether 1) program tiers differed by their residents’ research; and 2) discrete increases in applicants’ research were associated with matching into higher-ranked programs. Design We searched Scopus for resident publications accepted before 2017 or published through January 2017. Using an established ranking system, programs were ranked (tier-1, highest; tier-5, lowest) by their department's number of citations from 2005 to 2015. We compared resident research productivity among these 5 tiers. We then categorized residents by discrete levels of research productivity (0, 1, or ≥2 publications) and compared the differences in matched program rank. Setting Data collection and analysis performed at Johns Hopkins Hospital, a tertiary care center in Baltimore, MD. Participants We obtained our sample from allopathic orthopaedic program websites, excluding military programs and international students, for a total of 111 programs (565 of 726 matched residents [78%]). Results Tier-1 and tier-2 programs differed significantly in their residents’ publications, h-index, and citations. Programs of other tiers did not differ significantly. Applicants with 1 publication matched to higher-ranked residency programs than those with 0 publications. When comparing residents with 1 publication versus residents with more than 1 publication, we found no significant differences in program rank matched. Conclusions Our results suggest that higher-tier orthopaedic residency programs match residents with greater research productivity than do lower-tier programs. Having 1 publication was associated with matching into a higher-ranked program but no significant associations were observed beyond the first publication.
Labor Induction at 39 Weeks Compared with Expectant Management in Low-Risk Parous Women

Objective Our objective was to compare outcomes among low-risk parous women who underwent elective labor induction at 39 weeks versus expectant management. Study Design This is a secondary analysis of an observational cohort of 115,502 mother–infant dyads who delivered at 25 hospitals between 2008 and 2011. The inclusion criteria for this analysis were low-risk parous women with nonanomalous singletons with at least one prior vaginal delivery after 20 weeks, who delivered at ≥390/7 weeks. Women who electively induced between 390/7 and 396/7 weeks were compared with women who expectantly managed ≥390/7 weeks. The primary outcome for this analysis was cesarean delivery. Secondary outcomes were composites of maternal adverse outcome and neonatal adverse outcome. Multivariable logistic regression was used to estimate adjusted odds ratios (aOR). Results Of 20,822 women who met inclusion criteria, 2,648 (12.7%) were electively induced at 39 weeks. Cesarean delivery was lower among women who underwent elective induction at 39 weeks than those who did not (2.4 vs. 4.6%, adjusted odds ratio [aOR]: 0.70, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.53–0.92). The frequency of the composite maternal adverse outcome was significantly lower for the elective induction cohort as well (1.6 vs. 3.1%, aOR: 0.66, 95% CI: 0.47–0.93). The composite neonatal adverse outcome was not significantly different between the two groups (0.3 vs. 0.6%; aOR: 0.60, 95% CI: 0.29–1.23). Conclusion In low-risk parous women, elective induction of labor at 39 weeks was associated with decreased odds of cesarean delivery and maternal morbidity, without an increase in neonatal adverse outcomes. Key Points
Prolific Origination of Eyes in Cnidaria With Co-Option of Non-Visual Opsins

Animal eyes vary considerably in morphology and complexity, and are thus essential for understanding the evolution of complex biological traits. While eyes evolved many times in bilaterian animals with elaborate nervous systems, image-forming and simpler eyes also exist in cnidarians, ancient non-bilaterians with only simple neural nets to process information. How often eyes of varying complexity, including image-forming eyes, arose in animals with such simple neural circuitry remains obscure. Here, we produced large-scale phylogenies of Cnidaria and their photosensitive proteins and coupled them with an extensive literature search on eyes and light-sensing behavior to show that cnidarian eyes originated at least eight times, with complex, lensed-eyes having a history separate from other eye types. Compiled data show widespread light-sensing behavior in eyeless cnidarians and comparative analyses support ancestors without eyes that already sensed light with dispersed photoreceptor cells. The history of expression of the photoreceptive protein opsin supports the inference of distinct eye origins via separate co-options of different non-visual opsin paralogs into eyes. Overall, our results show that eyes evolved repeatedly from ancestral photoreceptor cells in non-bilaterian animals with simple nervous systems, co-opting existing precursors, similar to what occurred in Bilateria. Our study underscores the potential for multiple, evolutionarily-distinct visual systems and underlying developmental pathways, even in animals with simple nervous systems.
The Afterlives of Those Who Write Themselves. Rethinking Autobiographical Archives

As those who write themselves, life narrators are readers, interpreters, and curators of the archival material, both intimate and impersonal, accrued during their lifetimes. These materials form an archival pre-life that is extended and complemented by posthumous remediations of their narrated lives. Personal archives may include writing in journals and diaries, digital exchanges on social media and blogs, documents, and images in photographs and drawings, as well as the ephemera of recorded memories and impressions; as this archive is activated in life writing, its texts project an archival imaginary. Once a life narrative enters public circulation, the archive of self accrues future ‘afterlives’ as it is edited, reframed, and remediated in subsequent editions and by translation into other languages or media for different reading publics, both during and after a writer’s life. The interactive relationship of self-archives and afterlives makes clear that the texts of self-life-writing, whether published or unpublished, complete or fragmentary, are objects of inquiry in movement – not transparent, stable phenomena that generate ‘truth,’ but dynamic sites open to interpretation in their textual afterlives. An autobiographical narrative is, thus, never just ‘the life’: supplements, remediations, and new versions are created in interactions with the practices and positions of new generations of readers. This essay takes up the iterative, interactive, and intersubjective dynamics of autobiographical archives and the temporalities of autobiographical afterlives in eight exemplary cases of life writing. Observing autobiographical archives in their histories of circulation, republication, and repurposing situates the question of afterlives as a mode of ‘beyond endings’ in larger debates about ethical reading, methodological constraint, and theoretical adequacy.
Low prevalence of COVID-19 Exposure is Coincident with Self-reported Compliance with Public Health Guidelines among Essential Employees at an Institute of Higher Education

ImportanceDetailed analysis of infection rates paired with behavioral and employee reported risk factors are vital to understanding how COVID-19 transmission may be inflamed or mitigated in the workplace. Institutes of Higher Education are heterogeneous work units that supported continued in person employment during COVID-19, providing an excellent test site for occupational health evaluation. ObjectiveTo evaluate self-reported behaviors and SARS-CoV-2 among essential in-person employees during the first six months of the COVID-19 pandemic. DesignCross-sectional, conducted from July 13-September 2, 2020. SettingInstitute of Higher Education in Fort Collins, Colorado. ParticipantsEmployees identified to be an essential in-person employee during the first six months of the pandemic (1,522 invited, 1,507 qualified, 603 (40%) completed the survey). Of those completing the survey, 84.2% (508) elected to participate in blood and nasal swab sample collection to assess active SARS-CoV-2 infection via qRT-PCR, and past infection by serology (overall completion rate of 33.7%). Eligibility included > 18 years old, able to read and understand English, not currently experiencing cough, shortness of breath or difficulty breathing, fever >100.4F (38C), chills/shaking with chills, muscle pain, new or worsening headaches, sore throat or new loss of sense of taste/smell. ExposureSelf-reported COVID-19 protective behaviors Main Outcome(s) and Measure(s)Current SARS-CoV-2 infection detected by qRT-PCR or previous SARS-CoV-2 infection detected by IgG SARS-CoV-2 testing platform. ResultsThere were no qRT-PCR positive tests, and only 2 (0.39%) contained seroreactive IgG antibodies. Participants were 60% female, 90% non-Hispanic white, mean age 41 years (18-70 years). Handwashing and mask wearing were reported frequently both at work (98% and 94% respectively) and outside work (91% and 95% respectively) while social distancing was reported less frequently at work (79%) then outside of work (92%) [p < .001]. Participants were more highly motivated to avoid exposures out of concern for spreading to others (83%) than for personal implications (63%) [p < .001]. Conclusions and RelevanceThis is one of the first reports to document that complex work environments can be operated safely during the COVID-19 pandemic when employees report compliance with public health practices both at and outside work.
Sidi Al-Mukhtar Al-Kunti's Treatise on Diplomacy and the Ethics of Relation

By reading al-Mukhtar al-Kuntis treatise on diplomacy, Risalat fi ikhmad al-fitan al-qabail, in the context of an ethnically and religiously diverse 18th century West African landscape, the importance of his many poetic devises emerges; certain unique word choices and verses of poetry bring his Islamic theories about the self and about leadership into resonance with a set of philosophical concepts as expressed in various Mande languages. Al-Mukhtar al-Kunti articulates a theory of mind and of self upon which he then builds an ethics of leadership grounded in diplomatic practices. Furthermore, these ethical practices are indispensable to the constitution of resilient political authority. This paper analyzes important passages from this treatise in order to draw out the ontological questions that al-Mukhtar al-Kunti raises about the connection between political authority and an ethics of international relation. Secondly, the paper looks at the poetics of al-Mukhtar al-Kuntis treatise with a view to examining how his poetics helps to navigate the tension between the ontological formulation of a state of affairs in the world and those ethical concerns that have their place in questioning the necessity of that ontology itself.
45022 Exploring Career Development Needs of Junior Investigators in Clinical Translational Science

ABSTRACT IMPACT: By understanding Junior investigator characteristics and CTSA support services which strongly influence scientific productivity and impact, we will inform and improve research training and enhance the career development of future generations of clinical and translational science researchers. OBJECTIVES/GOALS: In the field of clinical and translational science, the career trajectory and definition of Junior Investigators (JIs) vary greatly. This study aims to investigate JI characteristics, training, and support that contribute to career development at the University of California Los Angeles (UCLA) Clinical and Translation Science Institute (CTSI). METHODS/STUDY POPULATION: Every 18 months, the UCLA CTSI administers the Longitudinal Scientific Achievement Survey, which collects information on the predictors of scientific productivity and impact. In 2018, a special supplement was added to survey JIs who received CTSA support between 2011 and 2017 (n=305), including questions on knowledge, use, and effectiveness of CTSA specific support, barriers and facilitators of research, scientific productivity, and perceived scientific impact. A literary analysis was conducted to explore previous categorizations of JIs. The JIs in our sample conducted bench to bedside, population and policy research at our four partner sites. Bivariate and logistic regression analysis were conducted to examine the significant predictors of a new grant award attributed to the CTSA support/services. RESULTS/ANTICIPATED RESULTS: The survey response rate was 82% (n=250). Respondents include core voucher co-investigators, enrollees in the Training Program in Translational Science, and K- and K-to-R workshop participants. Bivariate results showed new grant awardees significantly more likely to have the following characteristics: physician scientist with an MD and PhD (47%), pilot grant awardee (42%), core voucher awardee (49%), four or more types of CTSI support (48%), prior affiliation with an NIH institute/center other than NCATS (42%), and reported at least one impact in science, health, and/or the community (72%). Multivariate results showed that investigators with a prior core voucher award, a prior NIH affiliation, or reported one or more impacts were the strongest predictors of obtaining a new grant (each with OR>=4.0). DISCUSSION/SIGNIFICANCE OF FINDINGS: The most successful investigators consulted with NIH program officers and received feedback on their research plans and methods. Sufficient funding is crucially important to research progression. In our CTSA hub, vouchers and grants to initiate new studies or offset costs of existing research are consistent predictors of new extramural funding.
Using Disciplinary Literacy Practices to Enhance Interdisciplinary Instruction

To prepare students to integrate diverse perspectives, colleges nationwide offer a wide range of interdisciplinary learning experiences. Within this educational context, students often need more th...
Acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) in adults: disparities in treatment intervention based on access to treatment facility

Adult acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) is associated with poor outcomes. We evaluated differences by facility type in the parameters of 6766 adult ALL patients ≥ 40 years of age diagnosed from 2004 to 2015 in the National Cancer DataBase (NCDB) and survival outcomes using two-sample t-tests or chi-square tests and Cox proportional hazards models. Those treated in academic facilities were younger (mean 58.5 versus 61.7 years, p < 0.001), Black (8.1% versus 5.6%, p < 0.001), had private insurance (50.9% versus 44.0%, p < 0.001), and more likely to receive chemotherapy (93.2% versus 81.4%, p < 0.001), any radiotherapy (14.9% versus 7.3%, p < 0.001), stem cell transplant (9.4% versus 2.5%, p < 0.001), or total body irradiation (TBI) (11.3% versus 4.3%, p < 0.001). Patients treated at an academic facility had a higher hazard of death (p<.05) while those that received any chemotherapy or TBI or CNS radiation had a lower risk of death (all p < 0.05). These parameters should be evaluated in future studies.
Development of an Unsteady Vortex Lattice Method to Model Propellers at Incidence

The complex aerodynamics of a propeller at incidence involve multiple asymmetric flow conditions around the disk, with each originating from different physical phenomena. These asymmetries give ris...
Predictors of thoracic and lumbar spine injuries in patients with TBI: A nationwide analysis.

Abstract Objective: Cervical spine injury screening is common practice for traumatic brain injury (TBI) patients. However, risk factors for concomitant thoracolumbar trauma remain unknown. We characterized epidemiology and clinical risk for concomitant thoracolumbar trauma in TBI. Methods: We conducted a multi-center, retrospective cohort analysis of TBI patients in the National Trauma Data Bank from 2011-2014 using multivariable logistic regression. Results: Out of 768,718 TBIs, 46,654 (6.1%) and 42,810 (5.6%) patients were diagnosed with thoracic and lumbar spine fractures, respectively. Only 11% of thoracic and 7% of lumbar spine fracture patients had an accompanying spinal cord injury at any level. The most common mechanism of injury was motor vehicle accident (67% of thoracic and 71% and lumbar fractures). Predictors for both thoracic and lumbar fractures included moderate (thoracic: OR 1.26, 95%CI 1.21-1.31; lumbar: OR 1.13, 95%CI 1.08-1.18) and severe Glasgow Coma Scale (GCS) score (OR 1.71, 95%CI 1.67-1.75; OR 1.17, 95%CI 1.13-1.20) compared to mild; epidural hematoma (OR 1.36, 95%CI 1.28-1.44; OR 1.1, 95%CI 1.04-1.19); lower extremity injury (OR 1.38, 95%CI 1.35-1.41; OR 2.50, 95%CI 2.45-2.55); upper extremity injury (OR 2.19, 95%CI 2.14-2.23; OR 1.15, 95%CI 1.13-1.18); smoking (OR 1.09, 95%CI 1.06-1.12; OR 1.12, 95%CI 1.09-1.15); and obesity (OR 1.39, 95%CI 1.34-1.45; OR 1.29, 95%CI 1.24-1.35). Thoracic injuries (OR 4.45; 95% CI 4.35-4.55) predicted lumbar fractures, while abdominal injuries (OR 2.02; 95% CI 1.97-2.07) predicted thoracic fractures. Conclusions: We identified GCS, smoking, upper and lower extremity injuries, and obesity as common risk factors for thoracic and lumbar spinal fractures in TBI.
Polarity dependence of electrical breakdown in argon under a non-uniform electric field

A considerable difference in the breakdown potential of a uniform pressure gas (specifically argon) under an asymmetric non-uniform electric field is observed depending on the polarity of the field. The degree of variation in the breakdown potential between the two polarities can be explained if one assumes a strong variation of the ion-induced secondary electron emission coefficient with the magnitude of the reduced electric field at the cathode. The magnitude of the breakdown potential can be predicted by evaluating the breakdown criterion along multiple field lines if one includes a numerical factor to account for diffusion of electrons out of the preferred breakdown channel.
Demographic and Clinical Predictors of Postpartum Blood Pressure Screening Attendance.

Background: Hypertensive disorders of pregnancy (HDP) cause substantial preventable maternal morbidity and mortality. Postpartum hypertension that worsens after women are discharged is particularly...
Carrier-Phase Acceleration RAIM for GNSS Satellite Clock Fault Detection

A novel method for detecting GPS satellite clock excessive acceleration faults is presented, which allows users of GBAS to detect clock faults even during extended outages of the Differentially Corrected Positioning Service (DCPS). The method is based on monitoring residuals of the acceleration solution computed from carrier-phase measurements. To demonstrate its function, the algorithm is verified using data collected from a hardware receiver. Because the algorithm is designed to react to rare events, a simulation is used to study algorithm performance in the presence of a fault. The proposed method represents a significant reduction in ranging error, by two orders of magnitude for the same probability of missed detection, as compared to conventional Receiver Autonomous Integrity Monitoring (RAIM). Copyright © 2012 Institute of Navigation
Cytochrome P-450 from Bovine Adrenocortical Mitochondria: an Enzyme for the Side Chain Cleavage of Cholesterol: I. PURIFICATION AND PROPERTIES

Abstract One cytochrome P-450 has been purified from bovine adrenocortical mitochondria to near homogeneity. The enzyme catalyzes the conversion of cholesterol and 20α-hydroxycholesterol to pregnenolone (side chain cleavage) and shows traces of 11β-hydroxylase activity. The conversion of cholesterol to pregnenolone occurs without demonstrable accumulation of biosynthetic intermediates, i.e. hydroxylated cholesterols. The kinetic constants for side chain cleavage are as follows: cholesterol: Km, 0.19 mm; and 20α-hydroxycholesterol: Km, 0.012 mm. The P-450 described here shows the following properties: molecular weight, 850,000; s20, w0, 22 x 10-13; partial specific volume, 0.765. The enzyme is isolated in a form which is approximately 50 % high spin and 50 % low spin; it contains eight heme groups per molecule and is stable in 50 % glycerol.
Chaos Time Series Analysis

The sections in this article are 1 Methods for Evaluation of Time Series Data 2 Evaluation of Experimental Data 3 Continuous Chaotic Modeling Versus Discrete Chaotic Modeling
Insulin-like growth factors I and II in maternal and fetal guinea pig serum.

The role of insulin-like growth factors (IGFs) in fetal development has been the subject of much speculation. We undertook studies of maternal and fetal IGF I and II in the guinea pig because the long gestation period and greater size of the fetuses permitted blood sampling over a longer period of gestation and maturation than is possible in the rat. Acid gel filrates of fetal and maternal serum were prepared, and the IGF I was measured by RIA; IGF II was measured by rat placental membrane radioreceptor assay. Fetal IGF I levels were lower than maternal levels from the 33rd day of estimated gestation to term. Fetal IGF II levels from the 33rd day to the 49th day of gestation were not significantly different from those of maternal serum [1597 ± 377 (se) ng/ml vs. 1295 ± 224] ng/ml. Very high levels of IGF II, in excess of 5000 ng/ml, were observed in fetuses at 50,55, and 60 days of gestation. Thereafter, fetal IGF II levels fell markedly before term. Fetal and maternal IGFs after 49, 50, 60, and 65 days o...
Understanding ultrahigh doping: the case of boron in silicon.

Using first-principles calculations, we develop a theory for ultrahigh impurity doping in semiconductors. Our study of B in Si explains why boron solubility in epitaxial growth could exceed the solid solubility to reach the kinetic solubility, and, with adequate surface passivation, to reach even higher values. We further show that the partial ionization at high B concentration, C B , observed by experiment is predominantly an electron chemical potential effect, not a boron clustering effect. Our calculated hole concentration over a wide C B range is in reasonable agreement with experiments.
Determination of the fracture energy of a composite by the method of digital speckle correlation

We have developed a computational-and-experimental procedure for evaluating the fracture energy of composite materials, which lies in the determination of surface displacements in a neighborhood of the tip of a stress concentrator under static tension by the method of digital speckle correlation. Using the known displacement distribution, we calculate strains in the prefracture zone as well as the opening and shear of crack lips for given loading force and measuring base. The static tensile stress-strain diagram, together with the established specimen strain, enables us to find stresses in the prefracture zone. Using these data, we find the fracture energy of the composite. We also present some results of investigations for a three-layer composite material based on an epoxy-phenol plastic reinforced chaotically with disperse particles.
A review of recent research into aerodynamics of sport projectiles

A review of aerodynamics research connected to sport projectiles is presented here. The review’s focus is on work conducted in the current millennium, though deference is made to some classic work still invaluable to modern research. Besides serving as a resource for seasoned scientists and engineers, this article is especially geared toward young investigators who are just beginning careers in sport science. Basic and sophisticated methods are discussed, including vacuum physics, air drag, lift, numerical approaches, trajectory analysis, wind tunnels, and computational fluid dynamics. Eighteen sports are discussed with an eye to future research.
Endomicroscopy and biocompatible fluorescent nanocomplexes for clinical translation of high-resolution optical molecular imaging

This paper reports on our recent development of two-types of all-fiber-optic scanning endomicroscopy technologies for high-resolution optical imaging of internal organs. The first one is an OCT balloon catheter technology that permits systematic imaging of fine architectural morphologies of internal luminal organs over a large area. The second is a two-photon fluorescence endomicroscopy technology that enables assessment of tissue biochemical/metabolic information with a superb spatial resolution. Both endomicroscopes have a small diameter (1.2–2.4 mm) and can be readily integrated with a standard clinical gastroscope, providing complementary information about tissue structure and function and helping improve diagnostic yield. We will discuss the basic design principles, major engineering challenges, solutions, and some preliminary results. In addition, we will also present our approach in developing near infrared (NIR) fluorescent nanocomplexes (ICG-micelles), which can be functionalized for active molecular targeting to improve molecular specificity and imaging contrast. These nanocomplexes, made of FDA approved building blocks, are biocompatible and very promising for clinical translation. Ultimately the NIR nanocomplexes can be used in conjunction with endomicroscopy technologies for performing high-resolution optical molecular imaging in vivo and in real time.
Exponents for the Pressure Dependence of Hydrogen Permeation through Pd and Pd—Ag Alloy Membranes

A frequently employed boundary condition for H permeation of membranes is pdown ≈ 0 and, for this case, the flux is given by J = (KDH/d)pupn, where K is a constant and d is the membrane thickness. Values of n can then be obtained from slopes of plots of ln J against ln pup. When the H solution is ideal, n = 0.5, and DH is concentration-independent, but when the H solution is nonideal, i.e., when the H atoms interact, n ≠ 0.5 and DH is concentration-dependent. An equation is derived for n, which includes the effects of nonideality of H on both DH and the solubility. The terms in this equation for n can be obtained from the appropriate equilibrium H2 isotherms for Pd or its alloys. Good agreement is found between the derived values of n and the experimental values for the pressure dependence of H2 permeation through Pd, Pd0.77Ag0.23, and Pd0.50Ag0.50 membranes. By comparing experimental n ≠ 0.50 values to those calculated from the equilibrium isotherms, a decision can be made about whether bulk diffusion is...
Tobacco smoking in marijuana-dependent outpatients.

Abstract Purpose: Among marijuana-dependent individuals, approximately 50% smoke tobacco. These individuals are exposed to increased risks of respiratory and other health problems. The current study examined whether tobacco smoking among marijuana-dependent individuals is also associated with increased psychosocial and substance abuse problems. Methods: Marijuana-dependent individuals ( N =174) seeking treatment for marijuana problems completed a 2–3 h assessment. Current tobacco smokers were compared to ex-smokers and never smokers on demographic, psychosocial, and substance use characteristics, and treatment outcome. In addition to univariate comparisons, multivariate analyses using multinomial logistic regression were conducted to control for the correlated nature of the predictor variables. Results: Current tobacco smokers earned less income and reported histories of more alcohol problems than never smokers and had fewer years of education, more legal problems, more psychiatric symptoms, and an earlier age of marijuana initiation than ex- and never smokers. Over the course of treatment, current tobacco smokers had significantly fewer marijuana-negative urine specimens and fewer weeks of continuous marijuana abstinence than ex-smokers. Implications: Current tobacco smokers appear to represent a subgroup of marijuana-dependent individuals who have increased psychosocial problems compared to ex- and never smokers and may not respond as well to treatment than ex-smokers.
In a glycosylation reaction how does a hydroxylic nucleophile find the activated anomeric carbon

Abstract The mechanism by which nucleophilic hydroxyls are attracted to activated glycopyranosyl donors is not known. Besides the intrinsic attraction of oxygen centred negative dipoles towards the developing electron deficiency at the anomeric carbon only a few suggestions have been given in the literature. By studying the effect on Density Functional Theory (DFT) modelled glycosylation reactions on the presence of polar additives as tested with acetonitrile two possible effects have been identified. One was noted in a previous publication (Carbohydr. Res. 2012, 356, 180–190) and two further examples discovered here that suggest that a lone pair of a nucleophile approaching a donor with a β-leaving group from the α-face can act as the antiperiplanar lone pair that assists leaving group departure. This interaction starts at just under a nucleophile C-1 separation of 3 A and has an incipient bond angle of O-5-C-1-Nuc(O or N) of very close to 90° which can be at C-1 with the p-type orbital at C-1–O-5 of the incipient oxacarbenium ion, that is, the LUMO of the activated donor. The 2nd interaction is less well studied and is suggested to be a similar bonding interaction which moves β-face nucleophiles to O-Nuc-C-1-leaving groups angles close to 180°.
A statistical analysis of the double heterogeneity problem

Abstract The collision probability treatment for regions comprised of a uniform background medium with a random dispersion of small heterogeneities is analyzed using recently-developed statistical techniques. By assuming that the chord length distributions in such regions follow a renewal process we obtain an exact expression for the equivalent homogeneous cross section. Numerical comparisons show that the collision probability value for this cross section can be significantly in error in most cases, with an error of ∼8% for typical PWR poisoned fuel consisting of a mixture of uranium oxide and gadolinia grains. Renewal theory is generalized to the case of materials with internal structure allowing us to justify the central assumption on which the collision probability treatment is based. Also, new formulas are proposed for the calculation of the collision probabilities between matrix and grains in terms of the collision probabilities for the homogenized regions.
RanKloud: a scalable ranked query processing framework on hadoop

The popularity of batch-oriented cluster architectures like Hadoop is on the rise. These batch-based systems successfully achieve high degrees of scalability by carefully allocating resources and leveraging opportunities to parallelize basic processing tasks. However, they are known to fall short in certain application domains such as large scale media analysis. In these applications, the utility of a given data element plays a vital role in a particular analysis task, and this utility most often depends on the way the data is collected or interpreted. However, existing batch data processing frameworks do not consider data utility in allocating resources, and hence fail to optimize for ranked/top-k query processing in which the user is interested in obtaining a relatively small subset of the best result instances. A naive implementation of these operations on an existing system would need to enumerate more candidates than needed, before it can filter out the k best results. We note that such waste can be avoided by utilizing utility-aware task partitioning and resource allocation strategies that can prune unpromising objects from consideration. In this demonstration, we introduce RanKloud, an efficient and scalable utility-aware parallel processing system built for the analysis of large media datasets. RanKloud extends Hadoop's MapReduce paradigm to provide support for ranked query operations, such as k-nearest neighbor and k-closest pair search, skylines, skyline-joins, and top-k join processing.
Robust and stable pyrogallol[4]arene molecular capsules facilitated via an octanuclear zinc coordination belt

The first metal coordinated pyrogallol[4]arene encapsulating dimer has been synthesised and shows high nuclearity with respect to ZnII, arranged as a polar coordination belt.
Endogenous catechol thioethers may be pro-oxidant or antioxidant

Abstract Increased catechol thioether formation is associated with Parkinson’s disease. In this study, we examined whether catechol thioethers, having a lower oxidation potential than their parent catechols, would cause greater oxidative damage than their parent catechols. We synthesized 5′-S-glutathionyl, cysteinyl, and N -acetylcysteinyl derivatives of dopamine and dopac, encompassing the known catechol thioethers of the mercapturate pathway. Cyclic voltametry studies showed that catechol thioethers had higher reduction potentials than their parent catechols. A higher reduction potential did not correlate with an increase in oxidative damage, measured by metal-catalyzed DNA strand breakage. 5′-S-Glutathionyldopamine and the cysteinyl adducts of dopamine and dopac mediated less oxidative damage than their parent catechols. In contrast, both N -acetylcysteinyl analogs were equipotent to dopamine. Oxygen consumption corresponded to DNA damage except for 5′-S-glutathionyldopamine. The glutathionyl and cysteinyl adducts of dopamine inhibited dopamine-mediated DNA damage indicating that these adducts may have antioxidant properties. 5′-S-Glutathionyldopamine potentiated H 2 O 2 -mediated damage whereas 5-S-cysteinyldopamine was inhibitory. Our results show that the ability of catechol thioethers to cause oxidative damage in vitro is not based simply upon the reduction potential but rather, reflects a complex relationship among structures of the parent catechol and thiol adduct, metal catalyst, and oxidant.
Agent-Based Approach in Roadway Traffic and Transportation Systems: State of the Art

Agent technology is rapidly emerging as one of the powerful technologies for the development of large-scale distributed systems to deal with the uncertainty in a dynamic environment. The domain of traffic and transportation systems is well suited for an agent-based approach because systems are usually geographically distributed in dynamic changing environments. Our literature survey shows that the techniques and methods resulted from the field of agent and multi-agent systems have been applied to many aspects of traffic and transportation systems, including modeling and simulation, dynamic routing and congestion management, intelligent traffic management, and urban traffic signal control. This paper examines agent-based approach and its applications in roadway traffic and transportation systems, and discusses several future research directions towards successful deployment of agent technology in traffic and transportation systems.Copyright © 2007 by ASME
Dopant transport during semiconductor crystal growth with magnetically damped buoyant convection

This paper presents an asymptotic model for the unsteady transport of a dopant during the growth of a semiconductor crystal from a melt with an externally applied magnetic field. The melt is divided into (1) mass-diffusion boundary layers where convective and diffusive mass transfer are comparable, and (2) a core region where diffusion is negligible, so that the concentration of each fluid particle is constant. A Lagrangian description of motion is used to track each fluid particle during its transits across the core between diffusion layers. The dopant distribution in each layer depends on the concentrations of all fluid particles which are entering this layer. The dopant distribution is very non-uniform throughout the melt and is far from the instantaneous steady state at every stage during crystal growth. The transient asymptotic model predicts the dopant distribution in the entire crystal.
Abnormalities in platelet antiglobulin tests in preeclamptic mothers and their neonates

We prospectively studied 40 women with preeclampsia and 26 women with normal pregnancy for the presence of platelet-bound and circulating platelet-bindable immunoglobulin and complement. Although only 12 patients with preeclampsia had a platelet count 3 , 36 of 40 demonstrated an abnormal direct antiglobulin test, compared with only three of 26 control subjects (p −8 ). An abnormal indirect test was also detected in 30 of 40 patients with preeclampsia compared with five of 26 healthy pregnant control women (p = 9.3 × 10 −6 ). Abnormal antiglobulin tests persisted for 2 to 6 weeks after delivery. Although each neonate had a platelet count >200,000/mm 3 at the time of delivery, 10 of 18 had an abnormal direct antiglobulin test compared with one of 14 control subjects (p = 0.0049). The high frequency of abnormal platelet antiglobulin tests in women with preeclampsia and their neonates may indicate an immune cause of certain aspects of the syndrome or may reflect the extent of platelet activation.
Reflections on the Tenth Anniversary of the “Antitrust and Regulatory Update”

One of the longstanding missions of the Review of Industrial Organization has been to provide an outlet for analysis of applied and policy issues in industrial organization. In its own words, the RIO has encouraged work on "public policies such as antitrust, regulation, deregulation, public enterprise, and privatization." Each of the first three General Editors of the Review—Stanley Boyle, Stephen Cox, and Geoff Shepherd— made their marks both as researchers and policymakers, and each also made sure that the RIO would be an outlet for the good, current, and important work in these fields. In 2002 I had the privilege of becoming General Editor of the RIO, and sought to further enhance the role of the journal in these areas. I consulted with several mem bers of the Editorial Board and other individuals for ideas as to how this might be accomplished. Out of those discussions was born the idea of an annual "Antitrust and Regulatory Update". The A&R Update would be an opportunity to hear from the chief economists of the major antitrust and regulatory agencies on issues that had occupied their respective agencies during the preceding year. Those individuals would be free to decide which issue or issues to discuss—that, after all, would itself be revealing—and whether to address them as an academic researcher might or in the broader language of policy discourse. We were gratified in the very first year to have Michael Katz, David Sapping ton, and David Scheffman, chief economists at the Antitrust Division of the Justice Department, the Federal Communications Commission, and the Federal Trade Com mission, respectively, as authors or lead authors of fascinating articles about policy and policymaking at their agencies. Starting in 2006, the Chief Economist at the EU Directorate General for Competition was invited to write an article about significant
REACTION OF VINYL KETOXIMES WITH N-BROMOSUCCINIMIDE. SYNTHESIS OF ISOXAZOLES AND 4-BROMOISOXAZOLINES.

The reaction of some selected α,β-unsaturated oximes with N-bromosuccinimide gave isoxazoles or 4-bromoisoxazolines in moderate to good yields.
Effects of zone refining on the pulse height and pulse shape of anthracene, trans-stilbene and p-quaterphenyl crystal scintillators

Abstract Stilbene, anthracene, and para-quaterphenyl have been prepared in high purity by zone refining. Improvements in the light output of each material was noted. The light outputs relative to the Compton edge in NaI(Tl) were 27% for stilbene, 85% for anthracene and 92% for para-quaterphenyl.
Palynology of the late Miocene Oreopithecus-bearing lignite from Baccinello, Italy

Abstract This paper presents the results of an analysis of pollen and spores in 7 lignite samples from the vertebrate-bearing V1 lignite at Baccinello, Italy. The aim of the study is to reconstruct the vegetation associated with the vertebrate fauna, and to integrate this evidence with data from geological, paleontological and paleobotanical research in order to provide an improved understanding of the paleoenvironmental context. The V1 lignite, consisting of a 3 m seam near the base of the local geological sequence, is late Miocene (Tortonian) in age. It is dated at 8.5–9.0 Ma (European Mammal Zone MN 12) based on faunal correlations and on radiometric age determinations of an overlying tuffaceous layer. The fossil fauna comprises a small number of species, many of which are unique to the coal deposits of Tuscany, including the controversial hominoid, Oreopithecus bambolii . The high level of endemism, low taxonomic diversity, preponderance of ruminants, tendency for gigantism among some of the micromammals, and absence of cursorial carnivores, all point to an insular environment. Evidence from structural geology confirms that a tectonically unstable island arc bordered the eastern side of the Tyrrhenian Sea during the late Miocene. By a combination of island sweepstake events and ephemeral land connections, intermittent migrations of mammals from continental Europe and Africa led to the development of a unique fauna on islands of the northern Tethys Sea. The reconstructed vegetation is of lowland mixed mesophytic forest. The community of broad-leaved deciduous angiospermous and evergreen gymnospermous trees contained a rich understory of small trees and shrubs and an herbaceous ground cover. The abundance of aquatic seed plants and algae, as well as the preponderance of ferns and arboreal taxa that commonly grow on moist substrates, suggest that the lowland areas were poorly drained. Upland or montane habitats appear to have been present, but were located at some distance from the depositional basin. The rarity of grasses and chenopods indicates that extensive tracts of open country were of limited occurrence. The closest modern analogue to the vegetation is the mixed mesophytic forest of the Yangtze River Valley of east central China. It seems reasonable to infer that comparable warm temperate to subtropical conditions with high precipitation, especially in the summer months, characterized the late Miocene climate at Baccinello.
Markov Modeling of Contaminant Concentrations in Indoor Air

Most models for contaminant dispersion in indoor air are deterministic and do not account for the probabilistic nature of the pollutant concentration at a given room position and time. Such variability can be important when estimating concentrations involving small numbers of contaminant particles. This article describes the use of probabilistic models termed Markov chains to account for a portion of this variability. The deterministic and Markov models are related in that the former provide the expected concentration values. To explain this relationship, a single-zone (well-mixed room) scenario is described as a Markov chain. Subsequently, a two-zone room is cast as a Markov model, and the latter is applied to assessing a health care worker's risk of tuberculosis infection. Airborne particles carrying Mycobacterium tuberculosis bacilli are usually present in small numbers in a room occupied by an infectious tuberculosis patient. For a given scenario, the Markov model permits estimates of variability in exposure intensity and the resulting variability in infection risk.
The Relationship Between Burnout and Support for Punishment and Treatment: A Preliminary Examination

According to the existing literature, support for punishment and support for treatment of inmates are the two major orientations held by correctional workers. There is a small but growing body of studies that has examined the predictors of these orientations. The literature suggests that personal characteristics account for little of the variance in correctional orientations whereas individual-level perceptions of work environment factors are related to correctional orientations; however, the effects of job burnout have not been explored. This study investigates the relationship between burnout and the two correctional orientations. Burnout has three dimensions: emotional exhaustion, depersonalization, and ineffectiveness. This study finds that depersonalization is positively related to support for punishment and negatively related to support for treatment. Ineffectiveness leads to a lower support for treatment whereas emotional exhaustion leads to a higher support for treatment.
Effects of acoustic waves on stick–slip in granular media and implications for earthquakes

It remains unknown how the small strains induced by seismic waves can trigger earthquakes at large distances, in some cases thousands of kilometres from the triggering earthquake, with failure often occurring long after the waves have passed 1–6 . Earthquake nucleation is usually observed to take place at depths of 10–20km, and so static overburden should be large enough to inhibit triggering by seismic-wave stress perturbations. To understand the physics of dynamic triggering better, as well as the influence of dynamic stressing on earthquake recurrence, we have conducted laboratory studies of stick–slip in granular media with and without applied acoustic vibration. Glass beads were used to simulate granular fault zone material, sheared under constant normalstress,andsubjecttotransientorcontinuousperturbation by acoustic waves. Here we show that small-magnitude failure events,correspondingtotriggeredaftershocks,occurwhenapplied sound-wave amplitudes exceed several microstrain. These events are frequently delayed or occur as part of a cascade of small events. Vibrations also cause large slip events to be disrupted in time relative to those without wave perturbation. The effects are observed for many large-event cycles after vibrations cease, indicating a strain memory in the granular material. Dynamic stressing of tectonic faults may play a similar role in determining the complexity of earthquake recurrence. Laboratorystudiesofgranular friction haveemerged asapowerful tool for investigating tectonic fault zone processes and earthquake phenomena, including post-seismic slip, interseismic frictional restrengthening and earthquake nucleation 7,8 . Here we explore experimentallytheeffectsofdynamicloadingonstick–slipbehaviour and discuss how our results may affect understanding of earthquake processes—in particular dynamic earthquake triggering and stick– slip recurrence. Dynamic earthquake triggering involves seismic waves from one earthquake promoting or inhibiting failure on the faults they disturb. Dynamic triggering has been clearly documented in a few cases far from an earthquake source, at distances much greater than the fault radius of the triggering source 1–4,6 (outside the traditional ‘aftershock zone’), and increasing evidence suggests that it commonly occurs near the earthquake source 5,9 . Experiments on sheared layers of glass beads (like those shown in