cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Establishment and early productivity of perennial biomass alley cropping systems in Minnesota, USA

In May 2010, alley cropping systems consisting of switchgrass (Panicum virgatum L.), prairie cordgrass (Spartina pectinata Bosc ex Link), an alfalfa (Medicago sativa L.) and intermediate wheatgrass (Thinopyrum intermedium [Host] Barkworth and Dewey) mixture, and a native tallgrass-forb-legume polyculture, planted between multi-row strips of poplar hybrid ‘NM6’ (Populus maximowiczii x P. nigra) and willow cultivar ‘Fish Creek’ (Salix purpurea) were established at Empire and Granada, Minnesota, USA. Crop establishment and productivity were characterized for each species over two growing seasons and at two distances from the tree-crop interface. Prairie cordgrass and the native polyculture were among the most productive herbaceous crops at both sites, averaging between 7.1 and 11.9 Mg DM ha−1, and have shown no evidence of competition for resources along the tree-crop interface thus far. Basal area (BA) was similar at Empire for NM6 (1,744 mm2 tree−1) and Fish Creek (1,609 mm2 tree−1), but was greater for NM6 (1,045 mm2 tree−1) than Fish Creek (770 mm2 tree−1) at Granada. Despite this, stand basal area (SBA) was greater for Fish Creek at both sites due to greater planting density. Across species, BA and SBA were greater for trees along the alley than those in center rows at Empire, whereas no difference was observed at Granada. Results suggest that alley cropping provides suitable conditions for establishment of short-rotation woody and certain herbaceous biomass crops, and that some of these crops may be well suited to the alley cropping environment. However, continued research is needed to evaluate crop persistence and productivity as crops and trees mature and the potential for interspecies competition increases.
AN EXAGGERATED EFFECT FOR PROPER NOUNS IN A CASE OF SUPERIOR WRITTEN OVER SPOKEN WORD PRODUCTION

We describe a brain-damaged subject, RR, who manifests superior written over spoken naming of concrete entities from a wide range of conceptual domains. His spoken naming difficulties are due primarily to an impairment of lexical-phonological processing, which implies that his successful written naming does not depend on prior access to the sound structures of words. His performance therefore provides further support for the "orthographic autonomy hypothesis," which maintains that written word production is not obligatorily mediated by phonological knowledge. The case of RR is especially interesting, however, because for him the dissociation between impaired spoken naming and relatively preserved written naming is significantly greater for two categories of unique concrete entities that are lexicalised as proper nouns-specifically, famous faces and famous landmarks-than for five categories of nonunique (i.e., basic level) concrete entities that are lexicalised as common nouns-specifically, animals, fruits/vegetables, tools/utensils, musical instruments, and vehicles. Furthermore, RR's predominant error types in the oral modality are different for the two types of stimuli: omissions for unique entities vs. semantic errors for nonunique entities. We consider two alternative explanations for RR's extreme difficulty in producing the spoken forms of proper nouns: (1) a disconnection between the meanings of proper nouns and the corresponding word nodes in the phonological output lexicon; or (2) damage to the word nodes themselves. We argue that RR's combined behavioural and lesion data do not clearly adjudicate between the two explanations, but that they favour the first explanation over the second.
Micromechanical magnetometers based on clamped-clamped high-Q nonlinear resonators

We present a new type of magnetic field detector that uses a nonlinear micromechanical oscillator for sensing. This is the first fabricated magnetometer that takes advantage of the geometrically induced nonlinearities in a clamped-clamped beam. It does not incorporate magnetic materials, and its fabrication is fully compatible with standard semiconductor processes. In this sensor, the magnetic field B applied to the resonant beam can be detected by measuring the shift that it produces in f peak , the frequency of maximum oscillation amplitude. This frequency shift is linked to a reduction of the quality factor and only occurs if the oscillator is in the nonlinear regime. It is originated by the ohmic losses induced by the applied magnetic field, which dissipate part of the mechanical energy stored in the oscillator.
Effect of gate oxide breakdown on RF device and circuit performance

The degradation of S-parameters of 0.16 /spl mu/m NMOS devices due to gate oxide breakdown is examined. An equivalent circuit model for MOSFETs after gate oxide breakdown is proposed. The influence of nMOSFET breakdown on the performance of a low noise amplifier is studied using the equivalent circuit model. Depending on which device and how many fingers breakdown, there is a nonzero probability that the circuit continues to work, in spite of the fact that the performance of S-parameters and noise figure drastically degrades.
Temporally-regulated retinoic acid depletion produces specific neural crest, ocular and nervous system defects

Both retinoid receptor null mutants and classic nutritional deficiency studies have demonstrated that retinoids are essential for the normal development of diverse embryonic structures (e.g. eye, heart, nervous system, urogenital tract). Detailed analysis of retinoid-modulated events is hampered by several limitations of these models, including that deficiency or null mutation is present throughout gestation, making it difficult to isolate primary effects, and preventing analysis beyond embryolethality. We developed a mammalian model in which retinoid-dependent events are documented during distinct targeted windows of embryogenesis. This was accomplished through the production of vitamin A-depleted (VAD) female rats maintained on sufficient oral retinoic acid (RA) for growth and fertility. After mating to normal males, these RA-sufficient/VAD females were given oral RA doses which allowed for gestation in an RA-sufficient state; embryogenesis proceeded normally until retinoids were withdrawn dietarily to produce a sudden, acute retinoid deficiency during a selected gestational window. In this trial, final RA doses were administered on E11.5, vehicle at E12.5, and embryos analyzed on E13.5; during this 48 hour window, the last RA dose was metabolized and embryos progressed in a retinoid-deficient state. RA-sufficient embryos were normal. Retinoid-depleted embryos exhibited specific malformations of the face, neural crest, eyes, heart, and nervous system. Some defects were phenocopies of those seen in null mutant mice for RXR alpha(-/-), RXR alpha(-/-)/RAR alpha(-/-), and RAR alpha(-/-)/RAR gamma(-/-), confirming that RA transactivation of its nuclear receptors is essential for normal embryogenesis. Other defects were unique to this deficiency model, showing that complete ligand 'knock-out' is required to see those retinoid-dependent events previously concealed by receptor functional redundancy, and reinforcing that retinoid receptors have separate yet overlapping contributions in the embryo. This model allows for precise targeting of retinoid form and deficiency to specific developmental windows, and will facilitate studies of distinct temporal events.
The Cattell Controversy: Race, Science, and Ideology

Raymond Cattell, the father of personality trait measurement, was one of the most influential psychologists in the twentieth century, with a professional career that spanned almost seventy years. In August 1997, the American Psychological Association announced that Cattell had been selected the recipient of the American Psychological Foundation Gold Medal Award for Life Achievement in Psychological Science. Then, only two days before the scheduled ceremony, the APF abruptly postponed the presentation of the award due to concerns involving Cattell's views on racial segregation and eugenics. In addition to his mainstream research, in his publications Cattell had also posited evolutionary progress as the ultimate goal of human existence and argued that scientific criteria should be used to distinguish "successful" from "failing" racial groups so that the latter might be gradually "phased out" by non-violent methods such as regulation of birth control. The Cattell Controversy discusses the controversy that arose within the field in response to the award's postponement, after which Cattell withdrew his name from consideration for the award but insisted that his position had been distorted by taking statements out of context. Reflecting on these events, William H. Tucker concludes with a discussion of the complex question of whether and how a scientist's ideological views should ever be a relevant factor in determining the value of his or her contributions to the field.
The use of robust cepstral features obtained from pole-zero transfer functions for speaker identification

A common problem in speaker identification systems is that a mismatch in the training and testing conditions sacrifices much performance. The authors attempt to alleviate this problem by proposing new features that show less variation when speech is corrupted by convolutional noise (channel) and/or additive noise. The conventional feature used is the linear predictive (LP) cepstrum that is derived from an all-pole transfer function which in turn achieves a good approximation to the spectral envelope of the speech. Previously, a new cepstral feature based on a pole-zero function (called the adaptive component weighted or ACW cepstrum) was introduced. The present authors propose two additional new cepstral features based on pole-zero transfer functions. One is an alternative way of doing adaptive component weighting and is called the ACW2 cepstrum. The other (known as the PFL1 cepstrum) is based on a pole-zero postfilter used in speech enhancement. Experiments involving a closed set, text-independent and vector quantizer based speaker identification system are done to compare the various features. The King database is used. The ACW and PFL1 features are generally the best. The corresponding spectra show a clear emphasis of the formants and no spectral tilt. To enhance robustness, it is important to emphasize the formants. An accurate description of the spectral envelope is not required.
Reading and the Reading Class in the Twenty-First Century

Sociological research on reading, which formerly focused on literacy, now conceptualizes reading as a social practice. This review examines the current state of knowledge on (a) who reads, i.e., the demographic characteristics of readers; (b) how they read, i.e., reading as a form of social practice; (c) how reading relates to electronic media, especially television and the Internet; and (d) the future of reading. We conclude that a reading class is emerging, restricted in size but disproportionate in influence, and that the Internet is facilitating this development.
Kinetics modeling in photosensitive glass

Abstract Kinetics of photoinduced process is studied in a new photosensitive material for volume hologram recording which is a photo-thermo-refractive glass (PTRG). A system of balance equations is derived which describes the processes of generation of electrons in a conduction band of these glass matrix by photoionization of Ce3+ and trapping of electrons by both silver ions Ag+ and hole centers (Ce3+)+. The main approach for the system solution is a calculation of low quasistationary concentration of free electrons in a conduction band, while concentrations of generated electron and hole centers are expected to be variable. A general solution of a system is found as a combination of exponential and hyperbolic functions. It is shown that an exponential solution is the result of the absence of a re-trapping of electrons, while a pure hyperbolic solution occurs in the case of equal probability of trapping and re-trapping. The approach developed for the first stage of photo-thermo-refractive process which is photoionization and trapping, is applied for the modeling of the final result of the whole process of photo-thermo-induced refractive index transformation in glass. It is found that the refractive index increment in PTRG is better described by hyperbolic function compare to the exponential one. Kinetic parameters of induced refraction in PTRG are determined.
A Frequency Dictionary of Mandarin Chinese: Core Vocabulary for Learners by XIAO, RICHARD, PAUL RAYSON, & TONY MCENERY

The article reviews the book "A Frequency Dictionary of Mandarin Chinese: Core Vocabulary for Learners," by Richard Xiao, Paul Rayson and Tony McEnery.
Neurovisceral integration in cardiac and emotional regulation

The utility of heart-rate variability (HRV) to index important aspects of neural control of the heart has made it one of the most valuable tools for researchers interested in health and behavior. However, most of the literature and extant data on the central origins of HRV have been derived from animal models. As yet little is known about the central nervous system (CNS) origins and concomitants in humans. In the following we will briefly detail a set of neural structures that have been associated with important CNS functions including cardiac regulation and emotional regulation. We will briefly summarize recent data using pharmacological, neuroimaging, and psychophysiological techniques that have examined CNS concomitants of HRV especially during emotion. Based on these and other data will we report the results of a computational model that examined the interactions of several neural structures and their effect on emotion-related HRV.
Validation of a Dysphagia Screening Tool in Acute Stroke Patients

Background Although many dysphagia screening tools exist, none has high sensitivity and reliability or can be administered quickly with minimal training.
Mammalian RNAi: a practical guide

Silencing of gene expression by RNA interference (RNAi) has become a powerful tool for the functional annotation of the Cae-norhabditis elegans and Drosophila melanogaster genomes. Recent advances ...
Calibration procedures for a computational model of ductile fracture

A recent extension of the Gurson constitutive model of damage and failure of ductile structural alloys accounts for localization and crack formation under shearing as well as tension. When properly calibrated against a basic set of experiments, this model has the potential to predict the emergence and propagation of cracks over a wide range of stress states. This paper addresses procedures for calibrating the damage parameters of the extended constitutive model. The procedures are demonstrated for DH36 steel using data from three tests: (i) tension of a round bar, (ii) mode I cracking in a compact tension specimen, and (iii) shear localization and mode II cracking in a shear-off specimen. The computational model is then used to study the emergence of the cup-cone fracture mode in the neck of a round tensile bar. Ductility of a notched round bar provides additional validation.
Stability of multilead ST-segment “fingerprints” over time after percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty and its usefulness in detecting reocclusion

Multilead ST-segment recordings taken during percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty (PTCA) could function as an individualized noninvasive template or "fingerprint," useful in evaluating transient ischemic episodes after leaving the catheterization laboratory. To evaluate the reproducibility of such ST-segment patterns over time, these changes were analyzed in patients grouped according to the time between occlusion and reocclusion. For the patients in group 1, the study required comparing their "fingerprints" in repeat balloon inflation during PTCA (reocclusion in less than 1 hour), for those in group 2, comparing ST "fingerprints" during PTCA with ST changes during spontaneous early myocardial infarction (reocclusion in 24 hours) and in group 3, comparing ST "fingerprints" with ST changes during repeat PTCA for restenosis greater than 1 month after the initial PTCA. The ST "fingerprints" among the 20 patients in group 1 were identical in 14 cases (70%) and clearly related in another 4 (20%). Of the 23 patients in group 2, 12 (52%) had the same and 8 (35%) had related patterns. Of 19 patients in group 3, 8 (42% had the same pattern and 8 (42%) had related patterns. Thus, ST fingerprints were the same or clearly related with reocclusion in the same patient from less than 1 hour to greater than 1 month after initial occlusion in 87% of patients overall, in 90% in less than 1 hour, in 87% in less than 24 hours and in 84% greater than 1 month later. Multilead pattern ST-segment "fingerprints" may serve as a noninvasive marker for detecting site-specific reocclusion.
Integration of mental health and the criminal justice system: A data collection strategy and evaluation

As is the case in many communities, individuals exhibiting behaviors associated with mental illness represent about twenty percent of the inmates at the Albemarle Charlottesville Regional Jail in Charlottesville, Virginia. While in jail, mental conditions may worsen due to mistreatment from fellow inmates and lack of resources needed to provide appropriate mental health treatment. Worsened conditions contribute to future unlawful behavior and re-arrest, repeating the cycle. The Crisis Intervention Team (CIT) was developed to alleviate this problem by helping prevent people with mental illness from entering the jails in the first place. Through specialized training and other education programs offered to law enforcement officers, CIT aims to improve mental health treatment as well as interactions with the law for those experiencing effects of a mental illness. The CIT program needs to provide evidence that its programs in Charlottesville benefit the community as planned. This project is focused on designing and implementing a data collection and evaluation strategy for the Charlottesville CIT. Using the systems methodology, the authors developed a data collection system that collects information specified as necessary in evaluating the effectiveness of CIT and its programs. The system requires individuals from 6 agencies to submit monthly datasheets to the CIT coordinator. A macro-driven Excel tool is then used by the CIT coordinator to integrate these datasheets and calculate CIT performance metrics.
Controlling Viral Capsid Assembly with Templating

We develop coarse-grained models that describe the dynamic encapsidation of functionalized nanoparticles by viral capsid proteins. We find that some forms of cooperative interactions between protein subunits and nanoparticles can dramatically enhance rates and robustness of assembly, as compared to the spontaneous assembly of subunits into empty capsids. For large core-subunit interactions, subunits adsorb onto core surfaces en masse in a disordered manner, and then undergo a cooperative rearrangement into an ordered capsid structure. These assembly pathways are unlike any identified for empty capsid formation. Our models can be directly applied to recent experiments in which viral capsid proteins assemble around functionalized inorganic nanoparticles [Sun et al., Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. U.S.A. 104, 1354 (2007)]. In addition, we discuss broader implications for understanding the dynamic encapsidation of single-stranded genomic molecules during viral replication and for developing multicomponent nanostructured materials.
Endovascular Therapy for the Treatment of Cerebrovascular Disease

This chapter discusses the use of endovascular therapy for treatment of cerebrovascular disease. Recent developments in microcatheter technology have enabled endovascular therapists to penetrate the cerebrovascular circulation with greater accuracy and precision than ever before. Improved access has facilitated rapid and safe delivery of liquid adhesives (histoacryl) into the nidus of arteriovenous malformations using flow directed catheters. Endovascular therapy has been used to treat atherosclerotic stenosis of the cervical carotid bifurcation. This therapy may offer an alternative to carotid endarterectomy. Most centers reserve endovascular therapy for patients who have severe comorbid illness or who have surgically inaccessible aneurysms. Partial or complete coil occlusion of a freshly ruptured aneurysm may prevent early rebleeding. The treatment of symptomatic cerebral vasospasm has been facilitated by endovascular techniques. If clinical improvement is not realized within hours after initiation of hypervolemic hyperdynamic therapy, endovascular therapy may be employed.
TRENDS OF BRUCELLOSIS IN FLORIDA AN EPIDEMIOLOGIC REVIEW

Human brucellosis in Florida is documented for the 47-year period 1928-1975. Of the 936 cases reported in 1930-1975, more than half (505) occurred in the decade 1940-1949. The incidence declined rapidly to an average rate of five cases per year, although there was an increase in 1974 and 1975. The analysis is mainly concerned with the years 1961-1975, since more complete epidemiologic data are available for this period. Cases occurred throughout the year, with the highest incidence being between May and August. White males in the 25-35 and 35-44 deciles were most affected. Of occupations identified between 1963-1975, 44% were related to the livestock-producing industry, 16% to the meat processing industry and 28% to hunters, housewives, students and children. Twelve per cent of the cases did not fall in any of these categories. Cattle were the most probable source of human infection in the livestock industry, and swine were associated with most non-industry cases. In 1963-1975, B. suis was isolated from 10 cases and B. canis from one case; one other isolate was not identified beyond genus. Of the 27 human cases recorded during 1974-1975, 15 (56%) involved swine contact (five livestock industry, four consumers and six hunters), 11 (41%) involved cattle contact (all from the livestock and meat packing industries), and one involved contact (with both cattle and swine (livestock industry). Human cases contracted from swine were scattered statewide, whereas cases associated with cattle only occurred in counties that had )( high densities of cattle and 2) modified-certified ratings in the Brucellosis Eradication Program.
Setup uncertainties in linear accelerator based stereotactic radiosurgery and a derivation of the corresponding setup margin for treatment planning

Abstract Purpose In the present study, clinical stereotactic radiosurgery (SRS) setup uncertainties from image-guidance data are analyzed, and the corresponding setup margin is estimated for treatment planning purposes. Methods Patients undergoing single-fraction SRS at our institution were localized using invasive head ring or non-invasive thermoplastic masks. Setup discrepancies were obtained from an in-room x-ray patient position monitoring system. Post treatment re-planning using the measured setup errors was performed in order to estimate the individual target margins sufficient to compensate for the actual setup errors. The formula of setup margin for a general SRS patient population was derived by proposing a correlation between the three-dimensional setup error and the required minimal margin. Results Setup errors of 104 brain lesions were analyzed, in which 81 lesions were treated using an invasive head ring, and 23 were treated using non-invasive masks. In the mask cases with image guidance, the translational setup uncertainties achieved the same level as those in the head ring cases. Re-planning results showed that the margins for individual patients could be smaller than the clinical three-dimensional setup errors. The derivation of setup margin adequate to address the patient setup errors was demonstrated by using the arbitrary planning goal of treating 95% of the lesions with sufficient doses. Conclusions With image guidance, the patient setup accuracy of mask cases can be comparable to that of invasive head rings. The SRS setup margin can be derived for a patient population with the proposed margin formula to compensate for the institution-specific setup errors.
Challenges of International Investment Arbitrators: How Does It Work and Does It Work?

In this article, I examine and assess how challenges are decided in international investment arbitration, and suggest ways to improve challenge proceedings. The analysis focuses only on the rules of the Convention on the Settlement of Investment Disputes between States and Nationals of other States (ICSID Rules) and the 1976 and 2010 UNCITRAL Arbitration Rules ("UNCITRAL . Rules (1976)" and "UNCITRAL Rules (2010)") because the great majority of international investment proceedings occur under either of those rules. In the first part, I describe the qualities required for an arbitrator's appointment under ICSID and UNCITRAL Rules. I then assess.and compare the standards for challenges under those rules, first procedurally, and then substantially. In the conclusion, I suggest that the ICSID challenges procedures should be amended to be more in line with the UNCITRAL Rules. Specifically, I argue that a neutral and independent body should decide arbitrator challenges in ICSID proceedings. I also argue that the standard applied in challenges to arbitrators in ICSID proceedings is too onerous, and should be interpreted taking into consideration the International Bar Association Guidelines for Conflict of Interest in International Arbitration (IBA Guidelines).
Goal-Directed Soul? Analyzing Rhythmic Teleology in African American Popular Music

Abstract A theoretical consideration of teleology in African American popular music, focusing on the late-1960s output of Motown Records. The question of goal direction and musical value in popular music is traced back to the theoretical dispute between Leonard Meyer and Charles Keil, who stand in for the two poles of an outmoded binarism: a “classical” music defined by control of teleology and delayed gratification, and a “popular” music defined by a liberating feeling of groove in an endless present. Soul music and culture, steeped in the aspirational drive of the black middle class, falsifies this view of African American popular music. Drawing on more recent analytical work on grooves (Butler, Danielsen), a model of rhythmic teleology is developed and then tested on two seminal tracks produced by Norman Whitfield and sung by the Temptations. In both “Cloud Nine” (1968) and “Runaway Child, Running Wild” (1969), Motown9s signature “four on the floor beat” functions as a rhythmic tonic . Reception study supports the proposition that Whitfield9s control of rhythmic teleology, combined with socially conscious lyrics about drug use and the counterculture, represent a powerful intervention in favor of goal direction and delayed gratification at a pivotal moment for the African American middle class.
Use of Hot Formaldehyde Fixative in Processing Plant-Parasitic Nematodes for Electron Microscopy

A preparative technique is formulated for processing plant-parasitic nematodes of the order Tylenchida for electron microscopy. A population of Dolichodorus heterocephalus is used as test objects. One and a half grams of paraformaldehyde are dissolved in 25 ml of water at 60 C. Five drops of 1 N sodium hydroxide are added to clear the solution, which is then cooled to room temperature. Two and a half milliliters of 25% glutaraldehyde are added with 23 ml 0.1 M phosphate buffer, pH 7.3, and 0.2 M with respect to sucrose. The final solution contains 3% formaldehyde and 1% glutaraldehyde and is pH 7.2. It is heated to 70 C, poured over specimens, and allowed to cool to 4 C in 2 hr. The nematodes are then incised in a fixative containing 2% glutaraldehyde and 5% dimethyl sulfoxide at 4 C for 16-24 br. Five milliliters of 25% glutaraldehyde and 2.5 ml of dimethyl sulfoxide are combined in 17.5 ml of water. Twenty-five milliliters of phosphate buffer (supplemented as above) are added. The final pH is 7.2. The g...
Role of Growth Factors in Pancreatic Endocrine Cells: Growth and Differentiation

Although previously thought to arise from neural ectoderm, the endocrine cells of the gastrointestinal system are now believed to derive from endoderm. The role of different growth factors in initiation of endocrine cell growth, commitment of the cells to a particular growth pathway, and the initiation and maintenance of tumor growth and remission remains unclear. This article briefly reviews factors controlling cell growth and differentiation of gastrointestinal endocrine cells and presents data on new candidate growth factors pertinent to the authors’ model of induction of endocrine cell differentiation in the pancreas.
Solid–Liquid Equilibria Measurements of Mixtures of Lithium Bis(trifluoromethanesulfonyl)imide with Varying Alkyl Chain Length Ammonium Bis(trifluoromethanesulfonyl)imide Ionic Liquids

Ionic liquid (IL)–metal mixtures are potential solvents for a variety of applications, including metal electrodeposition, electrolytes for batteries, catalysis, and for separations processes involving liquid–liquid extraction. The solubility of a metal in an IL is fundamentally important to selecting an appropriate IL for a potential process; however, relatively few measurements have been reported in the literature. The solid–liquid equilibria of binary mixtures of lithium bis(trifluoromethanesulfonyl)imide and three ammonium bis(trifluoromethanesulfonyl)imide ILs are investigated. Measurements are made through two different methods. A visual method allows direct observation of the phase behavior between room temperature and 373 K and a differential calorimetry method provides solid–liquid equilibria information up to 623 K. The activity coefficients of the solid in the liquid are calculated from the measured phase equilibria and the pure component physical properties. The mutual solubilities of lithium b...
Arctic regional methane fluxes by ecotope as derived using eddy covariance from a low-flying aircraft

Abstract. The Arctic terrestrial and sub-sea permafrost region contains approximately 30 % of the global carbon stock, and therefore understanding Arctic methane emissions and how they might change with a changing climate is important for quantifying the global methane budget and understanding its growth in the atmosphere. Here we present measurements from a new in situ flux observation system designed for use on a small, low-flying aircraft that was deployed over the North Slope of Alaska during August 2013. The system combines a small methane instrument based on integrated cavity output spectroscopy (ICOS) with an air turbulence probe to calculate methane fluxes based on eddy covariance. We group surface fluxes by land class using a map based on LandSat Thematic Mapper (TM) data with 30 m resolution. We find that wet sedge areas dominate the methane fluxes with a mean flux of 2.1 µg m−2 s−1 during the first part of August. Methane emissions from the Sagavanirktok River have the second highest at almost 1 µg m−2 s−1. During the second half of August, after soil temperatures had cooled by 7 °C, methane emissions fell to between 0 and 0.5 µg m−2 s−1 for all areas measured. We compare the aircraft measurements with an eddy covariance flux tower located in a wet sedge area and show that the two measurements agree quantitatively when the footprints of both overlap. However, fluxes from sedge vary at times by a factor of 2 or more even within a few kilometers of the tower demonstrating the importance of making regional measurements to map out methane emissions spatial heterogeneity. Aircraft measurements of surface flux can play an important role in bridging the gap between ground-based measurements and regional measurements from remote sensing instruments and models.
Effect of Reverse Triage on Creation of Surge Capacity in a Pediatric Hospital

Importance The capacity of pediatric hospitals to provide treatment to large numbers of patients during a large-scale disaster remains a concern. Hospitals are expected to function independently for as long as 96 hours. Reverse triage (early discharge), a strategy that creates surge bed capacity while conserving resources, has been modeled for adults but not pediatric patients. Objective To estimate the potential of reverse triage for surge capacity in an academic pediatric hospital. Design, Setting, and Participants In this retrospective cohort study, a blocked, randomized sampling scheme was used including inpatients from 7 units during 196 mock disaster days distributed across the 1-year period from December 21, 2012, through December 20, 2013. Patients not requiring any critical interventions for 4 successive days were considered to be suitable for low-risk immediate reverse triage. Data were analyzed from November 1, 2014, through November 21, 2016. Main Outcomes and Measures Proportionate contribution of reverse triage to the creation of surge capacity measured as a percentage of beds newly available in each unit and in aggregate. Results Of 3996 inpatients, 501 were sampled (268 boys [53.5%] and 233 girls [46.5%]; mean [SD] age, 7.8 [6.6] years), with 10.8% eligible for immediate low-risk reverse triage and 13.2% for discharge by 96 hours. The psychiatry unit had the most patients eligible for immediate reverse triage (72.7%; 95% CI, 59.6%-85.9%), accounting for more than half of the reverse triage effect. The oncology (1.3%; 95% CI, 0.0%-3.9%) and pediatric intensive care (0%) units had the least effect. Gross surge capacity using all strategies (routine patient discharges, full use of staffed and unstaffed licensed beds, and cancellation of elective and transfer admissions) was estimated at 57.7% (95% CI, 38.2%-80.2%) within 24 hours and 84.1% (95% CI, 63.9%-100%) by day 4. Net surge capacity, estimated by adjusting for routine emergency department admissions, was about 50% (range, 49.1%-52.6%) throughout the 96-hour period. By accepting higher-risk patients only (considering only major critical interventions as limiting), reverse triage would increase surge capacity by nearly 50%. Conclusions and Relevance Our estimates indicate considerable potential pediatric surge capacity by using combined strategic initiatives. Reverse triage adds a meaningful but modest contribution and may depend on psychiatric space. Large volumes of pediatric patients discharged early to the community during disasters could challenge pediatricians owing to the close follow-up likely to be required.
#NotOkay: Understanding Gender-Based Violence in Social Media

Gender-based violence (GBV) is a global epidemic that is powered, in part, by a culture of silence and denial of the seriousness of its repercussions. In this paper, we present one of the first investigations of GBV in social media. Considering Twitter as an open pervasive platform that provides means for open discourse and community engagement, we study user engagement with GBV related posts, and age and gender dynamics of users who post GBV content. We also study the specific language nuances of GBV-related posts. We find evidence for increased engagement with GBV-related tweets in comparison to other non-GBV tweets. Our hashtag-based topical analysis shows that users engage online in commentary and discussion about political, social movement-based, and commonplace GBV incidents. Finally, with the rise of public figures encouraging women to speak up, we observe a unique blended experience of non-anonymous self-reported assault stories and an online community of support around victims of GBV. We discuss the role of social media and online anti-GBV campaigns in enabling an open conversation about GBV topics and how these conversations provide a lens into a socially complex and vulnerable issue like GBV.
Condorcet Consistent Bundling with Social Choice

We study the problem of computing optimal bundles given agents' preferences over individual items when agents derive satisfaction from the entire bundle under constraints on the size k of the bundle. Building on the notion of Condorcet winning sets by Gehrlein, we extend common Condorcet consistent voting rules from the single winner voting setting to that of forming bundles of size k. Our main technical contribution involves designing efficient algorithms for computing (approximately)-optimal bundles for multi-winner extensions of the following voting rules: Copeland, Minimax, Ranked Pairs, and Schulze.
Analysis of the Wtb vertex from the measurement of triple-differential angular decay rates of single top quarks produced in the t-channel at √s=8 TeV with the ATLAS detector

The electroweak production and subsequent decay of single top quarks in the t-channel is determined by the properties of the Wtb vertex, which can be described by the complex parameters of an effec ...
Assessment of Left Ventricular Function in the Critically Ill Patient

A rapid qualitative assessment of left ventricular (LV) function is one of the cornerstones of point of care ultrasonography. The purpose of this review is to use a case-based approach to demonstrate how point of care echocardiography can be used to perform a qualitative assessment of LV systolic function. Various studies have demonstrated that using standard goal-directed echocardiography views, the assessment of myocardial thickening, endocardial excursion and the motion of the anterior leaflet of the mitral valve can be used to classify the LV systolic function into four broad categories: (1) normal, (2) hyperdynamic, (3) reduced, and (4) severely reduced LV function. Rapid qualitative assessment of LV systolic function provides valuable information, especially in patients with undifferentiated shock. However, it is important for the sonographer to recognize their limitations, be well versed in the pitfalls of each technique, and request a formal evaluation where appropriate.
Fundamentals of Research Data and Variables: The Devil Is in the Details

Designing, conducting, analyzing, reporting, and interpreting the findings of a research study require an understanding of the types and characteristics of data and variables. Descriptive statistics are typically used simply to calculate, describe, and summarize the collected research data in a logical, meaningful, and efficient way. Inferential statistics allow researchers to make a valid estimate of the association between an intervention and the treatment effect in a specific population, based upon their randomly collected, representative sample data. Categorical data can be either dichotomous or polytomous. Dichotomous data have only 2 categories, and thus are considered binary. Polytomous data have more than 2 categories. Unlike dichotomous and polytomous data, ordinal data are rank ordered, typically based on a numerical scale that is comprised of a small set of discrete classes or integers. Continuous data are measured on a continuum and can have any numeric value over this continuous range. Continuous data can be meaningfully divided into smaller and smaller or finer and finer increments, depending upon the precision of the measurement instrument. Interval data are a form of continuous data in which equal intervals represent equal differences in the property being measured. Ratio data are another form of continuous data, which have the same properties as interval data, plus a true definition of an absolute zero point, and the ratios of the values on the measurement scale make sense. The normal (Gaussian) distribution ("bell-shaped curve") is of the most common statistical distributions. Many applied inferential statistical tests are predicated on the assumption that the analyzed data follow a normal distribution. The histogram and the Q-Q plot are 2 graphical methods to assess if a set of data have a normal distribution (display "normality"). The Shapiro-Wilk test and the Kolmogorov-Smirnov test are 2 well-known and historically widely applied quantitative methods to assess for data normality. Parametric statistical tests make certain assumptions about the characteristics and/or parameters of the underlying population distribution upon which the test is based, whereas nonparametric tests make fewer or less rigorous assumptions. If the normality test concludes that the study data deviate significantly from a Gaussian distribution, rather than applying a less robust nonparametric test, the problem can potentially be remedied by judiciously and openly: (1) performing a data transformation of all the data values; or (2) eliminating any obvious data outlier(s).
A modular three-phase AC-AC converter with small number of film capacitors for highvoltage high-current applications

High-voltage and high-current power converters are essential in numerous applications, including shipboard power systems and industrial motor drives. Most of the existing topologies are based on dc-link converters, and use dc-dc or dc-ac power cells to realize a multilevel power converter. Therefore, they require a large number of capacitors with high capacitances. This paper proposes a new modular three-phase ac-ac converter, the power cells of which are formed by a new class of three-phase ac-ac converters. In the proposed modular converter, the input and output terminals of the power cells can be connected in series or in parallel. This paper studies the Input-Series Output-Parallel (ISOP) structure. The proposed modular converter requires a small number of power cells, and consequently a small number of capacitors. Moreover, the capacitance of each capacitor in a power cell is very small. This eliminates the need for electrolytic capacitors, which have high failure rates. This paper presents the principles of the operation of the proposed modular converter. The proposed ISOP modular configuration is evaluated in this paper, and the results verify its promising features for the high power applications.
NRG1 is required for the function of the TIR-NLR immune receptors Roq1 and RPP1 in Nicotiana benthamiana

The plant immune system involves a large family of nucleotide-binding leucine-rich repeat (NLR) intracellular immune receptors. These immune receptors often function to directly or indirectly mediate the perception of specific pathogen effector proteins secreted into the cell. Activation of these immune receptors typically results in activation of the immune system and subsequent suppression of pathogen proliferation. Although many examples of NLR receptors are known, a mechanistic understanding of how receptor activation ultimately leads to an immune response is not well understood. A subset of the NLR proteins contain a TIR domain at their N terminus (TNL). One such TNL, the N gene, was previously shown to depend on a non-TIR NLR protein, N requirement gene 1 (NRG1) for immune function. We tested additional NLR proteins in Nicotiana benthamiana for dependency on NRG1. We found that two additional TIR-NLR proteins, Roq1 and RPP1, also require NRG1 but that two coiled-coil NLR proteins, Bs2 and Rps2, do not. This finding suggests that NRG1 may be a conserved component of TNL signaling pathways.
HIV-Related Cancer Management in Resource-Limited Settings: A Case Study of Malawi

The convergence of the AIDS epidemic, HIV-related malignancies and infections, and extreme poverty creates a potentially insurmountable challenge to the overburdened health-care systems of resource-limited countries to provide care to their populations. Yet, given this reality, countries such as Malawi must meet these challenges. In this chapter, we review Malawi’s current approach to the management of HIV-related malignancies, address strategies for continued improvement, and highlight research progress that has been made in the area of Kaposi’s sarcoma management and goals for the future.
Observations on Photophores and Luminescence in the Teleost Porichthys

Porichthys myriaster is a shallow-water teleost possessing numerous photophores on head and trunk. These are embedded in the dermis and consist of a lens, layer of photogenic cells, and reflecting sheath. The photophore receives a nerve and blood-vessels which proceed to the photogenic tissue. The photogenic cells are finely granular and stain poorly. Luminescence in the living fish was evoked by electrical excitation and injection of adrenaline. When the nerve-cord was stimulated by electric shocks, the photophores lit up after a latent period of 7-10 sec. With localized stimulation a response was still obtained from all the photophores of the body after transection of the nerve-cord and arrest of circulation. Injection of adrenaline into the heart caused widespread luminescence in 2 min. The pattern of innervation of the photophores in teleosts suggests an autonomic supply. It is concluded that the photophores of Porichthys are probably innervated by the sympathetic system. Efferent fibres may be adrenergic. If the adrenals are involved, their effect is secondary, following nervous excitation.
Unmarked? Criminal Record Clearing and Employment Outcomes

An estimated one in three American adults has a criminal record. While some records are for serious offenses, most are for arrests or relatively lowlevel misdemeanors. In an era of heightened security concerns, easily available data, and increased criminal background checks, these records act as a substantial barrier to gainful employment and other opportunities. Harvard sociologist Devah Pager describes people with criminal records as “marked” with a negative job credential. In response to this problem, lawyers have launched unmarking programs to help people take advantage of legal record clearing remedies. We studied a random sample of participants in one such program to analyze the impact of the record clearing intervention on employment outcomes. Using methods to control for selection bias and the effects of changes in the economy in our data, we found evidence that: (1) the record clearing intervention boosted participants’ employment rates and average real earnings, and (2) people sought record clearing remedies after a period of suppressed earnings. More research needs to be done to understand the durability of the positive impact and its effects in different local settings and labor markets, but these findings suggest that the record clearing intervention makes a meaningful difference in employment outcomes for people with criminal records. The findings also suggest the importance of early intervention to increase employment opportunities for people with criminal records. Such interventions might include more legal services, but they might also include record clearing by operation of law or another mechanism that does not put the onus of unmarking on the person with a criminal record.
Technologies for Performance-Based Assessment

Basic skills in technology and digital literacy are two key competencies identified by the Joint Interim Report of the Commission and Council (2005: 30). However, the reality of how much these competencies are incorporated and developed in the classroom is drastically different (ANECA, Libro Blanco. Estudios en el ambito de las lenguas, literaturas y aspectos de cultura y civilizacion, 2004). This chapter proposes that the foreign/second language classroom is an optimal environment to remedy this disparity, not only in the activities that can be integrated in the classroom, but also through the use of technology for language assessment in a competence-based language curriculum. The chapter presents existing examples of technology for performance-based assessment and proposes different tools that can easily be used in the language classroom to integrate technology and performance-based assessment. Finally, the chapter suggests new lines of research in this novel field of technology and competence-based assessment.