cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Phase I monitoring of optical profiles with application in low-emittance glass manufacturing

Low-emittance (low-E) glass is an energy-efficient glass product which can reduce heat loss by reflecting most infrared radiation. Great benefit in energy savings has made low-E glass manufacturing an important sector of the glass industry. In the manufacturing process, optical profiles collected on the surface of products are widely available quality measurements. However, the current quality inspection scheme uses simple summaries of the optical profile data and may not perform well in detecting changes. This study considers monitoring of optical profiles directly and develops a methodology for Phase I analysis of such data. The proposed method uses a piecewise polynomial random-coefficient model to characterize optical profiles and a T2 control chart to monitor estimates of random effects in each piece. A procedure to segment the profiles is provided. We also investigate the problem caused by high correlations of random effects and propose a remedy based on regressor transformation. The numerical study and case study show that the proposed method is suitable for the data and able to identify outlying profiles.
Effects of zeranol-implantation periods on palatability of longissimus steaks from young bulls and steers.

Fifty-five fall-born, Simmental-crossbred, male calves were allotted at birth to one of five treatments: bulls castrated at 5 mo and implanted from birth to slaughter (ST); bulls implanted from birth to slaughter (BI-BS); bulls implanted from birth to weaning (BI-BW); bulls implanted from weaning to slaughter (BI-WS) and non-implanted control bulls (CB). Implanted calves received 36 mg of zeranol at approximately 100-d intervals. Calves were fed a high-concentrate diet from 8.1 mo of age to an average slaughter age of 17 mo. Longissimus steaks (LS) were evaluated for palatability traits by both a trained sensory panel (TSP) and a take-home consumer panel (CP). Conclusions from both panels were similar. The TSP found LS from ST to be juicier (P less than .05) than LS from all bull groups, and to be more tender (P less than .05) than LS from BI-BW and BI-WS. The CP found LS from ST to be juicier, more tender and more acceptable (P less than .05) than LS from BI-BW, BI-WS and CB. Steaks from BI-BS were more tender (P less than .05) than LS from BI-WS and CB. Steaks from BI-BS and BI-BW had lower (P less than .05) shear values than LS from CB, but LS from ST had lower (P less than .05) shear values than LS from all bull groups.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)
Chimeric Antigen Receptor T Cells: Antigen Selection, CAR Development, and Data in Neoplastic Hematology

Adoptive cellular therapy for cancer and other diseases is rapidly becoming one of the most actively studied areas. Genetically modified chimeric antigen receptor T cells provide exciting potential for curative treatments to patients with cancers found intractable with current therapies. Toxicities are one of the main limiting factors for wide applicability of CAR-T-cell therapy. The major limiting adverse events include neurotoxicity and cytokine release syndrome (CRS). The mechanisms contributing to these adverse effects are not fully understood, but significant effort has been devoted to describe the clinical course of these complications and provide strategies to mitigate these toxicities in treated patients. In this chapter, we highlight the most recent and relevant basic science and clinical trials using adoptive cellular therapy, specifically chimeric antigen receptor (CAR)-expressing cells and data in neoplastic hematologic diseases.
Culprit-Only or Complete Revascularization for ST-Elevation Myocardial Infarction in Patients with and Without Shock

ST-elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) patients with multivessel disease and without shock are a common clinical entity, but the best approach to nonculprit vessel lesions remains controversial. In contrast, STEMI patients with shock do not appear to benefit from primary multivessel percutaneous coronary interventions (PCIs) during the index procedure. The optimal treatment strategy in a given STEMI patient involves an individualized approach, incorporating clinical, hemodynamic, and angiographic/imaging parameters. Patients with STEMI and cardiogenic shock may benefit from therapies other than PCI, such as mechanical cardiovascular support.
Deep level defects in β-Ga2O3 pulsed laser deposited thin films and Czochralski-grown bulk single crystals by thermally stimulated techniques

Thermally stimulated techniques—thermally stimulated current (TSC) spectroscopy and thermally stimulated depolarization current (TSDC) spectroscopy—were used to comparatively study the electrical properties and deep level defects in β-Ga2O3 pulsed laser deposited thin films and Czochralski-grown bulk crystals. It was found that the samples are highly resistive and each sample may have different dark current activation energy. Deep level defects revealed by the thermally stimulated techniques vary from sample to sample. In addition to the common traps E1 (∼0.56 eV), E2 (∼0.84 eV), and E3 (∼0.99 eV), reported in the literature and revealed by DLTS studies of Ga2O3 bulk crystals, that were also found in our samples by the thermally stimulated techniques, a trap at ∼110 meV and several other traps are revealed specifically by TSDC between 105 and 225 K.
Multiple Epsilon-Near-Zero Resonances in Multilayered Cadmium Oxide: Designing Metamaterial-Like Optical Properties in Monolithic Materials

In this Letter, we demonstrate a new class of infrared nanophotonic materials based on monolithic, multilayered doped cadmium oxide (CdO) thin films, where each CdO layer is individually tuned to s...
Intensive Care Management of the Neuromuscular Patient

Neuromuscular emergencies are a distinct group of acute neurological diseases with distinct characteristic presentations. Patients who suffer from this group of diseases are at immediate risk of losing protection of their native airway as well as aspirating orogastric contents. This is secondary to weakness of the muscles of the oropharynx and respiratory muscles. Although some neuromuscular emergencies such as myasthenia gravis or Guillain-Barre syndrome are well understood, others such as critical illness myopathy and neuropathy are less well characterized. In this chapter, we have discussed the pathophysiology, diagnostic evaluation, and management options in patients who are admitted to the intensive care unit. We have also emphasized the importance of a thorough understanding of the use of pharmacological anesthetic agents in this patient population.
Cold Plasma Effects on the Nutritional, Textural and Sensory Characteristics of Fruits and Vegetables, Meat, and Dairy Products

The non-thermal nature of cold plasma processing has brought it to the spotlight in recent times as an alternative food processing technology, especially for foods sensitive to heat. Simply defined as the generation of short-lived reactive species by the application of electricity to gas, non-thermal plasma has become an important food processing technology. Figure 7.1 shows a schematic presentation of atmospheric cold plasma processing of food products. Depending on the plasma technique used (i.e. corona discharge, dielectric barrier discharge, gliding arch, plasma jets, and radio frequency discharges), different reactive species are produced, usually from vibrationally and electronically excited nitrogen and oxygen. The type of reactive species produced largely depends on the type of gas used. The gases mostly used are but not limited to oxygen, nitrogen, argon, hydrogen, air and their mixtures. These reactive species react with surfaces, they come into contact with resulting in modifications. The effects of cold plasma on the various food components such as proteins, starch, lipids, and phenolics have been previously reported. One of the main applications of cold plasma in food processing is for the sterilization of food products. Other applications such as food quality improvement, packaging applications, surface modifications, and the degradation of toxins in foods have been reported. In this chapter, the advantages and challenges of using cold plasma on the quality of fruits, vegetables, meat and dairy products are highlighted. The discussion is focused on the effects of cold plasma on the nutritional, textural and sensory properties of fruits and vegetables, meat and dairy products.
Application of Superposition Principle to Variable Rate/Pressure Production Analysis of Multi-Fractured Horizontal Wells in Unconventional Gas Reservoirs

Abstract Application of superposition principle to non-linear gas governing equations has been an elusive goal in early-transient production data analysis and has been so far limited to the use of empirical and approximate methods best applicable to boundary-dominated flow conditions. This paper presents a novel and rigorous semi-analytical model that is applicable for the analysis of production data from multi-fractured horizontal gas wells (MFHWs) producing under early-transient variable rate/pressure production conditions. Nonlinear, pressure-dependent hydraulic diffusivity retained in pseudo-pressure-based gas diffusivity equation is straightforwardly and rigorously captured without approximation. The resulting formulation of superposition applied in nonlinear gas system is written in terms of the classical solution for the governing linear partial differential equation (PDE) plus an analytical adjustment factor that quantifies the nonlinearity of the system. Numerical examples and field cases are presented to test the validity and showcase the capabilities of proposed approach. Comparisons against available empirical and approximate models are also provided for these cases.
Sexual minority substance use disparities: Bisexual women at elevated risk relative to other sexual minority groups

Abstract Background Prior studies characterizing sexual minority substance use disparities have primarily compared lesbian/gay and bisexual individuals, respectively or in combination, to heterosexual individuals. In light of emerging evidence that bisexual individuals may have particularly elevated substance use risk, we examine differences in recent substance use between bisexual and lesbian/gay individuals using national survey data. Methods Data on 126,463 adults (including 8241 LGB adults) were from the 2015–2017 National Survey on Drug Use and Health. Substance use outcomes included binge drinking, cigarette smoking, cigar smoking, marijuana use, illicit drug use, opioid misuse, alcohol use disorder, nicotine dependence, and substance use disorder. Logistic regression was used to estimate sexual identity- and gender-specific odds ratios, controlling for demographic characteristics. Of particular interest were estimates comparing bisexual and lesbian/gay individuals of the same gender. Results Both male and female sexual minority adults had significantly elevated rates of substance use compared to heterosexual adults. Furthermore, relative to lesbian/gay women, bisexual women had significantly elevated odds of binge drinking (aOR = 1.29), marijuana use (aOR = 1.42), illicit drug use (aOR = 1.55), opioid misuse (aOR = 1.53), and alcohol use disorder (aOR = 1.48). Relative to gay men, bisexual men had significantly elevated cigar use (aOR = 1.64). Conclusions Bisexual women were at significantly greater risk for multiple substance use behaviors relative to lesbian/gay women. We did not observe any substance use behaviors for which bisexual individuals had significantly lower risk than their lesbian/gay peers. These disparities may be explained, in part, by unique risk factors for substance use experienced by bisexual individuals, particularly bisexual women.
Comparison of acid- versus heat-treatment for immune complex dissociation and detection of Dirofilaria immitis antigen in canine plasma

Abstract Annual antigen testing is a mainstay for diagnosing infection with Dirofiliaria immitis in dogs; yet, it has been documented that some heartworm-infected dogs and cats test false-negative for antigen due to the presence of antigen-antibody complexes. Several studies have reported the use of heat as a reliable means of immune-complex dissociation (ICD) in recent years; however, the data regarding the use of acid as a reliable method of ICD for D. immitis detection are limited. The objective of this study was to compare an acid-based form of ICD to the more established and evaluated method of heat-based ICD in experimentally infected and non-infected dogs. Plasma from class A dogs experimentally infected ∼4 months prior with D. immitis (infected; n = 24) and dogs reared indoors with no history of exposure to mosquitoes (non-infected; n = 75) were evaluated for presence of D. immitis antigen (DiroCHEK® Heartworm antigen test kit). Each sample was divided into three aliquots for testing: [1] Control plasma (no acid- or heat-treatment), [2] acid-treated plasma (trichloroacetic acid (TCA), incubation, centrifugation for 5 min at 16,000 X g, buffer), and [3] heat-treated plasma (104 °C followed by centrifugation at 16,000 X g). Treatments for each aliquot were performed and tested in triplicate; results were determined both visually (color change) and by spectrophotometric analysis (optical density [OD] value). Of the 24 infected dogs, 0/24 tested positive for antigen in the absence of acid- or heat-treatment. Those same plasma samples following processing by either acid- or heat-treatment yielded 18/24 (75.0%) and 19/24 (79.2%) antigen-positive results, respectively. Of the 75 plasma samples from non-infected dogs, neither acid- nor heat-treatment of plasma caused any false-positive color changes or spectrophotometric values. These results indicate that acid as a means of ICD reliably allowed for the detection of D. immitis antigen in infected plasma while not inducing false-positive results in non-infected plasma samples.
Rapidly Progressive Arthritis in Femoroacetabular Impingement: Patient Characteristics and Risk Factors for Total Hip Arthroplasty by the Age of Forty.

Background Femoroacetabular impingement (FAI), particularly cam-type, is now well accepted as a risk factor for the development of hip osteoarthritis (OA). However, many hips with FAI morphology will never develop hip pain or OA, identifying that our current understanding of FAI disease progression remains limited. The purposes of this retrospective case-control study were to (1) report the patient and disease characteristics of patients with rapidly progressive FAI requiring hip arthroplasty by the age of 40 and (2) to identify patient and imaging factors associated with rapidly progressive FAI. Methods Cases were retrospectively identified from an arthroplasty registry as patients 40 years old or younger with underlying FAI deformity and end stage OA requiring primary total hip arthroplasty. Patients were excluded for known DDH, AVN, SCFE, inflammatory arthritis, and previous ipsilateral surgery. Controls were identified from a hip preservation database as patients with symptomatic FAI undergoing surgical intervention over the same time period, and were matched 2:1 by gender and age. Alpha angles were calculated on frog-leg lateral and anteroposterior (AP) radiographs with both inclusion and exclusion of any osteophytic prominences (representing minimum and maximal possible underlying FAI morphology). Patient characteristics, radiographic parameters, and baseline patient reported outcomes were compared between the two groups using student's t-tests. Results The rapidly progressive FAI cohort of 31 patients had a mean age of 35.8 years at surgery and was 39% female and 61% male. Alpha angles were significantly larger compared to controls when osteophytes were included (Frog: 74.7±10.8 vs. 57.2±12.7°, p<0.001; AP: 91.7±10.7 vs. 61.2±19.4°, p<0.001), but not when osteophytes were excluded (Frog: 61.2±11.1 vs. 57.2±12.7°, p=0.15; AP: 64.9±17.1 vs. 61.3±19.4°, p=0.38). Except for UCLA activity score, all baseline outcome measures were significantly lower for rapidly progressive FAI cases (p<0.001 for all). Conclusions When compared to controls with symptomatic FAI, rapidly progressive cases did not demonstrate major differences in cam deformity magnitude. Thus severity of bony deformity may only be one aspect of a multifactorial etiology of hip OA progression in FAI.Level of Evidence: III.
Competition between Solvent-Solvent and Solvent-Solute Interactions in the Microhydration of the Hexafluorophosphate Anion, PF6-(H2O)n=1,2.

This study systematically examines the interactions of the hexafluorophosphate anion (PF6-) with one or two solvent water molecules (PF6-(H2O)n where n = 1, 2). Full geometry optimizations and subsequent harmonic vibrational frequency computations are performed on each stationary point using a variety of common density functional theory methods (B3LYP, B3LYP-D3, M06-2X, and ωB97XD) and the MP2 and CCSD(T) ab initio methods with a triple-ζ correlation consistent basis set augmented with diffuse functions on all non-hydrogen atoms (cc-pVTZ for H and aug-cc-pVTZ for P, O, and F; denoted as haTZ). Five new stationary points of PF6-(H2O)2 have been identified, one of which has an electronic energy of approximately 2 kcal mol-1 lower than the only other dihydrate structure reported for this system. The CCSD(T) computations also reveal that the detailed interactions between PF6- and H2O can be quite difficult to model reliably, with some methods struggling to correctly characterize stationary points for n = 1 or accurately reproduce the vibrational frequency shifts induced by the formation of the hydrated complex. Although the interactions between the solvent and ionic solute are quite strong (CCSD(T) electronic dissociation energy ≈10 kcal mol-1 for the monohydrate minimum), the solvent-solvent interactions in the lowest-energy PF6-(H2O)2 minimum give rise to appreciable cooperative effects not observed in the other dihydrate minima. In addition, this newly identified structure exhibits the largest frequency shifts in the OH stretching vibrations for the waters of hydration (with Δω exceeding -100 cm-1 relative to the values for an isolated H2O molecule).
Examining the communication of gender roles to parents: a quantitative content analysis of online birth congratulations cards

The Internet serves as a media source to communicate information about modern societal perceptions and cultural attitudes regarding gender stereotypes. The current study evaluated sex-typed electro...
Review of couple relationships in the middle and later years: their nature, complexity, and role in health and illness.

America has an aging population. The US Bureau of the Census reports that by 2030, all members of the “baby boomer” cohort will be older than age 65. By 2035, people 65 years and older will outnumb...
The Art of Ancient Mesopotamian Technical Manuals and Letters: The Origins of Instructional Writing

The people of the Ancient Near East, inventors of writing, fully understood that providing instructions was a highly persuasive and reader-centric act that required the writer to make specific choi...
Relations among co-occurring psychopathology in youth with autism spectrum disorder, family resilience, and caregiver coping

Abstract Background Co-occurring mental health problems are common in youth with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and are associated with greater caregiver stress; however, it is not known whether such challenges overwhelm caregivers’ ability to cope. Research has demonstrated that families of children with ASD are able to demonstrate resilience; yet, whether family resilience functions as a compensatory or protective factor in ASD families has not been investigated. This study aimed to examine the relations among family resilience, co-occurring psychopathology in youth with ASD, and caregiver coping. Method Data from this study were obtained from the 2016–2018 National Survey of Children’s Health (NSCH). Multiple binary logistic regression was run to examine the associations among commonly co-occurring psychiatric disorders in youth with ASD (i.e., anxiety, depression, attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder, and behavioral/conduct problems) and caregiver coping. Another multiple binary logistic regression was run to examine whether family resilience moderates the aforementioned relationships. Results Youth with ASD and co-occurring conduct problems or depression were significantly more likely to be cared for by adults who were not coping well. High family resilience was directly associated with lower odds of poor parental coping; nonetheless, co-occurring conduct problems and depression were still associated with worse coping of caregivers after accounting for family resilience. Conclusions Findings indicate that co-occurring depression and conduct problems in ASD youth may overwhelm their caregivers’ coping resources. Results also suggest that interventions targeting family resilience may improve the coping of adults caring for children and adolescents with ASD.
A Stochastic Inventory Model Incorporating Intra-Year Purchases and Accounting Tax Incentives

It has been observed that firms alter year-end inventory policies in response to accounting tax incentives. This study proposes a stochastic ordering policy model which quantifies these effects. An innovative feature is its use of two decision variables: an initial order-up-to-level at the beginning of each year and a desired year-end inventory level. The ability to place a second order after demand has been assessed allows for an explicit consideration of the effects of tax incentives on order quantity decisions. Separate formulations are developed for the two most widely-used inventory accounting methods, LIFO and FIFO. The model provides new implications for choices between LIFO and FIFO, the forms of optimal ordering policies under each and for year-end inventory levels. A procedure is given for calculating the optimal FIFO policy. Calculating optimal LIFO policies is very difficult so myopic approximate policies are given which bound the optimal policy.
Successive Monopoly, Bilateral Monopoly and Vertical Mergers

The 2020 Vertical Merger Guidelines set out the enforcement policy of the Department of Justice and the Federal Trade Commission with regard to vertical mergers. The evaluation process centers on the elimination of double marginalization, raising rivals’ costs, and market foreclosure. The Agencies recognize that merger-specific efficiencies may save an otherwise objectionable merger. In this paper, our focus is on the welfare effects of vertical mergers in the presence of successive monopoly and bilateral monopoly. In both cases, a vertical merger is welfare enhancing, but the benefits may not be merger specific. We illustrate this proposition by examining contractual alternatives to vertical integration by merger. We argue that vertical integration may eliminate substantial transaction costs which are present in contractual alternatives. Consequently, a vertical merger may well be superior to these contractual alternatives.
Does the Data Induce Capacity Control in Deep Learning

This paper studies how the dataset may be the cause of the anomalous generalization performance of deep networks. We show that the data correlation matrix of typical classification datasets has an eigenspectrum where, after a sharp initial drop, a large number of small eigenvalues are distributed uniformly over an exponentially large range. This structure is mirrored in a network trained on this data: we show that the Hessian and the Fisher Information Matrix (FIM) have eigenvalues that are spread uniformly over exponentially large ranges. We call such eigenspectra "sloppy" because sets of weights corresponding to small eigenvalues can be changed by large magnitudes without affecting the loss. Networks trained on atypical, non-sloppy synthetic data do not share these traits. We show how this structure in the data can give to non-vacuous PAC-Bayes generalization bounds analytically; we also construct data-distribution dependent priors that lead to accurate bounds using numerical optimization.
Kallistatin inhibits TGF-β-induced endothelial-mesenchymal transition by differential regulation of microRNA-21 and eNOS expression.

Abstract Kallistatin, an endogenous protein, consists of two structural elements: active site and heparin-binding domain. Kallistatin exerts beneficial effects on fibrosis by suppressing transforming growth factor (TGF)-β synthesis in animal models. TGF-β is the most potent inducer of endothelial–mesenchymal transition (EndMT), which contributes to fibrosis and cancer. MicroRNA (miR)-21 is an important player in organ fibrosis and tumor invasion. Here we investigated the potential role of kallistatin in EndMT via modulation of miR-21 in endothelial cells. Human kallistatin treatment blocked TGF-β-induced EndMT, as evidenced by morphological changes as well as increased endothelial and reduced mesenchymal marker expression. Kallistatin also inhibited TGF-β-mediated reactive oxygen species (ROS) formation and NADPH oxidase expression and activity. Moreover, kallistatin antagonized TGF-β-induced miR-21 and Snail1 synthesis, Akt phosphorylation, NF-κB activation, and matrix metalloproteinase 2 (MMP2) synthesis and activation. Kallistatin via its heparin-binding site blocked TGF-β-induced miR-21, Snail1 expression, and ROS formation, as wild-type kallistatin, but not heparin-binding site mutant kallistatin, exerted the effect. Conversely, kallistatin through its active site stimulated the synthesis of endothelial nitric oxide synthase (eNOS), sirtuin 1 (Sirt1) and forkhead box O1 (FoxO1); however, these effects were blocked by genistein, a tyrosine kinase inhibitor. This is the first study to demonstrate that kallistatin's heparin-binding site is crucial for preventing TGF-β-induced miR-21 and oxidative stress, while its active site is key for stimulating the expression of antioxidant genes via interaction with an endothelial surface tyrosine kinase. These findings reveal novel mechanisms of kallistatin in protection against fibrosis and cancer by suppressing EndMT.
Synaptic integration in bistable motoneurons.

Publisher Summary Several types of motoneurons exhibit bistable behavior in which brief periods of excitation and inhibition can toggle self-sustained firing on and off. In spinal motoneurons in the adult cat, bistable behavior is especially strong, but recent studies have shown that this bistable behavior varies systematically across the motoneuron pool. Fully bistable cells can maintain self-sustained firing for many seconds, whereas partially bistable cells can generate at most 1–2 seconds of self-sustained firing. It is important to realize that fully bistable motoneurons tend to have slow axonal conduction velocities and low input conductances. In contrast, partially bistable cells tend to have fast conduction velocities and high input conductances. Thus, fully bistable cells are likely to innervate fatigue-resistant muscle fibers and to be either of type slow contracting (S) or fast, fatigue resistant (FR) in the type classification scheme of Burke and colleagues. Using the single electrode voltage clamp technique, this chapter measures the total persistent inward current (I PT ) underlying bistable behavior. Although I PT is of similar amplitude in fully and partially bistable cells, it tends to slowly decay with time in the partially bistable group while exhibiting little or no decay in fully bistable cells. The chapter briefly reviews the evidence that I PT and the plateau potential largely originate in dendritic regions and then considers the implications of a large and persistent inward current in dendrites for synaptic integration. Finally, it presents some guidelines for detecting the signs of plateau potentials in single motor unit firing patterns in human subjects.
Cell Migration: Recoiling from an Embrace

For proper spacing or rapid dispersion, some migratory cells are guided by repulsive collisions with their neighbors. A new study reveals that a surprising intercellular coupling of leading edge actin networks forms the basis of mutual repulsion in Drosophila hemocytes.
Small unitary representations of the double cover of SL(m)

The irreducible unitary representations of the double cover SL(m) of the real group SL(m), with infinitesimal character ½p, which are small in the sense that their annihilator in the universal enveloping algebra is maximal, are expressed as Langlands quotients of generalized principal series. In the case where m is even we show that there are four such representations and in the case where m is odd there is just one. The representations' smallness allows them to be written as a sum of virtual representations, leading to a character formula for their K-types. We investigate the place of these small representations in the orbit method and, in the case of SL(2l+ 1), show that the representation is attached to a nilpotent coadjoint orbit.The K-type spectrum for the Langlands quotients is explicitly determined and shown to be multiplicity free.
Electron-impact ionization of Xe24 +

Configuration-average distorted-wave calculations are carried out for the electron-impact single ionization of Xe24 +. Contributions are included from direct ionization of the 3s, 3p, 3d and 4s subshells and from indirect ionization via 3s → nl, 3p → nl and 3d → nl excitations followed by autoionization. Branching ratios are found for single versus double ionization of the 3s and 3p subshells and for autoionization versus radiative decay of all 3l → nl excitations. Additional distorted-wave and R-matrix calculations find resonant-capture double-autoionization contributions to be quite small. The total ionization cross section for Xe24 + is found to be dominated by indirect excitation–autoionization contributions, especially near the single-ionization threshold. An approximate 15% reduction in the total ionization cross section is found due to the radiative decays included in the branching ratios.
Arctic organic aerosol measurements show particles from mixed combustion in spring haze and from frost flowers in winter

0.07 m gm �3 in summer to 0.43 m gm �3 in winter, and 0.35 m gm �3 in spring, showing a transition in OM composition between spring and winter. Most of the OM in spring could be attributed to anthropogenic sources, consisting primarily of alkane and carboxylic acid functional groups and correlated to elemental tracers of industrial pollution, biomass burning, and shipping emissions. PMF analysis associated OM with two factors, a Mixed Combustion factor (MCF) and an Ocean‐derived factor (ODF). Back trajectory analysis revealed that the highest fractions of the MCF were associated with air masses that had originated from northeastern Asia and the shipping lanes south of the Bering Straits. The ODF consisted of organic hydroxyl groups and correlated with organic and inorganic seawater components. The ODF accounted for more than 55% of OM in winter when the sampled air masses originated along the coastal and lake regions of the Northwest Territories of Canada. Frost flowers with organic‐salt coatings that arise by brine rejection during sea ice formation may account for this large source of carbohydrate‐like OM during the ice‐ covered winter season. While the anthropogenic sources contributed more than 0.3 m gm �3 of the springtime haze OM, ocean‐derived particles provided comparable OM sources in winter. Citation: Shaw, P. M., L. M. Russell, A. Jefferson, and P. K. Quinn (2010), Arctic organic aerosol measurements show particles from mixed combustion in spring haze and from frost flowers in winter, Geophys. Res. Lett., 37, L10803,
The Impact of Parks on Property Values: A Review of the Empirical Evidence

The real estate market consistently demonstrates that many people are willing to pay a larger amount for a property located close to a park than for a house that does not offer this amenity. The hi...
Gummel-Poon Model Parameter Optimization for a Power Transistor

Computer Aided Design and Analysis tools rely heavily on accurate device models. The development of an accurate PNP power transistor model is presented in this paper. The device is modeled in terms of the Gummel-Poon model. It is difficult to obtain accurate values for the parameters due to the complexity of the model and the inherent assumptions and inaccuracies in the measurement procedure. Optimizing the parameter values through trial and error is not easy and a more systematic and efficient method is presented. An interactive design optimization program called DESIGN is used to adjust the parameter values so that the measured and the predicted output characteristics match at selected values of base current. The result is an accurate model that is sophisticated enough to predict the complex behavior of the transistor.
WGS accurately predicts antimicrobial resistance in Escherichia coli

Objectives: The objective of this study was to determine the effectiveness of WGS in identifying resistance genotypes of MDR Escherichia coli and whether these correlate with observed phenotypes. Methods: Seventy-six E. coli strains were isolated from farm cattle and measured for phenotypic resistance to 15 antimicrobials with the Sensititrew system. Isolates with resistance to at least four antimicrobials in three classes were selected for WGS using an Illumina MiSeq. Genotypic analysis was conducted with in-house Perl scripts using BLAST analysis to identify known genes and mutations associated with clinical resistance. Results: Over 30 resistance genes and a number of resistance mutations were identified among the E. coli isolates. Resistance genotypes correlated with 97.8% specificity and 99.6% sensitivity to the identified phenotypes. The majority of discordant results were attributable to the aminoglycoside streptomycin, whereas there was a perfect genotype–phenotype correlation for most antibiotic classes such as tetracyclines, quinolones and phenicols. WGS also revealed information about rare resistance mechanisms, such as structural mutations in chromosomal copies of ampC conferring third-generation cephalosporin resistance. Conclusions: WGS can provide comprehensive resistance genotypes and is capable of accurately predicting resistance phenotypes, making it a valuable tool for surveillance. Moreover, the data presented here showing the ability to accurately predict resistance suggest that WGS may be used as a screening tool in selecting anti-infective therapy, especially as costs drop and methods improve.
On Using the SVD-Prony Method to Extract Poles of an EM System from its Transient Response

ABSTRACT The singular value decomposition (SVD) procedure when applied to the Prony method has proved to be a robust estimator of the poles of an electromagnetic system from its transient response. Two of the major disadvantages of this technique have been eliminated by preprocessing the transient data. Accurate results are obtained for data with low signal-to-noise ratios. Comparisons are made with results that are obtained from other methods of parameter estimation.
The protective effect of phentolamine against cardiac arrhythmias in the rat.

Abstract Norepinephrine was given by continous infusion at a rate of 80 μg/kg/min for 2 min. Norepinephrine caused the appearance of cardiac arrhythmias, primarily ventricular extrasystoles. The prior administration of phentolamine, even in a dose which did not antagonize the pressor effect of norepinephrine, prevented extrasystole production by norepinephrine. Tolazoline and yohimbine, in doses which did not affect the vasopressor action of norepinephrine, also suppressed extrasystole production. It is concluded that the antiarrhythmic effect of phentolamine, does not require antagonism of α-adrenoceptors of the type found in the vasculature, but may involve effects on a different type of a α-adrenoceptors in the heart.
A rangewide population genetic study of trumpeter swans

For management purposes, the range of naturally occurring trumpeter swans (Cygnus buccinator) has been divided into two populations, the Pacific Coast Population (PP) and the Rocky Mountain Population (RMP). Little is known about the distribution of genetic variation across the species’ range despite increasing pressure to make difficult management decisions regarding the two populations and flocks within them. To address this issue, we used rapidly evolving genetic markers (mitochondrial DNA sequence and 17 nuclear microsatellite loci) to elucidate the underlying genetic structure of the species. Data from both markers revealed a significant difference between the PP and RMP with the Yukon Territory as a likely area of overlap. Additionally, we found that the two populations have somewhat similar levels of genetic diversity (PP is slightly higher) suggesting that the PP underwent a population bottleneck similar to a well-documented one in the RMP. Both genetic structure and diversity results reveal that the Tri-State flock, a suspected unique, non-migratory flock, is not genetically different from the Canadian flock of the RMP and need not be treated as a unique population from a genetic standpoint. Finally, trumpeter swans appear to have much lower mitochondrial DNA variability than other waterfowl studied thus far which may suggest a previous, species-wide bottleneck.
Tumor p53 status and response to topoisomerase II inhibitors

Abstract It is thought that when tumor cells are treated with anticancer drugs, they die through the apoptotic pathway and that cell resistance to cancer chemotherapy is mainly a resistance to apoptosis commitment. p53 is not functional in nearly half of the tumors examined and because of its involvement (directly or through its target genes) in the apoptotic pathway, drug resistance to chemotherapy has been largely attributed to the status of this “tumor suppressor protein”. Topoisomerase II (topo II) inhibitors are widely used not only as single agents, but also in the majority of combination treatment protocols for hematologic malignancies and solid tumors. The relationship between p53 and topo II raises many questions about basic regulatory, biochemical, structural and functional characteristics that could be different in cells in diferent tissues, and most importantly, between different tumor cell types and their normal tissue counterpart. Understanding these relationships may lead to strategies for chemotherapy optimization and further precision targeting of tumor cells in order to avoid drug resistance and thereby chemotherapy failure.
A Longitudinal Exploration of the Effect of Official Processing and Sanctioning on the Academic and Criminal Careers of College Students

This study examines the effect of official processing and sanctioning on the academic and criminal careers of a sample of college students from a large university in a southeastern college town. Using a series of OLS and logistic regression models, the results indicated that offense frequency and severity are risk factors for dropping out/or being dismissed from college, whereas membership in a sorority or fraternity is a protective factor. Additional analyses demonstrated that the severity of punishment as well as the type of punishment (e.g., judicial affairs punishment, criminal justice system punishment) also had a significant effect on future offending. Study limitations and policy implications are also discussed.
A novel duplex feed

For observing lunar occultations of radio sources, a dual-frequency feed has been designed to use on one of the 90-ft. paraboloids (f/D=0.4) at this observatory. The requirement was to add a long-wavelength (~3 meters) feed on teh same axis as the existing 21-cm waveguide feed-horn.
Integration of microwave tomography with magnetic resonance for improved breast imaging

Purpose: Breast magnetic resonance imaging is highly sensitive but not very specific for the detection of breast cancer. Opportunities exist to supplement the image acquisition with a more specific modality provided the technical challenges of meeting space limitations inside the bore, restricted breast access, and electromagnetic compatibility requirements can be overcome. Magnetic resonance (MR) and microwave tomography (MT) are complementary and synergistic because the high resolution of MR is used to encode spatial priors on breast geometry and internal parenchymal features that have distinct electrical properties (i.e., fat vs fibroglandular tissue) for microwave tomography. Methods: The authors have overcome integration challenges associated with combining MT with MR to produce a new coregistered, multimodality breast imaging platform—magnetic resonance microwave tomography, including: substantial illumination tank size reduction specific to the confined MR bore diameter, minimization of metal content and composition, reduction of metal artifacts in the MR images, and suppression of unwanted MT multipath signals. Results: MR SNR exceeding 40 dB can be obtained. Proper filtering of MR signals reduces MT data degradation allowing MT SNR of 20 dB to be obtained, which is sufficient for image reconstruction. When MR spatial priors are incorporated into the recovery of MT property estimates, the errors between the recovered versus actual dielectric properties approach 5%. Conclusions: The phantom and human subject exams presented here are the first demonstration of combining MT with MR to improve the accuracy of the reconstructed MT images.
Effects of upstream lakes and nutrient limitation on periphytic biomass and nitrogen fixation in oligotrophic, subalpine streams

SUMMARY 1. We conducted bioassays of nutrient limitation to understand how macronutrients and the position of streams relative to lakes control nitrogen (N2) fixation and periphytic biomass in three oligotrophic Rocky Mountain catchments. We measured periphytic chlorophyll-a (chl-a) and nitrogen-fixation responses to nitrogen (N) and phosphorus (P) additions using nutrient-diffusing substrata at 19 stream study sites, located above and below lakes within the study catchments. 2. We found that periphytic chl-a was significantly co-limited by N and P at 13 of the 19 sites, with sole limitation by P observed at another four sites, and no nutrient response at the final two sites. On average, the addition of N, P and N + P stimulated chl-a 35%, 114% and 700% above control values respectively. The addition of P alone stimulated nitrogen fixation by 2500% at five of the 19 sites. The addition of N, either with or without simultaneous P addition, suppressed nitrogen fixation by 73% at nine of the 19 sites. 3. Lake outlet streams were warmer and had higher dissolved organic carbon concentrations than inlet streams and those further upstream, but position relative to lakes did not affect chl-a and nitrogen fixation in the absence of nutrient additions. Chl-a response to nutrient additions did not change along the length of the study streams, but nitrogen fixation was suppressed more strongly by N, and stimulated more strongly by P, at lower altitude sites. The responses of chl-a and nitrogen fixation to nutrients were not affected by location relative to lakes. Some variation in responses to nutrients could be explained by nitrate and/or total N concentration. 4. Periphytic chl-a and nitrogen fixation were affected by nutrient supply, but responses to nutrients were independent of stream position in the landscape relative to lakes. Understanding interactions between nutrient supply, nitrogen fixation and chl-a may help predict periphytic responses to future perturbations of oligotrophic streams, such as the deposition of atmospheric N.
Population pharmacokinetics of hydroxyurea in cancer patients.

The pharmacokinetics of hydroxyurea (HU) were investigated in cancer patients after intravenous infusion or oral administration. On the basis of the minimal value of the objective function (MVOF) and prior knowledge of the disposition of HU in animals and man, the data were best described by a one-compartment pharmacokinetic model with parallel Michaelis-Menten metabolism and first-order renal excretion. The computer program NONMEM (nonlinear mixed effects model) was used to perform the nonlinear regression and provide estimates of the population parameters. For the combined intravenous and oral data set, these parameters were estimated to be: maximal elimination rate (Vmax), 0.097 mmolh−1 l−1; Michaelis constant for HU elimination (KM), 0.323 mmol/1; renal clearance (ClR), 90.8 ml/min; volume of distribution (Vd), 0.186× (body weight) + 25.41; absorption rate constant (Ka), 2.92 h−1; and availability to the systemic circulation (F), 0.792. The principal findings of the investigation are that HU undergoes nonlinear elimination in cancer patients and that HU is reasonably well absorbed following oral administration.
Cara deum suboles: Hercules and Orpheus in Vergil’s pastoral landscape

The tragedies of Hercules and Orpheus in Vergil’s Georgics anticipate their respective elevations in the afterlife.
A construction of nonlinear codes which betters or equals known results for certain parameters

A new technique for constructing non-linear codes is presented, which, in at least two cases, yields larger codes of a given length and minimum distance than any previously known code (according to the table in F. J. MacWilliams and N. J. A. Sloane's “The Theory of Error Correcting Codes”, North-Holland, Amsterdam, 1977 ). The technique depends largely on identifying elements of GF(2k) with rows of a particular class of binary matrices. Several examples of the general theorem are given.
The role of the accountant in your practice.

A business accountant should be a trusted business advisor and not-so-silent partner. Accountants can assist in making the ordinary everyday decisions in a practice, such as type of business entity under which to operate;type of compensation model a practice should use; type of funding strategy that should be used for capital improvements (eg, leasing versus buying); depreciation methods that should be used; tax strategies for maximizing deductions; retirement plan strategies; practice growth strategies; and many other practice decisions.
A population-based study of Ashkenazi Jewish women's attitudes toward genetic discrimination and BRCA1/2 testing

Purpose: The Human Genome Project continues to produce an increasing number of genetic susceptibility tests. Some of these genetic tests target social or ethnic groups who are at increased risk of developing a disease. The Ashkenazi Jewish community is one ethnic group that is an ongoing subject of genetic investigation. We assessed the attitudes of a population-based sample of Ashkenazi Jewish women toward breast–ovarian cancer susceptibility testing (BRCA1/2). In particular, we assessed concerns about group discrimination, perceptions of the advantages and disadvantages of BRCA1/2 testing, and the relationship between concerns about discrimination and the potential benefits of genetic testing. Methods: A telephone survey of a population-based sample of 200 Jewish women. Results: A minority of women (17%) in this study expressed concern or discomfort with Jews being offered BRCA1/2 testing. Most women believed there were scientific reasons for testing Jews (71%), and only 5% of women felt that research that focused on Jews was bad for Jews as a group. Increased concern about genetic discrimination was associated with women who were highly educated (odds ratio 2.68). Forty percent of women surveyed were interested in BRCA1/2 testing, 40% were not interested, and 20% were uncertain about whether they would obtain BRCA1/2 testing. Increased interest in genetic testing was associated with a desire to obtain information about children’s risk of disease and valuing information for its own sake. Conclusions: The majority of a population-based sample of Jewish women did not express concerns about group discrimination resulting from genetic testing. Women who are highly educated are more concerned about genetic discrimination. There is significant variation among Jewish women’s interest in breast cancer susceptibility testing.