cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Short-term probabilistic forecasting of meso-scale near-surface urban temperature fields

Abstract This paper introduces a probabilistic approach to spatio-temporal high resolution meso-scale modeling of near-surface temperature and applies it to regions of dimension about 150∼200 km, with 1 km grid spacing and 30-min interval. Our probabilistic approach, based on linear Gaussian models and dimensionality reduction, can accurately forecast short-term temperature fields and serve as a computationally less expensive alternative to physics-based models that necessitate high-performance computing. The probabilistic models here are calibrated from simulations of a physics-based model, the Princeton Urban Canopy Model, coupled to the Weather Research and Forecasting Model (WRF-PUCM). We assess the performance of the calibrated models to forecast short-term near-surface temperature in various cases. In the numerical campaign, our models achieve 0.97–1.13 °C root mean squared error (RMSE) for 24-hours ahead forecast; generating three days of forecast takes between 20 and 170 sec on a single processor (Intel Xeon E5-2690 v4@2.60GHz). Hence, the proposed approach provides predictions at relatively high accuracy and low computational cost.
Patterns of Recovery in Cardiovascular Care after the COVID-19 Pandemic Surge.

Abstract Background : Cardiovascular disease remains the number one cause of death globally. Patients with cardiovascular disease are at risk of poor outcomes from deferral of healthcare during the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic. Little is known about recovery of cardiovascular hospitalizations or procedural volume following the COVID-19 surges. We sought to examine the cardiovascular diagnoses requiring healthcare utilization surrounding the first and second COVID-19 waves and characterize trends in return to pre-pandemic levels at a tertiary care center in Massachusetts. Methods : Using electronic health records and administrative claims data, we performed a retrospective analysis of patients undergoing cardiovascular procedures and admitted to inpatient cardiology services throughout the first two COVID surges. ICD-10 codes were used to categorize admissions. Results : Patients who presented for care during the initial COVID-19 surge were younger, had higher comorbidity burden, and longer length-of-stay compared with pre- and post-surge. Marked declines in admissions in the first wave (to 29% of pre-surge levels) followed eventually by complete recovery were noted across all cardiac diagnoses, with smaller declines seen in the second wave. Cardiac procedural volume declined significantly during the initial surge but quickly rebounded post-surge, eventually eclipsing pre-COVID. Conclusions : There was a gradual but initially incomplete recovery to pre-surge levels of hospitalizations and procedures during the reopening phase, which eventually rebounded to meet or exceed pre-COVID-19 levels. To the extent that this reflects deferred or foregone essential care, it may adversely affect long-term cardiovascular outcomes. These results should inform planning for cardiovascular care delivery during future pandemic surges.
Letter to the Yale Law Journal Forum

This essay is a legal scholarship in the form of a letter to the Yale Law Journal Forum, reflecting on the nature of the market for legal scholarships.
Rewriting the Self: History, Memory, Narrative

Does the past determine the present or the present determine the past? "Rewriting the Self" is an exploration of the process by which people re-interpret the meaning and significance of past experience. Drawing on the "lifes" of autobiographers such as St Augustine, Helen Keller and Philip Roth, as well as on the combined insights of psychology, philosophy, and literary theory, Mark Freeman aims to shed light on the intricacies and dilemmas of self interpretation in particular and interpretive psychological inquiry more generally.
Biomechanical and Clinical Correlates of Stance-Phase Knee Flexion in Persons With Spastic Cerebral Palsy

Abstract Objective To identify biomechanical and clinical parameters that influence knee flexion (KF) angle at initial contact (IC) and during single limb stance phase of gait in children with spastic cerebral palsy (CP) who walk with flexed-knee gait. Design Retrospective analysis of gait kinematics and clinical data collected from 2010-2013. Setting Motion & Gait Analysis Laboratory at Lucile Packard Children's Hospital, Stanford, CA. Participants Gait analysis data from persons with spastic CP (Gross Motor Function Classification System [GMFCS] I-III) who had no prior surgery were analyzed. Participants exhibiting KF ≥20° at IC were included; the more-involved limb was analyzed. Methods Outcome measures were analyzed with respect to clinical findings, including passive range of motion, Selective Motor Control Assessment for the Lower Extremity (SCALE), gait kinematics, and musculoskeletal models of muscle-tendon lengths during gait. Main Outcome Measures KF at IC (KF IC ) and minimum KF during single-limb support (KF SLS ) were investigated. Results Thirty-four participants met the inclusion criteria, and their data were analyzed (20 males and 14 females, mean age 10.1 years, range 5-20 years). Mean KF IC was 34.4 ± 8.4 degrees and correlated with lower SCALE score (ρ = –0.530, P = .004), later peak KF during swing (ρ = 0.614, P P = .037). Mean KF SLS was 18.7 ± 14.9 and correlated to KF contracture (ρ = 0.605, P P P = .024). GMFCS correlated more strongly to KF IC (ρ = 0.502, P = .002) than to KF SLS (ρ = 0.371, P = .031). Linear regression found that both the SCALE score ( P = .001) and delayed timing of peak KF during swing ( P = .001) independently predicted KF IC . KF contracture ( P = .026) and maximal length of the semimembranosus ( P = .043) independently predicted KF SLS . Conclusion Correlates of KF IC differed from those for KF SLS and suggest that impaired selective motor control and later timing of swing-phase KF influence knee position at IC, whereas KF contracture and muscle lengths influence minimal KF in single-limb support, findings with important treatment implications.
Object-of-Interest Retrieval in Social Media Image Databases for e-Crime Forum Detection

Using object-of-interest matching to detect presence of e-Crime activities in low-duplicate social media images is an interesting yet challenging problem that involves many complications due to the dataset's inherent diversity. SURF-based Speeded Up Robust Features object matching, though claimed to be scale and rotation invariant, is not effective as expected in this domain. This paper approaches this problem by an extended paradigm of Generalized Hough Transform using shape matching applied to two types of object-of-interest, Guy Fawkes Mask and Credit Card. We propose an extended GHT that updates the best matching score and the sum up score simultaneously, combined with a face detector and circular magnitude ranker, for detecting Guy Fawkes; also proposed is an extended GHT capable of mining the directional property in Hough space, combined with optical character recognition and an edge density filter, for detecting credit cards. Experiments on two real world datasets indicate that our approach outperforms the baseline GHT and the SURF.
Multi-feed passive antennas for VHF/UHF

There exists a need for antennas that combine low profile nature and the ability to operate over a multioctave band without appreciable degradation in impedance bandwidth or radiation pattern. The authors present a new antenna configuration which has a height of 1.75 meter and employs either two or three monopole elements in conjunction with a multifeed switching circuit. The antenna system is designed to perform over the 30-450 MHz band. >
A glutamate-activated chloride current in cone-driven ON bipolar cells of the white perch retina

Cone-driven ON-type bipolar cells were patch clamped in white perch retinal slices. Application of glutamate activated a current (IGlu) that was mediated by a conductance increase. The reversal potential for IGlu followed ECl closely when the intracellular chloride concentration was varied. IGlu was not blocked by 100 microM picrotoxin or 1 microM strychnine, indicating that it was not caused by inhibitory input. IGlu is not mediated by a typical ionotropic glutamate receptor since it was not activated by kainate, AMPA, or NMDA, or blocked by kynurenic acid, CNQX, DNQX, or AP-V. Further, IGlu is not mediated by a known metabotropic glutamate receptor since it was not activated by quisqualic acid, AP-4, ACPD, or ibotenate. IGlu required the presence of extracellular sodium and could be partially inhibited by the glutamate uptake inhibitors THA and tPDC. This is suggestive of sodium- dependent glutamate transport. However, when intracellular sodium was greatly increased, neither the magnitude nor reversal potential of IGlu was substantively affected. Thus, IGlu appears to involve a chloride channel activated by a glutamate receptor with transporter-like pharmacology. IGlu is localized to the dendrites of the bipolar cell, where bipolar cells receive an endogenous glutamatergic input from photoreceptors. Further, the reversal potential of the light response in these cells is the same as that of IGlu. Thus, it seems likely that IGlu is the current responsible for the cone component of the ON bipolar cell light response in the teleost retina.
Belief Perseverance Effect

The belief perseverance effect refers to the tendency to retain a belief in the face of evidence that is inconsistent with or contradictory to that belief. The phenomenon is relevant to diverse areas of psychology, including social psychology and cognitive psychology. Keywords: cognition; social cognition; attribution theory
The reaction of creatine kinase with 2-chloromercuri-4-nitrophenol.

Abstract Creatine kinase from chicken breast muscle can be titrated stoichiometrically with 2 equivalents of 2-chloromercuri-4-nitrophenol, a chromophoric probe specific for thiols, without loss of enzymatic activity (Quiocho, F. A., and Thomson, J. W. (1973) Proc. Nat. Acad. Sci. U. S. A. 70, 2858–2862). The rate of reaction of mercurinitrophenol with creatine kinase was measured using the stopped flow rapid mixing technique and was found to depend on the liganded state of the enzyme. The observed second order rate constant for the unliganded enzyme in N,N-bis(2-hydroxyethyl)glycine (Bicine)-NaOH buffer, at pH 8.0 and 20°, was 4.5 x 106 m-1 s-1. Of the various enzyme-substrate complexes examined, the creatine-enzyme-MgADP-nitrate complex, which is an analog of the transition state complex, showed the most pronounced decrease in reactivity, as much as 200-fold. A 13-fold decrease in the rate was observed for the creatine-enzyme-MgADP complex. Creatine, MgADP, or nitrate added separately decreased the rate by only about 2- to 3-fold. ADP or ATP decreased the rate by 7-fold. These rate differences and those observed for other complexes indicate that creatine kinase undergoes progressively different conformations depending on the complexed state of the enzyme. The rate of reaction of the enzyme isolated from dystrophic muscle was identical with that of the enzyme isolated from normal muscle.
Postembolization Syndrome after Hepatic Transarterial Chemoembolization: Effect of Prophylactic Steroids on Postprocedure Medication Requirements

Abstract Purpose To evaluate the impact of prophylactic use of dexamethasone and scopolamine on analgesic and antiemetic agent requirements after transarterial chemoembolization. Materials and Methods A total of 148 patients underwent 316 rounds of chemoembolization for hepatocellular carcinoma at a single institution over a 17-month period. Patient charts were retrospectively reviewed for demographic data, procedural technique, and use of analgesic and antiemetic medications. Patients were grouped into three categories: group A received steroid prophylaxis before and after the procedure, group B received steroid prophylaxis before the procedure only, and group C received no steroid prophylaxis. Results Analysis was performed on 125 patients undergoing 252 procedures. Demographics were similar among groups. Overall, 86 (68.8%) were male, and mean age was 62 years (range, 39–82 y). Ninety-one patients (75%) had Child–Pugh class A cirrhosis and 25% had Child–Pugh class B cirrhosis. Dexamethasone was not significantly associated with decreased analgesic agent use ( P = .6). Group A patients used significantly fewer antiemetic agents (Δ = 0.89; P = .007) compared with group C. A transdermal scopolamine patch was not associated with reduced use of antiemetic agents ( P = .3). Age was inversely associated with analgesic ( P P = .004). Men received significantly fewer antiemetic agents than women ( P = .002), whereas there was no significant difference in analgesic agent use ( P = .7). Conclusions The use of steroids did not affect analgesic agent use and had a minor effect on antiemetic requirements. The use of a scopolamine patch was not associated with reduced antiemetic agent use.
Existence of hybrid matrices for active n‐ports encountered in the analysis of transistor networks

It is shown that hybrid matrices exist for certain types of active n-ports constructed using resistors and controlled sources. Furthermore, it is shown that the existence of these hybrid matrices implies that a certain well-known set of necessary and sufficient conditions, which guarantees the uniqueness of solutions to the nonlinear DC equations of transistor networks, can be simplified. Additional results are presented which show how the amount of computation required to verify these conditions can be reduced.
Tropical Climate at the Last Glacial Maximum Inferred from Glacier Mass-Balance Modeling

Model-derived equilibrium line altitudes (ELAs) of former tropical glaciers support arguments, based on other paleoclimate data, for both the magnitude and spatial pattern of terrestrial cooling in the tropics at the last glacial maximum (LGM). Relative to the present, LGM ELAs were maintained by air temperatures that were 3.5° to 6.6°C lower and precipitation that ranged from 63% wetter in Hawaii to 25% drier on Mt. Kenya, Africa. Our results imply the need for a ∼3°C cooling of LGM sea surface temperatures in the western Pacific warm pool. Sensitivity tests suggest that LGM ELAs could have persisted until 16,000 years before the present in the Peruvian Andes and on Papua, New Guinea.
CREB as a Memory Modulator: induced expression of a dCREB2 activator isoform enhances long-term memory in drosophila

Genetic studies of memory formation in Drosophila have revealed that the formation of a protein synthesis-dependent long-term memory (LTM) requires multiple training sessions. LTM is blocked specifically by induced expression of a repressor isoform of the cAMP-responsive element-binding protein (CREB). Here, we report an enhancement of LTM formation after induced expression of an activator isoform of dCREB2. Maximum LTM is achieved after one training session, and its formation depends on phosphorylation of the activator transgene. A model of LTM formation based on differential regulation of CREB isoforms is proposed.
Observations and Insights About Strengthening Our Soldiers (SOS)

The Special Issue (June 2011) of the Journal of Clinical Psychology in Medical Settings titled Strengthening Our Soldiers (SOS) and Their Families: Contemporary Psychological Advances Applied to Wartime Problems revealed the following important concerns: 1) Who is at risk for psychological sequelae during and following service in the U.S. military? 2) How to deliver the best treatment for our soldiers and veterans with PTSD, Traumatic Brain Injury and Pain? 3) How to train the trainers? and 4) What are the current priorities for service delivery, research and funding? Assessment strategies and tools are provided to assist in identification of suicidal ideation and behaviors, alcohol abuse in spouses, posttraumatic stress disorders, depression, brain injuries and post-concussion syndrome, as well as positive growth experiences. Empirically validated Cognitive Processing and Prolonged Exposure treatments are described as are the empirical results already in evidence in our military populations. The innovative use of Virtual Reality and Telehealth applications is demonstrated in both army and naval settings for preparing and reducing trauma in affected soldiers. The Functional and Occupational Rehabilitation Treatment (FORT) Program and its role in returning function to injured soldiers with musculoskeletal pain and motion restrictions, while also leading to reductions of anxiety, depression and use of medical services, is described. A critique about providing service-research for children’s reactions to their parent’s deployments and family functioning during separation and reintegration is provided. The need for theoretical-empirical approaches to understanding pain-behavior, anxiety dysregulation as it impacts the brain function and structure is provided by experts in pain, neuropsychology, brain circuitry and anxiety management of multiple traumas. This final paper in SOS provides commentary on SOS and describes possible future implications of current psychological knowledge related to military personnel and their families.
Evolution des modes de pilotage

Cet article decrit l'evolution des modes de pilotage utilises sur les REP construits par AREVA. Apres un bref rappel sur les phenomenes physiques mis en jeu lors des variations de puissance on donnera un apercu des exigences fonctionnelles a la base des besoins en pilotage puis on decrira chacun des modes de pilotage mis en oeuvre par AREVA sur ses tranches : Mode A, Mode G, Mode X. Leurs principales caracteristiques sont presentees ainsi que leurs avantages respectifs.
Composition-dependent dynamics in miscible polymer blends: influence of intermolecular hydrogen bonding

Abstract Dynamics of the miscible blend of poly(vinyl methyl ether) and poly(4-vinylphenol) [PVME/PVPh] have been studied using broadband dielectric relaxation spectroscopy (DRS). The results are compared with those reported for PVME/polystyrene [PS] and PVME/poly(2-chlorostyrene) [P2CS] blends to examine the effect of intermolecular hydrogen bonding. These blends have similar chemical structures, with the exception that strong intermolecular hydrogen bonds are formed between PVME and PVPh. Whereas PVME and P2CS (or PS) relax individually in their blends due to intrinsic mobility differences and the absence of strong intermolecular interactions, the segmental relaxations of PVPh and PVME are coupled in the blends controlled by intermolecular hydrogen bonding. Dynamic heterogeneity was observed in PVPh/PVME blends with PVPh concentration higher than 50%. This is due to the decoupling arising from the strong intramolecular hydrogen bonding between PVPh segments. Finally, in the blend, the secondary relaxation processes of both components occur at approximately the same temperature-frequency location as those in corresponding neat polymers, but with much lower intensity, suggesting suppression by the intermolecular hydrogen bonding. Our results suggest that the composition-dependent dynamics in PVPh/PVME are even more complicated than that observed in blends without strong intermolecular interactions.
Study of straw chamber lifetime with argon ethane

We present detailed laboratory measurements of the lifetime of a small test chamber, simulating the Mark III straw vertex chamber conditions. The tests were carried out with an argon-ethane 5050 gas mixture at 3 atm absolute pressure and 3.9 kV applied to the wires. After the accumulation of ∼ 0.02 C/cm on a single straw, continuous discharges began. The addition of alcohol or water vapor to the gas mixture was found to extend the lifetime of the straws. Continuous flow of the gas mixture with water vapor through the straws prolonged the lifetime significantly. We present results on the effects of changing the gas mixture inside the straws at regular time intervals. Adding a small percentage of water vapor to the argon-ethane gas and flowing the gas mixture in the straws can improve the lifetime by more than an order of magnitude. An accumulated charge of 1.0 C/cm on a single straw has been obtained.
Reelin-deficient mice show impaired neurogenesis and increased stroke size

Abstract Reelin (Reln) is a protein involved in migration of newborn neurons during development. Reln mutations produce the reeler phenotype in mice, which is characterized by a defect in brain lamination, and autosomal recessive lissencephaly in humans. Reln expression persists in adult brain, but little is known about its function. We used reeler mice to investigate the effects of Reln deficiency on neurogenesis and the response to injury in the adult brain. Newborn neurons were decreased in number in the dentate gyrus and rostral migratory stream of reeler , compared to wild-type, mice. This was due, at least in part, to impaired cell migration. In addition, reeler mice showed increased susceptibility to ischemic brain injury. Cerebral infarcts from middle cerebral artery occlusion were larger in reeler than in wild-type mice, and associated neurobehavioral abnormalities were more severe. The brains of reeler mice also showed larger excitotoxic lesions after the intracerebral injection of N -methyl- d -aspartate. Finally, despite the fact that reeler mice had larger cerebral infarcts, the ischemia-induced enhancement of neurogenesis observed in wild-type mice was attenuated. These findings suggest that, in addition to its neurodevelopmental effects, Reln deficiency continues to influence neurogenesis and ischemic neuronal injury in the adult brain.
Analytical Representation of Internal Wave Spectra

Abstract Analytical expressions of internal wave spectra (and coherences) are presented, based on a variant of the Garrett and Munk (1975) model. The change is from a slope of −2.5 to −2 in wavenumber spectra, as suggested by recent measurements. This proves convenient analytically. The final results depend on one ocean parameter n/f, the ratio of buoyancy to inertial frequency; and two model parameters corresponding to energy level and bandwidth. There is no need to assume an exponential dependence of the buoyancy frequency with depth. The properties of coherence measured along characteristics are also discussed.
The catalytic effects of various third molecules on reaction channels of weakly bound complex CO2⋯HF systems in the vapor phase

Abstract In this investigation, reaction channels of weakly bound complexes CO2⋯HF, CO2⋯HF⋯H2O, CO2⋯HF⋯NH3, CO2⋯HF⋯CH3OH, CO2⋯HF⋯NH2CH3, CO2⋯HF⋯NH(CH3)2 and CO2⋯HF⋯N(CH3)3 systems were studied at the B3LYP/6-311++G(3df,2pd) level. The conformers of syn-fluoroformic acid or syn-fluoroformic acid plus a third molecule (H2O, NH3, CH3OH, NH2CH3, NH(CH3)2 or N(CH3)3) were found to be more stable than the conformers of the related anti-fluoroformic acid or anti-fluoroformic acid plus a third molecule (H2O, NH3, CH3OH, NH2CH3, NH(CH3)2 or N(CH3)3). However, the weakly bound complexes were found to be more stable than either the related syn- and anti- type fluoroformic acid or the acid plus third molecule (H2O, NH3, CH3OH, NH2CH3, NH(CH3)2 or N(CH3)3) conformers. They decomposed into CO2+HF, CO2+H3OF, CO2+NH4F, CO2+(CH3)OH2F, CO2+NH3(CH3)F, CO2+NH2(CH3)2F, or CO2+NH(CH3)3F combined molecular systems. The weakly bound complexes have seven reaction channels, each of which includes weakly bound complexes and their related systems. Moreover, each reaction channel includes two transition state structures. The transition state between the weakly bound complex and anti-fluoroformic acid type structure (T13) is significantly higher than that of internal rotation (T23) between the syn- and anti-FCO2H (or FCO2H⋯H2O, FCO2H⋯NH3, FCO2H⋯CH3OH, FCO2H⋯NH2CH3, FCO2H⋯NH(CH3)2, or FCO2H⋯N(CH3)3) structures. However, adding the third molecule H2O, NH3, CH3OH, NH2CH3, NH(CH3)2 or N(CH3)3 can significantly reduce the activation energy of T13. The catalytic strengths of the third molecules are predicted to follow the order H2O
Predicting Student Self-Concept, Anxiety, and Responsibility from Self-Evaluation and Self-Praise.

Nineteen elementary teachers were observed for the frequency with which they modeled self-praise for their students and taught their students to praise and evaluate themselves. Measures of student self-concept, anxiety, and achievement responsibility were taken at the end of the year. It was found that teacher modeling of self-praise correlated negatively with boys' selfconcept and positively with girls'. Teacher encouragement of students to praise other students correlated positively with boys' anxiety and negatively with girls'. Teacher modeling of self-praise and teacher encouragement of students to praise other students were the best predictors of self-concept.
A comparison of least squares algorithms for estimating Markov parameters

The purpose of this work is to compare model structures and identification algorithms for estimating Markov parameters in the presence of uncorrelated and correlated input, process, and output noise. We consider several least-squares variants with ARX and μ-Markov model structures, which are compared with white noise identification signals.
Childhood family influences on risk of alcoholism.

Abstract 1. 1. The self-destructive behavior of chronic, excessive drinking is motivated by self-hatred in combination with ambivalent expressions of ambition and dependency. These sources of vulnerability to alcoholism develop in early childhood. 2. 2. The protective influence of a favorable, stable self-evaluation is indicated by characteristics of occupational groups with a low incidence of alcoholism, such as monarchs and Presidents of the United States. 3. 3. Characteristics of the personal name may influence development of self-esteem. In a small sample of Presidents and brothers of Presidents with drinking problems, most had a brother with the same first name as the admired, successful father. 4. 4. Primary prevention should help parents to recognize the child's need for love, tolerance, and responsibility. These influences enable the child to develop autonomy and self-esteem.
Polymerization of a Nematic Liquid Crystal Monomer

Abstract The purpose of this study was to ascertain whether a single component liquid crystalline phase represents an ordered matrix in which topochemical control can be exercised in intermolecular reactions. A detailed kinetic study of the polymerization of the new nematic liquid crystal monomer N-(p-methoxy-o-hydroxy-benzylidene)-p-aminostyrene was conducted in the nematic and isotropic phases. In addition, the polymerization in the nematic phase was conducted in a magnetic field of 1300 Oe. In disagreement with previous reports on other liquid crystal systems, no significant effect on the rates of polymerization or the nature of the product appears to be associated with the existence of the nematic phase or the presence of a magnetic field during the reaction.
Primary Care Physicians and the Cost of Drugs: A Study of Prescribing Practices Based on Recognition and Information Sources

Rapidly inflating health care costs limit patient care, and prescription drug costs constitute a major component of this expenditure. This study examines attitudes toward and knowledge of prescription drug costs of primary care physicians. Access to information about drug costs and implications for medical education are also explored. A questionnaire survey was sent to 137 internists, family, and general practitioners, randomly selected from a list provided by the Ohio State Medical Board. The questionnaire elicited information on demographic characteristics of respondents, influence of drug costs on prescribing habits, actual knowledge of prices of the 20 most commonly used drugs, attitudes toward generic drug use, sources of information on costs, and desire for emphasis on drug costs in medical education. Responding physicians indicated consideration of drug costs in therapeutic decisions, but lacked information and often made inaccurate assumptions about costs of drugs prescribed. Most felt they could provide better service and reduce costs if information about drug prices was readily available. Most agreed medical education should address drug costs. Drug cost estimates varied widely; correct responses ranged from 9% to 53%. No statistically significant pattern emerged regarding demographics of respondents or information sources used. Primary care physicians consider drug costs important and realize that cost-effective prescribing may lower health care costs. However, because physician knowledge of drug costs is inadequate and costs are not readily accessible, implications for better physician education and improved abscess are substantial.
Electroantennogram responses of the American cockroach to germacrene D sex pheromone mimic

Abstract Electroantennogram responses of adult American cockroaches were recorded from the sex pheromone mimic, germacrene D, and its related analogs. Germacrene D stimulated male antennae much greater than females, whereas other compounds produced significant responses of similar intensity with both male and female antennae. In the biological assay, only germacrene D induced the typical sexual behavior of males. The bioassay results imply that the conjugated system and isopropyl group of germacrene D are necessary chemical moieties for the sexual response in male cockroaches.
An Experimental Study of Inhomogeneous Cyclic Plastic Deformation

A localized inhomogeneous cyclic plastic deformation phenomenon was experimentally investigated in a mild steel. Small strain gages were utilized to characterize the local deformation within the gage section and the gross deformation was measured with an extensometer. Both fully reversed symmetrical loading and asymmetrical loading with a mean stress were used in the cyclic experiments. Plastic deformation was initiated in local areas of the specimen and it propagated into the whole gage section in the specimen with increasing cyclic loading. The local inhomogeneous cyclic deformation was dependent on the loading magnitude and evolved with continued cyclic loading.
Psoas muscle architectural design, in vivo sarcomere length range, and passive tensile properties support its role as a lumbar spine stabilizer.

STUDY DESIGN Controlled laboratory and cross-sectional study designs. OBJECTIVE To determine psoas major (PM) muscle architectural properties, in vivo sarcomere-length operating range, and passive mechanical properties. SUMMARY OF BACKGROUND DATA PM is an important hip flexor but its role in lumbar spine function is not fully understood. Several investigators have detailed the gross anatomy of PM, but comprehensive architectural data and in vivo length-tension and passive mechanical behaviors have not been documented. METHODS PM was isolated in 13 cadaver specimens, permitting architectural measurements of physiological cross-sectional area (PCSA), normalized fiber length (Lf), and Lf:muscle length (Lm) ratio. Sarcomere lengths were measured in vivo from intraoperative biopsies taken with the hip joint in flexed and extended positions. Single-fiber and fiber bundle tensile properties and titin molecular weight were then measured from separate biopsies. RESULTS Architecturally, average PCSA was 18.45 ± 1.32 cm2, average Lf was 12.70 ± 2 cm, and average Lf: Lm was 0.48 ± 0.06. Intraoperative sarcomere length measurements revealed that the muscle operates from 3.18 ± 0.20 μm with hip flexed at 10.7° ± 13.9° to 3.03 ± 0.22 μm with hip flexed at 55.9° ± 21.4°. Passive mechanical data demonstrated that the elastic modulus of the PM muscle fibers was 37.44 ± 9.11 kPa and of fiber bundles was 55.3 ± 11.8 kPa. CONCLUSION Analysis of PM architecture demonstrates that its average Lf and passive biomechanical properties resemble those of the lumbar erector spinae muscles. In addition, PM sarcomere lengths were confined to the descending portion of the length-tension curve allowing the muscle to become stronger as the hip is flexed and the spine assumes a forward leaning posture. These findings suggest that the human PM has architectural and physiologic features that support its role as both a flexor of the hip and a dynamic stabilizer of the lumbar spine.
Random variate transformations in the Gibbs sampler: issues of efficiency and convergence

In the non-conjugate Gibbs sampler, the required sampling from the full conditional densities needs the adoption of black-box sampling methods. Recent suggestions include rejection sampling, adaptive rejection sampling, generalized ratio of uniforms, and the Griddy-Gibbs sampler. This paper describes a general idea based on variate transformations which can be tailored in all the above methods and increase the Gibbs sampler efficiency. Moreover, a simple technique to assess convergence is suggested and illustrative examples are presented.
Does Neighborhood Belonging Matter? Examining School and Neighborhood Belonging as Protective Factors for Latino Adolescents

Across many investigations, school belonging has been linked to several positive outcomes among adolescents, including academic success and psychological well-being. Based on an ecological framework of child development, this study expands on existing research to explore factors that contribute to adolescents' sense of neighborhood as well as school belonging and investigates how belonging in both contexts is related to Latino adolescents' academic and psychological functioning. Participants consisted of 202 Latino adolescents residing in low-income, urban neighborhoods. Structural equation modeling demonstrated that neighborhood peer support was significantly associated with adolescents' sense of neighborhood belonging, whereas teacher support and school peer support were related to school belonging. Although school belonging was positively associated with higher scores on all academic indicators, neighborhood belonging was negatively related to academic aspirations and expectations, grades, and educational values. Yet, both school and neighborhood belonging were associated with better psychological functioning as manifested by lower reported levels of depression. The importance of investigating Latino adolescents' development within multiple contexts is discussed.
Genetics of obstetrical variables. A study from the collaborative perinatal project.

Several obstetric variables were examined for genetic correlation in data from more than 8200 women (roughly 60 % black and 40 % white) linked into about 3200 family groups by birth or marriage and registered in the Collaborative Perinatal Project. Sister-in-law pairs yielded estimates of non-genetic and spurious correlations which were generally absent or low. Pairs of sisters, mothers and daughters, half sisters, first cousins, and aunts and nieces were compared; such relatives were also compared in certain combinations of three. Familial correlation was present for age at menarche and durations of stages 1 and 3 of labor. None was found for gestation time of livebirths or for stage 2 of labor. A significant sister correlation for diagonal conjugate (size of pelvic inlet) was apparent in the white, but not the black, sample. No families had two or more occurrences of the infrequent conditions: thrombosis, infertility diagnosis, incompetent cervix, leiomyoma, hyperemesis gravidarum, hydramnios, placenta praevia, or prolapsed cord. Familial correlation was significant for fetal death risk, but not for bleeding during pregnancy, abnormal presentation of the fetus, abruptio placentae, breast abnormalities and hypertension. Familial associations for anemia, postpartum hemorrhage, varicose veins and albuminuria were significant in the black data, but not in the smaller white sample. There was a positive, but non-significant, association of toxemia in sisters.
Electrochemical studies on molecular recognition of anions: Complex formation between xylylenyl bis-iminoimidazolinium and dicarboxylates in nitrobenzene and water

Abstract This paper reports studies of complex formation between the synthetic dicarboxylate receptor para-xylylenylbis-(iminoimidazolinium) (12+) and dicarboxylates in electrolyte-containing nitrobenzene and water using cyclic voltammetry resulting from charge transfer across a liquid|liquid interface. A series of dicarboxylate—tetrabutylammonium salts was prepared and investigated systematically. The receptor 12+ shows modest selectivity in binding glutarate in nitrobenzene over longer dicarboxylates. The interactions between 12+ and glutarate are very weak in the aqueous phase, and the association constant for the binding reaction is 190 ± 100 M−1. The association constants between 12+ and glutarate in electrolyte-containing nitrobenzene saturated with an aqueous phase and in electrolyte-containing nitrobenzene that has not been saturated with an aqueous phase are 7.46 ± 0.39 × 104 and 2.12 ± 0.28 × 105 M−1, respectively. 12+ transfers across the water|nitrobenzene interface reversibly. However, it does not facilitate the transfer of shorter chain dicarboxylates, as crown ethers do for alkali metals. The failure to observe facilitated transfer is not due to a lack of complexation between glutarate and 12+. Rather it arises because at potentials sufficiently negative (water phase vs. nitrobenzene phase) to drive the anionic dicarboxylate into the receptor-enriched nitrobenzene, the cationic receptor has already been driven in the opposite direction, depleting it from the organic side of the interface.
Steerable part models

We describe a method for learning steerable deformable part models. Our models exploit the fact that part templates can be written as linear filter banks. We demonstrate that one can enforce steerability and separability during learning by applying rank constraints. These constraints are enforced with a coordinate descent learning algorithm, where each step can be solved with an off-the-shelf structured SVM solver. The resulting models are orders of magnitude smaller than their counterparts, greatly simplifying learning and reducing run-time computation. Limiting the degrees of freedom also reduces overfitting, which is useful for learning large part vocabularies from limited training data. We learn steerable variants of several state-of-the-art models for object detection, human pose estimation, and facial landmark estimation. Our steerable models are smaller, faster, and often improve performance.
Structural evolution of Au nanoclusters: From planar to cage to tubular motifs

The evolution of structural motifs of gold cluster anions, $\mathrm{Au}_{n}{}^{\ensuremath{-}}$, in the size range $n=11--24$ has been determined through a comparison of electron diffraction data with density functional calculations. The results provide clear evidence for a transformation from planar to three-dimensional structures in the range $n=12--14$, the development of cage structures for $n=16$ and 17, the appearance of a tetrahedral structure at $n=20$, and the emergence of a highly symmetric tubular structure for $n=24$.
Normalization of horizontal pseudoneglect following right, but not left, upper limb amputation.

Abstract Objectives Subjects who have suffered limb amputations are known to have physiological alterations of their body's representation, or schema. Such changes of brain function might alter the right–left spatial allocation of attention. The goal of this study was to learn if, compared to normal subjects, limb amputees had alterations of right–left spatial attention. Methods The subjects were veterans with amputation of one upper or lower limb. All subjects performed horizontal line bisections in their left, middle and right body-centered space. Results Following right upper limb amputation, there appears to be a reduction of the normal left-sided bias (pseudoneglect) primarily for lines presented in the right body hemispace. Conclusions This amputation-induced alteration of attentional bias might be related to changes in the body schema, a compensatory strategy, or alterations of scanning patterns. Further studies are needed to reproduce these results and to learn the underlying brain mechanism.
Historical development of pediatric surgical quality: the first 100 years.

The development of surgical quality in pediatrics began in the early 1900s when pediatric surgery began to develop as its own specialty. Around the same time, pioneering ideas about tracking surgical quality began to take shape. Development of collaborative efforts through organized associations and quality improvement organizations has fostered data sharing and combining of experiences, which has resulted in improved surgical outcomes for children. The development of a prospective database for surgical outcomes in children is currently expanding, the results of which are risk-adjusted outcome comparisons of surgical treatment between pediatric hospitals with the goal of fostering quality improvement efforts.
Midwestern Industrialization and the American Manufacturing Belt in the Nineteenth Century

The Midwest made the transition from primary to secondary activity before 1880 by developing a large diversified industrial sector to serve burgeoning midwestern demand for manufactures. Because the Midwest had industrialized, its firms were able to compete with eastern producers in multiregional and national markets after 1880, when the transportation and communication systems were fully integrated. Supporting evidence is drawn from a national set of 327 urban-industrial counties, with a focus on the Midwest.
Optimization of image-based aberration metrology for EUV lithography

EUV lithography is likely more sensitive to drift from thermal and degradation effects than optical counterparts. We have developed an automated approach to photoresist image-based aberration metrology. The approach uses binary or phase mask targets and iterative simulation based solutions to retrieve an aberrated pupil function. It is well known that a partially coherent source both allows for the diffraction information of smaller features to be collected by the condenser system, and introduces pupil averaging. In general, smaller features are more sensitive to aberrations than larger features, so there is a trade-off between target sensitivity and printability. Therefore, metrology targets using this technique must be optimized for maximum sensitivity with each illumination system. This study examines aberration metrology target optimization and suggests an optimization scheme for use with any source. Interrogation of both low and high order aberrations is considered. High order aberration terms are interrogated using two separate fitting algorithms. While the optimized targets do show the lowest RMS error under the test conditions, a desirable RMS error is not achieved by either high order interrogation scheme. The implementation of a previously developed algorithm for image-based aberration metrology is used to support this work.
Quality-related characteristics of forages as influenced by plant environment and agronomic factors

Abstract The most important factor influencing forage quality is herbage maturity. For example, a 1-week delay in harvesting of alfalfa ( Medicago sativa L.) will decrease digestibility and crude protein concentration by about 20 g kg −1 and increase cell-wall concentration by approximately 30 g kg −1 . Forage quality also is influenced by the environment in which forages are grown and by soil fertility and these cause year-to-year, seasonal, and geographical variation in forage quality even when herbage is harvested at the same stage of maturity. High temperatures normally increase rate of plant development and reduce leaf/stem ratios and digestibility. Moderate water stress usually delays plant maturation and causes forage quality to be maintained at higher levels. Excessive amounts of forage protein nitrogen may be excreted as urea in animal urine, which can limit animal production. Protein in forages with high ruminal escape is used more efficiently. The amount of escape protein is higher for red clover ( Trifolium pratense L.) than for alfalfa or white clover ( Trifolium repens L.). As animal production continues to improve through genetic gain, the need for high quality forages will become more important. There is good potential for producing new cultivars with improved forage quality and several are now on the market. Additional cultivars with improved forage quality will be available in the near future.
Ultrafast charge separation from highly reductive ZnTe/CdSe type II quantum dots

The low electron affinity of ZnTe quantum dots (QDs) makes it of interest for critically important photocatalytic processes. However, studies of charge transfer from such materials to adsorbates have not been reported. Here, the ultrafast internal and external charge separation dynamics in ZnTe/CdSe core/shell type II QDs have been studied through femtosecond transient absorption spectroscopy. The internal electron transfer time from a ZnTe core to a CdSe shell was found to be 0.67 ps, while the external electron transfer time from QDs to adsorbed molecules was found to be <0.2 ps. Such a fast external charge separation time is due to the extraordinarily high conduction band energy potential of this QD composition. This study indicates the preservation of high photodriven reductive abilities in the ZnTe/CdSe core/shell type II heterostructures.
An investigation of internal pressures in capillary flow injection systems

Abstract Results of an investigation of pressure drops in a capillary flow injection (CFI) system are presented. Peristaltic and syringe pumps were used to drive reagents through a manifold employing fused silica capillaries (75 μm i.d.) as the reactor tubing. A comparison of pressure capabilities, baseline noise levels and reproducibility was performed. The maximum stable pressure for the peristaltic pump and syringe pump were 7.6 and 19.2 bar, respectively. The maximum stable pressures for the syringe pump varies with the inside diameter of the syringe. For the peristaltic pump, the percent relative standard deviation of the pressure drop was less than 2%. When no time was allowed for equilibration, the reproducibility of the syringe pump was between 6% and 10%. When equilibration time was allowed, however the reproducibility was also better than 2%. Reproducibility was also measured by using an enzyme catalyzed reaction with reaction periods as long as 242±1 s. Each pump showed baseline noise levels of less than 5 milliabsorbance units. Based on these observed values, practical considerations for designing CFI manifolds are also reported.
A review of drug use during air medical transport to optimize an air ambulance formulary.

Introduction: The advent of air medical transport has pushed the delivery of critical care medicine into the prehospital arena. As a result, a wide variety of pharmacologic agents must be available in the air medical setting. Purpose: The purpose of this study was to conduct a retrospective review of drug used during air medical transport to allow a streamlining of the air ambulance formulary. Methods: All flights completed since the inception of the study's helicopter air ambulance program in 1985 through September 1991 were analyzed to determine which medications were used in flight. Drugs were counted if they were administered while in flight for either a scene or interhospital transport. Results: Review of 2,694 flights showed that 45 individual drugs had been routinely carried during the study period. Many of these agents were administered fewer than five times during the six years, and 10 drugs were not used at all. Conclusion: As a result of this investigation, the formulary for our air medical transport service was modified. The authors recommend similar critical audits of drugs carried in flight be performed by other air ambulance services.