cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
A Pragmatist Critique of Richard Rorty's Hopeless Politics

Malgre le projet d'une politique de l'inspiration et de l'espoir chez R. Rorty, l'A. developpe une critique pragmatique de la position antifondationnaliste du philosophe, qui defend une vision utopique des histoires particulieres dans sa theorie sociale.
A Holistic Perspective of Leadership Competencies

This chapter argues for the use of clusters in thinking about the AACC competencies. Four clusters are presented: inclusivity, framing meaning, attention to the bottom line, and systems thinking. Overarching these clusters is the need for contextual competency in which leaders align their approaches based on their college's context.
Partnering for Therapeutics Discovery

The Discovering New Therapeutic Uses for Existing Molecules pilot program, led by the National Center for Advancing Translational Sciences (NCATS), uses innovative strategies such as crowdsourcing and template agreements to match ­researchers with a selection of molecular compounds from industry in order to test ideas for new therapeutic uses. Awardees will have the opportunity to validate and de-risk the targets of already well-developed compounds with the ultimate goal of identifying promising new treatments for patients. Clinical Pharmacology & Therapeutics (2013); 93 1, 24–25. doi:10.1038/clpt.2012.188
Gendered politics: political psychology at the intersection of the individual and the environment

Karpowitz, Mendelberg, and Mattioli [Politics, Groups, and Identities 3 (1): 149–177. doi:10.1080/21565503.2014.999804] take important steps to advance our understanding of the interaction between individual gender and the gendered social context – a centrally important task for political psychology broadly speaking. In this response I praise their progress in this difficult journey and then point to several lines of research on gender that suggest directions for continued theoretical and empirical progress.
Effect of a novel mutation in a Δ9-stearoyl-ACP-desaturase on soybean seed oil composition

Soybean [Glycine max (L.) Merr.] oil typically contains 2–4 % stearic acid. Seed oil with 20 % stearic acid would be useful for solid fat applications, both for its cooking properties and health benefits. Breeding lines with high stearic acid have been developed, but many suffer from agronomic problems. This study identifies a new source of high stearic acid, determines its relationship with another high stearic locus and presents molecular markers for it is use in breeding. TCJWB03-806-7-19, a ‘Holladay’ mutant with high stearic acid, was crossed to two FAM94-41-derived lines that contained a point mutation in a seed-specific isoform of a Δ9-stearoyl-acyl carrier protein-desaturase (SACPD-C). Fatty acid analysis was performed over two growing seasons with F 2-derived lines and transgressive segregation for stearic acid content was observed. Sequencing of SACPD isoforms in TCJWB03-806-7-19 revealed the deletion of an ‘A’ nucleotide in exon 3 of SACPD-B, which results in a protein whose final 28 amino acids are predicted to differ from Williams 82 SACPD-B. Sorting intolerant from tolerant (SIFT) analysis revealed that this frameshift mutation may affect SACPD-B protein function. Allele-specific genotyping for the SACPD-C point mutation and SACPD-B nucleotide deletion was performed in both populations. Additive effects and R 2 for stearic acid were +3.3 and 0.55 for SACPD-C and +1.9 and 0.19 for SACPD-B. Average stearic acid in lines homozygous for both mutations was 14.6 %. This SACPD-B mutation represents a novel high stearic allele.
Coherence Properties of Supercontinuum Generated in Dispersion-Tailored Lead-Silicate Microstructured Fiber Taper

Abstract This article details the numerically studied coherence properties of the supercontinuum generated in a lead-silicate microstructured fiber taper, with an increasing core radius along the propagation distance that tailors the dispersion property. Simulations are conducted by adding quantum noise into the input pulse at 1.55 μm, and the complex degree of first-order coherence function and the overall spectral coherence degree are both calculated. Although the spectral broadening is comparable, the coherence degree is shown to vary with different pumping conditions. It decreases with higher peak power and longer duration due to the significant competition between the soliton-fission process and the noise-seeded modulation instability. By controlling the input pulse parameters, it is possible to generate a perfectly coherent supercontinuum with a flat broadened spectrum extending from ~1 μm to ~5μm in this fiber taper.
Quasi-ray Gaussian beam algorithm for time-harmonic two-dimensional scattering by moderately rough interfaces

Gabor-based Gaussian beam (GB) algorithms, in conjunction with the complex source point (CSP) method for generating beam-like wave objects, have found application in a variety of high-frequency wave propagation and diffraction scenarios. Of special interest for efficient numerical implementation is the noncollimated narrow-waisted species of GB, which reduces the computationally intensive complex ray tracing for collimated GB propagation and scattering to quasi-real ray tracing, without the failure of strictly real ray field algorithms in caustic and other transition regions. The Gabor-based narrow-waisted CSP-GB method has been applied previously to two-dimensional (2-D) propagation from extended nonfocused and focused aperture distributions through arbitrarily curved 2-D layered environments. In this 2-D study the method is applied to aperture-excited field scattering from, and transmission through, a moderately rough interface between two dielectric media. It is shown that the algorithm produces accurate and computationally efficient solutions for this complex propagation environment, over a range of calibrated combinations of the problem parameters. One of the potential uses of the algorithm is as an efficient forward solver for inverse problems concerned with profile and object reconstruction.
Rules, standards, and ethics: Relativism predicts cross-national differences in the codification of moral standards ☆

Abstract This research examines the relationship between the code of ethics adopted by businesses in a country and the ethics positions of the inhabitants of that country. Ethics Position Theory (EPT) maintains that individuals’ personal moral philosophies influence their ethical judgments, actions, and emotions. The theory, when describing individual differences in moral philosophies, stresses two dimensions: relativism (skepticism with regards to inviolate moral principles) and idealism (concern for positive outcomes). Extending previous research that identified differences in relativism and idealism between residents of different countries and world regions, we examined the relationship between relativism, idealism, and the regulatory standards governing commercial activities of firms headquartered in Australia, Austria, Belgium, Canada, Hong Kong, Ireland, Japan, New Zealand, Spain, the UK, and the US. The results indicated that the level of relativism of a nation's populace predicted degree of ethical codification of commerce in that nation. These findings suggest that the ethical conduct of business will be more closely regulated in countries where relativism is low (e.g., Australia, Canada) but less closely regulated in countries where the residents are more ethically relativistic (e.g., Hong Kong, Spain).
Remifentanil for fetal immobilization and analgesia during the ex utero intrapartum treatment procedure under combined spinal–epidural anaesthesia

Remifentanil undergoes extensive placental transfer and has been used to provide fetal immobilization and anaesthesia for in utero fetal endoscopic interventions. We report three cases of the ex utero intrapartum treatment performed under neuraxial anaesthesia where the maternal administration of remifentanil was used to provide fetal immobilization and analgesia. Fetal pathology included goiter and arthrogryposis, with one case requiring a tracheostomy. The longest time on placental circulation was 21 min. No clinically significant maternal sedation or respiratory depression was observed. In all cases, remifentanil provided adequate fetal immobilization and obviated the need to administer other analgesics or neuromuscular blocking agents. Remifentanil is a useful adjunct for ex utero fetal procedures.
Image denoising via solution paths

Many image denoising methods can be characterized as minimizing “loss + penalty,” where the “loss” measures the fidelity of the denoised image to the data, and the “penalty” measures the smoothness of the denoising function. In this paper, we propose two models that use the L 1-norm of the pixel updates as the penalty. The L 1-norm penalty has the advantage of changing only the noisy pixels, while leaving the non-noisy pixels untouched. We derive efficient algorithms that compute entire solution paths of these L 1-norm penalized models, which facilitate the selection of a balance between the “loss” and the “penalty.”
WHY DO SOME DEPRESSED OUTPATIENTS WHO ARE NOT IN REMISSION ACCORDING TO THE HAMILTON DEPRESSION RATING SCALE NONETHELESS CONSIDER THEMSELVES TO BE IN REMISSION

Background In treatment studies of depression, remission is typically defined narrowly—based on scores on symptom severity scales. Patients treated in clinical practice, however, define the concept of remission more broadly and consider functional status, coping ability, and life satisfaction as important indicators of remission status. In the present report from the Rhode Island Methods to Improve Diagnostic Assessment and Services (MIDAS) project, we examined how many mildly symptomatic depressed patients in ongoing treatment who did not score in the remission range on the 17-item Hamilton Depression Rating Scale (HAMD) nonetheless considered themselves to be in remission from their depression. Among the mildly symptomatic HAMD nonremitters, we compared the demographic and clinical characteristics of patients who did and did not consider themselves to be in remission. Methods We interviewed 274 psychiatric outpatients diagnosed with DSM-IV major depressive disorder who were in ongoing treatment. The patients completed measures of psychosocial functioning and quality of life. Results Approximately one-quarter of the patients scoring 8–12 on the HAMD considered themselves to be in remission. Compared to patients who did not consider themselves to be in remission, the remitters reported significantly better quality of life, less functional impairment due to depression, higher positive mental health scores, and better coping ability. Discussion Some patients who do not meet symptom-based definitions of remission nonetheless consider themselves to be in remission. The findings raise caution in relying exclusively on symptom-based definitions of remission to guide treatment decision making in clinical practice. Depression and Anxiety 00:1-5, 2012. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Mapping and monitoring carbon stocks with satellite observations: a comparison of methods

Mapping and monitoring carbon stocks in forested regions of the world, particularly the tropics, has attracted a great deal of attention in recent years as deforestation and forest degradation account for up to 30% of anthropogenic carbon emissions, and are now included in climate change negotiations. We review the potential for satellites to measure carbon stocks, specifically aboveground biomass (AGB), and provide an overview of a range of approaches that have been developed and used to map AGB across a diverse set of conditions and geographic areas. We provide a summary of types of remote sensing measurements relevant to mapping AGB, and assess the relative merits and limitations of each. We then provide an overview of traditional techniques of mapping AGB based on ascribing field measurements to vegetation or land cover type classes, and describe the merits and limitations of those relative to recent data mining algorithms used in the context of an approach based on direct utilization of remote sensing measurements, whether optical or lidar reflectance, or radar backscatter. We conclude that while satellite remote sensing has often been discounted as inadequate for the task, attempts to map AGB without satellite imagery are insufficient. Moreover, the direct remote sensing approach provided more coherent maps of AGB relative to traditional approaches. We demonstrate this with a case study focused on continental Africa and discuss the work in the context of reducing uncertainty for carbon monitoring and markets.
Fatty acid effects on calcium influx and efflux in sarcoplasmic reticulum vesicles from rabbit skeletal muscle.

Abstract Low concentrations of fatty acids inhibited initial Ca uptake by sarcoplasmic reticulum vesicles, the extent of inhibition varying with chain length and unsaturation in a series of C 14 –C 20 fatty acids. Oleic acid was a more potent inhibitor of initial Ca uptake than stearic acid at 25°C, whereas at 5°C there was less difference between the inhibitory effects of low concentrations of these fatty acids. When the fatty acids were added later, during the phase of spontaneous Ca release that follows Ca uptake in reactions carried out at 25°C, 1–4 μM oleic and stearic acids caused Ca content to increase. This effect was due to marked inhibition of Ca efflux and slight stimulation of Ca influx. At concentrations of >4 μ M, both fatty acids inhibited the Ca influx that occurs during spontaneous Ca release; in the case of oleic acid, this inhibition resembled that of initial Ca uptake at 5°C. The different effects of fatty acids at various times during Ca uptake reactions may be explained in part if alterations in the physical state of the membranes occur during the transition from the phase of initial Ca uptake to that of spontaneous Ca release.
Arabidopsis AtNAP regulates fruit senescence

Arabidopsis has been used as a model system to study many aspects of plant growth and development. However, fruit senescence in Arabidopsis has been less investigated and the underlying molecular and hormonal (especially ethylene) regulatory mechanisms are not well understood. It is reported here that the Arabidopsis silique has characteristics of a climacteric fruit, and that AtNAP, a NAC family transcription factor gene whose expression is increased with the progression of silique senescence, plays an important role in its senescence. Silique senescence was delayed for 4–5 d in the atnap knockout mutant plants. The ethylene climacteric was delayed for 2 d in the atnap silique and the associated respiratory climacteric was suppressed. Exogenous ethylene stimulated respiration in the wild type, but not in the atnap mutant. The decoupling of the ethylene and respiratory climacterics in the atnap mutant suggests that AtNAP is required for ethylene stimulation of respiration. qPCR analyses revealed that the expression patterns of genes involved in ethylene biosynthesis, perception, and signalling, ACS2, ETR1, CTR1, EIN2, EIN3, and ERF1, were also altered in the atnap mutant. The effects of exogenous ABA, SA, 6-BA, and NAA on ethylene production and respiration in siliques of the wild type and atnap mutant were also investigated. A model involving ABA-AtNAP-controlled stomatal opening in regulating ethylene-stimulated respiration in fruit senescence is presented.
Percutaneous coronary intervention outcomes in a low-volume center: survival, stent thrombosis, and repeat revascularization.

Background— American College of Cardiology (ACC) guidelines state that percutaneous coronary interventions (PCI) be performed at centers and by operators with high-volume (>400 yearly/center) whose historical and current risk-adjusted outcomes statistics are comparable to those reported in large registries. Tripler Army Medical Center is a low-volume treatment facility but has a geographic need and special mission requirement for providing this service. Methods and Results— We computed 30-day incidence of stent thrombosis, need for repeat revascularization, and all-cause mortality for all PCIs performed at Tripler from January 2002 through June 2008. The New York State Registry regression model was selected among 3 risk-adjustment models that we assessed in our patients. This model was used to compute expected mortality rate based on patient risk factors. The 30-day incidence of stent thrombosis and repeat revascularization was also determined, and the long-term incidence of these events was estimated with the Kaplan–Meier method as was survival. For all 546 PCI procedures, 30-day mortality was 1.47%, the incidence of stent thrombosis 2.1%, the incidence of any repeat revascularization 5.1%, and the combined event rate 5.9%. Based on risk factors used in the New York State Registry, our expected mortality was 1.93% and not significantly different from the observed rate. Although survival at 1 and 3 years appeared comparable with benchmarks at 94.6% and 89.3%, as did repeat revascularization rates at 13.0% and 21.4%, the incidence of stent thrombosis was regarded as high whether the definition included possible cases (3.2% and 3.9%) or only those regarded as definite or probable (2.7% and 3.1%). We did not identify any remediable risk factors for stent thrombosis, nor were we able to identify significant differences by year or by operator. However, visual inspection of a plot of deciles of New York State risk of death demonstrated 2 outlier cases among the 8 who died, who could have been considered candidates for thorough peer review. Conclusion— We recommend other low-volume interventional programs enter all patients undergoing PCI into a database, their own local registry even if not a national one such as the American College of Cardiology National Cardiovascular Data Registry, obtain information about survival and cardiac events during follow-up, compute and risk-adjust in-hospital or 30-day mortality, and use the objective assessment of risk in individual patients to identify outliers when outcome is adverse, and possibly as a means of triaging patients to appropriate therapy before choosing PCI.
Ocena możliwości wykorzystania tomografii komputerowej CT do badania betonów nawierzchniowych; Assessment of the possibilities of using computed tomography CT to examine concrete paving

Obecnie prowadzone są badania nad mozliwością zastosowania tomografii komputerowej CT do oceny struktury calego spektrum materialow, takich jak stopy metaliczne, polimery, kompozyty oraz do oceny calych zespolow o zlozonej budowie i skomplikowanej konstrukcji. Metoda ta jest szeroko wykorzystywana w przemyśle w procesie kontroli jakości produkcji jako metoda nieniszcząca NDT oraz w ramach profilaktycznych badan diagnostycznych.
The Design and Testing of a Large-Caliber Railgun

A large-caliber railgun was developed to demonstrate the supersonic launch of 120-mm projectiles. A trade study that evaluated over 70 different railgun configurations and geometries resulted in the selection of a high-inductance-gradient multiturn configuration as the best overall choice. Subscale tests were performed on both the railgun and launch package configurations. A full-scale laboratory system was installed, which included a dedicated high-current large-caliber breech and gunline. A full-scale launcher was successfully tested to beyond the design conditions. This paper will describe the trade study and overall experimental program that included the subscale testing and full-scale design and experimental results.
Towards fault-tolerant digital microfluidic lab-on-chip: Defects, fault modeling, testing, and reconfiguration

Dependability is an important attribute for microfluidic lab-on-chip devices that are being developed for safety-critical applications such as point-of-care health assessment, air-quality monitoring, and food-safety testing. Therefore, these devices must be adequately tested after manufacture and during bioassay operations. This paper presents a survey of early work on fault tolerance in digital microfluidic lab-on-chip systems. Defects are related to logical fault models that can be viewed not only in terms of traditional shorts and opens, but which also target biochip functionality. Based on these fault models, test techniques for lab-on-chip devices and digital microfluidic modules are presented.
Clopidogrel plus aspirin did not differ from aspirin alone for reducing MI, stroke, and CV death in high-risk atherothrombosis.

Source Citation Bhatt DL, Fox KA, Hacke W, et al. Clopidogrel and aspirin versus aspirin alone for the prevention of atherothrombotic events. N Engl J Med. 2006;354:1706-17. 16531616
Seasonal Variations of Complete Blood Count and Inflammatory Biomarkers in the US Population - Analysis of NHANES Data

Background Recent studies reported seasonal differences in gene expression in white blood cells, adipose tissue, and inflammatory biomarkers of the immune system. There is no data on the seasonal variations of these biomarkers in the US general population of both children and adults. Then aim of this study is to explore the seasonal trends in complete blood count (CBC), and C-reactive protein (CRP) in a large non-institutionalized US population. Methods Seven cross-sectional data collected in the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) during 1999–2012 were aggregated; participants reporting recent use of prescribed steroids, chemotherapy, immunomodulators and antibiotics were excluded. Linear regression models were used to compare levels of CBC and CRP between winter-spring (November-April) and summer-fall (May-October), adjusting for demographics, personal behavioral factors, and chronic disease conditions. Results A total of 27,478 children and 36,644 adults (≥18 years) were included in the study. Levels of neutrophils, white blood cell count (WBC), and CRP were higher in winter-spring than summer-fall (p≤0.05). Red blood cell components were lower in winter-spring than in summer-fall, while the opposite was seen for platelets. Conclusions This large population-based study found notable seasonal variations in blood cell composition and inflammatory biomarkers, with a more pro-inflammatory immune system seen in winter-spring than summer-fall. The red blood cell patterns could have implications for the observed cardio-vascular seasonality.
Mapping Simple Repeated DNA Sequences in Heterochromatin of Drosophila Melanogaster

Heterochromatin in Drosophila has unusual genetic, cytological and molecular properties. Highly repeated DNA sequences (satellites) are the principal component of heterochromatin. Using probes from cloned satellites, we have constructed a chromosome map of 10 highly repeated, simple DNA sequences in heterochromatin of mitotic chromosomes of Drosophila melanogaster. Despite extensive sequence homology among some satellites, chromosomal locations could be distinguished by stringent in situ hybridizations for each satellite. Only two of the localizations previously determined using gradient-purified bulk satellite probes are correct. Eight new satellite localizations are presented, providing a megabase-level chromosome map of one-quarter of the genome. Five major satellites each exhibit a multi-chromosome distribution, and five minor satellites hybridize to single sites on the Y chromosome. Satellites closely related in sequence are often located near one another on the same chromosome. About 80% of Y chromosome DNA is composed of nine simple repeated sequences, in particular (AAGAC)n (8 Mb), (AAGAG)n (7 Mb) and (AATAT)n (6 Mb). Similarly, more than 70% of the DNA in chromosome 2 heterochromatin is composed of five simple repeated sequences. We have also generated a high resolution map of satellites in chromosome 2 heterochromatin, using a series of translocation chromosomes whose breakpoints in heterochromatin were ordered by N-banding. Finally, staining and banding patterns of heterochromatic regions are correlated with the locations of specific repeated DNA sequences. The basis for the cytochemical heterogeneity in banding appears to depend exclusively on the different satellite DNAs present in heterochromatin.
A discussion of procedures for ultrasonic intensity and power calculations from miniature hydrophone measurements

In this paper, some of the fundamental procedures for evaluating medical ultrasound fields using miniature hydrophones are discussed. Examples are considered for both static (fixed beam) and real-time (moving beam) ultrasound systems. Intensity and power quantities are calculated from hydrophone measurements using definitions contained in current standards, and where reasonable some simplified computational procedures are introduced. Assumptions implicit in common expressions for spatial average-temporal average intensity and ultrasonic power are identified, and in some cases illustrations of calculations using idealized pressure waveforms and beam shapes are given and compared with more exact results. Also, the adequacy of present guidelines for choosing the hydrophone size is evaluated using a simple time domain approach. This material is presented to augment and help clarify descriptions of procedures contained in existing standards, and to provide a basis for pursuing some of the more difficult problems associated with hydrophone measurements.
Modeling the regulatory network of histone acetylation in Saccharomyces cerevisiae

Acetylation of histones plays an important role in regulating transcription. Histone acetylation is mediated partly by the recruitment of specific histone acetyltransferases (HATs) and deacetylases (HDACs) to genomic loci by transcription factors, resulting in modulation of gene expression. Although several specific interactions between transcription factors and HATs and HDACs have been elaborated in Saccharomyces cerevisiae, the full regulatory network remains uncharacterized. We have utilized a linear regression of optimized sigmoidal functions to correlate transcription factor binding patterns to the acetylation profiles of 11 lysines in the four core histones measured at all S. cerevisiae promoters. The resulting associations are combined with large-scale protein–protein interaction data sets to generate a comprehensive model that relates recruitment of specific HDACs and HATs to transcription factors and their target genes and the resulting effects on individual lysines. This model provides a broad and detailed view of the regulatory network, describing which transcription factors are most significant in regulating acetylation of specific lysines at defined promoters. We validate the model, both computationally and experimentally, to demonstrate that it yields accurate predictions of these regulatory mechanisms.
Multiple victimization experiences of urban elementary school students: associations with psychosocial functioning and academic performance.

Abstract Objective This study explored the victimization experiences of urban elementary school students to determine whether subsets of youth emerged with similar victimization profiles (e.g., no victimization, multiple types of victimization). It also evaluated whether multiple victimization was associated with greater psychological distress and lower academic performance. Methods Participants were 689 fifth grade students from an urban, ethnically diverse school district in the Northeast. Youth completed self-report measures in school about bullying victimization, victimization in the home and community, and psychosocial functioning. Results Cluster analysis suggested the existence of three distinct youth profiles: those with minimal victimization, those victimized primarily by their peers, and those with multiple types of victimizations. As hypothesized, youth with multiple victimizations experienced more psychological distress and earned lower grades than their peers. Conclusions Findings highlight the heterogeneity of youth victimization experiences and their relations to functioning, and have implications for treatment planning among practitioners working with youth.
A statistical model for field emission in superconducting cavities

A statistical model is used to account for several features of performance of an ensemble of superconducting cavities. The input parameters are: the number of emitters/area, a distribution function for emitter /spl beta/ values, a distribution function for emissive areas, and a processing threshold. The power deposited by emitters is calculated from the field emission current and electron impact energy. The model can successfully account for the fraction of tests that reach the maximum field Epk in an ensemble of cavities, for e.g., 1-cells @ 3 GHz or 5-cells @ 1.5 GHz. The model is used to predict the level of power needed to successfully process cavities of various surface areas with high pulsed power processing. >
β-Adrenergic agonist therapy accelerates the resolution of hydrostatic pulmonary edema in sheep and rats

To determine whether β-adrenergic agonist therapy increases alveolar liquid clearance during the resolution phase of hydrostatic pulmonary edema, we studied alveolar and lung liquid clearance in tw...
The Legal System in the United States Government

The United States Government is a republic. This is the form of government in which the political power rests with the people. The people elect officers to represent them and to be responsible to them.
Photomediated Controlled Radical Polymerization and Block Copolymerization of Vinylidene Fluoride.

This review summarizes recent research on novel photochemical methods for the initiation and control of the polymerization of main chain fluorinated monomers as exemplified by vinylidene fluoride (VDF) and for the synthesis of their block copolymers. Such reactions can be carried out at ambient temperature in glass tubes using visible light. Novel, original protocols include the use of hypervalent iodide carboxylates alone or in conjunction with molecular iodine, as well as the use of photoactive transition metal carbonyls in the presence of alkyl, fluoroalkyl, and perfluoroalkyl halides. An in-depth study of the reaction parameters highlights the use of dimethyl carbonate as a preferred polymerization solvent and outlines the structure–property relationship for hypervalent iodide carboxylates and halide initiators in both the free radical and iodine degenerative transfer controlled radical polymerization (IDT-CRP) of VDF. Finally, the rational selection of metal carbonyls that are successful not only as ...
Go!: results from a quasi-experimental obesity prevention trial with hospital employees

Worksite obesity prevention interventions using an ecological approach may hold promise for reducing typical weight gain. The purpose of this study was to examine the effectiveness of Go!, an innovative 12-month multi-component worksite obesity prevention intervention. A quasi-experimental non-equivalent control group design was utilized; 407 eligible hospital employees (intervention arm) and 93 eligible clinic employees (comparison arm) participated. The intervention involved pedometer distribution, labeling of all foods in the worksite cafeteria and vending machines (with calories, step equivalent, and a traffic light based on energy density signaling recommended portion), persuasive messaging throughout the hospital, and the integration of influential employees to reinforce healthy social norms. Changes in weight, BMI, waist circumference, physical activity, and dietary behavior after 6 months and 1 year were primary outcomes. Secondary outcomes included knowledge, perceptions of employer commitment to employee health, availability of information about diet, exercise, and weight loss, perceptions of coworker support and frequency of health discussions with coworkers. A process evaluation was conducted as part of the study. Repeated measures ANCOVA indicated that neither group showed significant increases in weight, BMI, or waist circumference over 12 months. The intervention group showed a modest increase in physical activity in the form of walking, but decreases in fruit and vegetable servings and fiber intake. They also reported significant increases in knowledge, information, perceptions of employer commitment, and health discussions with peers. Employees expressed positive attitudes towards all components of the Go! intervention. This low-intensity intervention was well-received by employees but had little effect on their weight over the course of 12 months. Such results are consistent with other worksite obesity prevention studies using ecological approaches. Implementing low-impact physical activity (e.g., walking, stair use) may be more readily incorporated into the worksite setting than more challenging behaviors of altering dietary habits and increasing more vigorous forms of physical activity. This study was registered with clinicaltrials.gov ( NCT01585480 ) on April 24, 2012.
Mechanism of competitive action of isonicotinic acid hydrazide and vitamin B6.

SummaryOn the basis of studies with apotryptophanase it is suggested that INH exerts its primary competitive effect on the vit. B6 group by competing with pyridoxal phosphate for the apoenzyme.
Analyzing specular reflectivities with parametric B-splines

A method of using parametric B-spline curves to interpret neutron and x-ray specular reflectivity spectra is described. The introduction of parametric curves for scattering length density profiles greatly expands the function space accessible to low-dimensional representations but also requires means to restrict the space to physically acceptable functions. A practical fitting procedure is outlined, and two examples are shown.
Evaluation of Various Color Hydromulches and Weed Fabric on Broccoli Insect Populations

We evaluated the potential for variously colored hydromulches (sprayed-on wood fibers plus adhesive) and weed fabric to suppress populations of the cabbage maggot, Delia radicum (L.), cabbage aphid, Brevicoryne brassicae (L.), and other insects in broccoli, Brassica oleracea L. Weed control also was evaluated. Commercial hydro mulches were evaluated in their standard formulations or modified by adding corn starch, plaster of paris, lamp black, and latex blue or yellow paint. D. radicum populations were significantly lower in plots treated with hydro mulch and blue paint than in un mulched control plots. This treatment was equal to or better than diazinon in suppressing D.radicum. B. brassicae populations were significantly higher in plots treated with hydromulch and yellow paint than in un mulched control plots. Weed fabric significantly reduced weed populations, but the levels of flea beetle Phyllotreta cruciferae (Goeze) in those plots were 6 times higher than in control plots. Early-season populations of D. radicllm and B. brassicae could be suppressed simultaneously if the appropriate combinations of hydromulch and color were used.
Avoiding Cracks in Nanoparticle Films

A new method utilizing subsequent depositions of thin crack-free nanoparticle layers is demonstrated to avoid the formation of cracks within silica nanoparticle films. Using this method, films can be assembled with thicknesses exceeding the critical cracking values. Explanation of this observed phenomenon is hypothesized to mainly arise from chemical bond formation between neighboring silica nanoparticles. Application of this method for fabricating crack-free functional structures is demonstrated by producing crack-free Bragg reflectors that exhibit structural color.
Genetic Resistance to DDT in the Japanese Quail Coturnix Coturnix Japonica

Abstract Selection studies of resistance to DDT included eight generations of quail consisting of two selected lines and one control line. One selected line differed from the other in that, in addition to mass selection, birds were chosen on the basis of family merit. Selected lines were fed a diet containing 200 p.p.m. DDT during the first 30 days of life. In order to test for resistance, part of the control lines were also given DDT diets, and the mortality of the control was compared to the mortality of the selected lines. Development of resistance started to appear after the third generation of selection. This was evidenced by the lower mortality among the selected lines than in the control line fed DDT. If the selected lines had stored DDT in the body, cold exposure or partial starvation (release of energy from the fat) would presumably increase the DDT levels in the blood and other sensitive tissue, causing mortality due to DDT toxicity. This was put to test by exposing DDT-fed resistant lines and the DDT-fed control group to partial starvation and cooler temperatures. Under these conditions, the selected lines were lower in mortality than the control. Among the resistant lines, the females were less resistant than males. These lines showed some cross-resistance to another hydrochlorinated pesticide lindane. A conclusion drawn from this study is that it is possible to develop a strain of quail resistant to DDT out of the less resistant population by selection.
Databases for genetic services: current usages and future directions

Computer-based systems for the management of data in clinical genetics have become increasingly available for patient information storage and retrieval, evaluation and diagnosis, and pedigree data. The need for a national genetic services database has been recognized, and federal grants have provided funds for the development of state and regional databases for the evaluation of genetic services. Continuation of federal funding and the development of data systems that allow local, state, and regional needs to be met are essential for any progress to be made toward a national database.
Toxicity of Selected Organophosphate and Carbamate Pesticides to Infective Juveniles of the Entomogenous Nematode Neoaplectana carpocapsae (Rhabditida: Steinernematidae)

Infective-stage juveniles of the entomogenous nematode, Neoaplectana carpocapsae Weiser, were adversely affected by mevinphos, phenamiphos, and trichlorfon (organophosphates), and methomyl and oxamyl (carbamates). Affected nematodes showed partial paralysis with a curled or coiled posture. In the affected state, nematodes could not infect Spodoptera exigua (Hubner) (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae) larvae. However, if the nematodes were washed in distilled water, they recovered and were infectious to S. exigua. These recovered nematodes exhibited behavior similar to that of untreated nematodes
477 Molybdenum Toxicity: Toxic Leukoencephalopathy as a Cause of Autism.

Study A case series of children presenting to a medical toxicology department for evaluation of previously diagnosed autism. Each patient had an evaluation for potential heavy metal toxicity as the etiology. The past medical records were reviewed. A history and physical examination were done. An initial heavy metal screening followed by a chelation challenge test (24-hour urine collected after 50 mg/kg of succimer [DMSA] orally administered) was done for each. Heavy metal testing was done by mass spectroscopy. Other neurological etiologies were ruled out. Results Study period: 2002 to 2005. Six patients met the criteria. Ages ranged from 2 to 5 years. Each had the development of symptoms temporally associated with the administration of injectables, including vaccination and parenteral antibiotics (ceftriaxone). All were nonverbal and developmentally delayed by neurocognitive testing, and other etiologies were ruled out by pediatric neurologist evaluation. Screening heavy metal panels confirmed borderline levels of various metals including molybdenum and mercury. Chelation challenge test confirmed markedly elevated molybdenum between 2 and 30 times the upper limit of normal (based upon industrial exposure standards). The chelation challenge test was also positive clinically in each case. Two of six patients spoke their first words the day of the initial dose of DMSA. One of six, who had previously been aphonic, started singing complete tunes the day after the first DMSA dose. Treatment was continued for 18 days. Four of the youngest children (ages 2 to 4) were essentially cured and later “delisted” as autistic. The older children, aged 5, had marked clinical improvement but continued to have residual developmental delays after the course of therapy. Conclusions Heavy metal toxicity, specifically molybdenum toxicity, appears to be a cause of some cases of autism. This is consistent with toxic leukoencephalopathy caused by heavy metal toxicity. The chelation challenge test with elevated 24-hour urinary molybdenum and clinical improvement with the DMSA chelation were the major diagnostic criteria of this illness. The younger the therapy was initiated, the more successful the results, preferably between ages 2 and 4 for maximum improvement. The source of the molybdenum was not determined but may be associated with the use of injectable vaccines and antibiotics. There was a temporal relationship between the development of symptoms and the administration of injectables. Injectables should be analyzed for their content of heavy metals, including molybdenum. Further study is needed for other toxicological causes of autism.
A Discussion on Key Issues for Direct Trading Between Power Users and Plants

Developing direct trading between power users and plants is an important part of the electricity market in China.With an eye on the current economic situation,a brief survey is made of administrative planning and free market operation as part of the forms of resource allocation that will coexist into the future.Based on such an understanding,a discussion is made on some of the crucial issues of direct trade between power users and plants,such as,market access,trading room,trade organizations,transmission and distribution prices,ancillary services,congestion management,trade execution and merits and demerits of different schemes with a view to benefiting direct trading.
Dynamic Reconfiguration of Intelligent Electronic Devices for Smart Substations

The dynamic reconstruction system and method of intelligent electronic devices(IEDs)for substations are studied.IED can support plug and play and state monitoring by introducing the universal plug and play(UPnP)protocol and taking advantage of IEC 61850.The design method of universal IED is also given.The failure of IED can be detected quickly by evaluating the operational status of IED using the Petri net fault diagnosis method.With the options of mirror mode and general mode,the main automation functions of the fault IED can be dynamically reconfigured in the standby IED in a safe procedure.After building the universal IED prototype and the supervision host,such functions have been tested on plug and play,state supervision,state assessment and dynamic reconfiguration.The results show that the UPnP protocol can effectively achieve IED discovery,monitoring,administration and control while fully meeting the requirements of plug and play.The monitored state variables can intuitively reflect the operational status of IED.The dynamic reconfiguration method has important application value in providing substation automation system with alternative maintenance options and higher availabilities.
Factors affecting photosynthetic rates of periphyton in shallow streams of southeastern Pennsylvania.

Photosynthetic rates during low-flow summer conditions were examined for eight reaches of the Christina Watershed in southeastern Pennsylvania with respect to light and nutrient availability. Photosynthetic rates in these shallow streams ranged from 0.9 to 25.4 g O 2 /m 2 .d. Soluble orthophosphorus concentrations ranged from 0.004 to 0.63 mg/L, and phosphorus was considered the limiting nutrient for periphyton growth based on a nitrogen/phosphorus ratio exceeding 10 (by weight). Light availability varied among reaches from densely wooded canopies to open pasture. Nutrient availability was examined in terms of concentration and advective flux, which was calculated as the product of stream velocity and nutrient concentration. Cluster analyses were applied to group the nutrient and light availability factors and the photosynthetic rate responses into low, moderate, and high levels. The most consistent predictor of high photosynthetic rates was the joint occurrence of moderate-to-high levels of light and nutrient flux.
Polarization-Controlled Two-Dimensional White-Light Spectroscopy of Semiconducting Carbon Nanotube Thin Films

Polarized two-dimensional white-light (2D-WL) spectra are reported for thin films of semiconducting carbon nanotubes. The orientational responses for 4-point correlation functions are derived for samples that are isotropic in two dimensions. Spectra measured using ⟨−45°,+45°,0°,90°⟩ polarizations eliminate the diagonal peaks in the spectra arising from S1 transitions to uncover cross peaks to a weaker transition that is assigned to radial breathing modes. In nanotubes purified by unwrapping PFO-BPY polymer using metal chelation, an absorption at 1160 nm is observed that is assigned to hole doping that forms trions. The trion peak may have a transition dipole nonparallel to the S1 transitions, and so its cross peak is prominent in polarized 2D-WL spectra. Energy transfer of photoexcitons to the trion peak occurs within 1 ps. Identifying and understanding the effects of purification on the electronic structure of thin films of semiconducting carbon nanotubes is important for learning how the inherent photop...
Optimizing the value of soil compaction testing quality assurance and control using stochastic life cycle cost, comparative and statistical analysis

The nuclear density gauge has been the standard soil compaction acceptance method for the Missouri Department of Transportation (MoDOT) for several decades. However, the cost of licensing, security, transport protocol and training imposed by the federal government have caused MoDot to question whether it remains a cost effective testing technology.. Nuclear density testing’s rapidity and accuracy has been crucial in enabling MoDOT inspectors to keep contractor grading processes on schedule. But, in the last two years MoDOT’s Quality Management program has shifted the bulk of testing requirements to the contractor, reducing the need for MoDOT inspection on grading projects. As a result,, MoDOT is investigating compaction testing alternatives to the nuclear density gauge which can provide the necessary results at a lower life cycle cost. The investigation comprised a comprehensive review of previous research into compaction testing alternative as well as key findings and gaps in research. This led to the purchase of XX pieces of alternative test equipment which were employed simultaneously alongside the nuclear density gauge on four large structural fill projects. The field testing yielded a set of comparable test results taken at the same time, in roughly the same location, and under the same environmental conditions, and arguably making this research the most comprehensive study of compaction testing technology on record. The dissertation discusses MoDOT’s Quality Management program’s development and links to its origin in Design-Build project best practices, which provided the motivation to seek alternatives to the nuclear density gauge. Life Cycle Cost Analysis and Cost Index theory was utilized in comparing the compaction testing alternatives and presenting present cost per compaction test for the Department. For MoDOT project sites, linear and multiple regression