cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
High-frequency measurement of partial pressure and total concentration of carbon dioxide in seawater using microporous hydrophobic membrane contactors

To investigate CO2 chemistry in ocean water with greater time-space resolutions, we developed measurement systems, which have state-of-the-art precision but an order of magnitude or better increase in the frequency of analysis, for carbon dioxide partial pressures (PCO2) and total carbon dioxide concentrations (TCO2) in seawater. The PCO2 system was based on equilibration of a CO2-free carrier gas stream with aqueous carbon dioxide in a flowing seawater sample stream using a commercially available membrane contactor unit normally employed in industrial applications followed by nondispersive infrared (NDIR) absorbance detection of the CO2 in the exit carrier gas. The TCO2 system was based on injection of a small-volume seawater sample loop (~1 mL) into an acid (0.1 N HCl) liquid carrier stream to convert all carbonate and bicarbonate ions to aqueous carbon dioxide; this acidified sample was then passed through a custom-made small-volume membrane contactor unit where the sample's PCO2 was determined by equilibration of a CO2-free carrier gas followed by NDIR detection. Results from lab tests and a field experiment in the Ross Sea polynya, Antarctica, are presented. The PCO2 system was determined to have a response time of about 3 s and precision of better than 1 µatm. The TCO2 system had a maximum analysis rate of one sample per 36 s, and reproducibility was determined to be better than 0.2% for a period of hours.
The laser vs. the lamp: photochemistry of long-chained BIS-dibenzylketones

Abstract A comparison of products formed during photolysis of 1,12- bis -[4-(2-oxo-3-phenylpropyl)phenyl]dodecane (1) reveals a difference in laser and lamp photolysis in that the use of a laser increases the yield of macrocyclic paracyclophane rings (2) by a factor of three.
Comparison of teacher educators' instructional methods with the constructivist ideal

Abstract The constructivist learning framework is a foundation for today's K‐12 mathematics reform. Many future teachers across the United States are being taught that this is the way students learn best. More than simply teaching teachers about constructivism, however, educators are encouraged to model reform‐based instructional strategies. A nationwide quantitative study suggests that as a whole, teacher educators are more constructivist in their instructional methods than are other higher education faculty (Goubeaud & Wenfan, 2004). In this qualitative multi‐case study, the teaching methods of 4 university instructors who teach mathematics courses to future elementary teachers were explored. The results of within‐case and cross‐case analyses demonstrate the constructivist nature of the participants’ teaching methods. The results also indicate substantial variation in teaching methods, even though the participants'teaching belief are very similar.
Relationship marketing in a hospital library.

Abstract This article explores relationship marketing as adopted by staff of the Forbes Medical Library at The Children's Hospital in Denver. It provides a broad overview of relationship marketing along with its applications in libraries, and a description of how the library staff has used specific relationships with different hospital groups to enhance library service. The examples illustrate the importance of persistence, patience, and flexibility when consciously developing relationships between a library and individuals or groups.
The activity of various topical griseofulvin preparations and the appearance of oral griseofulvin in the stratum corneum.

SUMMARY Stratum corncum may be stripped onto a tape, sterilized and then inoculated with Trichophyton mentagrophytes spores. Under controlled conditions the spores germinate in vitro in the stratum corneum. This method has been quantified and adapted to the investigation of topical antifungal agents. Various formulations of topical griseofulvin were tested for activity and duration of effect with this method. The antifungal effect of I% griseofulvin in a cream base was weak and of short duration. I% griscofulvin in dimethylacetamide (DMAC) was totally effective for 24 h and could be detected 96 h after one application. Griseofulvin in DMAC was also totally effective, as a prophylactic agent, against experimental human T, mentagrophytes infections for up to 72 h after one application. Griseofulvin in an oral dose of I g daily was detected in all three layers of the stratum corneum within 8 h of administration.
Underground storage of heat in solar heating systems

Abstract The thermal interaction between underground heat storage and the surrounding ground is studied. The storage medium may be water in a tank, rocks, the ground itself, etc. For the case of hemispherical geometry, analytic steady-state solutions and numerical solutions to select time-dependent situations are presented and discussed. The quasi-steady-state average daily net heat loss into the surrounding ground from uninsulated underground heat-storage facilities is estimated to be only a few per cent of the heat storage capacity for typical home-size units in low-conductivity ground in the absence of ground-water flow. The economics of added insulation under these circumstances appears to be critically site and system specific. The time required for the average heat-loss rate of a new system to approach the steady-state value is on the order of a year. The ground surrounding a typical heat-storage facility contributes very little to the system's storage capacity either on a daily or a seasonal time scale.
SV40 nucleoprotein complex activity unwinds superhelical turns in SV40 DNA.

THE replication of closed circular superhelical DNA of simian virus 40 (SV40) has been shown to proceed through replicative intermediates that are composed of newly synthesised linear polynucleotide chains hydrogen bonded to closed circular template (parental) strands1–3. To replicate these molecules in a semiconservative fashion a swivel, about the phosphodiester backbone of the template strand of DNA, required during polynucleotide chain propagation2,3. Such a swivel could be obtained by a nuclease which introduces a single-stranded break in the template strand, thereby allowing free rotation about the phosphodiester bond opposite the nick and relaxing the superhelical turns in the DNA molecule. This type of single-stranded break must, however, be transient and rapidly ligased closed in the cell because breaks in the template strands of replicative intermediates have not been detected1–3. Alternatively, an activity has been described in E. coli4,5 and mouse cells6, that can relax superhelical turns in closed circular DNAs without introducing either single or double-stranded chain scissions in the DNA product of this reaction. This ‘untwisting activity’ is also a potential candidate for the swivel required during SV40 DNA replication.
Juvenile Survival in a Neotropical Migratory Songbird Is Lower than Expected

Attempts to estimate and identify factors influencing first-year survival in passerines, survival between fledging and the first reproductive attempt (i.e. juvenile survival), have largely been confounded by natal dispersal, particularly in long-distance migratory passerines. We studied Prothonotary Warblers (Protonotaria citrea) breeding in nest boxes to estimate first-year survival while accounting for biases related to dispersal that are common in mark-recapture studies. The natal dispersal distribution (median = 1420 m; n = 429) and a distance-dependent recruitment rate, which controls for effects of study site configuration, both indicated a pattern of short-distance natal dispersal. This pattern was consistent with results of a systematic survey for birds returning outside the nest box study sites (up to 30 km in all directions) within a majority (81%) of total available bottomland forest habitat, further suggesting that permanent emigration outside of the study system was rare. We used multistate mark-recapture modeling to estimate first-year survival and incorporated factors thought to influence survival while accounting for the potential confounding effects of dispersal on recapture probabilities for warblers that fledged during 2004–2009 (n = 6093). Overall, the average first-year survival for warblers reared without cowbird nestmates was 0.11 (95% CI = 0.09–0.13), decreased with fledging date (0.22 early to 0.03 late) and averaged 40% lower for warblers reared with a brood parasite nestmate. First-year survival was less than half of the rate thought to represent population replacement in migratory passerines (∼0.30). This very low rate suggests that surviving the first year of life for many Neotropical migratory species is even more difficult than previously thought, forcing us to rethink estimates used in population models.
Combined Plane-Wave Tight-Binding Method for Energy-Band Calculations with Application to Sodium Iodide and Lithium Iodide

A method of calculating energy bands, which we name the mixed-basis method, is developed. This method uses a wave-function expansion which includes free-atom or ion wave functions and plane waves, and it may incorporate relativistic effects. It is, in general, not equivalent to the orthogonalized-plane-wave (OPW) method, although the cases for which the two methods are equivalent are developed. A sample calculation is made for LiI and NaI, for which x-ray, valence, and conduction states are calculated. The agreement between theory and x-ray and optical-absorption data is excellent. The importance of relativistic effects is explored, and comparisons are made with conventional OPW results, which include relativity by first-order perturbation theory.
Cost-Benefit Study of a Proposed Daylight Running Lights Safety Programme

This article reports a model developed for the U.S. Department of Transportation (D.O.T.) to evaluate the costs and safety benefits of a proposed safety regulation on daylight running lights. Three alternative policies are considered: (A) not to issue the regulation and not to engage in any further investigation; (B) to issue the regulation as soon as possible; (C) to undertake further research and field testing before making a decision. The model does not require the assignment of a specific societal value per highway fatality prevented; rather, it determines for what range of values each of the alternatives (A)-(C) is most preferred. Based on the model, a recommendation was made within D.O.T. to pursue alternative (C).
Horizontal gene transfer and the evolution of transcriptional regulation in Escherichia coli

Background: Most bacterial genes were acquired by horizontal gene transfer from other bacteria instead of being inherited by continuous vertical descent from an ancient ancestor. To understand how the regulation of these acquired genes evolved, we examined the evolutionary histories of transcription factors and of regulatory interactions from the model bacterium Escherichia coli K12. Results: Although most transcription factors have paralogs, these usually arose by horizontal gene transfer rather than by duplication within the E. coli lineage, as previously believed. In general, most neighbor regulators - regulators that are adjacent to genes that they regulate - were acquired by horizontal gene transfer, whereas most global regulators evolved vertically within the γProteobacteria. Neighbor regulators were often acquired together with the adjacent operon that they regulate, and so the proximity might be maintained by repeated transfers (like 'selfish operons'). Many of the as yet uncharacterized (putative) regulators have also been acquired together with adjacent genes, and so we predict that these are neighbor regulators as well. When we analyzed the histories of regulatory interactions, we found that the evolution of regulation by duplication was rare, and surprisingly, many of the regulatory interactions that are shared between paralogs result from convergent evolution. Another surprise was that horizontally transferred genes are more likely than other genes to be regulated by multiple regulators, and most of this complex regulation probably evolved after the transfer. Conclusion: Our findings highlight the rapid evolution of niche-specific gene regulation in bacteria.
Racial disparities in age at time of cardiovascular events and cardiovascular-related death in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus.

Objective To determine whether racial disparities exist with regard to the age at which patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) experience cardiovascular disease (CVD) and CVD-associated death. Methods Using the 2003–2006 Nationwide Inpatient Sample, we calculated the age difference between patients with SLE and their race- and sex-matched controls at the time of hospitalization for a cardiovascular event and for CVD-associated death. In addition, we calculated the age difference between white patients with SLE and sex-matched controls for each minority group for the same outcomes. Results The mean age difference between women with and those without SLE at the time of admission for a CVD event was 10.5 years. All age differences between women with SLE (n = 3,627) and women without SLE admitted for CVD were significant (P < 0.0001). Among different racial groups with SLE, black women were the youngest to be admitted with CVD (53.9 years) and to have a CVD-associated in-hospital death (52.8 years; n = 218). Black women with SLE were 19.8 years younger than race- and sex-matched controls at the time of CVD-associated death. Admission trends for CVD were reversed for black women, such that the highest proportions of these patients were admitted before age 55 years, and then the proportions steadily decreased across age categories. Among the 805 men with SLE who were admitted with a CVD event, those who were black or Hispanic were youngest. Conclusion There are significant racial disparities with regard to age at the time of hospital admission for CVD events and CVD-related hospitalization resulting in death in patients with SLE.
Localization and characterization of somatostatin binding sites in the mouse retina

We studied the binding of [l~I]Tyrn-somatostatin-14 and p2Sl]Leus,D-Trp-'2,Tyr2S-somatostatin-28 to frozen, unfixed sections of C57BL/6J mouse eyes with autoradiography. Specific binding of both ligands occurred in 3 maxima, a broad band extending from the retinal ganglion cell to the inner nuclear layers, a narrow and inconstant band over the outer plexiform layer, and a band over the retinal pigment epithelium and choroid. We quantified the label over the inner plexiform layer and found evidence f~r a ,ingle, saturable binding site after Scatchard analysis of saturation binding data. With p2Sl]Tyrn-somatostatin-14 the dissociation constant (Ko) was 1.48 nM and the total number of binding sites (Bronx) was 68 fmol/mg protein; in competition experiments the inhibitory binding constant (Ki) was 900 pM for somatostatin-14 and 350 pM for somatostatin-28. With [t2SI]LeuS,D-Trp22,TyrXS-somatnstatin-28, K d was 625 pM and B~a x was 69 fmol/mg protein: in competition experiments K i was 4.58 nM for somatostatin-14 and 710 pM for somatostatin-28. These results demonstrate the existence of somatostatin receptors in the inner plexiform layer of the retina that appear to have greater specificity for somatos.'atin-28 than for somatostatin-14.
The Princes of Orange: The Stadholders in the Dutch Republic

List of illustrations Preface Prologue 1. William I: from courtier to rebel 2. Maurice of Nassau: defender of the Republic 3. Frederick Henry: firm in moderation 4. William II: the challenger 5. The first stadholderless period: 1 exclusion 6. The first stadholderless period: 2 return 7. William III: Stadholder and king 8. The second stadholderless period: doldrums 9. William IV: neither revolutionary nor reformer 10. William V: the era of Anna and Brunswick 11. William V: the Patriot challenge Epilogue Bibliography Index.
A Causative Matrix Approach to Interpreting Structural Change

Regional economic structure is uniquely represented in the input–output matrix of interindustry transactions. Although changes in this matrix representation reflect certain changes in economic structure, there is no consensus on the measurement and interpretation of these changes. This paper assesses the utility of constant causative matrix methods for measuring, for interpreting, and potentially for forecasting structural economic change. The paper concludes with a discussion of special considerations and future research directions.
Acute Myocarditis-related Complete Atrioventricular Block—An Accidental Finding in an Acute Appendicitis Patient

We report a 20-year-old male patient with preoperatively undiagnosed myocarditis, who received general anesthesia for laparoscopic appendectomy. Because of arrhythmia, a cardiologist was consulted postoperatively. The 12-lead electrocardiogram showed complete atrioventricular block and the echocardiogram showed global hypokinesia of the left ventricle with impaired contractility, a left ejection fraction of 37%, and a dilated right heart. Subsequently, a permanent pacemaker was implanted and the patient was discharged from hospital without any complications.
Do Cooperators Exit More Readily than Defectors

Standard prisoners' dilemma games offer players the binary choice between cooperating and defecting, but in a related game there is the third possibility of leaving the game altogether. We conceptualize exiting as taking the individual beyond the reach of externalities generated in the original group, and on that basis—together with the assumption of self-interested (dollar-maximizing) behavior on the part of all players—we derive the prediction that the exit option will drain the community or group more of cooperators than of defectors.But experimental data do not support this prediction; cooperators do not leave more frequently than defectors and, in fact, there is evidence that defectors are more prone to leave than cooperators. We consider and reject the possibility that this failure of prediction results from the (admitted) greater optimism of cooperators about the incidence of cooperation “here,” and present data supporting the hypothesis that cooperators often stay when their personal interest is with exiting because of the same ethical or group-regarding impulse that (presumably) led them to cooperate in the first place. Cooperation can be produced for a group or community either by inducing people to cooperate or by inducing those who are going to cooperate to stay in the game, and ethical considerations seem to underlie the decision to stay as well as the decision to cooperate while staying.
Multiresolution reproducing kernel particle method for computational fluid dynamics

Multiresolution analysis based on the reproducing kernel particle method (RKPM) is developed for computational fluid dynamics. An algorithm incorporating multiple-scale adaptive refinement is introduced. The concept of using a wavelet solution as an error indicator is also presented. A few representative numerical examples are solved to illustrate the performance of this new meshless method.
A case of disseminated histoplasmosis following autologous stem cell transplantation for Hodgkin's lymphoma: an initial misdiagnosis with a false-positive serum galactomannan assay

Systemic histoplasmosis is uncommonly reported in patients who have undergone bone marrow or solid organ transplantation. Diagnosis of systemic histoplasmosis in recipients of transplants may be hampered by lack of consideration of this infection in the differential diagnosis and may be confounded by conflicting information from other testing performed to evaluate for opportunistic infections in this population. We report successful treatment of a case of disseminated histoplasmosis in a patient with Hodgkin's lymphoma who had undergone autologous stem cell transplantation. The diagnosis was delayed by the finding of a positive serum galactomannan assay.
Internal tide radiation from the Luzon Strait

The M2, K1, and O1 internal tides originating in the Luzon Strait are investigated using the sea surface height measurements by multiple satellites ERS-2, Envisat, TOPEX/Poseidon, Jason-1/2, and Geosat Follow-On. A plane wave fit method is used to resolve multiple internal tides in arbitrary horizontal directions. The Luzon Strait is an energetic internal tide generation site, and radiates internal tides both westward into the South China Sea (SCS) and eastward into the western Pacific (WP). In the SCS, the K1 and O1 internal tides propagate over 1600 km, reaching the Vietnam coast; in the WP, they propagate over 2500 km and arrive to the Mariana Ridge and Guam. The K1 and O1 internal tides refract toward the Equator during propagation. The M2 internal tides in the SCS bifurcate into two beams. The northwestward beam is coincident with the frequent occurrence of internal solitary waves in this region, implying their causative relation. The phase speeds inferred from the altimetric along-beam propagation agree with the theoretical values. Due to the influence of the Earth's rotation, the K1 and O1 phase speeds decrease remarkably from high to low latitudes. For the diurnal internal tides, the eastward radiation is about 50% greater than the westward radiation. For M2, the westward radiation is about two times the eastward radiation. The altimetric energy fluxes are about 50% of those in numerical model simulations.
Cryo EM Study of Protein Complexes Bound to Streptavidin Crystal Layers

Conventional cryo-EM specimens use either continuous or holey, glow-discharge treated carbon films to prepare samples. As a result, particles are either immobilized by binding to an unnatural (i.e. carbon-film) surface, or they collide multiple times (due to rapid diffusion) with the freshly blotted air-water interface. In either case there is a risk that considerable structural heterogeneity may occur, or even that particles may undergo severe denaturation.Binding biotinylated particles to streptavidin monolayer crystals is a more structure-friendly way to immobilize particles. We have developed a protocol for preparing biotinylated protein complexes and tethering them to the surface of streptavidin monolayer-crystals. Three different multi-protein complexes have been used to demonstrate the generality of this method. The biotinylated protein complexes bind to the streptavidin crystal layer with high affinity, whereas the unbiotinylated control samples do not do so. In addition, the same technique can be used to produce a uniform distribution of Euler angles. The thermosomes, known to adopt a preferred orientation with other methods of cryo-EM specimen preparation, have been used as a test sample. Indeed, the results confirm that a uniform distribution of Euler angles is obtained for the biotinylated thermosome. We thus conclude that biotinylation, together with binding to 2-D crystals of streptavidin, is a better method to prepare protein complexes for cryo-EM study.
Image deconvolution by nonlinear techniques in the Fourier domain

We present a nonlinear joint transform processor that uses logarithmic and exponential nonlinearities at the Fourier plane to remove the amplitude distortion effects of a smearing function. I.© (1990) COPYRIGHT SPIE--The International Society for Optical Engineering. Downloading of the abstract is permitted for personal use only.
Novel Use of a Static Modification of Two-Dimensional Correlation Analysis. Part I: Comparison of the Secondary Structure Sensitivity of Electronic Circular Dichroism, FT-IR, and Raman Spectra of Proteins

A modification of Noda's algorithm that allows for calculation of two-dimensional (2D) correlation maps is presented as a method for analysis of a series of (static) spectra of proteins. In this approach, fractional secondary structure was used as the perturbation to generate the 2D correlation. The functional dependence of the spectral intensities on secondary structure is approximated by an even-order polynomial fit to the protein spectra at each spectral frequency. These functions are used to calculate the 2D correlation and disrelation maps, and their regression coefficients are used to weight the results to minimize artifacts. Electronic circular dichroism (ECD), Fourier transform infrared (FT-IR) (amide I and II regions), and Raman spectra of up to 22 proteins are used in the study. Spectral regions identified by the alpha-helix- and beta-sheet-based 2D correlation maps are in agreement with established interpretation of ECD and FT-IR spectra in terms of secondary structure and provide insight into secondary structure assignment for a broad range of Raman bands. Comparison of our functional fit method, specifically designed to identify synchronous correlations, with Noda's Fourier transform-based method, which generates asynchronous maps as well, is discussed.
Ab initio calculations on large molecules using molecular fragments characterization of anthracene and phenanthrene

An ab initio procedure (the molecular fragment method) has been applied to the determination of the electronic structure of anthracene and phenanthrene. Both total energy and molecular orbital structure are examined, and the results are compared with experimental as well as other theoretical investigations.
The Heroes' Problems: Exploring the Potentials of Google Glass for Biohazard Handling Professionals

In "white powder incidents" or other suspicious and risky situations relating to deadly diseases or chemicals (e.g., Ebola investigation), those who handle the potentially hazardous materials are the heroes who spearhead the first responder's operations. Although well trained, these heroes need to manage complex problems and make life-or-death decisions while handling the unknown and dangerous. We are motivated to explore how Google Glass can facilitate those heroes' missions. To this end, we conducted contextual inquiry on six biohazard-handling, Personal Protective Equipment (PPE)-wearing professionals. With an inductive thematic analysis, we summarized the heroes' workflow and four groups of "Heroes' Problems". A unique "A3 Model" (Awareness, Analysis, Action) was generated to encapsulate our qualitative findings and proposed Glass features. The findings serve as the groundwork for our future development.
Parameters Identification for a Composite Piezoelectric Actuator Dynamics

This work presents an approach for identifying the model of a composite piezoelectric (PZT) bimorph actuator dynamics, with the objective of creating a robust model that can be used under various operating conditions. This actuator exhibits nonlinear behavior that can be described using backlash and hysteresis. A linear dynamic model with a damping matrix that incorporates the Bouc–Wen hysteresis model and the backlash operators is developed. This work proposes identifying the actuator’s model parameters using the hybrid master-slave genetic algorithm neural network (HGANN). In this algorithm, the neural network exploits the ability of the genetic algorithm to search globally to optimize its structure, weights, biases and transfer functions to perform time series analysis efficiently. A total of nine datasets (cases) representing three different voltage amplitudes excited at three different frequencies are used to train and validate the model. Four cases are considered for training the NN architecture, connection weights, bias weights and learning rules. The remaining five cases are used to validate the model, which produced results that closely match the experimental ones. The analysis shows that damping parameters are inversely proportional to the excitation frequency. This indicates that the suggested hysteresis model is too general for the PZT model in this work. It also suggests that backlash appears only when dynamic forces become dominant.
Diurnal axial length fluctuations in human eyes.

PURPOSE This study sought diurnal variations of eye length in human subjects, analogous to those reported in laboratory animals. METHODS Seventeen subjects, ages 7 to 53 (median 16) years and mean spherical equivalent refractive error -0.68 D (range, -3.00 to +1.00 D), underwent axial length measurements at multiple times during the day between 7 AM and 1 AM the following day, using partial coherence interferometry (PCI), a highly precise, noncontact method. Diurnal axial length measurements were obtained on two or more days in 10 of these subjects. RESULTS During at least 1 day, 15 subjects showed a statistically significant (ANOVA, P < 0.05) diurnal fluctuation of axial length, with a magnitude generally between 15 and 40 microm. From the diurnal tracings that fit a sine curve using statistical criteria, the mean period of fluctuation was 21.6 +/- 4.33 hours (SD), the mean amplitude was 27.1 +/- 11.9 microm (SD; range, 12.8-41.4 microm), and the maximum axial length tended to occur at midday. Each of the subjects with multiple daily measurements showed axial length fluctuations on at least 1 day, but there were day-to-day differences in the diurnal variations: most notably, four subjects showed axial length fluctuations on each day; in others, the fluctuations were not observed on each testing day. CONCLUSIONS The human eye undergoes diurnal fluctuations in axial length, with a pattern suggesting maximum axial length at midday. Based on repeated measurements, these daily fluctuations may not appear regularly in all subjects, suggesting the possibility of physiologic influences that must be defined.
Things, Persons, and God: A Phenomenological Contrast

The object that is to be independent of ourselves must be subject to unalterable but discoverable laws, must fulfil the general expectation of behaving in a manner that we can learn to expect. Matter, bodies, have, in short, the sort of independence of our minds that two quarrelsome lovers have with one another: each feels bound to go against the other, and so in a sense to fulfil the expectations and ultimately the profound needs of the other. Matter would be truly independent of the mind only if its ways were so utterly confusing that we could never make head or tail of them. Whereas its role seems to be to tease, frustrate and ultimately to satisfy.'
Single bit failure mechanism in DRAMs caused by MILO cracks

Abstract A single bit failure mechanism in DRAMs caused by a chip internal stress inducing a MILO crack probelm was studied. When DRAM units were put in the life test operation oven of 125°C with the dynamic operation of 7 V or 8 V Vcc, power failures and block functional failures dominated in the short-term life test operation and marginal single bit failures came to dominate in the long-term operation life test. MILO cracks were always observed in these failure locations resulting in a metal-2 to metal-1 short or a cell-to-bit line contact leakage. From the chip internal stress simulation of MILO layers and a thicker MILO-2 layer internal stresses were reduced drastically, thus solving DRAM life test failures causing the MILO cracks.
An instructor's environment for automatic generation of problem sequences

Learning how to solve problems is one of the best supplements to the traditional teaching of computer science courses. The presence of multiple sets of well-developed sequences of problems makes teaching much easier and more efficient. The subject discussed in this paper refers to the automatic generation of problem sets considering problems of a specific type. A formal model for generation of problem sequences is described.
Double valve endocarditis.

Abstract Background . There are little data concerning surgical outcomes in patients with native valve endocarditis affecting both the aortic and mitral valves. Methods . From 1977 to 1998, 54 patients had simultaneous aortic and mitral valve grafting for native valve endocarditis. In 78%, mitral valve involvement was limited to the anterior leaflet, suggesting a jet lesion from the aortic valve. Surgical strategies included 31 valve repairs and valve replacement with mechanical (34), bioprosthetic (34), or allograft (9) prostheses. Three hundred twenty-five patient-years of follow-up were available for analysis (mean 6.0 ± 4.8 years). Results . There were no hospital deaths. Ten-year survival was 73%. Ten-year freedom from recurrent endocarditis was 84%, with risk peaking at 3 months, followed by a constant risk of 1.3%/yr. Choice of valvar procedure did not influence mortality or reinfection risk. Conclusions . The most common pattern of double valve infection was a jet lesion on the anterior mitral leaflet. Surgical treatment has late survival and freedom from reinfection similar to those of patients with single heart valve infection.
Representing Requirement Relationships

Capturing structural relationships between requirements is essential for effective visualization. Existing techniques such as UML, SysML, and goaloriented requirement engineering present a relationship focused approach in visualization; however, a commonly shared understanding of requirement-based relationships has not yet emerged. Considerations in structural and visual representation of requirement relationships are discussed in the paper, drawing issues from commercial tools, UML, SysML requirements diagram and goal-oriented requirement engineering. Lessons learned from author?s own experience of developing requirement engineering tool support with graph-based techniques are summarized. Suggestions for areas of investigation for practical and better use of requirement relationships via visualization are provided.
Integration of knowledge-based metabolic predictions with liquid chromatography data-dependent tandem mass spectrometry for drug metabolism studies: application to studies on the biotransformation of indinavir.

Despite recent advances in the application of data-dependent liquid chromatography/tandem mass spectrometry (LC/MS/MS) to the identification of drug metabolites in complex biological matrixes, a prior knowledge of the likely routes of biotransformation of the therapeutic agent of interest greatly facilitates the detection and structural characterization of its metabolites. Thus, prediction of the [M + H]+ m/z values of expected metabolites allows for the construction of user-defined MSn protocols that frequently reveal the presence of minor drug metabolites, even in the presence of a vast excess of coeluting endogenous constituents. However, this approach suffers from inherent user bias, as a result of which additional “survey scans” (e.g., precursor ion and constant neutral loss scans) are required to ensure detection of as many drug-related components in the sample as possible. In the present study, a novel approach to this problem has been evaluated, in which knowledge-based predictions of metabolic pa...
Least cost paths with algebraic cost functions. Part 1

An idea of planning safer paths for robot motion is outlined. Use is made of algebraic cost functions of clearance to obstacles. A parameter k, safety factor, controls the balance between safety and length of the resultant paths. Analytical solutions are given for a polygon world by using calculus of variations. Results are reported about simple regions only. Another fundamental idea of the 'equivalence classes' of paths is introduced. >
Merozoite surface protein-3 alpha as a genetic marker for epidemiologic studies in Plasmodium vivax : a cautionary note

Plasmodium vivax is the most widespread of the human malaria parasites in terms of geography, and is thought to present unique challenges to local efforts aimed at control and elimination. Parasite molecular markers can provide much needed data on P. vivax populations, but few such markers have been critically evaluated. One marker that has seen extensive use is the gene encoding merozoite surface protein 3-alpha (MSP-3α), a blood-stage antigen known to be highly variable among P. vivax isolates. Here, a sample of complete msp-3α gene sequences is analysed in order to assess its utility as a molecular marker for epidemiologic investigations. Amplification, cloning and sequencing of additional P. vivax isolates from different geographic locations, including a set of Venezuelan field isolates (n = 10), yielded a sample of 48 complete msp-3α coding sequences. Characterization of standard population genetic measures of diversity, phylogenetic analysis, and tests for recombination were performed. This allowed comparisons to patterns inferred from the in silico simulation of a polymerase chain reaction restriction fragment length polymorphism (PCR-RFLP) protocol used widely. The larger sample of MSP-3α diversity revealed incongruence between the observed levels of nucleotide polymorphism, which were high in all populations, and the pattern of PCR-RFLP haplotype diversity. Indeed, PCR-RFLP haplotypes were not informative of a population’s genetic diversity and identical haplotypes could be produced from analogous bands in the commonly used protocol. Evidence of frequent and variable insertion-deletion mutations and recurrent recombination between MSP-3α haplotypes complicated the inference of genetic diversity patterns and reduced the phylogenetic signal. The genetic diversity of P. vivax msp-3α involves intragenic recombination events. Whereas the high genetic diversity of msp-3α makes it a promising marker for some epidemiological applications, the ability of msp-3α PCR-RFLP analysis to accurately track parasites is limited. Local studies of the circulating alleles are needed before implementing PCR-RFLP approaches. Furthermore, evidence from the global sample analysed here suggests such msp-3α PCR-RFLP methods are not suitable for broad geographic studies or tracking parasite populations for an extended period of time.
Providing Coping Assistance for Women With Behavioral Interventions

ABSTRACT Objective To describe what parish nurses believe is essential to their practice and identify what nursing interventions they most frequently use. Design Descriptive cross sectional study. Participants The International Parish Nurse Resource Center provided a list of nurses who completed the standardized core curriculum on parish nursing and were currently working in parish nurse roles in faith communities in the United States. Methods The Nursing Intervention Classification System Survey was mailed to 2,330 parish nurses with return envelopes. Results The 1,161 parish nurse respondents (50% return) resided in faith communities in 47 states and represented major religious denominations from Christian and non-Christian religious affiliations. Participants identified the most frequently used nursing interventions were in the behavioral domain and coping assistance system. Conclusions Nurses working in faith communities are frequently using nursing interventions related to health promotion and coping assistance. The findings are valuable to all nurses in identifying strategies and collaborations for enhancing the well-being of women and their families. Improving quality of life through the collaborative support of community agencies, health care providers, and members of the faith community are integral to women's health.
Correcting the Short Nose in Revision Rhinoplasty

The scope of this article is directed toward strategic planning and surgical treatment of the postoperative short nose deformity. Emphasis is placed on controlled repositioning of the central compartment of the nose (tip and columella), followed by moving the nostrils back into a more natural position with the use of autologous grafting techniques. The overall goal is to achieve the desired esthetic transformation while maximizing nasal function with good long-term results.
Making register file resistant to power analysis attacks

Power analysis attacks are a type of side-channel attacks that exploits the power consumption of computing devices to retrieve secret information. They are very effective in breaking many cryptographic algorithms, especially those running in low-end processors in embedded systems, sensor nodes, and smart cards. Although many countermeasures to power analysis attacks have been proposed, most of them are software based and designed for a specific algorithm. Many of them are also found vulnerable to more advanced attacks. Looking for a low-cost, algorithm-independent solution that can be implemented in many processors and makes all cryptographic algorithms secure against power analysis attacks, we start with register file, where the operands and results of most instructions are stored. In this paper, we propose RFRF, a register file that stores data with a redundant flipped copy. With the redundant copy and a new precharge phase in write operations, RFRF provides data-independent power consumption on read and write for cryptographic algorithms. Although RFRF has large energy overhead, it is only enabled in the security mode. We validate our method with simulations. The results show that the power consumption of RFRF is independent of the values read out from or written to registers. Thus RFRF can help mitigate power analysis attacks.
Serological and partial molecular characterization of a Thy-1 homolog in tunicates

The occurrence of a Thy-1 homolog in the tissues of the advanced invertebrate group of tunicates has been investigated by using two monoclonal antibodies specific to rodent Thy-1.1 determinants and a heterologous anti-rat Thy-1 antiserum. In cellular and soluble-phase radioimmunoassays for Thy-1 using intact hemocytes, tissue extracts and hemolymph, membrane-bound and soluble Thy-1.1 cross-reacting determinants have been detected. Immunoprecipitation experiments with hemocyte deoxycholate extracts and hemolymph, labeled with 125I by lactoperoxidase/chloramine T and with NaB3H4 by galactose oxidase, established the association of the Thy-1.1 cross-reacting determinants with a single glycoprotein of apparent m.w. estimated at 27 000 in hemocytes and 22 500 in hemolymph by sodium dodecyl sulfate polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis. The significance of this finding is discussed in relation to the phylogenetic emergence of the Thy-1 molecule during evolution.
The Perception of Female Smokers with Fibromyalgia on the Effects of Smoking on Fibromyalgia Symptoms

Objective Smokers with fibromyalgia have greater pain intensity and function impairment compared to nonsmokers. Patients’ perceptions of interactions between smoking and fibromyalgia symptoms have not been described. The primary aim of this study was to report the perceptions of female smokers with fibromyalgia on how smoking affects symptoms. Methods Forty-eight daily smokers with fibromyalgia enrolled in the Mayo Clinic Fibromyalgia Treatment Center completed the Fibromyalgia Impact Questionnaire, Fagerstrom Test for Nicotine Dependence, Patient Health Questionnaire-9, General Anxiety Disorder-7 and a Fibromyalgia Symptoms and Smoking Survey which queried how smoking directly affected fibromyalgia symptoms (eg, pain, tiredness/fatigue, stiffness, nervousness/anxiety, depression/blueness, irritability, concentration, and overall) or indirectly as a coping mechanism. Results The majority of subjects reported smoking had no direct effect on fibromyalgia physical symptoms (pain [60% reported no effect], fatigue [56%], stiffness [81%]) but direct improvement of emotional symptoms (anxiety [62% reported improvement], irritability [64%]). The majority of subjects used smoking to cope with pain (69%) via distraction (83%) and relaxation (77%), lessening emotional distress by reducing a sense of frustration (83%) or sadness (54%) because of pain, and as a justification for resting vis-a-vis “smoke breaks” (69%). Thirty-one smokers were mildly and 17 moderately/severely dependent on tobacco, and no difference in fibromyalgia impact score (P = 0.70), pain (P = 0.39), depression (P = 0.20), and anxiety (P = 0.64) scores were detected, but more moderately/severely dependent subjects reported smoking improved pain (50% vs. 17%, P = 0.04). Discussion Smokers with fibromyalgia reported smoking helped to cope with fibromyalgia pain but generally did not directly ameliorate fibromyalgia physical symptoms.
The neuroanatomy of bilingualism: will winds of change lift the fog?

ABSTRACTThis commentary on Garcia-Penton, Fernandez Garcia, Costello, Dunabetia, and Carreiras [2015. The neuroanatomy of bilingualism: How to turn a hazy view into the full picture. Language, Cognition and Neuroscience] suggests that their review may have understated the inconsistencies among studies comparing the neuroanatomy of bilinguals to monolinguals. If their recommendations for better and more consistent methods, larger sample sizes, systematic investigation of various types of bilingualism, and more longitudinal studies were followed the structural picture should become clearer. The main thrust of the commentary is that this clearer picture of the structural changes caused by bilingualism is unlikely to inform the debate over bilingual advantages in executive functioning because: (1) there is no direct mapping between brain function and cognitive function, (2) interpretation of structural differences must rely upon unambiguous alignment with behavioural performance advantages, and (3) the curren...
Limitations of MOOCs for Computing Education- Addressing our needs: MOOCs and technology to advance learning and learning research (Ubiquity symposium)

Computing education has some significant education challenges today. We aren't diverse enough, and we need to be able to develop more teachers. Despite popular opinion, the current generations of MOOCs don't meet those needs.
Quasi-one-dimensional BalrO$_3$: On the verge of a weak ferromagnetic metallic state

We report on calorimetric, resistivity, and magnetization measurements on single crystal BaIrO 3 and its derivatives. All results indicate a phase transition at T c =175 K, and two additional features are observed in resistivity: a sharp peak at 80 K and an upturn at 26 K. It is found that dilute impurity doping with Sr drastically suppresses T c and leads to an instant nonmetal to metal transition below T c , underlining the instability of the ground state.
Changes on the Regulatory Base of the Budgetary Process in February 2013

In February 2013, the following events took place in the regulatory base of the budgetary process: the procedure for crediting to the Reserve Fund of oil and gas revenues received in the course of execution of the federal budget in 2012 has been determined; the amount of the cost of a sq. meter of residential housing provided to people within the frameworks of implementation of the regional target program of resettlement of people from hazardous housing fund was determined.
Trait Aggressiveness and Aggressive Behavior in the Context of Provocation and Inhibition

ABSTRACTAggressive behavior often occurs despite salient cues within the immediate environment that indicate aversive consequences will likely follow. Prior research has shown high trait aggressiveness to be related to sensitivity to situational provocation; however, little research has examined whether it is also related to insensitivity to situational inhibitors. This study examines the relationship between trait aggressiveness and aggressive behavior in a provocative context with, and without, an unambiguous inhibitory stimulus. Prior to experiencing provocation and being afforded the opportunity to retaliate, participants who varied in trait aggressiveness were explicitly given (or not given) an instruction that aggressive behavior might lead to aversive consequences and, thus, one should not behave aggressively. Findings revealed that without the instruction, those higher in trait aggressiveness exhibited steeper increases in aggressive responding as provocation increased. In the group that received ...