cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Web-based work order system for tracking, reporting, and solving it issues

The Information Technology department at Southeast Missouri State University provides service and support to the main campus and three satellite campuses consisting of approximately 1,400 employees and 10,500 students. After years of using a homegrown mainframe technology work order system, a personal computer based commercial technology work order software was purchased and used to establish work orders for faculty, staff, and students. Advantages for changing software were perceived to be improved knowledge-base, management reporting functionality, and updating to a PC based program. Shortly after installation, the software performance was found to be disappointing and the knowledge-base improvement was miniscule. Unfortunately, the finance manager of the I.T. department was not interested in purchasing a different work order system. When the opportunity arose to alleviate some of the associated problems or issues with the current purchased work order system and at no cost, the Director of User Services was easily convinced to give a new PC based homegrown system a chance. The newly developed WebTrak was considered a success by the Help Desk staff and the supervisor is busily making plans to add further functionality.
Intraglomerular inhibition shapes the strength and temporal structure of glomerular output

Odor signals are transmitted to the olfactory bulb by olfactory nerve (ON) synapses onto mitral/tufted cells (MCs) and external tufted cells (ETCs). ETCs, in turn, provide feedforward excitatory in...
Plasmon mechanism for superconductivity in semiconducting heterostructures: The effect of acoustic plasmons

Abstract We have investigated the singlet Cooper pairing mediated by plasma excitations in a double conducting well system. The object of the study is to assess the importance of the acoustic plasmon channel. We have used a weak coupling theory of superconductivity based on the dielectric approach and have studied the dependence of the transition temperature Tc as a function of the carrier density and the distance between the two conducting layers in various situations. Our results indicate that at metallic densities the plasma mediated pairing is mainly due to the optical plasmons. The exchange of acoustic plasmons is relevant in the high density limit but does not lead in general to a sensible enhancement of Tc for realistic values of the parameters.
The effect of aging on acid-catalyzed aerogels

Abstract Acid-catalyzed silica aerogels have been prepared using supercritical CO 2 . During aging of the wet gel, the density and modulus increases. Drying these gels results in additional shrinkage, with the youngest gels shrinking the most and providing the most dense aerogels with the highest modulus. The structural changes (dissolution and reprecipitation) which occur on aging result in reduced stresses during hypercritical drying and therefore a lower density aerogel.
Cardiorespiratory Response to Exercise after the Fontan Procedure for Tricuspid Atresia

Noninvasive exercise testing was used to assess gas exchange in 13 patients age 6-25 yr who had undergone Fontan procedures for tricuspid atresia, five of whom had preexisting Glenn shunts. The results were compared to 28 age- and sex-matched controls. Oxygen saturation was measured by ear oximetry at rest and after exercise. Ventilation, oxygen consumption (VO2), carbon dioxide production (VCO2), and heart rate were measured during progressive exercise. The ventilatory equivalents for oxygen (VE/VO2) and carbon dioxide (VE/VCO2), mixed expired pCO2 (PECO2) end-tidal pCO2 (PETCO2), and dead space to tidal volume ratio (VD/VT) were determined during steady state exercise on a cycle ergometer. Heart rate was higher for VO2 by 15% (p less than 0.02) and ventilation was higher for both VO2 (by 37%, p less than 0.001) and VCO2 (by 27%, p less than 0.002) in the patients than the controls. Mean VE/VO2 was 35.4 +/- 7.8 (SD) compared to 25.8 +/- 3.1 (p less than 0.001) and mean VE/VCO2 was 41.7 +/- 9.0 compared to 31.6 +/- 4.3 (p less than 0.001). Mean PECO2 was 21.4 +/- 4.4 torr with controls at 27.9 +/- 3.8 (p less than 0.001) and mean PETCO2 was 33.0 +/- 5.3 torr compared to 40.0 +/- 3.3 (p less than 0.001). The patients had a mean oxygen saturation of 92 +/- 5% at rest and abnormal saturation after exercise (87 +/- 9, p less than 0.005).(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)
The ultrastructure of bovine autoprothrombin II-A

Abstract The morphology of bovine autoprothrombin II-A was investigated, before and after treatment with 8M urea, using transmission electron microscopy in combination with the negative staining procedure. Individual molecules were easily observed and many were composed of 5 subunits. The molecules of autoprothrombin II-A had a mean diameter of 80 A with 79% of the population in the range from 70 to 80 A. The average diameter of these molecules was increased to 100 A when samples of the bovine autoprothrombin II-A were spread on grids pretreated with 4% sodium phosphotungstate. Following urea treatment, the mean diameter of the modified bovine autoprothrombin II-A molecules was reduced to 74 A with 78% of the molecular population in the range from 50 to 89 A. The subunit arrangement was retained post urea.
The effects of visual social stimulation upon age at first spawning in the mouth-brooding cichlid fish Sarotherodon (Tilapia) mossambicus (Peters)

Abstract The effect of visual social stimulation upon age at first spawning of Sarotherodon (Tilapia) mossambicus was studied by rearing newly-released young in one of two conditions: isolated or in visual contact with a conspecific of the same age in an adjacent aquarium. Results indicated that isolation delayed first spawning by about 10 days for isolated females as compared to socially stimulated females. The rate of colour development was the same for all males suggesting that testicular maturation was not greatly affected by visual social stimulation. In addition, growth of social females lagged behind that of isolates. Some mechanisms and biological effects are discussed.
Weighted likelihood copula modeling of extreme rainfall events in Connecticut.

Summary Copulas have recently emerged as a practical method for multivariate modeling. To date, only limited amount of work has been done to apply copula-based modeling in the context of extreme rainfall analysis, and no work exists on modeling multiple characteristics of rainfall events from data at resolutions finer than hourly. In this study, trivariate copula-based modeling is applied to annual extreme rainfall events constructed from 15-min time series precipitation data at 12 stations within the state of Connecticut. Three characteristics (volume, duration, and peak intensity) are modeled by a multivariate distribution specified by three marginal distributions and a dependence structure via copula. A major issue in this application is that, because the 15-min precipitation data are only available fairly recently, the sample size at most stations is small, ranging from 10 to 33 years. For each station, we estimate the model parameters by maximizing a weighted likelihood, which assigns weight to data at stations nearby, borrowing strengths from them. The weights are assigned by a kernel function whose bandwidth is chosen by cross-validation in terms of predictive loglikelihood. The fitted model and sampling algorithms provide new knowledge on design storms and risk assessment in Connecticut.
Durability Modeling of Environmental Barrier Coating (EBC) Using Finite Element Based Progressive Failure Analysis

The necessity for a protecting guard for the popular ceramic matrix composites (CMCs) is getting a lot of attention from engine manufacturers and aerospace companies. The CMC has a weight advantage over standard metallic materials and more performance benefits. However, these materials undergo degradation that typically includes coating interface oxidation as opposed to moisture induced matrix which is generally seen at a higher temperature. Additionally, other factors such as residual stresses, coating process related flaws, and casting conditions may influence the degradation of their mechanical properties. These durability considerations are being addressed by introducing highly specialized form of environmental barrier coating (EBC) that is being developed and explored in particular for high temperature applications greater than 1100°C. As a result, a novel computational simulation approach is presented to predict life for EBC/CMC specimen using the finite element method augmented with progressive failure analysis (PFA) that included durability, damage tracking, and material degradation model. The life assessment is carried out using both micromechanics and macromechanics properties. The macromechanics properties yielded a more conservative life for the CMC specimen as compared to that obtained from the micromechanics with fiber and matrix properties as input.
Person concepts: The effect of target familiarity and descriptive purpose on the process of describing others

The relationship between object and person perception is explored in free-response person descriptions. A taxonomy which applies to both person and object descriptions, that is, a theoretically extensible taxonomy, potentially provides theoretical continuities across areas of perception. Evidence for the taxonomy's validity, or psychological meaningfulness, comes from differential usage of its components in (1) describing familiar and stranger target persons, (2) for physical versus indepth descriptive purposes, and (3) over the stages of the descriptive output. Descriptions of friends focus relatively more on personality traits and personal origins, while descriptions of strangers focus on context. Physical descriptions not surprisingly emphasize appearance, while indepth descriptions include mostly personality traits, as well as observable behaviors, appearance terms, and relationship descriptors. Differential usage of the components over stages of the description reveals that descriptions usually begin with appearance and later include typical behaviors and personality terms. Relationship labels, when used, occur at the beginning. Parallels with object description are discussed, and structural implications for concept storage are explored.
Pulsatile poststenotic flow studies with laser Doppler anemometry

The pulsatile flow field distal to axisymmetric constrictions in a straight tube was studied using laser Doppler anemometry. The upstream centerline velocity waveform was sinusoidal at a frequency parameter of 7.5 and mean Reynolds number of 600. Stenosis models of 25, 50 and 75% area reduction were employed and velocity data were derived by ensemble averaging methods. Extensive measurements of the pulsatile velocity profiles are reported, and wall shear rates were computed from the near wall velocity profile gradients. The experiments indicate that a permanent region of poststenotic flow separation does not exist even for the severest constriction, in contrast to results for steady flow. Values of wall shear stress were greatest near the throat of the constriction and were relatively low in the poststenotic region, including the region of most intense flow disturbance. Turbulence was found only for the 75% stenosis model and was created only during a segment of the cycle. Although much emphasis has been placed upon turbulence in the detection of arterial stenoses, particularly as identified by Doppler ultrasound spectral broadening, the present study implies that identification of flow disturbances of an organized nature may be more fundamental in recognizing mild to moderate disease. Additionally, the relationship of these flow field results to the animal aortic coarctation model often employed in atherogenesis studies is discussed.
The organization of auditory behavior.

This paper presents a tentative framework that guides a research program in developmental auditory behavior. The determinants of developmental change are defined and related to adaptive processes i...
Beam Shape Optimization for Power Harvesting

A problem in piezoelectric bimorph energy harvesting is to generate the most power with limits in system mass. The authors propose a new approach: to change the shape of the beam to concentrate the strain in sections of the beam where it can contribute the most to transduction. A vibration model of beams with non-uniform width is developed and validated with shaker table tests. Three beams with different shapes are tested over a wide band, encompassing the lowest two modes of vibration. An optimal beam shape is calculated using a heuristic optimization code and the attributes of this optimal beam are discussed. Then, beam shapes are optimized to allow for increased base excitation and constrained by maximum root strain. Finally, the tip mass-to-beam mass ratio is studied parametrically, correlating increased transduction with increased beam mass.
The organization And Myofilament Array of Insect Visceral Muscles

The cytological organization of three insect visceral muscles has been examined in the electron microscope. In each instance, the fibres were found to be striated, and the striation pattern has been shown to reflect the distribution along the sarcomere of two sets of myofilaments. In transverse sections of the fibre at the level of the A band, these muscles have been found to exhibit an unusual myofilament array in which each thick (myosin) filament is surrounded by twelve thin (actin) filaments rather than six, as in insect flight muscle and vertebrate skeletal muscle. The distribution of T-system tubules and cisternae of the sarcoplasmic reticulum in these visceral fibres is described, and compared with the corresponding membrane systems in other striated muscles.
Identification and Modeling of Nonlinear Dynamic Behavior in Analog Circuits

This paper presents a new approach for identifying nonlinear dynamic behavior in analog circuits. The approach facilitates the creation of models that more accurately reflect the dynamic behavior of a circuit. It has been used in a fully automated, behavioral modeling tool,Ascend, that starts from the netlist description of the circuit and generates differential algebraic equation (DAE) based behavioral models. The underlying modeling approach is overviewed to provide a context for this research. Some demonstrative test results illustrate the effectiveness of the new method.
Applicability of CoA/acetyl-CoA manipulation system to enhance isoamyl acetate production in Escherichia coli

Coenzyme A (CoA) and its thioester derivatives are important precursor molecules for many industrially useful compounds such as esters, PHBs, lycopene and polyketides. Previously, in our lab we could increase the intracellular levels of CoA and acetyl-Coenzyme A (acetyl-CoA) by overexpressing one of the upstream rate-controlling enzymes pantothenate kinase with a concomitant supplementation of the precursor pantothenic acid to the cell culture medium. In this study, we showed that the CoA/acetyl-CoA manipulation system could be used to increase the productivity of industrially useful compounds derived from acetyl-CoA. We chose the production of isoamyl acetate as a model system. Isoamyl acetate is an important flavor component of sake yeast and holds a great commercial value. Alcohol acetyl transferase (AAT) condenses isoamyl alcohol and acetyl-CoA to produce isoamyl acetate. The gene ATF2, coding for this AAT was cloned and expressed in Escherichia coli. This genetic engineered E. coli produces isoamyl acetate, an ester, from intracellular acetyl-CoA when isoamyl alcohol is added externally to the cell culture medium. In the current study, we showed that in a strain bearing ATF2 gene, an increase in intracellular CoA/acetyl-CoA by overexpressing panK leads to an increase in isoamyl acetate production. Additionally, the cofactor manipulation technique was combined with more traditional approach of competing pathway deletions to further increase isoamyl acetate production. The acetate production pathway competes with isoamyl acetate production for the common intracellular metabolite acetyl-CoA. Earlier we have shown that acetate pathway deletion (ackA-pta) increases isoamyl acetate production. The acetate production pathway was inactivated under elevated CoA/acetyl-CoA conditions, which lead to a further increase in isoamyl acetate production.
Spectra of Mercury at Atmospheric Pressure

Light from a mercury arc in quartz, operating at atmospheric pressure, and excited by-various electrical means was photographed through a quartz spectrograph.Line Spectra: With very high currents through the arc some thirteen lines were found to be self-reversed, two of which are spark lines. The reversal of one of these (λ1942) supports the view of Carrol, Turner and Compton that it is a member of the first doublet of the principal series of Hg+. Lines of the diffuse series of Hg appear to be the most readily reversed.Continuous Spectra: With relatively low currents through the arc the continuous spectrum appears in four discrete bands, three of which have intensity maxima lying close to the three spectral series limits: λ4580; λ3320; λ2240. A modification of Bohr’s theory, which attributes bands of continuous radiation to the recombination of electrons with atomic or molecular ions, is found to agree very well with the observed facts. From theoretical considerations it is shown that a velocity distribution of the free electrons in the arc, corresponding to a temperature 2500°K, gives an intensity distribution of continuous spectrum in agreement with that observed. Certain observations by Rayleigh are found to be compatible with this theory.
An analytical solution to Li/Li+ insertion into a porous electrode

Thedynamicfaradicproperties ofthe lithium ionbatteries areprimarilydetermined bytheprocessoflithium ioninsertioninto aporouselectrode. In this paper, we present an analytical result of the intercalating process of Li/Li + into a spherical particle of graphite or cobalt oxide immersed in a conductive electrolyte. Using the finite integral transform method, an exact solution to the concentration profile was obtained for arbitrary linear initial andboundary conditions.Toavoidanalytical difficulties withrespectto theboundary conditionsofsecond kind,the methodofpseudo-steadystate is applied. The final solution uniformly converges, and can be used for accurate and fast dynamic modelling and simulation. D 2005 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.
Electrophysiology and anatomy of embryonic rabbit hearts before and after septation

Mechanisms of cardiac pacemaking and conduction system (CPCS) development are difficult to study, in part because of the absence of models that are physiologically similar to humans in which we can...
Reconciling taxonomy and phylogeny in the bristleworm family Eunicidae (polychaete, Annelida)

Eunicid annelids inhabit diverse marine habitats worldwide, have ecological and economic importance and have been pictured in the news as giant predator worms. They compose a traditional stable taxon recently supported as monophyletic but characterized by plesiomorphies. Most genera within the family have been recovered as paraphyletic in previous studies. We present a phylogenetic hypothesis for eunicid based on molecular (COI, 16S rDNA, 18S rDNA) and morphological data (213 characters), including an explicit attempt to account for serial homology. Eunicidae as well as monophyletic genera Marphysa sensu stricto and Lysidice is redefined based on synapomorphies. Nematonereis is synonymized to Lysidice. Leodice and Nicidion are resurrected to name monophyletic groups including species previously included in Eunice and Marphysa sensu lato. Traditional diagnostic characters such as the absence/presence of peristomial cirri, lateral antennae and branchiae are homoplasies and not informative at the generic level. Different coding of traditional characters (i.e. articulation of prostomial appendages) and novel characters of prostomial features and regionalization of the body support the monophyly of the family and genera level clades. Thus, the phylogenetic hypothesis presented here and the evolution of characters provided background information for taxonomic changes yielding evolutionary meaningful classification and diagnoses for the family and genera.
Comparison of Pneumoperitoneum Volumes in Lift Laparoscopy With Variable Lift Locations and Tensile Forces

Objective Evaluate the effect of peritoneal lift location and tensile force on peritoneal volume. Study Design Complete randomized block design. Animals Eleven fresh canine cadavers. Methods Cadavers underwent abdominal computed tomography (CT) scans after each treatment; 1) no lift, 2) umbilical lift with 15% body weight (BW) tension, 3) umbilical lift with 20% BW, 4) umbilical lift with 25% BW, 5) caudal lift with 15% BW, and 6) both umbilical and caudal lift with 15% BW shared equally between devices (dual lift). Isobaric pneumoperitoneal volume, instrument working distances, and transverse measures were calculated and normalized for each dog and compared across treatments. Results Increasing tensile force created a correspondingly larger pneumoperitoneal volume for the umbilical lift (0.34–0.40 total abdominal volume). Dual lifting created a larger pneumoperitoneal volume than either location alone at the same tension (0.39 total abdominal volume). Increasing lift tensions increased working distances, except to caudal abdominal structures. Increasing lift tensions at the umbilical location reduced the transverse diameter of the abdomen at the level of the kidney (0.92–0.86 total abdominal volume) and increased the transverse diameter at the midperitoneum (1.0–1.05 total abdominal volume). Conclusions Larger isobaric penumoperitoneal volumes are produced with increased tensile force, or with dual lifting at lower force. A caudal lift leads to a small pneumoperitoneal volume but equivalent working space to caudal abdominal structures. Using an umbilical lift with moderate tensile force is preferable, providing good visualization and working space. Caudal lifting may be utilized to access caudal abdominal structures.
Chromatographic extraction of plutonium and inorganic impurity analysis using ICP-MS and ICP-AES

The purpose of this study was to assess the feasibility of ICP-MS and ICP-AES for the quantitation of 45 target analytes in solutions containing plutonium, and solutions where the plutonium had been removed using anion exchange. The selectivity of the anion exchange resin was also evaluated. High purity plutonium solutions, including a spiked solution were dissolved in triplicate and analyzed by both ICP-MS and ICP-AES, before and after removal of the plutonium matrix. The presence of plutonium appeared to have little effect on recoveries for the ICP-MS technique, whereas twenty-six out of thirty six elements were outside the preferred recovery range of 80–120% for the emission technique. Once the plutonium was removed using a strong anion exchange resin, only 6 elements fell outside the quantitative recovery acceptance window for ICP-AES. Of the target analytes studied, only Ag, Th, Tl, and U appeared to be adsorbed onto the column. These elements are readily determined directly in the plutonium solution by ICP-MS. Elements that must be determined in the extracted sample by ICP-AES are Fe, K, P, and Si. Interelement correction factors were established for the ICP-AES technique and method detection limits were determined for both techniques.
Natural enemies of Brazilian peppertree (Sapindales: Anacardiaceae) from Argentina: their possible use for biological control in the USA.

Brazilian peppertree (Schinus terebinthifolius Raddi, Anacardiaceae) is a perennial tree native to Argentina, Brazil, and Paraguay. The plant was introduced into the USA before 1900. Originally grown as an ornamental, Brazilian peppertree is now considered an noxious plant in Hawaii and Florida, where it is ranked among the most important threats to biodiversity in natural areas. Recent surveys conducted in northeastern Argentina recovered one fungus associated with distorted leaves and 36 phytophagous insects collected on Brazilian peppertree. A leaf-feeding notodontid moth, a new species of gracillariid leaf blotch miner, and a stem-boring weevil have been selected for further studies to determine their potential as biological control agents of Brazilian peppertree in the USA. The results of these surveys are summarized herein and descriptions are included of the insects that are considered most promising for biological control of this weed.
A Comparison of the Economic Well-Being of Farm and Nonfarm Households

This study compares the economic well-being of farm and nonfarm households using data from the Agricultural Resource Management Survey and the Survey of Consumer Finances. Comparisons are made in terms of income and wealth using parametric and nonparametric tests, regression analyses, and inequality measures. The results show that the economic well-being of households differs based on their degree of involvement in business activities and their life-cycle stages. The main conclusion is that the income of rural residence and intermediate farms is comparable to that of wage-earning nonfarm households, while commercial farms are similar in well-being to nonfarm households with businesses. Copyright 2008, Oxford University Press.
Cholera Toxin Induces a Shift from Inactive to Active Cyclooxygenase 2 in Alveolar Macrophages Activated by Mycobacterium bovis BCG

Intranasal vaccination stimulates formation of cyclooxygenases (COX) and release of prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) by lung cells, including alveolar macrophages. PGE2 plays complex pro- or anti-inflammatory roles in facilitating mucosal immune responses, but the relative contributions of COX-1 and COX-2 remain unclear. Previously, we found that Mycobacterium bovis BCG, a human tuberculosis vaccine, stimulated increased release of PGE2 by macrophages activated in vitro; in contrast, intranasal BCG activated no PGE2 release in the lungs, because COX-1 and COX-2 in alveolar macrophages were subcellularly dissociated from the nuclear envelope (NE) and catalytically inactive. This study tested the hypothesis that intranasal administration of BCG with cholera toxin (CT), a mucosal vaccine component, would shift the inactive, NE-dissociated COX-1/COX-2 to active, NE-associated forms. The results showed increased PGE2 release in the lungs and NE-associated COX-2 in the majority of COX-2+ macrophages. These COX-2+ macrophages were the primary source of PGE2 release in the lungs, since there was only slight enhancement of NE-associated COX-1 and there was no change in COX-1/COX-2 levels in alveolar epithelial cells following treatment with CT and/or BCG. To further understand the effect of CT, we investigated the timing of BCG versus CT administration for in vivo and in vitro macrophage activations. When CT followed BCG treatment, macrophages in vitro had elevated COX-2-mediated PGE2 release, but macrophages in vivo exhibited less activation of NE-associated COX-2. Our results indicate that inclusion of CT in the intranasal BCG vaccination enhances COX-2-mediated PGE2 release by alveolar macrophages and further suggest that the effect of CT in vivo is mediated by other lung cells.
XRCC1 polymorphisms and breast cancer risk from the New York Site of the Breast Cancer Family Registry: A family-based case-control study.

Background: XRCC1 is a scaffold protein involved in the early and late stages of Base Excision Repair (BER). Three DNA polymorphisms occur in XRCC1, resulting in non-synonymous amino acid changes, which could alter the binding or regulatory activities of XRCC1.
CAGED TURKEY BREEDER HENS: SHELL QUALITY Versus OYSTER SHELL SUPPLEMENTATION

Abstract The study herein reported was made to evaluate the effect of oyster shell “topdressing” of feed on the shell quality of eggs laid by caged turkey breeder hens. It was prompted from the observation that the number of cracked eggs obtained from a caged turkey breeder hen flock (496 hens) was reduced following oyster shell “top-dressing” of the feed.…
A computer construction project that is both educationally sound and can be completed in one semester

A student-built, expandable computer project for the Electrical Engineering Microprocessor laboratory is described. The design goals include low-cost, modern instruction set, availability of inexpensive hardware and software tools, and a level of fabrication complexity within reach of the student. Hardware and software tools are introduced and various methods to obtain them are discussed. The project demonstrates a sequential method that assists the beginning student in building and "turning-on" the computer. The method is applicable to more complex digital machines. Logic diagrams for the basic system are included. Fabrication details including power bus management and by passing are discussed. Suggestions are given to extend the computer to accommodate other microprocessors, memory and I/O devices. >
Observation of squeezed noise produced by forward four-wave mixing in sodium vapor

We have generated squeezed-state light through forward four-wave mixing in sodium vapor as verified by homodyne detection. Optical phase-sensitive noise with a minimum falling 4% below the shot-noise limit was observed.
Generic Immunosuppression: Deciphering the Message Our Patients are Receiving

Background:The introduction of generic immunosuppressants elicited controversy within the transplant community and it is unknown whether patient attitudes mirror the ambiguity of provider perceptions. With the current health care economic crisis, it is necessary to consider generic immunosuppression as an option. A greater understanding of patient perceptions would enhance vital communication between providers and patients to facilitate education and appropriate monitoring.Objective:To evaluate transplant recipients’ perceptions of generic versus brand immunosuppressants based on experience with these agents and the willingness of patients to convert treatment from brand to generic formulations based on socioeconomic variables and baseline demographics.Methods:Key informant interviews were conducted to inform the development of the survey instrument. The survey was distributed to solid organ transplant recipients at a large, academic medical center from October to December 2010. RESULTS: Nine patients par...
Effect of Harvest Date, Irrigation, Maturity and Calcium Addition During Processing on Quality of Canned Summer Squash

Soaking summer squash in calcium prior to commercial blanching at 99°C decreased sloughing, increased sensory firmness and had no effect on lightness or pH of the canned product. Although blanching squash in calcium decreased sloughing, improved lightness, decreased pH and produced off-flavors, the effect of hand blanching at 93°C with no calcium present increased sloughing, lightness, pH, and sensory firmness of the processed product. Adding calcium at the point of squash filling into cans after a commercial blanch produced no change in sloughing, decreased pH, increased sensory firmness and had no effect on lightness. Grade 1 squash exhibited the highest drained weight and lowest sloughing values. Drained weight increased at the end of the harvest season. Method of cultivation had no effect on the quality of canned squash.
Period–colour and amplitude–colour relations in classical Cepheid variables

In this paper we analyse the behaviour of Galactic, Large Magellanic Cloud (LMC) and Small Magellanic Cloud (SMC) Cepheids in terms of period-colour (PC) and amplitude-colour (AC) diagrams at the phases of maximum, mean and minimum light. We find very different behaviour between Galactic and Magellanic Cloud Cepheids. Motivated by the recent report by Tammann et al., of a break in the LMC PC relations at 10 d, we use the statistical F-test to examine the PC relations at mean light in these three galaxies. The results of the F-test support the existence of the break occurring in the LMC PC(mean) relation, but not in the Galactic or SMC PC(mean) relation. Furthermore, the LMC Cepheids also show a break at minimum light, which is not seen in the Galactic and SMC Cepheids. We further discuss the effect on the period-luminosity relations in the LMC due to the break in the PC(mean) relation.
Lurking? cyclopaths?: a quantitative lifecycle analysis of user behavior in a geowiki

Online communities produce rich behavioral datasets, e.g., Usenet news conversations, Wikipedia edits, and Facebook friend networks. Analysis of such datasets yields important insights (like the "long tail" of user participation) and suggests novel design interventions (like targeting users with personalized opportunities and work requests). However, certain key user data typically are unavailable, specifically viewing, pre-registration, and non-logged-in activity. The absence of data makes some questions hard to answer; ac- cess to it can strengthen, extend, or cast doubt on previous results. We report on analysis of user behavior in Cyclopath, a geographic wiki and route-finder for bicyclists. With access to viewing and non-logged-in activity data, we were able to: (a) replicate and extend prior work on user lifecycles in Wikipedia, (b) bring to light some pre-registration activity, thus testing for the presence of "educational lurking," and (c) demonstrate the locality of geographic activity and how editing and viewing are geographically correlated.
High Exposure to Organophosphate Flame Retardants in Infants: Associations with Baby Products

Infant products containing polyurethane foam are commonly treated with organophosphate flame retardants (PFRs), including tris(1,3-dichloro-2-propyl)phosphate (TDCIPP) and triphenyl phosphate (TPHP). Infants may have greater exposure due to greater contact with these products, yet little is known about levels of exposure or the factors contributing to higher exposure. We recruited children age 2–18 months from North Carolina to investigate PFR exposure (n = 43; recruited 2014–2015). Parents provided information on potential sources and modifiers of exposure, and reported whether they owned common infant products. We measured five PFR metabolites in urine samples collected from children. TDCIPP and TPHP metabolites (bis(1,3-dichloro-2-propyl) phosphate (BDCIPP) and diphenyl phosphate (DPHP)) were most commonly detected (>93% detect). Other metabolites were detected infrequently (<35% detect). Although we did not observe a clear age trend for infants, BDCIPP levels were substantially higher than those repor...
The information content of discount rate announcements: What is behind the announcement effect?

Abstract A considerable volume of research shows that asset prices respond to changes in the Federal Reserve's discount rate. While several competing hypotheses have been advanced to explain the market's response to discount rate announcements, comparatively little effort has been made to differentiate among alternative hypotheses. The result is an abundance of evidence establishing that asset prices respond to discount rate announcements, but little if any agreement about why markets respond. This article attempts to fill a void in the literature by pointing out how competing hypotheses differ and by constructing tests explicitly designed to differentiate among competing explanations. The evidence suggests that the market's reaction to discount rate changes is purely an announcement effect, i.e., a reaction to new information contained in the announcement, that the direct effect of discount rate changes on market rates is nil, that the announcement effect is invariant to the Federal Reserve's operating procedure and that, generally speaking, changes in the discount rate do not signal a change in monetary policy. The announcement effect appears to vary with both the nature and extent of the information that the announcement of a discount rate change is believed to contain.
Voriconazole concentration monitoring at an academic medical center

Purpose Results of a study of the relationship among voriconazole dosages, serum concentrations, adverse effects, and clinical outcomes are presented. Methods A retrospective chart review was conducted that included all patients who had at least one voriconazole concentration drawn between July 1, 2009, and August 15, 2014, at a single academic medical center. The primary outcome was the proportion of patients with initial voriconazole concentrations in the target range. Results Forty-seven of 88 patients (53%) had an initial voriconazole concentration within the target range, 27% (24 of 88) of patients had a concentration above the range, and 19% (17 of 88) had a concentration below the range. Sixty-seven percent of patients with above-target concentrations had adverse effects. Voriconazole was discontinued in 9% of patients, and dosages were reduced in 11% of patients because of adverse effects. Voriconazole for treatment versus prophylaxis was analyzed in a subgroup, as was obesity and nonobesity. Twenty-four percent of patients died during their hospital admission, and 14% were not discharged on voriconazole therapy. The within-target group had the highest proportion of patients discharged on voriconazole and the lowest proportion of deaths. Conclusion A retrospective study in one institution revealed that the first measured voriconazole concentration was within the target range in 53% of patients and that dosage was modified in only 51% of patients whose concentration was outside of that range. The majority of patients with above-target concentrations had an adverse effect, and this result was particularly common in patients with a body mass index of ≥35 kg/m2.
Russian-friendly: how Russian became a commodity in Europe and beyond

ABSTRACTThe purpose of this paper is to examine how Russian became a commodity in the global service industry in the decade between 2004 and 2014 and, in some places, much earlier. I will begin with a discussion of sociolinguistic theory of ‘commodification of language’, focusing on aspects critical for this case study. Then, I will trace the process of commodification of Russian, starting with why (reasons) and when (timeline), proceeding to where (locations) and how (forms), and ending with the so what. I will also talk about what next, identifying the opportunities for research on global Russian and the many gaps that are waiting to be filled.
Leukemic reticuloendotheliosis (hairy cell leukemia).

Abstract Leukemic reticuloendotheliosis (hairy cell leukemia) is a well-established independent clinical and pathologic entity. This study will report the clinical, hematologic, and histologic findings in 82 patients who have been followed for over 20 yr. The diagnosis must be confirmed by the finding in the peripheral blood and/or bone marrow of the pathognomonic mononuclear cell of leukemic reticuloendotheliosis, the so-called hairy cell, which is best characterized by the use of supravital stain, phase-contrast microscopy, slide-cultures, and electron microscopy. The most common physical finding is splenomegaly, which was present in 93% of our patients. The course of the disease is, in general, chronic. The most frequent complication is infection. Spontaneous remissions can occur in leukemic reticuloendotheliosis. Transition to other forms of leukemia or lymphoma has not been recorded. Splenic irradiation is usually followed by temporary improvement. Chemotherapy is not indicated initially. However, in patients who have life-threatening disease with a predominance of hairy cells in the peripheral blood, marked thrombocytopenia, neutropenia, and anemia due to extensive infiltration of the marrow by the malignant cells, aggressive chemotherapy should be initiated. Splenectomy is indicated in cases of frank hypersplenism, and the results, in the majority of patients, have been excellent and long-lasting.
Cloning and Expression of Escherichia coli Outer Membrane Proteases Gene OmpT

The outer membrane proteases T(OmpT) of Escherichia coli is a surface membrane protein with serine protease activity.When OmpT could degrade antimicrobial peptide,it was used to screen and reconstruct novel antimicrobial peptide,which provided new idea for developing antimicrobial peptides of OmpT.In this paper,a pair of primers was designed according to OmpT sequence of E.coli,and a 954 bp sequence was obtained by PCR from E.coli K12 genome,which had 99.99% similarity with the opened sequence.Then the gene was cloned into the prokaryotic expression vector pET28a to construct the recombinant expression plasmid pET28a-OmpT.A specific molecular weight of about 36 kDa of OmpT protein that has biological activity was expressed in E.coli BL21 after induced by IPTG.With the present of antimicrobial peptide(AMP) LL37,growth of E.coli pET28a was inhibited,while the growth of E.coli pET28a-OmpT was not affected after OmpT protein was induced.Current results indicated that OmpT could increase the resistance of E.coli to the AMP.
COOPERATIVITY OF THE ELECTROPLAX MEMBRANE

Considerable attention has been given to the molecular basis of ‘cooperativity’ in macromolecules (Hill, 1910; Adair, 1925; Monod, Wyman & Changeux, 1965; Koshland & Neet, 1968; Perutz, 1969; Edelstein, 1971) and in biological membranes (Changeux, 1969). Cooperativity is defined generally as a reaction of order greater than one, and, in biology, possibly the best known example of a cooperative reaction is the binding of oxygen to haemoglobin. The binding curve for this reaction is sigmoid, and sigmoid binding curves have proved often to be the first indication of a cooperative reaction.
Travel Writing on the Western Front: Masefield, Blunden, Sassoon, and Bagnold

In the 1917 Michelin Guide to the Marne Battle-fields (1914), a photograph of a single grave is set opposite a painting from Senlis town hall on the facing page.1 The grave belongs to Monsieur Odent, Mayor of Senlis who was executed in August 1914 by the occupying German army along with six other hostages in reprisal for resistance by the retreating French army. The painting shows the execution of hostages in 1418 by the besieging Armagnacs: “Six centuries have elapsed, but it will be seen that, towards hostages, the Germans still retain the mental attitude of the Middle Ages.”2 The Guide converts the war, even as it is being fought, into a national history which can be accessed through the familiar vehicle of the European tour, by readers as much as travelers. The travel handbook with its reassuring itinerary of sights, monuments, paintings, châteaux, cathedrals, parks, and topographical features holds out the promise that this history is to be found in the territorial and cultural landscape of the nation, inherent in specific places and objects. Indeed, the Guide defines the significance of the war to the nation, precisely through the cultural richness of France, including places of interest “either from an archaeological or an artistic point of view … even though the war has passed it by, that the tourist may realize that it was to preserve this heritage of history and beauty intact, that so many of our heroes have fallen.”3
Atomistic investigation into the atomic structure and energetics of the ferrite-cementite interface: The Bagaryatskii orientation

Abstract Atomistic modeling was used to investigate the energetics and structure of the Bagaryatskii orientation relationship between ferrite and cementite within pearlite. The atomic level results show that the interface structure consists of a rectangular array of dislocations that lie along the high symmetry directions of the interface. The interface can be constructed using three different atomic terminating planes in the cementite structure, which dictates the chemistry and registry of the interface and controls the interfacial energy. The FeC-Fe terminating plane is always the lowest energy because the interfacial dislocations are most easily able to spread on these planes, thus reducing the interfacial energy. These atomistic results compare favorably with results from a continuum model based on O-lattice theory and anisotropic continuum theory. The dislocation spacing and interfacial energies predicted from the continuum level agree well with the atomistic simulation results.
Has China’s Natural Forest Protection Program Protected Forests?—Heilongjiang’s Experience

Since the late 1990s, China has been implementing one of the largest ecological restoration initiatives in not only the country but also the world—the Natural Forest Protection Program (NFPP). An overarching question is how severe the regional deforestation had become before the NFPP was initiated and whether the forest condition in the protected area has significantly improved afterwards. The goal of this study was to assess the land use and land cover changes (LULCC) and the interplays between different land uses in northeast China from the late 1970s to 2013. Classification results were validated through accuracy assessments using the rule-based rationality evaluation scheme and the spatially balanced sampling method. It was found that the regional forestland suffered significant and persistent decline, about 20.4% loss, before 2000 when the NFPP was launched; thereafter, however, the forestland became gradually stabilized and reforestation became more prevalent. Further examination based on extended conversion matrixes revealed that the largest proportional decline came from wetland, instead of forestland, due to farmland encroachment.
Women and Leadership: Selection, Development, Leadership Style, and Performance

Despite the proliferation of leadership research in the past 75 years, investigating the ways in which women and men leaders enact and experience leadership continues to surface unanswered question...
Comparison of treatment outcome using two definitions of rapid cycling in subjects with bipolar II disorder

Objectives We examined differences in treatment outcome between Diagnostic and Statistical Manual Fourth Edition (DSM-IV)-defined rapid cycling and average lifetime-defined rapid cycling in subjects with bipolar II disorder. We hypothesized that, compared with the DSM-IV definition, the average lifetime definition of rapid cycling may better identify subjects with a history of more mood lability and a greater likelihood of hypomanic symptom induction during long-term treatment. Methods Subjects ≥18 years old with a bipolar II major depressive episode (n=129) were categorized into DSM-IV- and average lifetime-defined rapid cycling and prospectively treated with either venlafaxine or lithium monotherapy for 12 weeks. Responders (n=59) received continuation monotherapy for six additional months. Results These exploratory analyses found moderate agreement between the two rapid-cycling definitions (κ=0.56). The lifetime definition captured subjects with more chronic courses of bipolar II depression, whereas the DSM-IV definition captured subjects with more acute symptoms of hypomania. There was no difference between rapid-cycling definitions with respect to the response to acute venlafaxine or lithium monotherapy. However, the lifetime definition was slightly superior to the DSM-IV definition in identifying subjects who went on to experience hypomanic symptoms during continuation therapy. Conclusions Although sample sizes were limited, the findings suggest that the lifetime definition of rapid cycling may identify individuals with a chronic rapid-cycling course and may also be slightly superior to the DSM-IV definition in identifying individuals with hypomania during relapse-prevention therapy. These findings are preliminary in nature and need replication in larger, prospective, bipolar II studies.
Disturbance location determination based on electromechanical wave propagation in FNET/GridEye: a distribution-level wide-area measurement system

This study presents a method to locate power system disturbances using wide-area synchropahsor measurements. The merits of the proposed method include robustness and ease of visualisation. In addition, the proposed method facilitates the calculation of electromechanical wave propagation speed distribution. Examples of locating the disturbance and generating the propagation speed distribution are demonstrated using the FNET/GridEye system, a distribution-level wide-area measurement system. Without losing generality, the proposed method can be implemented in any other wide-area measurement system.