cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Situation specificity in the assessment of assertion: Considerations for the measurement of training and transfer

Analysis of the assessment methodology typically employed in the assertion literature suggests that researchers tend to assume the functional equivalence of those standard stimulus situations used in measurement. This assumption is examined in the present investigation. Data were obtained from empirically assessed nonassertive subjects to determine the functional value of various interpersonal situations in which assertion would be appropriate. The method of successive intervals was applied to these data to develop a continuum along which interpersonal situations can be ordered in terms of their rated response difficulty. The standard scores derived as a result of this process were then used as the basis for an alternative measurement format in which assertion can be assessed across homogeneous groups of standard stimulus situations of known stimulus value and differing response type. A discussion of the use of this assessment strategy in studies of assertion is also included.
Importance of molecular configuration in gap junctional permeability.

Abstract Gap junctions between insect oocytes and follicular epithelial cells allow transit of elongate Ca2+-binding proteins Calmodulin (CaM, 17 kDa) and Troponin-C (Trop-C, 18 kDa), but not multi-branched dextran (10 kDa) nor the Ca2+-binding protein Osteocalcin (Osteo, 6 kDa). By microinjection of fluorescently labeled versions of each of these molecules we were able to obtain visual evidence that, despite their lesser molecular weight, molecules with greater cross-sections were unable to transit these gap junctions, while heavier but elongate molecules could. While CaM had previously been shown to pass through gap junctions from oocytes to their surrounding epithelial cells, the ability of CaM and Trop-C to transit the gap junctions between adjacent epithelial cells had not been demonstrated. Evidence shown here demonstrates that the homologous gap junctions among epithelial cells, like the heterologous gap junctions between epithelial cells and the oocyte they surround, allow transit of elongate molecules up to at least 18 kDa. Furthermore, the evidence for four different molecules of differing molecular weights and configurations supports the hypothesis that it is molecular configuration, not chemical activity, that primarily determines the observed permeability of gap junctions to molecules 5–6 times larger than the molecular weight limit previously acknowledged.
Emulating a Complex Instruction Set Computer with a Reduced Instruction Set Computer

GaAs now allows up to 30K transistors per chip. With such a limitation, can you build a 32-bit CISC on a single GaAs chip? Yes, if you build a reduced instruction set computer and emulate the 32-bit CISC on it.
HEMATOLOGY VALUES OF WILD HARBOR PORPOISES (PHOCOENA PHOCOENA) FROM THE BAY OF FUNDY, CANADA

Clinical hematology values were determined for 29 harbor porpoises (Phocoena phocoena) released from herring weirs in the Bay of Fundy, Canada. Erythrocyte values exhibited narrow ranges, but there was a high degree of individual variability in counts of white blood cells. Total white cell counts ranged from 2.6 to 15.5 ± 109/liter, with an overall mean of 6.5 ± 2.7 ± 10±/liter. There were significant differences among reproductive classes in mean values of total red blood cells, hematocrit (HCT), mean cell volume (MCV), mean cell hemoglobin (MCHC) and total monocyte count. Wild harbor porpoises had fewer white blood cells, lower relative total number of neutrophils and lymphocytes, and higher percentages of monocytes and eosinophils than reported in the literature for captive porpoises. Compared to published values for other odontocetes, the hemograms of harbor porpoises were most similar to those of Pacific white-sided dolphins (Lagenorhynchus acutus). These hematology data represent a baseline from free-ranging harbor porpoises that can be used as a reference for long-term monitoring of the health of this population and as a tool for rehabilitation facilities.
Inhibition of Stomatal Opening in Vicia Faba Epidermal Tissue by Vanadate and Abscisic Acid

Summary Stomatal opening in isolated Vicia faba epidermal peels was blocked by 1 mM sodium vanadate and by 10 −4 M abscisic acid (ABA). Light-induced hydrogen ion release and potassium accumulation were also inhibited by vanadate. Vanadate-treated guard cells could still respond to fusicoccin (FC) after removal of the inhibitor. ABA inhibited light-induced guard cell opening within 20 min of treatment. ABA also prevented guard cell potassium accumulation, but only partially inhibited hydrogen ion release (~50%) during the first 90 min of treatment. The possible modes of action of vanadate and ABA are discussed.
Two-mode ring laser with a saturable absorber

Abstract Deterministic as well as fluctuation properties of the mode intensities in a two-mode bidirectional ring laser with a saturable absorber (TRSA) are studied. Both homogeneously and inhomogeneously broadened media are considered. Equations of motion for the field amplitudes are derived by using Lamb's semiclassical approach to laser theory. Stability of various steady states in the multidimensional parameter space is discussed. It is found that for a certain range of operating parameters a homogeneously broadened laser may exhibit tetrastability and an inhomogeneously broadened laser may exhibit tristability. In the former case the intensity probability density for mode shows a three peak structure.
The humanized BLT mouse to study HIV transmission.

Background Worldwide, the majority of HIV-1 infections are acquired by vaginal transmission. Studies in SIV-1 infected non-human primates have shown that SIV-1 infection takes hold initially in a small population of CCR5+ cells in the in female lower genital tract (FLGT) where the infection expands first locally before disseminating to the draining lymph node (LN) to establish a systemic infection. Our goal is to use humanized BLT mice to address whether the infection paradigm established for SIV-1 in non-human primates holds true during HIV-1 infection in vivo. Methods We studied the kinetics of infection during the first two weeks after intravaginal HIV-1 exposure by measuring the presence of virus in the FLGT, LNs and blood after 2, 6, 10 and 12 days post infection (p.i.) by qPCR and flow cytometry. Results Our results show that similar to the non-human primate model, the presence of virus is first detected by qRT-PCR in the FLGT as soon as day 2 p.i., followed by the LN at day 6 p.i. and the blood at day 12 p.i.. Similar but delayed kinetics were observed using p24 staining by flow cytometry, with positive staining of T cells located in the FLGT at day 6 p.i., in the draining LN between day 6 and day 10, and in the non draining LN at day 12 p.i.. Conclusion
A packet queueing engine for configurable network QoS

Packet scheduling is key to QoS capabilities of broadband wired and wireless networks. In a heterogeneous traffic environment, a comprehensive QoS packet scheduler must strike a balance between flow fairness and access delay. Many advanced packet scheduling solutions have targeted fair bandwidth allocation while protecting delay-constrained traffic by adding priority queue(s) on top of a fair bandwidth scheduler. Priority queues are known to cause performance uncertainties and thus various modifications have been proposed. In this paper, we present a packet queueing engine dubbed Fractional Service Buffer (FSB) which, when coupled with a configurable flow scheduler, can achieve desired QoS objectives such as fair throughputs and differentiated delay guarantees. The flow scheduler is a buffer-less module that can be configured to assign each incoming packet a delay class in accordance with its owner flow's QoS status. The FSB uses one buffer for each delay class and serves the buffers with a special queueing discipline that advances packets in lower-priority buffers to meet their class-specific delay guarantees. Key performance metrics such as delay limit and probability of delay limit violation are derived, as a function of key FSB parameters, for each delay class in the packet queueing engine using diffusion approximations. OPNET simulations verify these analytical results.
Interaction of leaves and roots of Ruppia maritima in the uptake of phosphate, ammonia and nitrate

Leafy shoots of Ruppia maritima were incubated in two-compartment chambers, with the roots in one compartment and the leaves in the other. Rates of phosphate and ammonia uptake were compared when roots and leaves were supplied with these nutrients separately and simultaneously. Uptake of phosphate and ammonia by leaves was reduced when these nutrients were supplied to the roots, but uptake by roots was not affected by the availability of these nutrients to leaves. This response suggested root-to-shoot translocation predominated. Vmax for leaf uptake of phosphate was decreased by 31% when roots were supplied with phosphate simultaneously. Leaf uptake of ammonia was not affected by the availability of ammonia to roots unless the plants were starved for nitrogen. Vmax for plants starved for nitrogen was two times greater than for unstarved plants. When roots and leaves of starved plants were exposed simultaneously to ammonia, Vmax for ammonia uptake by leaves did not change but Ks increased by 97% to a value similar to that for unstarved plants. Ammonia supplied to leaves or roots inhibited nitrate uptake by leaves by an average of 52%. Ammonia supplied to leaves, however, had no influence on the rate of nitrate uptake by roots.
Icosahedra Constructed from Congruent Triangles

It is possible to construct a figure in three dimensions which is combinatorially equivalent to a regular icosahedron, and whose faces are all congruent but not equilateral. Such icosamonohedra can be convex or nonconvex, and can be deformed continuously. A scalene triangle can construct precisely zero, one, or two convex icosamonohedra, and each occurs. Demonstrated here are two explicit convex examples, the first of which is the unique such object constructed from scalene right triangles, proving a conjecture of Banchoff and Strauss.
Early and late Paleozoic remagnetization of the Cambrian Peerless Formation, Colorado

Abstract The Upper Cambrian Peerless Formation in central Colorado contains two secondary components of magnetization. The dominant component was removed during initial AF demagnetization of specimens whereas a weaker component was removed during subsequent thermal demagnetization. IRM acquisition experiments suggest that the dominant component has low coercivity whereas the weaker component has high coercivity. The latter component has southeasterly and shallow directions and the corresponding pole position is located at 40.0°N, 134.5°E. The high coercivity, blocking temperatures over 600°C, and petrographic evidence suggest this component resides in diagenetic hematite. The magnetization is interpreted as a CRM acquired in the late Paleozoic. The low coercivity component directions fall on a great circle that passes through the modern field direction and two modes at 107°E, +10° and 287°E, −10°. This component is interpreted as a vector sum of two antipodal CRMs and a modern VRM. The pole position (10°N, 150°E) suggests acquisition in the early Paleozoic and the remanence resides either in maghemite or in diagenetic magnetite.
Self-organization of unattended wireless acoustic sensor networks for ground target tracking

A distributed, self-organization algorithm for ground target tracking using unattended acoustic sensor network is developed. Instead of using microphone arrays, each sensor node in the sensor network uses only a single microphone as its sensing device. This design can greatly reduce the size and cost of each sensor node and allow more flexible deployment of the sensor network. The self-organization algorithm presented in this paper can dynamically select proper sensor nodes to form the localization sensor groups that can work as a virtual microphone array to perform energy efficient target localization and tracking. To achieve this, we use a time-delay based bearing estimation plus triangulation for source localization in the sensor network. Major error sources of the localization method like time delay estimation, bearing calculation and triangulation are analyzed and sensor selection criteria are developed. Based on these criteria and neighborhood information of each sensor node, a distributed self-organization algorithm is developed. Simulation results show the effectiveness of the proposed algorithm.
Toward loosely coupled programming on petascale systems

We have extended the Falkon lightweight task execution framework to make loosely coupled programming on petascale systems a practical and useful programming model. This work studies and measures the performance factors involved in applying this approach to enable the use of petascale systems by a broader user community, and with greater ease. Our work enables the execution of highly parallel computations composed of loosely coupled serial jobs with no modifications to the respective applications. This approach allows a new---and potentially far larger---class of applications to leverage petascale systems, such as the IBM Blue Gene/P supercomputer. We present the challenges of I/O performance encountered in making this model practical, and show results using both microbenchmarks and real applications from two domains: economic energy modeling and molecular dynamics. Our benchmarks show that we can scale up to 160K processor-cores with high efficiency, and can achieve sustained execution rates of thousands of tasks per second.
Soil water dynamics and water use in a western juniper (Juniperus occidentalis) woodland

Abstract This study sought to quantify changes in landscape hydrology associated with changes in juniper cover and understory vegetation. We identified rates of surface evaporation in the absence of plant cover and determined rates of soil water depletion in four cover types. Vegetation treatments were installed in a randomized block design with five replications. Additionally, juniper trees were instrumented with Granier (1985) sap flow sensors to monitor transpiration rates. At the local scale juniper removal resulted in 20% greater over-winter accumulation of soil water, and demonstrated evidence of increased, generally complementary rates of transpiration in the released understory. Juniper utilizes the same resources as understory vegetation and successfully competes for shallow soil water before tapping into deeper resources. Stand-level estimates of transpiration for these woodlands averaged 0.4 mm per day during the summer months. Only 48% of the cool-season precipitation was retained in the top 90 cm in vegetated treatments but little is known about relative importance of processes governing water loss and depletion during the winter months. Resolving water use during times of low transpirational demand, will be crucial to link positive effects of juniper removal with subsurface water yield at the local scale and help further explain increased water availability observed at the watershed-scale.
Anticytokine antibodies in beta interferon-treated MS patients and the need for testing: Plight of the practicing neurologist

The recently reported decrease in beta interferon (IFNβ) efficacy induced by anti-IFNβ antibodies1 has prompted Berlex Laboratories (Richmond, CA), the maker of Betaseron, to offer to physicians and their patients testing for anti-IFNβ antibodies. Unfortunately the test being offered is an in-house, newly developed, unverified assay2 not available to other laboratories. The measurement of anti-IFNβ antibodies is not well established nor widely available, and neurologists are therefore caught in a very difficult situation. Those caring for MS patients on IFNβ need to know (for patients obviously not doing well on therapy) whether patients may be failing because the patient's antibody response to the drug has interfered with the bioavailability of the agent. Neurologists will find it difficult to obtain and interpret Berlex's new assay for their patients, but there is no alternative assay. An understanding of this complex problem requires some knowledge of (1) the biology of IFNβ, (2) antibody-binding antibody assays, and (3) the effects of antibodies on IFN bioavailability. Biology of IFNβ. Beta interferon is a member of the IFN family of cytokines. Alpha and gamma IFN are also in the IFN family. All three members have immunoregulatory, antiviral, antitumor, and cell growth regulatory functions. Two recombinant products available for MS, IFNβ-1b-Betaseron (Berlex) and IFNβ-1a-Avonex (Biogen), are structurally almost identical. Their amino acid sequences differ from each other by only one amino acid out of a total of 161, and IFNβ-1a is glycosylated at residue 80. The mechanism of action of IFNβ in MS is unknown. It seems most likely that the effect of IFNβ in MS is due to its immunomodulatory effects rather than to antiviral effects, although this has not been proved. In MS patients being treated with IFN, the molecule exerts its effects presumably by binding to receptors on target cells.3 The …
Land conservation in northern New England: Historic trends and alternative conservation futures

Abstract Protected areas (PAs) are an important component of the global conservation strategy and understanding the past drivers of land protection can inform future conservation planning. Socioeconomic and policy drivers of protection vary through time and space, but a lack of spatio-temporal data limit the ability to conduct retrospective analyses of PAs. We developed a spatio-temporal database covering 90% of area in PAs in northern New England in the U.S. to quantify trends in the extent, rate of increase, ownership characteristics, and level of protection from 1800 to 2010. We found an accelerating rate of protection and an increase in the proportion of privately owned PAs. There was an increase in reliance on conservation easements for protection, and an increase in the proportion of PAs that allow resource extraction. We found three distinct time periods of PA growth, each characterized by new policies and a broadening set of conservation tools. The era 1999–2010 had the most rapid rate of land protection, representing more than 4-fold and 20-fold increases over the eras 1980–1999 and 1800–1979, respectively. We projected future PA growth based on past trajectories and found that current goals to protect 70% of New England’s forests from development would require a 42% increase in the rate of protection over the 1999–2010 era. Our analysis of the historic and current trends in protection in northern New England underscores: (1) the significant influence of expanded policy and economic drivers guiding protection and (2) the importance of developing new conservation innovations for achieving future gains in protection.
Penetration characteristics of trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole in middle ear fluid of patients with chronic serous otitis media.

9. Shurin PA, Pelton SI, Scheifele D, and Klein JO: Otitis media caused by non-typable, ampicillin-resistant strains of Haemophilus influenzae, J PED~ATR 88:646, 1976. 10. Yogev R, Lander HB, and Davis AT: Effect of TMP-SMX on nasopharyngeal carriage of ampicillin-sensitive and ampicillin-resistant Haemophilus influenzae type B, J PEmATR 93:394, 1978. 11. Kirven LA, and Thornsberry C: Minimum bactericidal concentration of sulfamethoxazole-trimethoprim for Haemophilus influenzae: Correlation with prophylaxis, Antimicrob Agents Chemother 14:731, 1978. 12. May JR, and Davies J: Resistance of Haemophilus influenzae to trimethoprim, Br Med J 3:376, 1972. 13. Trickett PC, Dineen P, and Mogabgab W: Trimethoprimsulfamethoxazole versus penicillin G in the treatment of group a beta-hemolytic streptococcal pharyngitis and tonsillitis, J Infect Dis 128:$693, 1973. 14. Bateson MC, Hayes JPLA, and Pendharker P: Cotrimoxazole and folate metabolism, Lancet 2:339, 1976. 15. Hitchings GH: Mechanism of action of trimethoprimsulfamethoxazole--I, J Infect Dis 128:433, 1973. 16. Burchall JJ: Mechanism of action of trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole-lI, J Infect Dis 128:$437, 1973. 17. Hjortsh~j A, Elsborg L, and Jensen E: Folate status during long-term therapy with trimethoprim and sulphadiazine, Chemotherapy 24:327, 1978. 18. Hughes WT, Kuhn S. Chaudhary S, Feldman S, Verzosa M, Aur RJA, Pratt C, and George SL: Successful chemoprophylaxis for Pneumocystis carinii pneumonitis, N Engl J Med 297:1419, 1977. 19. Herbert V: Biochemical and hematologic lesions in folic acid deficiency, Am J Clin Nutr 20:562, 1967. 20. Chan TK, and McFadzean AJS: Haemolytic effect of trimethoprim: Sulphamethoxazole in G-6-PD deficiency, Trans R Soc Trop Med Hyg 68:61, 1974. 21. Shurin PA, Pelton SI, Donner A, and Klein JO: Persistence of middle-ear effusion after acute otitis media in children, N Engl J Med 300:1121, 1979.
Examining the boundaries of HPT through the lens of communities of practice

Despite its existence for over six decades, the practice of human performance technology (HPT) has not been widely accepted within organizations. Varying levels of confusion surround the understanding of HPT, which has been influenced by myriad fields and disciplines. Although HPT is focused on improving performance at the organizational, team, and individual levels, it does not own the practice of performance improvement. The goal of optimal performance across various functions and levels within an organization is not confined to HPT but extends to process improvement, human resource development, organizational development, knowledge management, and several other areas. Therein lies the problem: A lack of consideration about the boundaries that delineates the field has ramifications for both the research on and the practice of HPT. This study examines the domains and disciplines that HPT proponents consider central to the field.
The direct synthesis of trifluoronitromethane, CF3NO2

Abstract Trifluoronitromethane, CF3NO2, can be prepared in one step in about 35% yield from the direct photolysis of iodotrifluoromethane, CF3I, and nitrogen dioxide, NO2, with diazo (superblue) light (λmax=420 nm). The IR and multi-nuclei NMR data of CF3NO2 agree with the literature. In addition, 15 N enriched (>99%) CF3NO2 was prepared and studied spectroscopically. Purification of CF3NO2 (and CF3 15 N O2) was enhanced by taking advantage of the relative fluoride ion affinities of the byproducts and the use of adsorbents, such as cesium fluoride, CsF, and aluminum fluoride, AlF3.
Hemophagocytic Lymphohistiocytosis and Other Hemophagocytic Disorders

Hemophagocytic disorders result when critical regulatory pathways responsible for the natural termination of immune/inflammatory responses are disrupted or overwhelmed. Hemophagocytic disorders reflect pathologic defects that alter the normal crosstalk between innate and adaptive immune responses, and compromise homeostatic removal of cells that are superfluous or dangerous to the organism. Although hemophagocytic disorders are considered rare, increased awareness of these conditions has led to more frequent diagnoses, more rapid initiation of life-saving treatments, and new insights into the molecules and pathways involved in natural immune down-regulation. Furthermore, improved understanding of the immunologic abnormalities revealed by hemophagocytic disorders informs potential new treatments for life-threatening multisystem organ dysfunction related to sepsis in the intensive care unit setting and severe cases.
Evolution of female remating behaviour following experimental removal of sexual selection

The relatively small number of ova produced by a female can be fertilized by a single ejaculate in most species. Why females of many species mate with multiple males is therefore enigmatic, especially given that costs associated with remating have been well documented. Recently, it has been argued that females may remate at a maladaptive rate as an outcome of sexually antagonistic coevolution: the evolutionary tug–of–war between manipulation by one sex and resistance to being manipulated by the other sex. We tested this hypothesis experimentally for the evolution of the female remating interval in a naturally promiscuous species, Drosophila melanogaster . In two replicate populations, sexual selection was removed through enforced monogamous mating with random mate assignment, or retained in polyandrous controls. Monogamy constrains the reproductive success of mates to be identical, thereby converting prior conflicts between mates into opportunities for mutualism. Under these experimental conditions, the sexually antagonistic coevolution hypothesis generates explicit predictions regarding the direction of evolutionary change in female remating behaviour. These predictions are contingent upon the mechanism of male manipulation, which may be mediated biochemically by seminal fluids or behaviourally by courtship. Levels of divergence in female remating interval across lines, and in male ejaculatory and courtship effects on female remating, were quantified after 84 generations of selection. Data refute the hypothesis that the evolutionary change in female remating behaviour was due to sexually antagonistic coevolution of courtship signal and receiver traits. The data were, however, consistent with a hypothesis of sexual conflict mediated through ejaculate manipulation. Monogamy–line males evolved ejaculates that were less effective in inducing female non–receptivity and monogamy–line females evolved to remate less frequently, symptomatic of lowered resistance to ejaculate manipulation. The consistency of the results with alternative hypotheses to explain female promiscuity are discussed.
Diffusion-limited submonolayer pentacene thin film growth on hydrogen-passivated Si(1 1 1) substrates

Growth of ultrathin pentacene films is investigated as a function of coverage by atomic force microscopy. Initially, pentacene grows as monolayer fractal islands and evolves into compact islands before coalescence. Stabilization factors, against diffusion-limited-aggregation in terms of interaction between islands and interlayer monomer transport, are proposed to explain the shape transition. Simulations based on a simple model of heterogeneous film growth are found to agree with experimental observations. The role of surface diffusion in island shape transition is revealed by a comparison between pentacene growth on the hydrogen terminated and oxidized Si substrates.
Intravenous Indomethacin Therapy in Premature Infants With Patent Ductus Arteriosus: Causes of Death and One-Year Follow-up

• Fifty-five infants participated in a double-blind study of indomethacin therapy for the closure of patent ductus arteriosus. Seventeen infants died. There was no significant difference in autopsy findings between the groups with respect to pneumonia, disseminated intravascular coagulopathy, necrotizing enterocolitis, sepsis, intraventricular hemorrhage, hydrocephalus, kernicterus, brain softening, and renal damage. For those infants who survived and returned for follow-up at approximately 1 year of age, there was no significant difference between the control (n = 17) and indomethacin (n = 13) groups with respect to physical growth, Bayley scores, respiratory infection, abnormal eye ground, neurological defects, and abnormal EEG. Four in the control group (24%) and three in the indomethacin group (23%) had moderate to severe neurological defects and/or scored less than 80 on the Bayley Mental Development Index or Psychomotor Development Index. It appeared that indomethacin therapy did not have a long-term adverse effect on premature infants. (Am J Dis Child1982;136:803-807)
Update in pediatric resuscitation

This article updates research concerning the resuscitation of a pediatric patient. The topics discussed include the state of pediatric life support, the current guidelines, the management of those guidelines, and coping with death.
RNA as an RNA polymerase: net elongation of an RNA primer catalyzed by the Tetrahymena ribozyme

A catalytic RNA (ribozyme) derived from an intervening sequence (IVS) RNA of Tetrahymena thermophila will catalyze an RNA polymerization reaction in which pentacytidylic acid (C5) is extended by the successive addition of mononucleotides derived from a guanylyl-(3',5')-nucleotide (GpN). Cytidines or uridines are added to C5 to generate chain lengths of 10 to 11 nucleotides, with longer products being generated at greatly reduced efficiency. The reaction is analogous to that catalyzed by a replicase with C5 acting as the primer, GpNs as the nucleoside triphosphates, and a sequence in the ribozyme providing a template. The demonstration that an RNA enzyme can catalyze net elongation of an RNA primer supports theories of prebiotic RNA self-replication.
Grid-enabled Standard-compliant Open Computing Environment for Earth Science Exploration and Applications

The seamless access to large quantities of distributed, heterogeneous geospatial data/ information is still a critical issues to Earth science exploration and applications now. Using Grid computing and geospatial standards technologies, we devise an open, reusable, optimized, secured and service-oriented computing environment for semi-automatically archiving, sharing and serving geospatial data/information in the way that user required. The environment uses a Grid service- oriented architecture based on the Globus toolkits. The most important of them are the data/information retrieval mediator (DIRM) and data/information serving mediator (DISM). DIRM is based on our refined geospatial metadata for describing geospatial data/information and services and Globus replica manger service for managing replicas of massive data. DISM consists of Grid-enabled geospatial standard services for providing on-the-fly user-customable data. This environment offers an open, secure, ubiquitous and standard-compliant geospatial computing platform to provide Earth science communities with access to massive geospatial data for high-performance, data- and computing-intensive scientific research and applications.
The bone marrow perisinusoidal niche for recirculating B cells and the positive selection of bone marrow-derived B lymphocytes

A unique 'second' niche for follicular B cells has been described in the extravascular compartment of the bone marrow surrounding vascular sinusoids. The occupancy of this niche by B cells presumably evolved to facilitate humoral immune responses to blood-borne pathogens. B cells appear to be sustained in this niche by bone marrow dendritic cells and are lost from this compartment in certain mutant mice. We discuss here what is known regarding the mechanisms of entry and egress of B cells from the perisinusoidal niche and also consider the function of the bone marrow as a secondary lymphoid organ. Although immature B cells can mature into follicular B cells in this niche as well as in the spleen, the lineage commitment event that accompanies positive selection of B cells occurs only in the spleen.
Microinvasive Paget's disease.

Abstract Background. Microinvasive squamous cell carcinoma of the vulva is defined as stromal invasion ≤1 mm and is treated by wide local resection. Whether criteria for microinvasive squamous cell carcinoma can be applied to Paget's disease of the vulva is unknown because of the rarity of that disease. Cases. We initially evaluated three cases of microinvasive Paget's disease by using sentinel lymph node (SLN) analysis. The SLNs in two patients were negative; and these patients had no recurrence of invasive or metastatic Paget's disease. The other patient had a positive SLN (the only positive lymph node) and subsequently received complete lymph node dissection of the groin bilaterally. Conclusion. Evaluation of SLNs may be valid for evaluating microinvasive Paget's disease.
Phonon modes in corrugated planes.

Under certain reasonable assumptions, the phonon modes due to the small vibrations of the bond angles associated with the corrugation in the Cu-O plane of high-{ital T}{sub {ital c}} superconductors are investigated. Two distinct modes are obtained. While one of them has a linear dispersion relation, the other has a quadratic one. Both modes may be relevant to a possible enhancement of {ital T}{sub {ital c}}. Even more relevant, perhaps, is the linear temperature dependence of the heat capacity due to the quadratic mode at low temperatures. This may provide an alternative explanation of the recent experimental findings.
An examination of referents used in the evaluation of pay

Abstract This research presents a conceptual framework for determining how people evaluate their pay. The data indicate that people use multiple referents in evaluating their pay. Three classes of referents (Other, System, and Self) are identified, and these referents are significantly associated with feelings about pay satisfaction. Factors affecting the selection of referents are also presented. Level of professionalism and salary relate to the selection of different types of referents. Location in an organizational boundary (vs inside) role did not directly affect the selection of referents.
Three paradigms for computer-aided design☆

Abstract As the field of computer-aided design has developed over the last thirty years or so, three clear paradigms have successively emerged. First, designing was conceived of as a problem-solving activity. Then, as the limitations of this view became increasingly apparent, designing was seen more as a Knowledge-based activity. (This is the perspective of most of the papers in this journal issue.) Now, there is a growing consensus that designing must be treated as a fundamentally social activity—a matter of multiple, autonomous but interconnected intelligences in complex interaction. Here I shall characterize and compare the three paradigms, discuss the implications of the newest of these, and go on to suggest some directions for the future applications of artificial intelligence techniques in design.
Behavior of Coal Ash and Alkali Matter in a Coal-Fired Gas Turbine System

The behavior of coal ash and corrosive alkali species in a gas turbine fueled by an ultra-clean coal water mixture (UCCWM) is investigated. A thermochemical equilibrium analysis is first conducted to study the effect of coal cleaning on the extent of vaporization of ash constituents. It is found that for a selected bituminous coal, cleaned up to 10% of the initial ash content, the amount of Ca, Mg, Si and Al vaporized is independent of coal cleaning and that of Na, K and Fe directly proportional to the degree of coal cleaning. In order to study the fate of the vaporized constituents, a gas-to-particle conversion (condensation) model is formulated. The aerosol processes of homogeneous nucleation, heterogeneous nucleation, particle agglomeration, particle deposition, as well as direct vapor deposition on boundary surfaces are included in the formulation. The aerosol formation calculations are driven by the gas phase equilibrium chemistry of twelve elements and twenty seven gaseous species. The model is partially validated by comparison against available laboratory data on ash nucleation in a laminar flow furnace. Application of the model to UCCWM gas turbine system indicates that the characteristic condensation time of sodium and potassium sulfates is much smaller than the residence time in gas turbine, that in spite of the presence of numerous nucleated ash particles the alkali sulfates undergo self-nucleation, and that thermophoresis and Brownian motion are expected to be the primary mechanisms of sulfate deposition on turbine blades.© 1984 ASME
Congenital and infantile melanoma: Review of the literature and report of an uncommon variant, pigment-synthesizing melanoma

Congenital and infantile types of melanoma are uncommon conditions for which there are limited epidemiologic data. The number of reported cases is small with several ascribed etiologies. We review the literature and report the first documented case, to our knowledge, of pigment-synthesizing melanoma in an infant. Reported cases of congenital and infantile melanoma were identified and categorized on the basis of disease origin. Dermatopathologic specimens from an infant given a diagnosis of pigment-synthesizing melanoma are described. Disease arising from medium and large/giant congenital nevi was most common, whereas reports of de novo and transplacental disease were infrequent. Death of approximately 40% of patients was noted within 18 months of diagnosis. Male infants accounted for approximately 74% of cases. The most commonly affected anatomic sites were the head and neck. The prognosis for congenital and infantile melanoma is poor. The high incidence of head-and-neck involvement and male predominance for disease suggest dispositions for both anatomic disease localization and sex.
An efficient decision support systems for academic course scheduling

This paper describes a network-based decision support system approach to the most general form of the academic course scheduling problem. The dimensions of faculty, subject, time, and room are considered by incorporating a penalty function into a network optimization approach. The approach, based on a network algorithm, is capable of solving very large problems. This methodology can be applied to other scheduling situations where there are competing objectives and multiple resources. Such situations include: scheduling of exams, times, and rooms in an academic setting, and scheduling of clients, times, and facilities for physicians, hospitals, dentists, counselors, and clinics. Common problems in such settings include the utilization of available space, and dissatisfaction with assigned times and locations. The proposed system results in more effective room utilization patterns, improved instructor satisfaction levels, and streamlines the tedious scheduling process. We describe the use of the model to sch...
Nonlinear modeling of butterfly valves and flow rate control using the Circle Criterion Bode plot

Butterfly valves are widely used control components in piping systems. This paper derives the nonlinear mathematical relationship between flow rate, pressure difference, and valve angle in a butterfly valve. We use the Circle Criterion Bode plot and loop shaping to design a flow rate controller in a motor-gearbox-butterfly valve system. The design employs a complex proportional-integral-lead (CPIL) compensator, and we show the benefit of using a damping ratio less than unity. Finally, we demonstrate the effectiveness of the design through simulation.
Parallel Complementary Strategies for Implementing Biological Principles into Mobile Robots

Our goal is to use intelligent biological inspiration to develop robots that capture the capacity of animals to traverse complex terrain. We follow two distinct but complementary strategies to meet this goal. In one, we have produced a series of robots that have mechanical and control designs increasingly more similar to those of a cockroach. The leg designs of these robots ensure that they can generate movements used by the cockroach to walk and climb over a range of objects. However, in order to take advantage of these complex designs, we must first solve difficult problems in actuation, proprioception and control. The second parallel strategy seeks to capture the principles of biological movement, but in an abstract form that does not require complex platforms. Following the second strategy, we designed and built two new robots that each use only one propulsion motor to generate a nominal tripod gait. Gait changes similar to those used by the animal are accomplished through passive mechanisms. Rearing ...
An analysis of evening commute stop-making behavior using repeated choice observations from a multi-day survey

This paper examines the number of stops made by individuals during their evening commute. The paper applies a methodological framework that relates stop-making to relevant individual, land-use, and work-related characteristics. The framework also accommodates unobserved variation in stop-making propensity across individuals in intrinsic preferences and in responsiveness to work-related attributes. The empirical analysis uses a sample of repeated choice observations from a multi-day sample of workers drawn from the 1990 San Francisco Bay Area Household Survey. The results indicate that the proposed model provides a superior data fit relative to a model that ignores unobserved variations in stop-making propensity across individuals. The model in this paper also provides important behavioral insights which are masked by the model that disregards unobserved variations.
An Investigation of the flow-duration characteristics of North Carolina Streams

Prior to the time the Committee on Runoff of the Boston Society of Civil Engineers published their report (Report of the Committee on Runoff, J. Bos. Soc. C. E., v. 9, No. 8, 1922), duration-curves of stream-flow had been prepared almost universally by plotting the runoff in cubic feet or in cubic feet per second per square mile as ordinates against the cumulative percentage of time as abscissae. [Note: Throughout this paper the basic unit of stream-flow is defined as rate of discharge in cubic feet per second.] This report showed that if the ordinates were expressed as ratios to the mean flow, the duration-curves for different streams in New England would be surprisingly similar, regardless of any differences in the size and character of the drainage-basin, or in the total flow. This procedure, originally proposed by Hazen (Allen Hazen, Discussion of Power-estimates from stream-flow and rainfall-data, by Dana Wood, J. Bos. Soc. C. E., v. 3, No. 3, 299–303, 1916), is confirmed by Barrows (H. K. Barrows, Water power engineering, p. 128, 1927), who maintains “…that for the rivers of the east and south the flow, as a per cent of the mean, could be expressed, for the dryer 80 per cent of the time, by the formula, log Q = (2.40 - 0.011 T), where Q is discharge as a per cent of the mean and T is per cent of time.”
Diacridines: Bifunctional intercalators II. The biological effects of putrescine, spermidine and spermine diacridines on HeLa cells and on the L-1210 and P-388 leukemia cells

The effect of putrescine, spermidine and spermine diacridines on the growth of HeLa cells and of P-388 and L-1210 leukemia cells has been evaluated and compared to that of the parent compound, 9-aminoacridine. The diacridines are more effective growth inhibitors than 9-aminoacridine. The primary site of action appears to be the inhibition of RNA synthesis.
If You Need Love, Get a Puppy: A Case Study on Professional Skepticism and Auditor Independence

ABSTRACT: The purpose of this teaching case is to expand students' understanding of the concepts of professional skepticism and independence. The case is based on an actual incident and illustrates the exercise of professional skepticism by a staff auditor who finds himself in the uncomfortable situation of accusing a friend of fraud. The case demonstrates the difficult personal and professional choices that auditors must sometimes make. In analyzing the case, students consider auditor independence rules, as well as the concepts of independence in appearance and independence in mental attitude. Students are asked to identify the types of audit evidence and internal controls needed to detect and prevent the fraud, and to consider the appropriate audit response to an adverse situation.
Microstructure tailoring for property improvements by grain boundary engineering

Abstract Grain boundary engineering (GBE) was employed to improve materials properties such as corrosion resistance and strength by optimizing the grain boundary character distribution. Two high-temperature alloys, designated Incoloy 800H and Inconel 617 were selected in this study due to their potential applications for the Generation IV nuclear power systems. The GBE treatments on the alloys 800H and 617 were accomplished by a series of thermomechanical processing. The effect of the GBE treatments on the corrosion resistance and mechanical properties of the materials were evaluated using supercritical water exposure tests, cyclic oxidation tests, impact tests, and tensile tests. The microstructures of the tested samples were analyzed by means of optical microscopy, scanning electron microscopy, energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy, electron backscatter diffraction, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, and grazing incidence X-ray diffraction. The results indicate that the GBE treatments greatly mitigated the oxide exfoliation of the alloy 800H and reduced the oxidation rate of the alloy 617. The GBE treatment also greatly enhanced the strength of alloy 800H at room temperature (e.g. impact tests) and high-temperatures (e.g. tensile tests after neutron irradiation), but did not significantly impair the material’s ductility.
Analytical Fragility Curves for Multispan Continuous Steel Girder Bridges in Moderate Seismic Zones

Multispan continuous steel girder bridges are one of the most common bridge types in the central and southeastern United States. Seismic fragility curves for these highway bridges are essential for risk assessment of highway transportation networks exposed to seismic hazards. This study focuses on developing and comparing fragility curves for seismically and nonseismically designed bridges that are common in this region. The primary differences between seismically and nonseismically designed bridges are the column details and bridge bearings. Detailed three-dimensional (3-D) nonlinear analytical models, which account for the nonlinear behavior of the column, girders, and abutments, are developed with the use of the OpenSees platform. The fragility curves are developed with a suite of ground motions representative of the seismic hazard in the region. Unlike most previous studies, the fragility curves are developed with geometric variations such as column height, deck width, and length considered to study t...
Validity: applying current concepts and standards to gynecologic surgery performance assessments.

Validity is critical for meaningful assessment of surgical competency. According to the Standards for Educational and Psychological Testing, validation involves the integration of data from well-defined classifications of evidence. In the authoritative framework, data from all classifications support construct validity claims. The two aims of this study were to develop a categorization method for validity evidence published in support of surgery performance assessments and to summarize the results of applying this methodology to the gynecologic surgery literature. This was a critical analysis of published observations reported as validity evidence in studies with a construct validity claim. Medline and Embase databases were searched using keywords: “surgery” and “construct validity”. Parameters included English-language articles published from 2000 to 2012. Gynecologic studies were analyzed for definitions of construct validity and nonstandard terminology. Categorization criteria were developed and applied by the researchers to all observations. Two independent evaluators examined reported observations for compliance with guidelines provided by the Standards. Inter-rater agreement was calculated using weighted kappa. The initial search returned 167 articles. Twenty-five articles were left for inclusion in our analysis. Eighteen (72 %) articles defined construct validity as the ability to discriminate between expert and novice levels of proficiency. Within the sample, 80 discrete observations of reported validity evidence were identified and categorized according to standard classifications. Nearly 30 % of all published observations intended to demonstrate differences in performance by level of proficiency, 25 % described a scoring model, and 14 % demonstrated support of assessment content. Not one article contained a statistical correlation between assessment scores and objective outcomes from the authentic surgical environment. Medians for level of rigor ranged from 0 to 1 across all forms of evidence. Weighted kappa values ranged 0.60–0.91. Validity claims in gynecologic surgical assessment over-rely on generalizability evidence. No test-criterion evidence was observed. Increased awareness of current standards and systematic argument development is needed for gynecologic performance assessments.