cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Review of quantitative and qualitative studies on U.S. public perceptions of synthetic biology.

How are public perceptions towards synthetic biology likely to evolve? Which factors will impact the framing of this emerging technology, its benefits and risks? The objective of this article is not to draw exhaustive conclusions about public perceptions of synthetic biology, but rather to provide readers with a review of integrated findings from the first quantitative and qualitative research ever conducted on this subject in the United States. Synthetic biology survey research shows two clear findings. The first is that most people know little or nothing about synthetic biology. Second, notwithstanding this lack of knowledge, respondents are likely to venture some remark about what they think synthetic biology is and the tradeoff between potential benefits and potential risks. Finding only some support for the “familiarity argument”—according to which support for emerging technologies will likely increase as awareness of them develops—this article suggests that analogs to cloning, genetic engineering and stem cell research appear to be recurrent in the framing process of synthetic biology. The domain of application seems to be another decisive factor in the framing of synthetic biology. Finally, acceptance of the risk-benefit tradeoff of synthetic biology seems to depend on having an oversight structure that would prove able to manage unknowns, human and environmental concerns, and long-term effects. The most important conclusion of this study is the need for additional investigation of factors that will shape public perceptions about synthetic biology, its potential benefits, and its potential risks.
GaAs Laser Beacon For Satellite Communications

A low-power GaAs laser has been proposed as the beacon source for creating a high-data-rate laser communication link. GaAs sources have the necessary power output, stability and lifetime to provide relatively broad beamwidth beacon signals. Their signal strength permits adequate discrimination from background signals for beacon acquisition and lock-on during high-data-rate signal transmission. Link analysis is discussed in terms of a range equation identifying the power received on a low-earth-orbit satellite and indicating acceptable levels for the acquisition and tracking of the GaAs beacon source. Noise interference is discussed with reference to such sources as the galactic background, bright stars, and detector tube noise. Attention is likewise given to the signal source and the optical design of the beacon transmitter and beacon receiver.
The effect of lithium on the membrane molecular dynamics of normal human erythrocytes

Erythrocytes from normal adults with no personal or family history of bipolar affective disorder were analyzed by fluorescence spectroscopy to determine what effect, if any, acute in vitro incubation with lithium had on erythrocyte membrane dynamics. The effects on erythrocyte membrane molecular dynamics of varying concentrations of Li2CO3 (0.25-2.0 meq/liter), varying incubation temperatures (25-40 degrees C), and varying incubation times (5-185 min) were investigated. Following incubation with Li2CO3, the erythrocytes were labeled with either 4-phenylspiro-[furan-2(3H),--1'phthalan]--3,3'-dione (fluorescamine), which binds to membrane surface primary amines, or 12(9)anthroyl stearate [12(9)AS], which inserts deep in the membrane hydrocarbon core. The membrane molecular dynamics were then determined by fluorescence anisotropy measurements. These studies demonstrate that clinically relevant concentrations of Li+ incubated with intact normal human erythrocytes significantly alters molecular dynamics on the erythrocyte membrane surface, with less striking changes in the hydrocarbon core. A possible interpretation of these findings is that hydrated Li+ alters the electrostatic interaction of membrane surface molecules, as well as the surrounding solvent (water) structure, with a resultant increase in the molecular motion of these molecules. Alterations in membrane receptor motion could potentially alter receptor functional activity. If similar motional alterations were to occur in the interior of a membrane channel, such as an ionophore, the functional activity of the channel could also be potentially altered. These findings provide additional insight into possible biological actions of Li+, as well as potential molecular alterations in bipolar affective disorder erythrocytes.
Cardiac resynchronization therapy: Dire need for targeted left ventricular lead placement and optimal device programming.

Cardiac resynchronization therapy: Dire need for targeted left ventricular lead placement and optimal device programming
Occlusion costing for multimedia object layout in a constrained window

In this paper, we propose a novel method for applying image analysis techniques, such as saliency map generation and face detection, to the creation of compelling image layouts. The layouts are designed to maximize the use of available real estate by permitting images to partially occlude one another or extend beyond the boundaries of the window, while retaining the majority of visual interest within the photo and deliberately avoiding objectionable visual incongruities. Optimal layouts are chosen from a candidate set through the calculation of a cost function called the occlusion cost. The basic form of the occlusion cost is applied to candidate layout sets where the sizes of the images are fixed with respect to the window. The area-compensated form of the occlusion cost permits a more general solution by relaxing the fixed-size constraint, and allowing each image to scale with respect to both the frame and the other images. Finally, a number of results for laying out one or two images within a frame are presented.
Gamma knife thalamotomy for multiple sclerosis tremor

Abstract Background Some patients with MS suffer from disabling tremor. Improvement with medical treatment is modest, at best. Stereotactic surgery targeting the vim nucleus of the thalamus has been successful in alleviating MS tremor. Gamma knife radiosurgery represents a minimally invasive alternative to radiofrequency lesioning and DBS that can provide improvement in patients suffering from essential and parkinsonian tremor. We reviewed our experience with GK thalamotomy in the management of six consecutive patients suffering from disabling MS tremor. Methods The median age at the time of radiosurgery was 46 years (range, 31 to 57 years). Intention tremor had been present for a median of three years (range 8 months to 12 years). One 4-mm isocenter was used to deliver a median maximum dose of 140 Gy (range, 130-150 Gy) to the vim nucleus of the thalamus opposite the side of the most disabling tremor. Clinical outcome was assessed using the Fahn-Tolosa-Marin scale. Results The median follow-up was 27.5 months (range, 5-46 months). All patients experienced improvement in tremor after a median latency period of 2.5 months. More improvement was noted in tremor amplitude than in writing and drawing ability. In four patients, the tremor reduction led to functional improvement. One patient suffered from transient contralateral hemiparesis, which resolved after brief corticosteroid administration. No other complication was seen. Conclusion Gamma knife radiosurgical thalamotomy is effective as a minimally invasive alternative to stereotactic surgery for the palliative treatment of disabling MS tremor.
On the structure of jets in a crossflow

Spectral analysis and flow visualization are presented for various velocity ratios and Reynolds numbers of a jet issuing perpendicularly from a developing pipe flow into a crossflow. The results are complete with conditional averages of various turbulent quantities for one jet-to-cross-flow velocity ratio R of 0.5. A unique conditional-sampling technique separated the contributions from the turbulent jet flow, the irrotational jet flow, the turbulent crossflow and the irrotational crossflow by using two conditioning functions simultaneously. The intermittency factor profiles indicate that irrotational cross-flow intrudes into the pipe but does not contribute to the average turbulent quantities, while the jet-pipe irrotational flow contributes significantly to them in the region above the exit where the interaction between the boundary-layer eddies and those of the pipe starts to take place. Further downstream, the contributions of the oncoming boundary-layer eddies to the statistical averages reduce significantly. The downstream development depends mainly on the average relative eddy sizes of the interacting turbulent fields.
The consistency of human judgments of relevance

A comparison of the ability of humans to consistently judge the relevance of documents to their general interests from bases of citations, abstracts, keywords, and total text was made under controlled experimental conditions. The results showed that 1) humans are able to make such judgments consistently, and 2) the consistency of the judgment is independent of the particular base from which it is made. Apparent inconsistency arising from judgments made on the basis of abstracts remains unexplained. This experiment, as well as others concerned with human evaluations of text material, leave unexplored the basic problem of providing a metric scale on which such evaluations can be measured.
Organizational Culture: Assessment and Transformation

The stakeholder theory of management is founded on the belief that in order for an organization to contribute positively to society, organizational decision-makers should address four responsibilities, namely, economic, legal, moral and philanthropic [cf. Parmer, B., Freeman, R., Harrison, J., Wicks, A., Purnell, L., and de Colle, S. (2010) Stakeholder theory: the state of the art, The Academy of Management Annals, 4(1), pp. 403–445]. One distinguishing characteristic between organizations that contribute positively to society and those that do not is an ethical organizational culture. According to Schein [Schein, E. (2004) Organizational culture and leadership, 3rd edn (San Francisco, CA: Jossey-Bass], an organization's culture can be described in terms of a cultural elements' framework, comprising artefacts, espoused beliefs/values and underlying assumptions. Thus, in order to assess, develop and transform an organizational culture, organizational decision-makers should be aware of and operationalize Sc...
The effect of differential training on isokinetic muscular endurance during acute thermally induced hypohydration.

The purpose of this study was to test the effect of acute thermal hypohydration on the muscle endurance performance of three groups of differentially trained subjects. Group I consisted of six anaerobically trained athletes, Group II consisted of five aerobically trained athletes, and Group III consisted of six sedentary indi viduals. Experimental trials involved maximal leg exten sions performed on a Cybex II dynamometer under conditions of euhydration and hypohydration of minus 3% body weight. Integrated electromyographic data were also collected during each trial to factor out mo tivation as a variable. The maximum number of leg extension repetitions performed at or above 50% of each subject's peak torque output were compared between treatments and among the three groups. A 2 x 3 factorial analysis of variance (ANOVA) showed a significant decrease in muscle endurance when com paring euhydration to hypohydration among the anaer obically trained subjects as well as among the seden tary subjects (P < 0.05...
A Coupled Electromagnetic and Thermal Model for Picosecond and Nanometer Scale Plasmonic Lithography Process

Plasmonic lithography may become a mainstream nanofabrication technique in the future. Experimental results show that feature size with 22 nm resolution can be achieved by plasmonic lithography. In the experiment, a plasmonic lens (PL) is used to focus the laser energy with resolution much higher than the diffraction limit and features are created in the thermally sensitive phase-change material (PCM) layer. The energy transport mechanisms are still not fully understood in the lithography process. In order to predict the lithography resolution and explore the energy transport mechanisms involved in the process, customized electromagnetic wave (EMW) and heat transfer (HT) models were developed in comsol. Parametric studies on both operating parameters and material properties were performed to optimize the lithography process. The parametric studies show that the lithography process can be improved by either reducing the thickness of the phase-change material layer or using a material with smaller real refractive index for that layer.
Random number generation from multipath propagation: MIMO-based encryption key establishment

This paper discusses the concept of using the physics associated with multipath propagation and multiple antennas to establish secure encryption keys between two wireless nodes in a network. The presentation includes a proposed algorithm for generating uncorrelated keys despite the fact that the random numbers generated by the propagation channel exhibit spatial and temporal correlation. It further briefly discusses some of the measures that must be taken to make the algorithm implementation practical as well as the theoretically-achievable performance of the algorithm. Simulation results using a physical path-based time-variant MIMO model demonstrate that the length of the established key grows as antennas are added. Furthermore, for high SNR environments, the algorithm is able to achieve a key length versus SNR curve whose slope matches that of the theoretically achievable bound.
Kinetic modeling of the CO/H2O/O2/NO/SO2 system: Implications for high-pressure fall-off in the SO2 + O(+M) = SO3(+M) reaction

Flow reactor experiments were performed to study moist CO oxidation in the presence of trace quantities of NO (0–400 ppm) and SO2 (0–1300 ppm) at pressures and temperatures ranging from 0.5–10.0 atm and 950–1040 K, respectively. Reaction profile measurements of CO, CO2, O2, NO, NO2, SO2, and temperature were used to further develop and validate a detailed chemical kinetic reaction mechanism in a manner consistent with previous studies of the CO/H2/O2/NOX and CO/H2O/N2O systems. In particular, the experimental data indicate that the spin-forbidden dissociation-recombination reaction between SO2 and O-atoms is in the fall-off regime at pressures above 1 atm. The inclusion of a pressure-dependent rate constant for this reaction, using a high-pressure limit determined from modeling the consumption of SO2 in a N2O/SO2/N2 mixture at 10.0 atm and 1000 K, brings model predictions into much better agreement with experimentally measured CO profiles over the entire pressure range. Kinetic coupling of NOX and SOX chemistry via the radical pool significantly reduces the ability of SO2 to inhibit oxidative processes. Measurements of SO2 indicate fractional conversions of SO2 to SO3 on the order of a few percent, in good agreement with previous measurements at atmospheric pressure. Modeling results suggest that, at low pressures, SO3 formation occurs primarily through SO2 + O(+M) = SO3(+M), but at higher pressures where the fractional conversion of NO to NO2 increases, SO3 formation via SO2 + NO2 = SO3 + NO becomes important. For the conditions explored in this study, the primary consumption pathways for SO3 appear to be SO3 + HO2 = HOSO2 + O2 and SO3 + H = SO2 + OH. Further study of these reactions would increase the confidence with which model predictions of SO3 can be viewed. © 2000 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. Int J Chem Kinet 32: 317–339, 2000
SLINKY: a URL server

In the same way that the IMAP protocol provides secure, ubiquitous access to a user's email, an analogous protocol is desirable to enable user access to an organized collection of URL links that comprise a private mapping of the Web document space. This paper describes the design and staged implementation of a SLINKY server that meets these goals.
A New Multi‐Step Thermal Rearrangement of a Terminal Allene

The gas-phase pyrolysis of 2-methylhept-2-ene-6-yne proceeds by two pathways, one of which leads via an acetylene vinylidene rearrangement to a hypothetical bicyclo[3.1.0]hex-1-ene intermediate and subsequently to products derived from the 2-isopropylidenecyclopentane-1,3-diyl biradical. The second pathway leads to 1,2-dimethyl-4-methylenecyclopent-1-ene by a multi-step process involving Cope rearrangement, two successive 1,5-sigmatropic hydrogen shifts, and the equivalent of intramolecular ene reaction. This mechanism is supported by two separate isotopic labeling experiments.
Let Your Life Speak: Listening for the Voice of Vocation

This book provides an ideal occasion for a combined academic study and personal reflection. The topics covered create gateways for discussing calling and vocation, whether in a classroom or less formal setting.
Effect of an injectable trace mineral supplement containing selenium, copper, zinc, and manganese on the health and production of lactating Holstein cows

The objective of this study was to evaluate the effect of a subcutaneous injection of a multimineral preparation containing 300 mg of zinc, 50mg of manganese, 25mg of selenium, and 75 mg of copper at 230 and 260 days of gestation and 35 days postpartum, on the health, milk production and reproductive performance of lactating Holstein cows. A randomized field trial was conducted on three large commercial dairy farms located near Ithaca, New York, USA, with 1416 cows enrolled. All cows were housed and offered a total mixed ration consisting of approximately 55% forage and 45% concentrate on a dry matter basis of the diet, which supplied 2-6 times the NRC requirements for the supplemented elements. Dry cows and pregnant heifers were blocked by parity and randomly allocated to one of two treatments: Trace mineral supplemented (TMS) or control. For multiparous cows, subcutaneous TMS significantly decreased linear somatic cell count scores (normalized data) as compared to control cows. The incidence of subclinical mastitis for TMS and control cows was 10.4% and 8.0%, respectively (P=0.005). The main effect of treatment on clinical mastitis was not significant but the interaction of treatment and parity was significant. For primiparous cows, the incidence of clinical mastitis was 11.8% and 15.6% for control and TMS cows, respectively (P=0.33); for multiparous cows, the incidence of clinical mastitis for control and TMS cows was 25.4% and 19.7%, respectively (P=0.03). Additionally, control cows had increased odds of stillbirth and endometritis (odds ratios 1.69 and 1.30, respectively). The incidence of endometritis was 34.2% and 28.6% for control and TMS cows, respectively (P=0.039) but treatment had no effect on reproductive performance, milk production or other health traits. Further research is required to confirm these findings and to establish whether the response seen in this study was related to the supplementation of a particular mineral.
The Choroid Plexus Removes β-Amyloid from Brain Cerebrospinal Fluid

β-Amyloid (Aβ) concentration in the cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) of the brain may be regulated by the choroid plexus, which forms a barrier between blood and brain CSF. Aβ uptake from CSF was determin...
Prevalence of Heavy Drinking and Risky Sexual Behaviors in Adult Emergency Department Patients

Background The study aim was to assess the prevalence and co-occurrence of alcohol and sexual risk behaviors among emergency department (ED) patients in community hospitals.
A new class of propagation models based on a factorization of the Helmholtz equation

Summary. A new class of propagation models, which is based on a factorization of the Helmholtz equation, that is, in principle, exact for range-independent environments, is presented. A numerical algorithm which makes use of the forward propagation feature of the propagation models and ‘marches’ the radiation field over a sequence of incremented range planes is derived and implemented. Numerical results of transmission loss as a function of range are obtained for a number of sample wave speed profiles for two members of the class of propagation models, one being an often-used parabolic wave theory and one being a high-frequency model that is new to our study. These results are compared to each other, to results obtained from an ‘exact’ numerical integration of the complete Helmholtz theory, and to results obtained using a WKB approximation to the Helmholtz equation formulation. The results demonstrate both the computational viability of the class of propagation models using the derived marching algorithm and very promising numerical agreement between the ‘exact’ results and those obtained using the high-frequency model.
Development of light weight, high current density, superconducting magnets

High field, high current density superconducting magnets can be achieved with force-cooled, cable-in-conduit conductors while maintaining good stability and structural integrity. The weight of the conductor was reduced by using aluminum instead of stainless steel for the conduit. A 1-km long Al-conduit conductor was produced by continuous extrusion of Al-tube on the cable and then drawing to the final size and rectangular shape. The structural weight was further reduced by using carbon-fiber reinforced composite, instead of stainless steel. Small test coils with copper conduit were built first to test the above ideas and to measure the stability margins of a cable-in-conduit conductor with void fractions less than 30%, substantially lower than have been used elsewhere. >
Interactions between exotic invasive plants and soil microbes in the rhizosphere suggest that ‘everything is not everywhere’

Background The study of soil biota in the context of exotic plant invasions has led to an explosion in our understanding of the ecological roles of many different groups of microbes that function in roots or at the root–soil interface. Part of this progress has been the emergence of two biogeographic patterns involving invasive plants and soil microbes. First, in their non-native ranges invasive plants commonly interact differently with the same soil microbes than native plants. Second, in their native ranges, plants that are invasive elsewhere commonly interact functionally with soil microbes differently in their home ranges than they do in their non-native ranges. These studies pose a challenge to a long-held paradigm about microbial biogeography – the idea that microbes are not limited by dispersal and are thus free from the basic taxonomic, biogeographical and evolutionary framework that characterizes all other life on Earth. As an analogy, the global distribution of animals that function as carnivores does not negate the fascinating evolutionary biogeographic patterns of carnivores. Other challenges to this notion come from new measurements of genetic differences among microbes across geographic boundaries, which also suggest that meaningful biogeographic patterns exist for microorganisms.
Variation in oral sensation: implications for diet and health.

Purpose of reviewImportant advances in our understanding of how taste, smell and somatosensation contribute to oral sensation are reviewed and the nutritional and health implications associated with variation in oral sensation are discussed.Recent findingsOral sensation is a central integration of t
Spurious velocity changes caused by temporal variations in ambient noise frequency content

Ambient seismic noise cross-correlations are now being used to detect temporal variations of seismic velocity, which are typically on the order of 0.1 per cent. At this small level, temporal variations in the properties of noise sources can cause apparent velocity changes. For example, the spatial distribution and frequency content of ambient noise have seasonal variations due to the seasonal hemispherical shift of storms. Here, we show that if the stretching method is used to measure time-shifts, then the temporal variability of noise frequency content causes apparent velocity changes due to the changes in both amplitude and phase spectra caused by waveform stretching. With realistic seasonal variations of frequency content in the Los Angeles Basin, our numerical tests produce about 0.05 per cent apparent velocity change, comparable to what Meier et al. observed in the Los Angeles Basin. We find that the apparent velocity change from waveform stretching depends on time windows and station-pair distances, and hence it is important to test a range of these parameters to diagnose the stretching bias. Better understanding of spatiotemporal noise source properties is critical for more accurate and reliable passive monitoring.
X linkage of AP3A, a homolog of the Y-linked MADS-box gene AP3Y in Silene latifolia and S. dioica.

Background The duplication of autosomal genes onto the Y chromosome may be an important element in the evolution of sexual dimorphism.A previous cytological study reported on a putative example of such a duplication event in a dioecious tribe of Silene (Caryophyllaceae): it was inferred that the Y-linked MADS-box gene AP3Y originated from a duplication of the reportedly autosomal orthologAP3A. However, a recent study, also using cytological methods, indicated that AP3A is X-linked in Silenelatifolia. Methodology/Principal Findings In this study, we hybridized S. latifolia and S. dioicato investigate whether the pattern of X linkage is consistent among distinct populations, occurs in both species, and is robust to genetic methods. We found inheritance patterns indicative of X linkage of AP3A in widely distributed populations of both species. Conclusions/Significance X linkage ofAP3A and Y linkage of AP3Yin both species indicates that the genes' ancestral progenitor resided on the autosomes that gave rise to the sex chromosomesand that neither gene has moved between chromosomes since species divergence.Consequently, our results do not support the contention that inter-chromosomal gene transfer occurred in the evolution of SlAP3Y from SlAP3A.
A Consensus Report on Antiarrhythmic Drug Use

Summary: During the past few years, a number of new antiarrhythmic agents have become available for use in the United States, encainide has been withdrawn from use, and others have had indications for use modified. Therefore, a meeting of arrhythmia specialists was convened in an attempt to develop guidelines for antiarrhythmic therapy. The resultant discussions and guidelines presented in this article address general issues such as the most important antianhythmic drug attributes, as well as therapy for particular arrhythrmas such as premature ventricular contractions, ventricular tachycardia, ventricular fibrillation, ventricular ectopy, and supraventricular tachyarrhythmias.
Endocrine Alterations That Underlie Endotoxin-Induced Disruption of the Follicular Phase in Ewes

Two experiments were conducted to investigate endocrine mechanisms by which the immune/inflammatory stimulus endotoxin disrupts the follicular phase of the estrous cycle of the ewe. In both studies, endotoxin was infused i.v. (300 ng/kg per hour) for 26 h beginning 12 h after withdrawal of progesterone to initiate the follicular phase. Experiment 1 sought to pinpoint which endocrine step or steps in the preovulatory sequence are compromised by endotoxin. In sham-infused controls, estradiol rose progressively from the time of progesterone withdrawal until the LH/FSH surges and estrous behavior, which began ∼48 h after progesterone withdrawal. Endotoxin interrupted the preovulatory estradiol rise and delayed or blocked the LH/FSH surges and estrus. Experiment 2 tested the hypothesis that endotoxin suppresses the high-frequency LH pulses necessary to stimulate the preovulatory estradiol rise. All 6 controls exhibited high-frequency LH pulses typically associated with the preovulatory estradiol rise. As in the first experiment, endotoxin interrupted the estradiol rise and delayed or blocked the LH/FSH surges and estrus. LH pulse patterns, however, differed among the six endotoxin-treated ewes. Three showed markedly disrupted LH pulses compared to those of controls. The three remaining experimental ewes expressed LH pulses similar to those of controls; yet the estradiol rise and preovulatory LH surge were still disrupted. Our results demonstrate that endotoxin invariably interrupts the preovulatory estradiol rise and delays or blocks the subsequent LH and FSH surges in the ewe. Mechanistically, endotoxin can interfere with the preovulatory sequence of endocrine events via suppression of LH pulsatility, although other processes such as ovarian responsiveness to gonadotropin stimulation appear to be disrupted as well.
CLPM: A Cross-Linked Peptide Mapping Algorithm for Mass Spectrometric Analysis

Background Protein-protein, protein-DNA and protein-RNA interactions are of central importance in biological systems. Quadrapole Time-of-flight (Q-TOF) mass spectrometry is a sensitive, promising tool for studying these interactions. Combining this technique with chemical crosslinking, it is possible to identify the sites of interactions within these complexes. Due to the complexities of the mass spectrometric data of crosslinked proteins, new software is required to analyze the resulting products of these studies.
Doing Science Their Way

From the perspective of social cultural anthropology employing the field research techniques of ethnography this study focuses on the experiences and perspectives of sixth grade girls in a moderately-sized East Coast city as they construct meaning through active engagement i a science classroom. The study analyzes the ways in which girls change roles and incorporate social interaction during science activities to create their own unique engagement in science.
The impact of staffing and the organization of work on patient outcomes and health care workers in health care organizations.

Article-at-a-Glance Background Numerous reports in the popular press express concern about the restructuring or lowering of staffing levels in health care organizations and the impact on the quality of patient care. Overtime and other extended shifts also represent work stresses for health care workers. This article reviews the research literature on the relationships among staffing, organization of work, and patient outcomes, and it discusses research findings on the relationship between staffing and the health of health care workers. Research on staffing, organization, and patient outcomes/staff well-being Safe staffing level requirements have been identified for nursing homes, but only in extremely limited cases for hospitals, home care, or other health settings. There is little information about the impact of staffing levels and the organization of work on health personnel or on patient outcomes. There is almost no information about staffing and patient outcomes in home health and ambulatory care. Much of the research on staffing and quality has been discipline specific; future research should reflect the interdisciplinary nature of health care delivery rather than the impact of a particular occupation. Research use Research is conducted to increase the scientific base per se and to inform decision making. Who should decide staffing levels and the organization of work? Professionals, employers/owners, the government, and consumers all have significant interest in staffing levels and the organization of care. Improving health care quality requires research about the critical staffing and organization of work variables. This requires obtaining appropriate data, conducting the research, and widely disseminating the findings.
The Adaptable Cycle of Engagement: A Win/Win Model for the Library

As libraries face greater financial challenges while redefining their roles, public engagement has been put forth as one way to address both concerns. In fact, such efforts have produced solid results for many libraries, even when not following a clear path with a well-defined outcome. Administrators believe in the concept, but sometimes lack a foundational understanding of how public engagement works. This paper's author spent several years as a published journalist and business consultant observing and analyzing the ways in which companies utilize public engagement and the manner in which these campaigns resulted in tangible profits. The author then developed a paradigm called the Adaptable Cycle of Engagement (ACE) in order to offer a model for successful implementation of such an agenda. This paper defines that system in detail, showing step by step how public engagement works to ultimately bond the community to the library, enhance library offerings to patrons, and enable the library to reap financial rewards.
Precepting in 2002.

Preceptorships have been used to bridge the gap between nursing education and the reality of the workplace. The role of preceptors to prepare new or transitioning nurses to function more efficiently and earlier has become increasingly important in recent years. To foster positive attitudes in the experienced nurses toward accepting and functioning in the roles of preceptors, nursing administration and nursing education must collaborate. Preceptors have the ability to shape, nurture, influence, and support novice nurses. Experienced nurses hold the responsibility to encourage this commitment.
Copper chemical mechanical planarization (Cu CMP) challenges in 22 nm back-end-of-line (BEOL) and beyond

Copper chemical mechanical polishing (Cu CMP) is a critical process in the fabrication of high performance microprocessors and other advanced memory devices. It was implemented in manufacturing at the 0.27 μm technology node and has been steadily evolving as interconnect scaling continued at a rapid pace during the past decades. In the next 5 years, as device dimensions continue to shrink approaching molecular dimensions, Cu CMP will face formidable challenges. These challenges arise from the material and process-related changes associated with interconnect scaling. The impact of these changes on Cu CMP is examined in detail. In addition, defectivity, metrology, and process control also become extremely challenging because of the difficulties associated with the accuracy and precision in measurements at extremely small dimensions with existing techniques. It is conceivable that technical advancements can provide excellent solutions to these challenges. However, manufacturing implementation of highly sophisticated and advanced techniques and process enhancements without increasing the cost may be the biggest challenge.
Markov process models of the dynamics of HIV reservoirs

While latently infected CD4+ T cells are extremely sparse, they are a reality that prevents HIV from being cured, and their dynamics are largely unknown. We begin with a two-state Markov process that models the outcomes of regular but infrequent blood tests for latently infected cells in an HIV positive patient under drug therapy. We then model the hidden dynamics of a latently infected CD4+ T cell in an HIV positive patient and show there is a limiting distribution, which indicates in which compartments the HIV typically can be found. Our model shows that the limiting distribution of latently infected cells reveals the presence of latency in every compartment with positive probability, supported by clinical data. We also show that the hidden Markov model determines the outcome of blood tests and analyze its connection to the blood test model.
Interactions among Plodia interpunctella, Bracon hebetor, and Xylocoris flavipes

Two biological control agents, the parasitic wasp Bracon hebetor Say, and the predaceous bug, Xylocoris flavipes (Reuter), are currently being evaluated for control of stored-product insects. B. hebetor commonly attacks larvae of certain stored-product moths such as Galleria and Ephestia (Sweetman 1958). Reinert and King (1971) interacted Plodia interpunctella (Hubner) with different densities of B. hebetor , to determine which level provided best control. Jay et al. (1968) found that X. flavipes suppressed 4 species of stored-product Coleoptera in the laboratory. Arbogast et al. (1971) showed that X. flavipes can be reared on eggs and 1st-stage larvae of P. interpunctella . The purpose of our study was to determine whether control of P. interpunctella would be enhanced or reduced by using these 2 biological control agents simultaneously.
A transdisciplinary approach to wearables, big data and quality of life

Today, the term "wearable" goes beyond the traditional definition of clothing; it refers to an accessory that enables personalized mobile information processing. We define the concept of wearables, present their attributes and discuss their role at the core of an ecosystem for harnessing big data. We discuss the concept of a meta-wearable and propose a transdisciplinary approach to transform the field and enhance the quality of life for everyone.
Quantum Information Theory Fundamentals

In this chapter, we provide the basic concepts of quantum information processing and quantum information theory. The following topics from quantum information processing will be covered: state vectors, operators, density operators, measurements, dynamics of a quantum system, superposition principle, quantum parallelism, no-cloning theorem, and entanglement. The following concepts from quantum information theory will be provided: Holevo information, accessible information, Holevo bound, Shannon entropy and von Neumann entropy, Schumacher’s noiseless quantum coding theorem, and Holevo–Schumacher–Westmoreland theorem.
Developing Large-scale Modern Agriculture in Heilongjiang Reclamation Area

The large-scale modern agriculture is a new formulation. On the basis of thinking on ther elated information, this paper defined large-scale modern agriculture from the horizontal, vertical, ando ther dimensions. Then, after a discriminant analysis of primitive agriculture, modern agriculture and large-s cale modern agriculture, it could be found that the essential feature of large-scale modern agriculture wasg reen development. Finally, a strategic focus of Heilongjiang reclamation area's development had beenp roposed from three aspects which were building green agriculture reclamation system, green industrys ystem and green urban system.
Surveys on antibodies against polio,measles,encephalitis and meningitis among healthy children aged 1-7 years in Xianyang of Shaanxi province in 2013

Objective To determine the antibody levels of polio,measles,encephalitis and meningitis among healthy children aged 1-7years in Xianyang of Shaanxi province in 2013for the evaluation of immunization effects. Methods Enzyme linked immunosorbent assays(ELISA)were used to detect serum IgG antibodies against polio,measles,encephalitis and meningitis viruses among healthy children. Results The positive rates of IgG antibodies of polio,measles,encephalitis and meningitis were 94.65%,95.67%,94.01% and 89.94%,respectively,all surpassed the protection level of 85%.The lowest positive rates of antibody against encephalitis were found in Qian county(83.61%)and Wugong county(85.00%),while the positive rates of antibody against meningitis in Wugong county(70.00%)and Xunyi county(85.00%)were the lowest, which showed a significant difference compared to other counties(P0.05). Conclusions In Xianyang, among children 1-7years old,the antibody levels of polio,measles,encephalitis and meningitis IgG all reach national standard,indicating the successful vaccination among children in the area.
Spatial Modeling of Lidar-Derived Woody Biomass Estimates Collected Along Transects in a Heterogeneous Savanna Landscape

Waveforms from the Ice, Cloud and land Elevation Satellite have successfully estimated footprint-level canopy height and aboveground biomass even in structurally complex savanna ecosystems. However, at the landscape level wall-to-wall maps are preferred since they are more easily integrated with other geospatial data products. We evaluated and compared the utility of inverse distance weighting, cokriging, regression kriging and image segmentation methods to create wall-to-wall maps from footprint-level estimates of biomass across a 13 600-Ha Oak savanna landscape in Santa Clara county, California. The four methods estimated biomass with between 39% (inverse distance weighting) and 66% (image segmentation) of variance explained and RMSE of 42% and 32% of the mean, respectively. When more waveforms were available across or along track to characterize patch biomass with the image segmentation method, 78% of variance in biomass was explained (RMSE = 21% of the mean). Overall, the mean biomass estimated by the four methods did not differ significantly but a visual inspection of the output maps showed marked differences in the ability of each model to mimic the primary variable's landscape-level trend. We conclude that transects of lidar data can be used to create wall-to-wall biomass maps in savannas but the methods require a higher sampling intensity and informative auxiliary data to reproduce the variability of the biomass across the landscape. We recommend that future satellite lidar missions increase the sampling intensity across track so that biomass observations are made and characterized at the scale at which they vary
Introduction: Cultural and Historical Background

“It is inevitable that you be greatly shocked by this book but con­tinue, please with all possible courage to the end. For it tries to show that environment is a tremendous thing in the world and frequently shapes lives regardless. If one proves that theory, one makes room in Heaven for all sorts of souls (notably an occasional street girl) who are not confidently expected to be there by many excellent people. It is probable that the reader of this small thing may consider The Author to be a bad man, but obviously, this is a matter of small consequence to The Author.” So Stephen Crane inscribed copies of the privately printed first edition of Maggie: A Girl of the Streets (A Story of New York) which he gave to Hamlin Garland, the Reverend Thomas Dixon, and other friends, reformers, and literary critics.
Environmental toxicants: hidden players on the reproductive stage

A growing body of evidence suggests that environmental contaminants, including natural gas, endocrine-disrupting chemicals, and air pollution, are posing major threats to human reproductive health. Many chemicals are in commonly used personal care products, linings of food containers, pesticides, and toys, as well as in discarded electronic waste, textile treatments, and indoor and outdoor air and soil. They travel across borders through trade, food, wind, and water. Reproductive and other health effects can be incurred by exposures in utero, in the neonatal or adolescent periods, or in adulthood and can have transgenerational effects. Most chemicals do not undergo the level of evaluation for harm that pharmaceuticals, e.g., do, and they are rarely seen or seriously considered as a danger to human health. Herein, the burden of exposures, challenges in assessing data and populations at risk, models for evaluating harm, and mechanisms of effects are briefly reviewed, ending with a call to action for reproductive health care professionals to advocate for further research, education, and chemical policy reform for the health of this and future generations.
Hydrogen Backward Lasing in Atmospheric Air for Remote Detection

We present atomic hydrogen backwards lasing in ambient air. The 656nm stimulated emission follows two-photon excitation of atomic hydrogen obtained from dissociation of water or other H-containing molecule, allowing for standoff optical gas detection.
Biodegradable Kojic Acid-Based Polymers: Controlled Delivery of Bioactives for Melanogenesis Inhibition.

Kojic acid (KA) is a naturally occurring fungal metabolite that is utilized as a skin-lightener and antibrowning agent owing to its potent tyrosinase inhibition activity. While efficacious, KA’s inclination to undergo pH-mediated, thermal-, and photodegradation reduces its efficacy, necessitating stabilizing vehicles. To minimize degradation, poly(carbonate-esters) and polyesters comprised of KA and natural diacids were prepared via solution polymerization methods. In vitro hydrolytic degradation analyses revealed KA release was drastically influenced by polymer backbone composition (e.g., poly(carbonate-ester) vs polyester), linker molecule (aliphatic vs heteroatom-containing), and release conditions (physiological vs skin). Tyrosinase inhibition assays demonstrated that aliphatic KA dienols, the major degradation product under skin conditions, were more potent then KA itself. All dienols were found to be less toxic than KA at all tested concentrations. Additionally, the most lipophilic dienols were stat...
ATUCAPTS: automated tests that a user cannot pass twice simultaneously

In highly anonymous environments such as the Internet, many applications suffer from the fact that a single user can pose as multiple users. Indeed, presumably many potential applications do not even get off the ground as a result. Consider the example of an online vote. Requiring voters to provide identifying information, to the extent that this is even feasible, can significantly deter participation. On the other hand, not doing so makes it possible for a single individual to vote more than once, so that the result may become almost meaningless. (A quick web search will reveal many examples of Internet polls with bizarre outcomes.) CAPTCHAs may prevent running a program that votes many times, but they do nothing to prevent a single user from voting many times by hand. In this paper, we propose ATUCAPTS (Automated Tests That a User Cannot Pass Twice Simultaneously) as a solution. ATUCAPTS are automatically generated tests such that it is (1) easy for a user to pass one instance, but (2) extremely difficult for a user to pass two instances at the same time. Thus, if it is feasible to require all users to take such a test at the same time, we can verify that no user holds more than one account. We propose a specific class of ATUCAPTS and present the results of a human subjects study to validate that they satisfy the two properties above. We also introduce several theoretical models of how well an attacker might perform and show that these models still allow for good performance on both (1) and (2) with reasonable test lengths.
22.6 A fully integrated counter-flow energy reservoir for 70%-efficient peak-power delivery in ultra-low-power systems

Recent advances in circuits have enabled significant reduction in the size of wireless systems such as implantable biomedical devices. As a consequence, the battery integrated in these systems has also shrunk, resulting in high internal resistances (∼10kΩ). However, the peak-current requirement of power-hungry components such as radios remains in the mW range, and hence cannot be directly supplied from the battery. Therefore, duty-cycled architectures such as pulsed-based radios have been proposed that transmit a short burst (∼1µs) of high power (∼10mW) supplied by an internal energy storage capacitor [1–3]. The capacitor is then recharged using a current limiter to protect the battery from excessive droop. This paradigm raises two challenges: 1) to supply sufficient energy, very large capacitance (>50nF) is often needed (200mV droop, for 10mW and 5µs), leading to large die area or bulky off-chip discrete components; 2) only a small fraction (∼5%) of energy stored in the capacitor is actually delivered to the high power components since the capacitor can only be discharged by a few 100s of mV while maintaining proper circuit operation (Fig. 22.6.1).