cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
The effect of Medicaid waivers on ameliorating racial/ethnic disparities among children with autism

Objective To examine the effects of Medicaid Home and Community-based Services (HCBS) waivers on reducing racial/ethnic disparities in unmet need for services among families of children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD). Data sources Data from the 2003, 2007, and 2011 waves of the National Survey of Children's Health and the 2005 and 2010 waves of the National Survey of Children with Special Health Care Needs were used. Data on waiver characteristics were collected from source materials that were submitted in support of each state's waiver application. Waiver characteristics were combined to create a single waiver generosity variable. Study design Quasi-difference-in-difference-in-difference models were used to determine the effect of waiver generosity on racial/ethnic disparities in unmet need among children with ASD. Principal findings Increased waiver generosity was associated with significantly reduced odds of having unmet need for black children with ASD compared with white children with ASD. Unmet needs among black children with ASD were roughly cut in half, a 13 percentage point decrease, with the implementation of an average generosity waiver. No significant differences were seen for Hispanic ethnicity. Conclusion These findings suggest that Medicaid HCBS waivers have the potential to ameliorate disparities in unmet need among children with ASD. Future policy development should focus on replicating the most effective characteristics of these waivers.
Occurrence of tire wear particles and other microplastics within the tributaries of the Charleston Harbor Estuary, South Carolina, USA

Abstract Microplastics ( 2 , 3–4,375 microplastics/kg wet weight, and 3–36 microplastics/L, respectively. Blue fibers and tire wear particles were the two most abundant microplastic types observed, constituting 26.2% and 17.1%, respectively, of total microplastics. Tire wear particles were primarily identified by morphology, and ATR-FTIR analysis was conducted for a small subset ( n = 5) of larger particles (≥500 μm). The present study provides the first microplastic field assessment of low-density tire wear particles in estuarine tributaries.
csedresearch.org: Resources for Primary and SecondaryComputer Science Education Research

In this Tips, Techniques, and Courseware talk, we will provide an overview of csedresearch.org, a site designed to provide resources for primary and secondary computer science (CS) education researchers. This resource center has three primary functions: 1) to provide a quick and easy way to search and access manually-curated data from over 500 articles from ten targeted venues (currently 2012-2018), 2) to provide a centralized location for evaluation instruments, many of which are focused on computing, and 3) to provide resources for computer science education research (checklists for studies, how to design a study, how to write a research question, etc.). Users can search for articles by filtering at a granular level on various curriculum and activity components, including student demographics, instructor demographics, and program components. Users can also search for evaluation instruments on criteria such as type, year published, constructs measured in the instrument, and whether the instrument has been validated or tested for reliability. We will provide a brief summary of the rationale for the site, the current state of the site, and how educators and researchers are using the site to date. We will also discuss future plans for the site and enable the audience to provide feedback that may help us shape the site to better meet the needs of the community.
What’s the best way to characterize the relationship between working memory and achievement?: An initial examination of competing theories.

Although studies have demonstrated a relationship between working memory and achievement in math and reading, it is still unclear why working memory might be related to these abilities. In the present article, we examined the viability of several possible theories in 2 separate analyses of math and reading. In each case, we contrasted the predictions of a cognitive filter model, a transactional model, and a positive manifold model using data from the 2011 Early Childhood Longitudinal Study Kindergarten (ECLS-K). Results of path analyses in a structural equation modeling (SEM) framework indicated an excellent fit for the transactional model, while a poor fit was shown for the other 2 models for both math and reading. Findings across these analyses suggested that working memory and achievement interact in a reciprocal, recursive manner over time. Findings are discussed in terms of their implications for theory, practice, and future research. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2020 APA, all rights reserved)
Virgin Lands: Gender, Nature, and the Frontier Myth in David Magnusson’s Purity

AbstractThis essay examines David Magnusson’s 2014 photographic volume Purity featuring portraits of fathers and daughters who attend “purity balls,” ceremonial dances that celebrate young women’s ...
Initial and Boundary Value Problems for the Caputo Fractional Self-Adjoint Difference Equations

In this paper we develop the theory of initial and boundary value problems for the self-adjoint nabla fractional difference equation containing a Caputo fractional nabla difference that is given by \[ \nabla[p(t+1)\nabla_{a*}^\nu x(t+1)] + q(t)x(t) = h(t), \] where $0 < \nu \leq 1$. We give an introduction to the nabla fractional calculus with Caputo fractional differences. We investigate properties of the specific self-adjoint nabla fractional difference equation given above. We prove existence and uniqueness theorems for both initial and boundary value problems under appropriate conditions. We introduce the definition of a Cauchy function which allows us to give a variation of constants formula for solving initial value problems. We then show that this Cauchy function is important in finding a Green's function for a boundary value problem with Sturm-Liouville type boundary conditions. Several inequalities concerning a certain Green's function are derived. These results are important in using fixed point theorems for proving the existence of solutions to boundary value problems for nonlinear fractional equations related to our linear self-adjoint equation.
A Study on the Performance Portability of the Finite Element Assembly Process Within the Albany Land Ice Solver

This paper presents a performance analysis of the finite element assembly process of the Albany Land Ice solver. The analysis shows that a speedup over traditional MPI-only simulations is achieved on multiple architectures including Intel Haswell CPUs, Intel Xeon Phi Knights Landing and IBM POWER8/NVIDIA P100 platforms. A scalability study also shows that performance remains reasonably close among all architectures. These results are obtained on a single codebase without architecture-dependent code optimizations by utilizing abstractions in shared memory parallelism from the Kokkos library and is part of an ongoing process of achieving performance portability for the Albany Land Ice code.
The Impact of Step-Down Unit Care on Patient Outcomes After ICU Discharge.

Objectives To examine whether and how step-down unit admission after ICU discharge affects patient outcomes. Design Retrospective study using an instrumental variable approach to remove potential biases from unobserved differences in illness severity for patients admitted to the step-down unit after ICU discharge. Setting Ten hospitals in an integrated healthcare delivery system in Northern California. Patients Eleven-thousand fifty-eight episodes involving patients who were admitted via emergency departments to a medical service from July 2010 to June 2011, were admitted to the ICU at least once during their hospitalization, and were discharged from the ICU to the step-down unit or the ward. Interventions None. Measurements and main results Using congestion in the step-down unit as an instrumental variable, we quantified the impact of step-down unit care in terms of clinical and operational outcomes. On average, for ICU patients with lower illness severity, we found that availability of step-down unit care was associated with an absolute decrease in the likelihood of hospital readmission within 30 days of 3.9% (95% CI, 3.6-4.1%). We did not find statistically significant effects on other outcomes. For ICU patients with higher illness severity, we found that availability of step-down unit care was associated with an absolute decrease in in-hospital mortality of 2.5% (95% CI, 2.3-2.6%), a decrease in remaining hospital length-of-stay of 1.1 days (95% CI, 1.0-1.2 d), and a decrease in the likelihood of ICU readmission within 5 days of 3.6% (95% CI, 3.3-3.8%). Conclusions This study shows that there exists a subset of patients discharged from the ICU who may benefit from care in an step-down unit relative to that in the ward. We found that step-down unit care was associated with statistically significant improvements in patient outcomes especially for high-risk patients. Our results suggest that step-down units can provide effective transitional care for ICU patients.
Catheter and Surgical Therapies for Right Heart Failure: Current and Future Options

The objective of this review is to describe the various support options available for the failing right heart with a focus on stabilization using assist devices. Right heart failure has multiple etiologies and is a strong and independent predictor of mortality and poor clinical outcomes. Early intervention with catheter- and surgical-based mechanical circulatory support can stabilize the critically ill patient and allow for right ventricular recovery.
Does ventricular substrate play a role in incident stroke? The Atherosclerosis Risk in Communities (ARIC) study

Abstract Background —The goal of the study was to determine an association of ventricular substrate with thrombotic, cardioembolic, and hemorrhagic stroke. Methods —Participants from the Atherosclerosis Risk in Communities study with analyzable ECGs and no history of stroke were included (n=14,479; age 54±6 y; 55% female; 24% black). Ventricular substrate was characterized by cardiac memory [spatial QRS-T angle (QRS-Ta), sum absolute QRST integral (SAIQRST), spatial ventricular gradient magnitude (SVGmag)], premature ventricular contractions (PVC) and tachycardia-dependent intermittent bundle branch block (TD-IBBB) on 12-lead ECG recorded at visits 1-5. Incident strokes were adjudicated by physician reviewers. Cox proportional hazard risk models were constructed. Results —Over a median 24.5 y follow-up, there were 899 thrombotic, 400 cardioembolic, and 187 hemorrhagic strokes. After adjustment for cardiovascular disease (CVD) and its risk factors, atrial fibrillation / atrial substrate, and ECG-left ventricular hypertrophy, PVC (HR 1.72; 95%CI 1.02-2.92), QRS-Ta (HR 1.15; 95%CI 1.03-1.28), SAIQRST (HR 1.20; 95%CI 1.07-1.34) and time-updated SVGmag (HR 1.19; 95%CI 1.08-1.32) associated with cardioembolic stroke. After adjustment for CVD and its risk factors, PVC (HR 1.53; 95%CI 1.03-2.26), QRS-Ta (HR 1.08; 95%CI 1.01-1.16), SAIQRST (HR 1.07; 95%CI 1.01-1.14), and time-updated SVGmag (HR 1.11; 95%CI 1.04-1.19) associated with thrombotic stroke. In fully adjusted time-updated Cox model QRS-Ta (HR 1.20; 95%CI 1.04-1.38), SAI QRST (HR 1.23; 95%CI 1.06-1.43), SVGmag (HR 1.23; 95%CI 1.06-1.43) associated with hemorrhagic stroke, whereas TD-IBBB trended (HR 1.84; 95%CI 0.25-13.33). Conclusions —PVC burden reflected by cardiac memory is associated with ischemic stroke. Transient cardiac memory (likely through TD-IBBB) precedes hemorrhagic stroke.
Hebcrit: a new dimension of critical race theory

I believe that it is essential to identify a new facet of Critical Race Theory that specifically addresses the needs of the Jewish people. Often overlooked and ignored in multicultural, diversity, ...
Determination of Free Bisphenol A in Commercially Packaged Ready-to-Consume Carbonated/Non-Carbonated and Non-Alcoholic Beverages with Immunoaffinity Column Purification and UPLC with Fluorescence Detector, First Action 2019.07.

Background Bisphenol A (BPA) is a chemical of concern in the food industry. There is a need for a sensitive analytical method for the determination of BPA in beverages. Objective To develop a method for the determination of BPA in carbonated, non-carbonated, and non-alcoholic drinks. Method Replicates of a carbonated soft drink, orange juice with pulp, and a dairy-based coffee drink at spiking levels ranging from 0 to 32 ng/mL were analyzed. The carbonated soft drink was adjusted to pH 7.4 and diluted with phosphate buffered saline (PBS). The orange juice with pulp and the dairy-based coffee drink were extracted with methanol and sodium chloride, then diluted with PBS. Results LOD ranged from 0.06 to 0.08 ng/mL and LOQ ranged from 0.10 to 0.14 ng/mL. Recoveries of BPA from all sample types at 1 to 16 ng/mL spiked levels were between 93 and 100%; relative standard deviation (RSDr, %) ranged from 0.71 to 8.38% depending on matrix and spiking levels. Conclusions The results indicate that the method for determination of BPA in carbonated, non-carbonated, and non-alcoholic drinks is reproducible and meets AOAC Official MethodSM performance criteria. Highlights The test portions were filtered and the filtrates applied to an immunoaffinity column (IAC) containing antibodies specific for BPA. After the column was washed with water, BPA was eluted from the IAC with 80% methanol and the eluate was directly injected, or concentrated and injected, into ultra-performance liquid chromatography (UPLC) with fluorescence detector (FLD) for separation, detection, and quantitation.
Portfolio Credit Risk and Macroeconomic Shocks; Applications to Stress Testing Under Data-Restricted Environments

Portfolio credit risk measurement is greatly affected by data constraints, especially when focusing on loans given to unlisted firms. Standard methodologies adopt convenient, but not necessarily properly specified parametric distributions or simply ignore the effects of macroeconomic shocks on credit risk. Aiming to improve the measurement of portfolio credit risk, we propose the joint implementation of two new methodologies, namely the conditional probability of default (CoPoD) methodology and the consistent information multivariate density optimizing (CIMDO) methodology. CoPoD incorporates the effects of macroeconomic shocks into credit risk, recovering robust estimators when only short time series of loans exist. CIMDO recovers portfolio multivariate distributions (on which portfolio credit risk measurement relies) with improved specifications, when only partial information about borrowers is available. Implementation is straightforward and can be very useful in stress testing exercises (STEs), as illustrated by the STE carried out within the Danish Financial Sector Assessment Program.
Racial and ethnic differences in the utilization of autologous transplantation for lymphoma in the United States

Background Racial/ethnic disparities in the utilization of hematopoietic cell transplantation (HCT) have been reported for patients with hematologic malignancies, but population-based data are lacking for lymphoma patients. The objective of this study was to determine whether racial and ethnic disparities exist in the utilization of autologous HCT for lymphoma in the United States. Method We used Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results data linked to Medicare fee-for-service claims. We included Medicare beneficiaries aged 66+ years with Hodgkin or Non-Hodgkin lymphomas diagnosed between 2008 and 2015. The primary outcome was time-to-autologous HCT. We used Cox proportional hazards models to estimate racial/ethnic differences in utilization. Missing data were handled using multiple imputation with chained equations. Results We included 40,605 individuals with lymphoma. A total of 452 autologous transplants were performed. In the unadjusted model, Non-Hispanic Black patients were 51% less likely to receive a transplant than Non-Hispanic White patients (95% CI, 0.26-0.96; p = 0.04). After adjusting for age at diagnosis and sex, Non-Hispanic Black patients were 61% less likely to receive a transplant (95% CI, 0.20-0.76; p = 0.01). However, observed differences attenuated and became non-significant after adjustment for socioeconomic factors (adjusted hazard ratio [aHR], 0.62; 95% CI, 0.32-1.21; p = 0.16) and disease-specific factors (aHR, 0.58; 95% CI, 0.30-1.12; p = 0.11), separately. In the fully adjusted model, we also did not observe a statistically significant association between Non-Hispanic Black race/ethnicity and receipt of transplant (aHR, 0.54; 95% CI, 0.28-1.05; p = 0.07). Conclusion In this population-based cohort study of lymphoma patients, Non-Hispanic Black patients were less likely to receive autologous HCT compared to Non-Hispanic White patients, but this difference was partially explained by socioeconomic and disease-specific factors.
The Development of an Instrument to Address the Negative Perception of Hospitality Jobs

ABSTRACT The purpose of this study was to introduce a new construct that would assist in understanding employee attitudes and behaviors in hospitality sector jobs. The research introduces job-esteem and justifies it as a unique construct worthy of further study. Job-esteem is defined as the level of respect and dignity an individual believes is associated with his/her job. An instrument was developed to assist in measuring the level of job-esteem found in hospitality employees. The instrument was then administered to 75 employees of a large hotel chain in Hawaii. Tests show the instrument meets reliability standards.
The Skaergaard Intrusion

Abstract Thanks to its magnificent exposures and extraordinarily complete sequence of strongly differentiated rocks, the Skaergaard Intrusion has long served as a prime example of shallow magmatic differentiation and as a testing ground for a wide range of petrologic concepts. During the magmatic episode accompanying the opening of the North Atlantic about 55 Ma ago, a moderately evolved tholeiitic magma was intruded, apparently in a single, prolonged pulse, into Archean gneisses and Tertiary basalts close to the eastern edge of Greenland. Over a period of about 10,000 years, the Layered Series crystallized on the floor, while similar sequences crystallized on the walls and under the roof to form the Marginal and Upper Border Series. In all three places, the minerals follow parallel trends with plagioclase progressing steadily from basic labradorite to sodic oligoclase and olivine and Ca-rich pyroxene evolving to pure fayalite and hedenbergite. The original magma, which was unusually rich in phosphorus and titanium, followed a trend of differentiation characterized by exceptionally strong iron enrichment and relatively little increase of silica until the very latest stages of differentiation when the magma split into two liquids, one very rich in iron and the other in silica. The original compositions and textures of the rocks have been altered by late-stage metasomatism which, in extreme cases, resulted in closely associated anorthosites and pyroxenites. The principal mechanism of crystal-liquid fractionation during formation of the Layered Series was compaction, but convective fractionation seems to have become important in the late stages of evolution.
An Experimental Study of Women's Internet Personal Ads

Personal ads are a potentially rich source of information on relationships, particularly mating strategies. Most research on personal ads has been limited to content analyses of naturally occurring ads. In this study, four “female seeking male” ads were placed on two large Internet bulletin boards specializing in such ads. The four ads, differing primarily in a few key words representing the manipulated independent variable, garnered over 500 e-mail responses in 6 weeks. Contrary to prior research and to our prediction, the most popular ad was one in which the woman described herself as “financially independent...; successful [and] ambitious,” producing over 50% more responses than the next most popular ad, one in which the woman described herself as “lovely...; very attractive and slim.” A content analysis of responses to the ads revealed that information provided varied as a function of the ad they were answering.
Control of TFTR during DT operations

Since beginning routine D-T operations in December, 1993, there have been more than 500 DT plasmas and approximately 600,000 Ci of tritium processed through TFTR culminating in greater than 10 MW of fusion power produced in a single discharge in November, 1994. These performance levels were achieved while maintaining the highest levels of personnel and equipment safety. Prior to D-T operations, a Chain of Command structure and a TFTR Shift Supervisor (TFTR SS) position were developed for centralized control of the facility with all subsystems reporting to this position. A comprehensive surveillance system was incorporated such that the TFTR SS could easily review the operational readiness of subsystems for D-T operations. A TFTR SS Station was constructed to facilitate monitoring and control of TFTR. This station includes a camera system, FAX, a networked personal computer, a computerized tritium monitor and control system and a hardware interlock system. In the transition from D-D to D-T operations, TFTR's procedures were reviewed/revised and a number of additional procedures developed for control of activities at the facility. This paper details equipment, administrative and organizational configurations used for controlling TFTR during D-T operations.
"Bright and Good Looking Colored Girl": Black Women's Sexuality and "Harmful Intimacy" in Early-Twentieth-Century New York

AIABEL HAMPTON'S EXPERIENCES IN early-twentieth-century Harlem never quite measured up to the popular image that many New Yorkers (and later the world) held of the black neighborhood. In 1924, as a twenty-one-year-old resident, she knew that visitors from other parts of the city would go to "the night-clubs . . . and dance to such jazz music as [could] be heard nowhere else," that the region's major thoroughfares like Lenox and Seventh avenues were "never deserted," while various "crowds skipp[ed] from one place of amusement to another."' Those crowds of primarily middle-class white voyeurs, fulfilling their own ideas about the primitiveness and authenticity of black life, enjoyed and came to expect Harlem's "'hot' and 'barbaric' jazz, the risque lyrics and the 'junglelike' dancing of its cabaret floor shows, and all its other 'wicked' delights."^ As one black observer noted, after "a visit to Harlem at night," partygoers believed that the town "never sle[pt] and that the inhabitants . . . jazz[ed] through existence."' Hampton's everyday life, however, failed to coincide with these romandcized and essentialized stereotypes of black entertainment and urban life. A southern migrant, domestic worker, and occasional chorus
Interconnection in the Internet: The Policy Challenge

In days past, Internet Service Providers (ISPs) relied on two basic types of contracts for exchanging traffic (peering and transit) and ISP interconnection was not regulated. As we explained in (Faratin, Clark et al. 2007), the world of Internet interconnection is no longer so simple. The increased complexity poses significant challenges for policymakers who might contemplate regulating Internet interconnection, so it is perhaps lucky that calls for Internet interconnection regulation have been muted to date. That quietude was threatened in late 2010 by two events: the issuance of the FCC's Network Neutrality order and the dispute between Level 3 and Comcast over their interconnection agreements. Since we had earlier predicted that attempts to regulate the provision of broadband access services would, of necessity, raise issues for Internet interconnection (Clark, Lehr et al. 2009), we were hardly surprised.Regardless of how one views the Level3/Comcast dispute or its relationship to on-going discussions about broadband access regulation, we believe that there remains an enduring public interest in ensuring a healthy Internet interconnection market and that a better understanding of the underlying economics impacting those markets is important to frame appropriate policies. Using the Level 3/Comcast dispute to seed our discussion and building on our earlier paper, we examine the changing dynamics of Internet interconnection economics. Our analysis provides a basis for understanding why revenue neutral peering with traffic-balance requirements may no longer provide a suitable framework for ISP interconnections of the sort between content-delivery networks (e.g., Level 3) and access networks (e.g., Comcast). Interconnection agreements do not just route traffic in the Internet, they also route money. Allowing money to flow from the end-users (the ultimate source of all funding other than that provided by public subsidies) to the providers of infrastructure services to allow them to recover their capacity-related costs is necessary in order to sustain infrastructure investment and a healthy Internet ecology; however, concerns about abuses of potential market power raise valid policy concerns. We present a simple model to examine these issues, and while our analysis does not lead us to advocate constraining ISPs freedom to negotiate more complex interconnection agreements, we consider a number of policy initiatives that might prove beneficial in improving transparency and market efficiency.
Inhibition of cellular DNA synthesis in cells infected with infectious pancreatic necrosis virus.

Abstract In asynchronous RTG-2 cell cultures infected with infectious pancreatic necrosis (IPN) virus, inhibition of cellular DNA synthesis, but not protein synthesis, was detected 5 to 6 h postinfection and was 80 to 90% complete by 7 to 8 h. Inhibition of DNA synthesis was largely abolished by UV irradiation of the virus. Sedimentation analyses of phenol-extracted DNA indicated that native cellular DNA was not degraded during infection. Sedimentation on alkaline sucrose gradients of DNA from cells pulsed with radioactive thymidine for varying periods indicated that elongation of nascent DNA chains proceeded normally in infected cells. These and previous results suggest that IPN virus infection results in a reduction of the number of chromosomal sites active in DNA synthesis but does not affect the rate of polymerization at active sites. Cells synchronized with excess thymidine and hydroxyurea and infected with virus at the time of release from the block demonstrated an inhibition of DNA synthesis 3 h postinfection. Cells infected 4 h prior to release continued to synthesize normal amounts of DNA for 1 to 2 h after release. These results indicated that DNA synthesis in early synthetic phase is relatively insensitive to inhibition by IPN virus.
Exogenous and endogenous hormones and breast cancer

Exposure to higher levels of both exogenous and endogenous hormone is associated with breast cancer risk. Because of the association between breast cancer and HRT, only the minimal duration of HRT use is recommended for symptom control, and it is not recommended for chronic disease management. Current research issues include the role of progestins, other types of HRT, duration of unopposed estrogen use, and characteristics of cancers that develop on HRT. Circulating sex steroid levels are associated with breast cancer risk, but multiple issues need to be addressed before they are used routinely in clinical practice. Current research issues include measurement of levels for routine clinical practice, integration with standard breast cancer risk models and genetic polymorphism data, and applicability to estrogen-receptor-negative cancers.
The effect of microbial inoculation and pH on microbial community structure changes during composting

Abstract Phospholipid fatty acid (PLFA) analysis was used to characterize microbial community structure during the composting of grape pomace and rice straw. Composting studies were completed in 30 litre static-bed reactors with continuous temperature and oxygen monitoring. The effects of inoculation and pH adjustment on microbial community structure and level of decomposition during composting were investigated. Principal components analysis (PCA) of the PLFA data showed that inoculation had little effect on the microbial community structure of the compost once temperature had peaked, while process temperature and the adjustment of initial pH had a significant effect. Adjustment of pH and inoculation did not significantly increase the level of decomposition as measured by oxygen consumption.
Accelerating Applications Using GPUs on Embedded Systems and Mobile Devices

Graphics processing units (GPUs) are capable of achieving remarkable performance improvements for a broad range of applications. However, they have not been widely adopted in embedded systems and mobile devices as accelerators mainly due to their relatively higher power consumption compared with embedded microprocessors. In this work, we conduct a comprehensive analysis regarding the feasibility and potential of accelerating applications using GPUs in low-power domains. We use two different categories of benchmarks: (1) the Level 3 BLAS subroutines, and (2) the computer vision algorithms, i.e., mean shift image segmentation and scale-invariant feature transform (SIFT). We carried out our experiments on the Nvidia CARMA development kit, which consists of a Nvidia Tegra 3 quad-core CPU and a Nvidia Quadro 1000M GPU. It is found that the GPU can deliver a remarkable performance speedup compared with the CPU while using a significantly less energy for most benchmarks. Further we propose a hybrid approach to developing applications on platform with GPU accelerators. This approach optimally distributes workload between the parallel GPU and the sequential CPU to achieve the best performance while using the least energy.
Estimation of depth averaged unsaturated soil hydraulic properties from infiltration experiments

Abstract Soil hydraulic properties determined from laboratory experiments often are non-representative of field conditions. An inverse method was developed to estimate hydraulic properties of unsaturated uniform soil from intermediate- and field-scale infiltration data, where there is no significant preferential flow during the infiltration experiment. Four parameters, ( α , n , K s and θ r ) in van Genuchten's model were estimated by numerical inversion of Richards equation. Measurements needed for the inversion method include: soil water tension versus time at one distance from the soil surface, the initial water content, and a final steady-state water content behind the wetting front. The objective function used for parameter optimization is constructed from two parts, one from the transient tension versus time curve, and another from the steady-state water content data. The second part of the objective function is defined as the water storage estimation error, and was calculated as the difference between the measured and predicted water storage profiles. The method was tested using data collected during a constant flux infiltration experiment in a 400 cm deep soil column. The sensitivity of parameter estimation and the uniqueness of the inverse problem were dramatically improved when the second part of the objective function was included. The proposed method is promising for estimating depth averaged in situ unsaturated hydraulic properties at the field scale without the need to collect excessive amounts of data.
Physiological Profiles as Indicators of Response to Hurricane Disturbance for Three Coastal Wetland Species

ABSTRACT Pivovaroff, A.L.; Swift, C.; Battaglia, L.L.; Kunz, B.; Platt, W.J., and Yoder, C.L., 2015. Physiological profiles as indicators of response to hurricane disturbance for three coastal wetland species. Hurricanes alter light and water availability via canopy damage and storm surge delivery and are expected to intensify with climate change. Plant species respond to environmental changes by making physiological adjustments in situ or through distribution changes. Three years after Hurricane Katrina, we compared functional traits and water relations among three species along the coenocline at Weeks Bay National Estuarine Research Reserve, Fairhope, Alabama, U.S.A. Based on posthurricane distribution changes for these species, we hypothesized that (1) Cladium mariscus, whose distribution expanded slightly, is responsive to increased light availability in the disturbed forest at the landward end but is strongly limited by water stress at its seaward edge; (2) Baccharis halimifolia, whose distribution s...
A high-resolution high-luminosity beta-ray spectrometer design employing azimuthally varying magnetic field

A double-focusing magnetic field for a spectrometer of the flat type which gives radial focusing to roughly the sixth order, and which utilizes azimuthal variation of the field coefficients, has been devised.
Experimental evidence of interhemispheric transport from airborne carbon monoxide measurements

During the period 28-30 October 1977, a Pan American 747-SP aircraft flew around the world with an automated instrument package that included measurements of atmospheric CO made every 4 sec. The flight path extended from San Francisco, over the North Pole to London, south to Capetown, over the South Pole to Auckland, and back to San Francisco. The data collected show large changes with longitude, which are interpreted as direct evidence of interhemispheric mixing. Possible sources for CO are discussed.
A COMPARISON OF 3 POTENTIAL BIOCHEMICAL MARKERS OF GROWTH IN PRETERM INFANTS. 1813

The neonatal period has one of the highest rates of growth. We prospectively evaluated the roles of C-terminal type 1 collagen propeptide(CICP), bone specific alkaline phosphatase (BSAP) and osteocalcin as potential biochemical markers. Sixteen appropriate for gestational age neonates had cord blood and then weekly CICP, BSAP and osteocalcin levels assayed for 6 weeks; 3 infants were discharged after 4 weeks. None received postnatal steroids. CICP was measured by sandwich immunoassay using monoclonal antibodies, BSAP by using a 2-site immunoradiometric assay and osteocalcin by radioimmunoassay; all in duplicate. Daily weights were recorded and averaged over a week. In utero weight gain was assumed to be 15 gm/kg/day. Data expressed as mean± sem. Using the 2nd order polynomial, change in weight was correlated with CICP (r2= 0.4, p<0.0001), BSAP (r2= 0.006, p= 0.8) and osteocalcin (r2= 0.002, p= 0.9). Based on this pilot study, while BSAP and osteocalcin levels had no correlation, CICP appears to be the most useful biochemical marker of growth. Table
3D Calculation of Stopping-Sight Distance from GPS Data

Sight distance is a key element in highway geometric design. Existing models for evaluating sight distance are applicable only to two-dimensional (213), separate horizontal, and vertical alignments or simple elements of these separate alignments (vertical curve, horizontal curve). A new model using global positioning system (GPS) data is presented for determining the available sight distance on 3D combined horizontal and vertical alignments. Piecewise parametric equations in the form of cubic B-splines are used to represent the highway surface and sight obstructions, including tangents (grades), horizontal curves, and vertical curves. The available sight distance is found analytically by examining the intersection between the sight line and the elements representing the highway surface and sight obstructions. A profile of available sight distance can be established and used to evaluate sight-distance deficiency. Application of the new model is illustrated using actual GPS data for highway K-177 in Kansas (United States). The model has been tested and verified on most of the highways in Kansas. Software has been developed and can be used for determining the available sight distance on any highway for which GPS data are available.
Comparison of Naturally Occurring Vitamin K-Dependent Proteins: Correlation of Amino Acid Sequences and Membrane Binding Properties Suggests a Membrane Contact Site†

Membrane-binding properties of human and bovine forms of vitamin K-dependent proteins Z, S, and C were characterized. Each of these proteins showed unique properties and interspecies differences that correlated with specific amino acid sequence variations in the amino-terminal 45 residues. Protein Z showed 100-fold slower membrane binding and dissociation kinetics relative to other vitamin K-dependent proteins that have been tested. This property seemed to correlate with an extra gamma-carboxyglutamic acid (Gla) residue at position 11 of protein Z. The interspecies difference for protein Z consisted of a higher packing density for the bovine protein on the membrane and a 9-fold slower dissociation rate. Higher affinity correlated with Asp at position 34 of bovine protein Z, where the human protein contains Asn. While both protein S species showed high affinity for the membrane, it was significantly greater for the human protein versus bovine protein S. Again, higher affinity correlated with an Asp (vs Asn) at position 34. Protein C was characterized by binding affinities that were 100-1000-fold lower than the other proteins. Low affinity appeared to be related to loss of Gla-32 (homologous to Gla-33 of protein Z). Interspecies differences of protein C appeared to be related to proline at position 10 (homologous to position 11 of protein Z) of bovine protein C, which produced at least 10-fold lower affinity than the human protein. Comparable substitutions at positions homologous to 11, 33, and 34 of protein Z may also underlie membrane binding behaviors of other vitamin K-dependent proteins. The three-dimensional structure of strontium-prothrombin fragment 1 [Seshadri et al. (1994) Biochemistry 33, 1087] shows that these positions are clustered on the protein surface near strontium-8, another possible candidate for membrane contact. A membrane contact mechanism consisting of an isolated protein-lipid ion pair is proposed. Comparison of naturally occurring vitamin K-dependent proteins has provided possible bases for divergent membrane binding and suggested future approaches to determine biological function.
Cystic hygroma and hydrops fetalis in a fetus with trisomy 13.

We report a case of trisomy 13 with cystic hygroma and generalized hydrops fetalis diagnosed prenatally by routine ultrasound prior to genetic amniocentesis in a 34-year-old woman. Although fetal cystic hygroma is usually associated with a 45, X karyotype, this and other previous reports suggest that it may be seen in association with other chromosomal and nonchromosomal abnormalities as well. Thus, a diagnosis of Turner Syndrome should not be made on the basis of a cystic hygroma observed by prenatal sonography alone.
Spin-up problem in superfluid 4He.

We report the results of an experimental investigation of the nature of the vortex-boundary interaction and its role in the spin-up problem of superfluid $^{4}\mathrm{He}$. We find evidence for two independence vortex-drag mechanisms---a drag associated with vortex lines pulling against pinning sites with a force equal to the line ``tension'' and a viscous drag associated with vortex motion through the normal-fluid Ekman layers.
Tooth enamel structure of some Australian carnivorous marsupials

The tooth enamel structure of several specialized marsupial carnivores belonging to the Polyprotodonta and Diprotodonta were studied using scanning electron microscopy and are described in detail for the first time. Within the Polyprotodonta Dasyurus shows a simple schmelzmuster with radial and aprismatic enamel only, whereas the highly specialized teeth of Sarcophilus and Thylacinus show more complex schmelzmuster consisting of several enamel types. Both differ from each other and from other marsupials. Sarcophilus combines radial enamel, tangential enamel and stripes, Thylacinus combines radial enamel, tangential enamel, irregular enamel and stripes in its enamel. In both species the schmelzmuster varies within the dentition. Thylacoleo carnifex is the only carnivorous species within the dominatly herbivorous group Diprotodonta. It has distinct canine-like incisors and bladelike premolars that show a very complex enamel structure consisting of radial, tangential, irregular and zipper enamel and simultan...
Time-resolved fluorescence of the single tryptophan of Bacillus stearothermophilus phosphofructokinase

The fluorescence of the single tryptophan in Bacillus stearothermophilus phosphofructokinase was characterized by steady-state and time-resolved techniques. The enzyme is a tetramer of identical subunits, which undergo a concerted allosteric transition. Time-resolved emission spectral data were fitted to discrete and distributed lifetime models. The fluorescence decay is a double exponential with lifetimes of 1.6 and 4.4 ns and relative amplitudes of 40 and 60%. The emission spectra of both components are identical with maxima at 327 nm. The quantum yield is 0.31 +/- 0.01. The shorter lifetime is independent of temperature; the longer lifetime has weak temperature dependence with activation energy of 1 kcal/mol. The fluorescence intensity and decay are the same in H2O and D2O solutions, indicating that the indole ring is not accessible to bulk aqueous solution. The fluorescence is not quenched significantly by iodide, but it is quenched by acrylamide with bimolecular rate constant of 5 x 10(8) M-1 s-1. Static and dynamic light scattering measurements show that the enzyme is a tetramer in solution with hydrodynamic radius of 40 A. Steady-state and time-resolved fluorescence anisotropies indicate that the tryptophan is immobile. The allosteric transition has little effect on the fluorescence properties. The fluorescence results are related to the x-ray structure.
Effect of temperature and UV illumination on charge transport mechanisms in DNA

Research into the use of DNA molecules as building blocks for nanoelectronics as well as nanosystems continues. Recently, our group has reported significant electrical conductivity in λ-DNA through direct and in-direct measurements involving high-aspect ratio electrodes that eliminate the effect of the substrate. Our results demonstrate that, at moderate to high frequencies, λ-DNA molecular wires show low impedance. In addition, to prove that the conductivity is indeed from DNA bridge, we studied the effect of temperature and UV irradiation on DNA molecular wires. The temperature results indicate that λ-DNA molecular wires have differing impedance responses at two temperature regimes: impedance increases between 4°C - 40°C, then decreases from 40°C to the melting point (~110°C) at which λ-DNA denatures resulting in a complete loss of current transduction. This hysteric and bi-model behavior makes DNA a candidate for nanoelectronics components such as thermal transistors and switches. The data from UV exposure experiments indicates decreased conductivity of λ-DNA molecular wires after UV exposure, due to damage to GC base pairs and phosphate groups reducing the path available for both charge hopping and short-range electron tunneling mechanisms. The lessons learned from these conductivity experiments along with our knowledge of different charge transport mechanisms within DNA can be applied to the design of synthetic molecular wires for the construction of nanoelectronic devices.
Finite-temperature transition into a power-law spin phase with an extensive zero-point entropy.

We introduce an xy generalization of the frustrated Ising model on a triangular lattice. The presence of continuous degrees of freedom stabilizes a finite-temperature spin state with power-law discrete spin correlations and an extensive zero-point entropy. In this phase, the unquenched degrees of freedom can be described by a fluctuating surface with logarithmic height correlations. Finite-size Monte Carlo simulations have been used to characterize the exponents of the transition and the dynamics of the low-temperature phase.
Laboratory assay of Scolytus multistriatus and Dendrosoter protuberans on DDT and methoxychlor.

Responses to DDT and methoxychlor by the smaller European elm bark beetle, Scolytus multistriatus (Marsham), and an imported hymenopterous parasite of the beetle were measured in laboratory assays. Both species were tested on a series of concentrations of each insecticide. There were no significant differences in the responses between species at the 95% confidence level, but there were significant differences between insecticides. About 100 times more methoxychlor than DDT was required to affect 50% of the insects. These results do not imply that 100 times more methoxychlor must be used to protect elms.
Thickness variations of resistance and activation energy in very thin discontinuous metal films

Abstract The electrical resistance and activation energy of conduction in discontinuous gold films have been determined as functions of thickness in the very early stages of deposition. Both display abrupt changes of slope which could be taken as an indication of the saturation thickness t s , except that the changes do not occur at the same thickness. A tentative explanation is proposed based on field-induced coalescence.
GSO PROJECTIONS OF MODULAR-INVARIANT APERIODIC STRINGS

Closed strings with aperiodic (twisted) boundary conditions and one-loop modular-invariant partition functions are studied. A systematic enumeration and prescription for obtaining all allowed GSO projections are given, thereby generalizing the known results for spin structures to orbifold and other strings whose boundary conditions are given by a product of q cyclic groups G = Zn1 × ⋯ × Znq. Before taking into account the required connection between spin and statistics, the number of allowed GSO projections is , where Dij is the largest common divisor of ni and nj. After taking spin-statistics into account, the group structure must factorize into G=G0×G1, where G0 governs the spin structure and is a product of a number of Z2 groups, and G1 = Zm1 × ⋯ × Zmr now controls the orbifold and other compactification structures. The number of different GSO projections per spin structure is now given by , where s is the number of even mA’s. There explicit formulas are used to derive systematically all the known ten-dimensional type II and rank-16 heterotic strings and some four-dimensional strings.
Keynote address: simulation education: past reflections and future directions

The results of two surveys of persons concerned with simulation education in the 1974-76 timeframe are compared with the results of a 1997 workshop entitled, "What Makes a Modeling and Simulation Professional?" Analysis of these two samplings, separated in time by over 20 years and admittedly with differing objectives and under dissimilar conditions, is used to identify persistent issues, beliefs or convictions regarding the needs for professionals. The intent is to establish a departure point for further discussion of simulation education.
Exclusion Principles for Density-Dependent Discrete Pioneer-Climax Models

Abstract The ultimate dynamical result of an undisturbed pioneer-climax model is assumed by experimental scientists to be the exclusion of the pioneer species. Examples that illustrate stable coexistence in a pioneer-climax model with no isolated positive equilibria are given. Sufficient conditions are developed and used to confirm the pioneer exclusion in discrete pioneer-climax models. Other situations are possible in such models. In particular, a mutual exclusion principle is established as a mathematical theorem.