cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Global Competency Education Catches Fire at a Rural University

World-ready learners require world-ready educators. One group of inspiring teacher educators share how they ignited a fire of awareness around the importance of global competency education at a small, rural teacher college.
Matrix Converter Based Open-End Winding Drives With Common-Mode Elimination: Topologies, Analysis, and Comparison

Matrix converter based open-end winding drives modulated with rotating vectors eliminate the high-frequency common-mode output voltage that could otherwise cause motor failure. Unlike back-to-back converters, no intermediate dc bus capacitor is required—better power density and reliability may, therefore, be achievable. A high voltage transfer ratio and input power factor control capability put these open-end winding drives at a significant advantage over conventional matrix converters. At least three realizations of the matrix converter based open-end drive are possible. This paper compares these three realizations to identify the best topology and presents experimental results validating its capabilities. Filter optimization, loss-optimal vector sequences, and other practical considerations are also discussed. Finally, a comparison with the state-of-the-art back-to-back converters is provided to investigate if the potential improvements are in fact attainable.
TRANSLATIONAL REGULATION OF GENE EXPRESSION IN EARLY DEVELOPMENT

Fertilization of Spisula oocytes causes a rapid change in the overall pattern of protein synthesis. This change occurs independently of any new mRNA transcription: it is controlled entirely at the translational level. cDNA clones complementary to several translationally regulated mRNAs have been isolated and used to directly investigate fertilization-triggered changes in mRNA activity and structure. Several mRNAs gain a long poly(A) tail right after fertilization, whereas others lose their poly(A) tails. In general, there is a good correlation between possession of a poly(A) tail and translational activity in vivo. Except for these changes in poly(A), these mRNAs show no significant structural alterations. This result strongly suggests that the inactivity of maternal mRNAs in the oocyte is not due to their being stored as translationally incompetent larger precursor forms. Evidence for a role of masking components is also discussed.
A Fast Algorithm for Learning Weighted Ensemble of Roles

The POWER (PrObabilistic Weighted Ensemble of Roles) model[1] is a Bayesian mixture model where a single data point is generated by multiple components with varying degrees of influence. This is unlike standard mixture models where each data point is generated by a single mixture component. The POWER model allows for capturing various hidden and complexly overlapping components and roles of entities that contribute to generating the data points. However, the POWER model suffers from a very slow learning time. The highest complexity time of the parameters’ learning steps is \(O\left(n \cdot k \cdot d^{2}\right)\), with n being the number of data points, k the number of components of the model and d the number of data attributes.
Cartilage-penetrating nanocarriers improve delivery and efficacy of growth factor treatment of osteoarthritis

Osteoarthritis is a debilitating joint disease affecting nearly 30 million people for which there are no disease-modifying therapies. Several drugs that have failed clinical trials have shown inefficient and inadequate delivery to target cells. Anabolic growth factors are one class of such drugs that could be disease-modifying if delivered directly to chondrocytes, which reside deep within dense, anionic cartilage tissue. To overcome this biological barrier, we conjugated a growth factor to a cationic nanocarrier for targeted delivery to chondrocytes and retention within joint cartilage after direct intra-articular injection. The nanocarrier uses reversible electrostatic interactions with anionic cartilage tissue to improve tissue binding, penetration, and residence time. Amine terminal polyamidoamine (PAMAM) dendrimers were end functionalized with variable molar ratios of poly(ethylene glycol) (PEG) to control surface charge. From this small family of variably PEGylated dendrimers, an optimal formulation showing 70% uptake into cartilage tissue and 100% cell viability was selected. When conjugated to insulin-like growth factor 1 (IGF-1), the dendrimer penetrated bovine cartilage of human thickness within 2 days and enhanced therapeutic IGF-1 joint residence time in rat knees by 10-fold for up to 30 days. In a surgical model of rat osteoarthritis, a single injection of dendrimer-IGF-1 rescued cartilage and bone more effectively than free IGF-1. Dendrimer-IGF-1 reduced width of cartilage degeneration by 60% and volumetric osteophyte burden by 80% relative to untreated rats at 4 weeks after surgery. These results suggest that PEGylated PAMAM dendrimer nanocarriers could improve pharmacokinetics and efficacy of disease-modifying osteoarthritis drugs in the clinic.
Negative charisma, leadership, and Martin Buber’s myth of Zion

Martin Buber’s concern with true leadership is evident in his biblical studies, analysis of Jewish history, and his political stance. One aspect of that concern focused on what he called ‘negative ...
Pelvic floor myofascial pain in patients with symptoms of urinary tract infection.

OBJECTIVE To correlate lower urinary tract symptoms typically associated with a urinary tract infection (UTI) with physical examination findings of pelvic floor myofascial pain (PFMP). METHODS This retrospective review included all new patients presenting to a urogynecology clinic between August 2 and December 19, 2016. Patients completed validated questionnaires, had a catheterized urine specimen, and underwent pelvic examination. Associations between demographics, symptoms, urine culture, and PFMP were analyzed. RESULTS We included 250 patients with urinary frequency (n=160, 64.0%), urgency (n=155, 62.0%), urgency incontinence (n=140, 56.0%), pelvic pain (n=43, 17.2%), and dysuria (n=25, 10.0%). PFMP was detected in 125 (50.0%) patients and culture-proven UTI in 15 (6.0%) patients. Demographics associated with PFMP were lower prolapse stage (P<0.001), age younger than 50 years (P<0.001), lower parity (P=0.028), and non-white ethnicity (P=0.003). Symptoms associated with PFMP were dysuria (adjusted odds ratio 4.13, 95% confidence interval 1.08-15.78), urgency/frequency (2.72, 1.47-5.04), and patient-reported pelvic pain (2.57, 1.08-6.12). These symptoms were independent predictors in multivariable logistic regression analysis. CONCLUSIONS Most patients had symptoms associated with UTI; however, culture-confirmed diagnosis was infrequent and PFMT was diagnosed in half of participants. Clinicians treating women with these symptoms are advised to examine the pelvic floor muscles.
Bourbon and Rye Whiskeys Are Legally Distinct but Are Not Discriminated by Sensory Descriptive Analysis.

We present a Descriptive Analysis (DA) of a large representative sample (24 whiskeys) of two legally distinct types of American whiskeys: bourbon and rye whiskey (respectively distilled from a fermented ?mashbill? of at least 51% corn or rye). We wanted to determine whether a trained panel could find sensory differences between these two products. We used standard DA: 11 judges were trained for 10 hours to develop a lexicon of 24 flavor, taste, and mouthfeel descriptors for the 24 whiskey samples (15 bourbons and 9 ryes). Then, subjects rated each whiskey sample on each attribute, using unstructured line scales, in standard good sensory-evaluation conditions, and in triplicate. Results were analyzed using MANOVA, Barycentric Discriminant Analysis, and Hierarchical Cluster Analysis. Overall, while 10 descriptors significantly differentiated the whiskeys, no attribute or combination of attributes was predicted by mashbill: The judges did not find differences in sensory character between bourbon and rye whiskeys as categories. However, significant differences could be attributed to the producer of the whiskey and to age at bottling. These results are important because American whiskey has recently become staggeringly popular, and because there is a consistent belief that bourbon and rye whiskeys?as categories?have distinct sensory characteristics. Practical Application This research contradicts popular and expert beliefs about the distinction between the popular and important American rye and bourbon whiskeys. A comprehensive sensory DA study of 24 American whiskeys with different mashbills (9 ryes and 15 bourbons) shows that?while each whiskey is individually distinct on a number of sensory dimensions?sensory differences between rye and bourbon whiskeys as product categories cannot be predicted by mashbill. For producers, consumers, and researchers, this research points to the need for new theories on the origins of flavors in whiskey, as it is now clear that the grain content alone cannot predict sensory qualities.
Conceptual Separability as Conceivability: A Philosophical Analysis of the Useful Articles Doctrine

In copyright law, the useful articles doctrine plays an invaluable role in defining the limits of copyright’s domain and the boundary between copyright and patent. But the implicated notion of “conceptual separability” has proved to be difficult to define, and the Supreme Court’s effort to define it in the recent case Star Athletica, L.L.C. v. Varsity Brands, Inc. is unsatisfying. In an effort to resolve this challenge, the present paper puts forth a novel test for conceptual separability, one that draws inspiration from the philosopher’s idea of conceivability. The test is the following question: “When you conceive of the relevant useful article as lacking the design element in question, is the article you imagine functionally identical to the actual article?” If the answer to this question is yes, then the design element is conceptually separable from the article’s utilitarian aspects; if not, then the element has failed the test, and it is not entitled to copyright protection. The present paper explores why this novel proposal avoids many of the pitfalls of existing tests (including the Court’s own in Star Athletica), why it best achieves the aims of the useful articles doctrine, and what questions remain once the challenge of conceptual separability has been resolved.
Development of a perceived exertion scale for dogs using selected physiologic parameters.

Objective To develop a perceived exertion scale for dogs exercising on a treadmill and to assess intra- and inter-observer variability. Materials and methods Fifteen healthy client-owned dogs participated in paired exercise trials. Measurements of lactate, glucose, heart rate, temperature, respiratory rate and regional tissue oximetry were obtained before, during and after exercise. Perceived exertion scale scores were recorded during exercise and using video recordings to evaluate inter-observer variability. Correlations were evaluated using the Spearman's non-parametric method. Results Thirteen dogs completed both trials. Dogs walked or trotted on the treadmill with an average perceived exertion score of 2 in both trials. Holter heart rate was positively correlated with perceived exertion scale scores from all observers for both trials. In trial 1, plasma glucose decreased in association with increase in perceived exertion and, in trial 2, cutaneous oximetry decreased, respiratory rate increased and temperature increased with increases on the perceived exertion scale. Inter-observer perceived exertion scale scores were positively correlated in both trials. There was no intra-observer variability between trials. Clinical significance The perceived exertion scale correlated with the measured physiologic parameters in dogs exercising at mild to moderate intensity. The perceived exertion scale was consistent and repeatable but larger study numbers and further validation are needed before it can be widely applied.
Biological Outer-Sphere Coordination

The concept of outer-sphere coordination (OSC) is surveyed in the context of bioinorganic chemistry. A distinction is made between electronic and structural OSC, both arising from the interaction of the protein matrix with inner sphere ligands. Electronic OSC entails the electronic interaction between the polypeptide and inner-sphere ligands. These effects principally arise from hydrogen-bonding interactions, though through-space dipolar interactions are also encountered. Structural OSC comprises primarily steric effects that do not necessarily impact ligand electronics but rather influence inner sphere topology. Additionally, the protein matrix can be envisioned as a local “solvent” whose bulk dielectric and point charges influence the metal center. Recurring themes are highlighted where OSC regulates the properties of various metalloproteins distinguished by cofactors and/or function. Finally, cases are presented where OSC has guided molecular design.
Abnormal vital signs after laparoscopic colorectal surgery: More common than you think.

Abstract Background Anastomotic leak is a feared complication. The presence of abnormal vital signs is often cited as an important overlooked predictive clue in retrospective settings once the diagnosis of leak has already been established. We aimed to determine the prevalence of abnormal vital signs following colorectal resection and assess its predictive value. Methods We retrospectively studied patients undergoing colorectal resection. The performance of vital signs in predicting anastomotic leak was assessed using discrete-time survival analysis and receiver operator characteristic curve. Results 1662 patients (841 laparoscopic, 821 open) were included. Clinical anastomotic leak was diagnosed in 50 patients (3.1%). 96.8% of patients of the entire cohort had at least one abnormal vital sign during their postoperative course. No individual vital sign was a strong predictor of anastomotic leak in either laparoscopic or open cohorts. Conclusion Vital sign abnormalities are extremely common following open and laparoscopic colorectal surgery and alone are poor predictors of anastomotic leak.
Voluntary Disclosure of Country-Level Information and FCPA Violations:

The Foreign Corrupt Practices Act (FCPA) of 1977 prohibits U.S. listed firms from bribing foreign government officials for business purposes. We examine whether less transparent firms are more like...
CONSTRUCTION OF COMPLETE POLE FIGURE FROM AN INCOMPLETE ONE

Arbitrary incomplete measured pole figure (except that of {100}) of cubic materi- als can be completed by using the fundamental equations of the vector method and employing the measured data as constraint conditions. The prediction of this method is in good agreement with experimental results, and the analysing procedure has been proved to be simple and ef- ficient.
Narratives and Assets: Enhancing Counseling Center Clinicians’ Knowledge and Skills in Working With First-Generation College Students

Students who seek mental health services on campus have been found to improve personal, professional, and social functioning. However, first-generation college students (FGCS) are likely to experie...
Prospective associations between neighborhood violence and monocyte pro-inflammatory transcriptional activity in children.

Abstract Individuals exposed to persistent neighborhood violence are at increased risk for developing mental and physical health problems across the lifespan. The biological mechanisms underlying this phenomenon are not well understood. Thus, we examined the relationship between children’s exposure to neighborhood violence and inflammatory activity, a process involved in the pathogenesis of multiple health problems. 236 children from the Chicago area participated in a two-year longitudinal study (mean age at baseline, 13.9 years; 67% female; 39% White, 34% Black, 33% Hispanic). Neighborhood violence was measured as the homicide frequency in a child’s Census block group in the five years before study entry. Fasting blood was drawn at study entry and two years later (in eighth and tenth grade). The blood was used to quantify protein biomarkers of systemic inflammatory activity and perform genome-wide expression profiling of isolated monocytes. Neighborhood violence was associated with higher systemic inflammatory activity at both assessments. It also was associated with a monocyte transcriptional profile indicative of increased signaling along the nuclear factor-kappa B (NF-κB) and activator protein 1 (AP-1) control pathways, which are key orchestrators of pro-inflammatory effector functions. Neighborhood violence also was associated with transcriptional indications of higher beta-adrenergic and lower glucocorticoid signaling, which could function as neuroendocrine conduits linking threatening experiences with inflammatory activity. Neighborhood violence was not associated with two-year changes in protein biomarkers, although it did presage a transcriptional profile indicative of increasing AP-1 and declining glucocorticoid signaling over follow-up. Collectively, these observations highlight cellular and molecular pathways that could underlie health risks associated with neighborhood violence.
Inorganic Soil Contamination from Cemetery Leachate

The increasing number of cemeteries has caused concern about the possibility of releasing hazardous chemicals and metals into the surroundings. Moreover, many studies use cemeteries for 'background' sampling. This study attempts to identify whether cemeteries are indeed good 'background' areas, or whether they themselves are sources of contamination. Possible contaminants include poisonous chemicals, such as arsenic and mercury, which were used in past embalming and burial practices, which used: formaldehyde from current embalming practices; varnishes, sealers, and preservatives used on wood coffins; and lead, zinc, copper, and steel from metal coffins. This study reports on adsorbed metals in a fine-grained soil from a large cemetery in Northwest Ohio. Metal analyses were performed by atomic absorption and inductively coupled plasma spectrometry. This preliminary investigation revealed numerous possible sources of contamination, and the data support the need for further research. The results of zinc, copper, lead, and iron reveal an increase in concentrations on-site as well as with depth, especially at the burial depth. Dramatic increases in arsenic indicate contamination from embalming fluids or wood preservatives. This study warrants a concern for the quality of soil, groundwater, and nearby surficial water systems.
Mitochondria as a Key Determinant of Aging

For a long time, mitochondria have been considered as primary targets of the aging process, notably through accumulation of oxidative damage and mitochondrial deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) mutations that lead to gradual decline of mitochondrial function. Recent investigations in various model organisms have revealed conserved molecular pathways that can impact longevity. Intriguingly, some of these longevity pathways involve proteins with key functions in the mitochondria. Furthermore, a growing number of studies indicate that signals emanated from mitochondria can directly impact the longevity of the whole organism. Thus, the mitochondrion organelle likely plays an active and causal role in longevity determination. This renders mitochondria a key determinant in the complex network of physiological signals that modulates longevity. Keywords: aging; signal transduction; mitochondria; ROS; dietary restriction
The Effectiveness of Mastery Learning Strategies in Undergraduate Education Courses

AbstractThis study was designed to determine the effectiveness of a group-based teacher-paced master) learning instructional model in undergraduate education courses. Two of six sections of a required education course on teaching handicapped children in regular classrooms were taught using master) learning strategies. Data were gathered from 197 advanced undergraduate students enrolled in the course. Multivariate analysis of covariance showed that even after controlling for demographic and affective variables, students in mastery learning sections scored higher on a common final examination, attained higher course grades, and were absent less often than students in sections taught by more conventional methods. Implications for teacher training and college- level instruction are discussed.
Cost Contingency as the Standard Deviation of the Cost Estimate for Cost Engineering

Traditional cost contingency estimation relies heavily on expert judgment based on various cost-engineering standards. This paper compares project stages, accuracy ranges, and cost contingencies recommended by the Association for the Advancement of Cost Engineering International and the Electric Power Research Institute. It shows that current guidelines are consistent with contingencies equal to the standard deviation of the cost estimate. It suggests how this standard deviation can be derived from a confidence level (e.g., 80%) for a given accuracy (e.g., ±10%) for normal and lognormal probability distributions.
Turbo (iterative) decoding of a unitary space-time code with a convolutional code

A turbo decoding scheme for a noncoherent, unitary space-time modulated communication system employing an FEC convolutional code is proposed. The channel is assumed to be Rayleigh fading with neither the transmitter nor the receiver knowing the channel coefficients. The convolutional encoder is applied to the information symbols before performing unitary spacetime coding. Treating the combination of convolutional code and the unitary space-time code as a serially concatenated turbo code, it is shown that the performance can be improved by iterative decoding. Simulation results suggest that the iterative decoder can offer significant performance gain over conventional, non-iterative methods and also can help close the performance gap between coherent (e.g. Alamouti type) and non-coherent techniques by a significant margin.
Physics and Naturphilosophie: A Reconnaissance

Les idees du mouvement intellectuel de la philosophie naturelle ont influence les physiciens du XIX e siecle, particulierement les physiciens allemands dont l'A. decrit les travaux
Exemplifying the specific properties of the inverse scattering series internal-multiple attenuation method that reside behind its capability for complex onshore and marine multiples

The world of petroleum exploration constantly demands higher efficacy at every link in the data processing chain, from preconditioning to imaging and inversion. Within that chain, the removal of internal multiples constitutes a particularly resilient problem, whose resolution has only partially benefited from the advent of the data-driven technologies which have transformed the practice of free-surface multiple elimination.
How Does Technological Change Affect Health Care Expenditures? The Case of a New Drug

The expenditure consequences of the drug cimetidine for the period 1977-1979 are investigated. Using Medicaid data for the State of Michigan, it is found that expenditures for the first year of treatment of duodenal ulcers are reduced between 26% and 70%. The methodology employed can be applied to the assessment of other medical technologies.
Colonialism and the criminal justice system in Nigeria

This article examines the development and subsequent evolution of Nigeria's criminal justice system. The history of the Criminal justice system in Nigeria dates back to the colonization of the country in the late 1800's by Europeans, who introduced imprisonment based on their own correctional system. Although interpretation of the causes of the development of the Criminal Justice system in Nigeria may differ, there can be no disputing the fact that the system is foreign‐made. Here was an invasion and revolution in social practice. The earlier events that led to the development of Nigeria's criminal justice system include: the British occupation of Nigeria, The Nigeria‐Europe confrontation and the Slave Trade. Although some British participants in the development of criminal justice in Nigeria had humanistic and religious inclinations, the system was formed to protect the Europeans from the natives they were exploiting and oppressing.
The biology of melanocytes.

Abstract In veterinary medicine, our understanding of the biology and regulation of melanocytic function is mostly based on information realized from human and murine studies. Improved understanding of the biology of melanocytes is needed to develop more effective treatment regimens for malignant melanoma and other melanocytic disorders. In vertebrates, melanocytes are well known for their role in skin pigmentation, hair and feather coloration, and for their ability to produce and distribute melanin to surrounding keratinocytes. Enzymes involved in melanin synthesis are present exclusively in melanosomes. The type of melanin synthesized by melanocytes in mammals is regulated at a genetic, biochemical and environmental level. These regulatory factors affect not only the phenotypic appearance, but also the photoprotective properties of melanin. This review addresses the biology of melanocytes, melanin synthesis and the photoprotective properties of melanin.
Motion flow analysis in cell videos using a multi-level clustering method

Analyzing motion flow of cells is an important task for many biomedical applications. It is a challenging problem due to noise in images and uncontrolled motion of cells. In this study, a method to find regions of organized motion and direction of flow is proposed. Since dense optical flow methods might fail due to homogeneous regions and irregular motion patterns, the technique involves analyzing trajectories of strong corner features. Trajectories are clustered to find dominant flow patterns for different regions of the frame, where a multilevel clustering scheme is followed. Experiments show that the technique gives accurate results for detecting region and direction of flow.
Molecular transitions of human thyroxine-binding globulin

Abstract The molecular transitions of thyroxine-binding globulin in guanidinium chloride solutions have been evaluated by circular dichroism, tryptophanyl fluorescence, and the polarization of tryptophanyl fluorescence at neutral pH. Below 2 m guanidinium chloride, thyroxine-binding globulin undergoes a time-dependent irreversible transition which involves a randomization of almost half of the α-helical residues. At higher guanidinium chloride concentrations (2 to 5 m ) thyroxine-binding globulin undergoes several further reversible molecular transitions. It appears that the molecular species obtained from serum is not the most stable form of this protein. The species present in 2 m guanidinium chloride, however, can be recovered from more highly unfolded forms of the protein.
Frontal cortex, timing and memory.

Abstract Two sets of experiments examine the psychological functions and neural organization of the frontal lobes. The first set investigates the effects of lesions of the frontal cortex (FC) on the ability to perform temporal discriminations, using the techniques and theoretical framework of scalar timing theory. FC lesions changed the reference memory for the expected time of reinforcement, so that rats expected reinforcement later than it actually occurred. These results demonstrate that the FC modulates temporal memory. The second set of experiments examined the behavioral effects of lesions in the nucleus basales magnocellularis (NBM), an area in the basal forebrain that has a significant projection to the frontal cortex. NBM lesions produced impairments in many different tasks assessing both recent and long-term memory. A comparison of the behavioral and neurochemical effects of different types of lesions in the NBM examines the role of cholinergic and noncholinergic neurotransmitters in these behavioral deficits. These data demonstrate that a “frontal syndrome” can follow selective lesions in the NBM, and indicate that the NBM must have a strong role in frontal lobe function.
Why should primary care physicians know about the genetics of dementia

Alzheimer disease begins with subtle memory failure that then progresses Courtesy of Alzheimer's Association
The ability to understand and use conceptual change pedagogy as a function of prior content learning experience

This research examined the relationship between content instruction and the development of elementary teacher candidates' understanding of conceptual change pedagogy. Undergraduate students (n = 27) enrolled in two sections of a science methods course received content instruction through either traditional or conceptual change methods, followed by instruction about conceptual change pedagogy. Candidates were interviewed pre- and postinstruction about their content and pedagogical knowledge and also wrote conceptual change lessons. Twelve of the 27 subjects were videotaped teaching in the field. Results indicate that prior to instruction, most candidates had weak content knowledge and held traditional pedagogical conceptions. After instruction, students in the conceptual change group had significantly larger gains in their content knowledge than those in the traditional group, gave qualitatively stronger pedagogical responses, and used conceptual change strategies more consistently in practice. These results indicate that personal experience of learning science content through conceptual change methods facilitated the development of understanding and use of conceptual change pedagogy in teaching practice. Thus if conceptual change methods are to be incorporated into teacher candidates' repertoire, science content courses that students take prior to teacher education should be taught using conceptual change pedagogy. In addition, courses in science education should use pedagogy more in line with that taught in methods courses.
“La Vie En Rose” Revisited Contrasting Perceptions of Informal Upward Feedback Among Managers and Subordinates

Managers and subordinates in three banks provided information on the frequency, form, and effects of informal upward feedback in their organizations. Both managers and subordinates perceived upward...
Three-dimensional distribution of cloud types over the USA and surrounding areas observed by CloudSat

The vertical and horizontal distributions of the cloud types across different seasons and over the contiguous USA and surrounding areas are studied. The study is performed by collecting two years 2007 and 2008 of data from the CloudSat 2B-CLDCLASS product that uses effective radar reflectivity factor Ze, the presence of precipitation and ancillary data such as surface topography and the model-predicted temperature profile to classify clouds into seven distinct types. Considerable seasonal variations of the horizontal distribution of the cloud-type fractions are observed in the study area among different seasons and for both daytime and night-time CloudSat observations. It was found that during spring and summer, deep convective Dc clouds are observed much more frequently during night‐time than during daytime over both the land and ocean. For the studied area and during daytime, low clouds were more frequent up to ˜50% over the land and less frequent over the ocean compared with night-time observations. Analysis of the vertical distribution of cloud layers reveals that the fraction of cloudy scenes with two or more distinct cloud layers is the highest up to 30% over the northwest corner of the USA and the southwest corner of Canada and the nearby oceans. The southwest corner of the USA and the nearby east Pacific Ocean appeared to have the lowest fraction <0.05% of cloudy scenes with two or more distinct cloud layers. Over the land, approximately 18% of the total cloudy scenes are classified as two-layer clouds, whereas over the ocean, two-layer clouds are less frequent and range from 13% to 17% with a stronger seasonal dependency. Only about 2–3% of the total cloudy scenes are classified as multilayer clouds, with three or more distinct layers over both the land and ocean. The vertical distribution of cloud-top heights over both the land and ocean shows two distinct peaks. Over the land, the lower peak, at around 2 km, is almost independent of season, whereas the higher peak is seasonally dependent and varies between ˜8 km during winter and ˜11 km during summer. Over the ocean, the lower peak is also observed near 2 km or less, whereas the higher peak ranges approximately from 11 km during winter to 12 km during summer.
Nonlinear Waves in Strings: The Barrage Balloon Problem

This paper develops a theory for geometrically nonlinear weaves in strings and presents analytical solutions for a traveling kink, generation of a geometric wave with its accompanying P wave, reflection of a kink at a fixed support and at a smooth sliding support, and interaction of a P wave and a kink. Conditions that must be satisfied for linear wave theory to hold are derived. The nonlinear theory is demonstrated by extending an historically important solution of the barrage balloon problem that was obtained during World War II.
Inertia and thermal convection during crystal growth with a steady magnetic field

The steady axisymmetric buoyant convection in an electrically conducting liquid in a cylinder with a uniform axial magnetic field is examined. The geometry and boundary conditions are chosen to model the liquid-encapsulated Czochralski growth of compound semiconductor crystals. The objective is to determine the errors associated with the neglect of inertial effects or of convective heat transfer for a series of magnetic field strengths
Stereoselective condensations of α′-lithio pyrrolidine amidines

Abstract The condensation of α′-lithio pyrrolidine amidine 5 with aromatic aldehydes gives hydroxymethyl pyrrolidines 6 with high threo-erythro selectivity (ca. 95:5). In contrast, the analogous reaction with lithio-piperidine amidine 9 is stereorandom.
Noninvasive Cardiac Output Measurement at Rest and During Exercise in Pediatric Patients After Interventional or Surgical Atrial Septal Defect Closure

In the majority of patients, secundum atrial septal defects (ASDs) are treated interventionally or surgically, before the onset of clinical symptoms, between 3 and 6 years of age. Because right-ventricular dimensions usually normalize after ASD closure, it has been assumed that cardiac function and exercise performance also normalize at long-term follow-up. The aim of our study was to determine cardiac index (CI) at rest and during exercise at medium-term follow-up of children who had undergone surgical or interventional closure of ASD because no such reports have been published thus far. Seventeen patients (age range 8.8–17.3 years) who underwent surgical correction were included together with 17 subjects who received an interventional procedure with Amplatzer and Helex occluders (age range 12.2–17.3 years). The study was performed after a median interval of 8.6 years (range 6.5–11.6) after the procedure. Twelve healthy children of comparable age served as controls. CI measurements were performed based on the inert gas-rebreathing method with the Innocor system. For exercise testing, the standard treadmill protocol of the German Society of Pediatric Cardiology was used. CI, stroke volume (SV), and heart rate (HR) were determined at rest and at two standardized submaximal exercise levels (levels 3 and 6). CI increased in all subjects under exercise conditions. Neither SV nor HR displayed significant differences between the three groups either at rest or under exercise conditions. Although HR increased continuously, no increase of indexed SV occurred beyond level 3. Noninvasive determination of CI at rest and during exercise with the IGR method is feasible in the pediatric age group. At medium-term follow-up, we found no significant differences between patients who underwent surgical or interventional ASD closure compared with normal controls.
Molecular detection of West Nile virus RNA

West Nile virus is a mosquito-borne flavivirus that is primarily maintained in nature in a mosquito-bird-mosquito transmission cycle. Mammals, including humans and horses, are incidentally infected through biting by mosquitoes infected with West Nile virus. Since 1994, West Nile virus outbreaks have occurred with a high incidence of severe disease in humans and horses. In the USA, West Nile virus was first detected in 1999 in New York City and has since spread to 39 states in humans. The virus has resulted in over 4161 known human cases and at least 277 human deaths. Surveillance techniques employing nucleic acid-based assays have played an essential role in monitoring the spread of West Nile virus and are displacing the former gold standard cell culture-based assays. In this article we review the current techniques for diagnosis of West Nile virus, focusing on RNA detection, and suggest a number of new directions for genetic diagnosis of West Nile virus.
Validation and Testing of ENDF/B-VII Decay Data

The nuclear decay library developed for the ORIGEN code was upgraded from ENDF/B-VI.8 to -VII.0 and released in the SCALE nuclear modeling and simulation code system in 2011. Experience with the ENDF/B-VII.0 library identified serious errors and performance issues in the evaluated decay sublibrary. Initially, errors were identified in the decay scheme for the 238U series, leading to large discrepancies in the gamma emission rate for uranium. Further testing of the fission product decay data revealed significant performance issues with ENDF/B-VII.0 relative to the previous release of ENDF/B-VI. To address the performance issues, the decay data library in SCALE was upgraded to ENDF/B-VII.1 and released as an update for users in 2013. This paper describes the practical impact of the ENDF/B-VII.0 decay data performance issues on common code applications, and the validation and testing performed on the updated ORIGEN libraries developed from the ENDF/B-VII.1 sublibrary.
A pilot study of ribavirin therapy for chronic hepatitis C.

Interferon-α therapy is of proven efficacy in chronic hepatitis C, but it is not universally effective and may be associated with intolerable side effects. Ribavirin is a nucleoside analog with a broad spectrum of antiviral action. We conducted an uncontrolled pilot study of ribavirin therapy in 13 patients with chronic hepatitis C. Ribavirin was given for 6 mo, in a dose that was increased, at 2-mo intervals, from 600 mg to 1,000 mg to 1,200 mg/day. Serum ALT levels gradually decreased in all 13 treated patients; the mean percentage of decrease was 67% (from 210 U/L [range = 109 to 593] to 63 U/L [range = 22 to 108 U/L]; p = 0.0006) after 6 mo of treatment. Serum aminotransferase levels fell to the normal range in four patients (31%). In the 3 to 6 mo after cessation of ribavirin therapy, serum aminotransferase activities gradually rose to near pretreatment levels in all but one patient. Therapy was associated with a significant decrease in the geometric mean titer of hepatitis C virus RNA in serum (1:1,981 vs. 1:199; p < 0.02) although no patients lost hepatitis C virus RNA from serum during therapy. No significant improvement was seen in liver histological appearance. Ribavirin therapy resulted in mild, reversible hemolysis; no patient exhibited symptomatic anemia. These findings suggest that ribavirin has a beneficial effect in patients with chronic hepatitis C, although further studies are needed to determine how ribavirin is best used. (HEPATOLOGY 1992;16:649–654.)
Kx antigen, the McLeod phenotype, and chronic granulomatous disease: further studies.

. Leukocytes of nine unrelated boys with X-linked chronic granulomatous disease lack Kx antigen. In three of these cases, the red cells also lack Kx and have the McLeod phenotype and abnormal morphology. X-linked chronic granulomatous disease CGD can thus be separated into two types. Type I cases have an antigenic deficiency that is restricted to the phagocytic leukocytes while in type II, the deficiency involves both leukocytes and red cells. Red cells of type II CGD patients have enhanced i antigen activity suggesting that they are under hemopoietic stress. Normal Kx synthesis is directed by an X-linked gene named X1k. Three rare variants, X2k, X3k, and X4k order the different permutations of leukocyte and red cell Kx antigen production that have been recognized.
Z-contrast imaging of decagonal quasicrystals: an atomistic model of growth

Abstract The structure of Al–Ni–Co decagonal quasicrystals is studied by atomic-resolution Z -contrast imaging technique. We propose that the presence of “rotational ordering” is the key reason leading to the formation of the 2 nm clusters and the overlaps necessary in the coverage model. Every detail of the Z -contrast images of the 2 nm clusters can be reproduced by a superposition of rotational variants of the 2 nm clusters seen in the ordered τ 2 -inflated Al 13 Co 4 approximant phase. Introducing this rotational ordering, it is clear how one cluster can nucleate neighboring clusters. Continuing this process automatically generates all the intercluster separations necessary for quasiperiodic tiling.
High energy cosmic rays: sources and fluxes

Abstract We discuss the production of a unique energy spectrum of the high energy cosmic rays detected with air showers by shifting the energy estimates of different detectors. After such a spectrum is generated we fit the spectrum with three or four populations of cosmic rays that might be accelerated at different cosmic ray sources. We also present the chemical composition that the fits of the spectrum generates and discuss some new data sets presented this summer at the ICRC in Rio de Janeiro that may require new global fits.
Can great research be taught?: independent research with cross-disciplinary thinking and broader impact

This paper describes a course we have developed for preparing new Ph.D. students in computer science for a career in research. The course is intended to teach the skills needed for research and independent work, prepare students psychologically and socially for years lying before them, and help them find a good Ph.D. topic by providing principles and examples. In this course, we emphasize and encourage impact through cross-disciplinary research and broader societal outreach. To our knowledge, the course represents a first-of-its-kind systematic introduction to a graduate research career. This paper describes our high-level goals for this curricular initiative, the structure of the course (including lecture components and assignments), and the challenges we faced in developing this course. As we continue to develop this course, which is now in its second year, we hope it will serve as a model "introduction of Ph.D. research" course for other computer science departments.
Applications of environmental accounting and the new household economics: new technical economic issues with a common theme in forestry.

Abstract This paper reviews environmental accounting and the new household economics (NHE) as important new developments for forest economics, and particularly for assessing non-market and non-timber forest products. The concept of adjusting the national accounts for forest depletion has received a lot of attention, but forest-based household services, like outdoor recreation in developed countries or fuelwood in developing countries, may have greater impacts on the national accounts. NHE is an econometric approach for valuing forest-related household services like these. In general, the NHE allows complete estimates based on revealed preferences for the production, supply and demand of goods and services that some households produce and consume internally. Complete estimates are critical in economies where household services dominate market production and consumption, and where market observations alone would be partial and would misguide policy decisions. Therefore, household services are the important area of application for both environmental accounting and NHE. Applications of each hold special promise for our understanding of the forestry activities of subsistence households in developing countries.
Characterization of Electromechanical Transduction in Polyelectrolyte Gels for Mechanical Sensor Applications

We report a new experimental method for the characterization of the electromechanical properties of polyelectrolyte gels (PG). PGs have been studied extensively, but with limited success, as mechanical actuators. However, they are also promising as potentially biocompatible mechanical sensors. In order to integrate them into actual devices, their electromechanical transduction properties need to be characterized in a reproducible manner. We have therefore developed a technique to measure the mechanically induced change in electrostatic potential in PGs. The polyelectrolyte gel is subjected to a well-defined pressure gradient by placing a thin, flat sample on a substrate with integrated concentric Platinum electrodes and indenting it with a spherical indenter. The potential values at the electrodes are measured using a MOSFET operational amplifier circuit with an input impedance of 1014 U and an effective dynamic range better than 16 bit. This method can be directly used to quantify electromechanical coupling in polyelectrolyte gels
Directional and band-gap behavior of periodic grid-like structures

This paper investigates the wave propagation characteristics of two-dimensional periodic lattice structures. Periodic structures in general feature unique wave propagation characteristics, whereby waves are allowed to propagate only in specific frequency bands. Two-dimensional periodic structures complement this feature with a low frequency directional behavior. The combination of these unique characteristics makes two-dimensional periodic structures ideal candidates for the design of pass-band directional mechanical filters. A rectangular lattice configuration is here considered. The wave attenuation properties of the lattice are demonstrated and their sensitivity with respect to geometry changes is explored. An optimization problem is formulated by considering a set of geometric features as design variables, and where the width of the attenuation zones and angular range of propagation at low frequencies are the objective functions. The identified optimal configuration show the combined properties of the considered assembly and the effectiveness of the analysis procedure. The experimental validation of the presented results represents a natural development of the current effort.
Subproblem analysis of discrimination shift learning in the turtle (Chrysemys picta picta)

Turtles were given reversal and extradimensional shifts within a two-dimension (brightness and hue) two-pair discrimination task. Analysis of learning on the individual stimulus pairs during shifts indicated that the Ss learned the pairs as independent subproblems rather than as instances of a single problem.
New York Times Environmental Rhetoric: Constituting Artists of Living

New York Times articles on environmental issues attempt to constitute an audience transcending gender, race, politics, and religion in its pursuit of environmentally sound behavior. While some articles' use of a rhetoric of sacrifice is undercut by fear appeals and an exclusionary narrative strategy, other NYT articles come closer to transforming the rhetoric of sacrifice into a widely inclusive, aesthetically grounded, and celebratory narrative strategy. Taken together, the articles seek to transform readers not so much into environmentalists as into what Foucault described late in his life as “artists of living.”
Formal models for granular computing highlights and fallacies

In this article, we presented a very general Mathematical Model for Granular Computing that nearly (possibly may) realize all classical examples, early models and intuition. Some distinguished properties are highlighted and some ldquocommonrdquo fallacies are identified.