cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Pilot randomized trial of tissue plasminogen activator in acute ischemic stroke. The TPA Bridging Study Group.

Early thrombolytic therapy with recombinant tissue-type plasminogen activator is a theoretically attractive approach to the treatment of acute focal cerebral ischemia. In preparation for a larger multicenter trial, three centers piloted a protocol for a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial of intravenous recombinant tissue-type plasminogen activator begun within 3 hours of the onset of symptoms of acute stroke to test its feasibility and to explore trends.Eligible patients had pretreatment computed tomographic scanning, gave informed consent, and began treatment with either 0.85 mg/kg recombinant tissue-type plasminogen activator or placebo as soon as possible, but no later than 180 minutes after stroke onset. Patients were stratified by whether treatment was begun within 90 minutes or 91 to 180 minutes from onset. The primary end point was the proportion of patients in each group who improved by 4 or more points on the National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale at 24 hours, as determined by...
Validation of instruments to measure the symptoms and signs of oral lichen planus

Objective The aim of this study was to validate the visual analog scale (VAS), numeric rating scale (NRS), and change in symptoms scale (CSS) in measuring symptoms of oral lichen planus, and the modified oral mucositis index (MOMI) in measuring the signs of oral lichen planus. Study design Criterion validity, construct validity, and internal consistency reliability were evaluated using data from a randomized, double blind, placebo-controlled clinical trial of curcuminoids in oral lichen planus. Results Moderate to high correlations were found between VAS, NRS, and CSS. Correlations of symptom scores with clinical signs ranged from minimal to high. Correlation of NRS with clinical signs was stronger than that of VAS with clinical signs. Significant changes from baseline at each follow-up in NRS, VAS, and MOMI scores were seen. The Cronbach α for erythema and ulceration scores from the MOMI were 0.66. Conclusions This study gives some evidence of the validity of NRS, VAS, CSS, and MOMI for use in oral lichen planus. The NRS has better construct validity than VAS, based on higher correlations with clinical signs. Erythema plus ulceration is a better measure than ulceration alone.
Mathematical modeling of radially propagating polymerization waves with the gel effect

Frontal polymerization (FP) is a method of manufacturing polymer via a self-propagating reaction wave. There are two types of FP processes: thermal and isothermal. In all previous works the two types of FP were studied separately. In this work we model a process in which both thermal and isothermal FP can occur, and demonstrate the transition from isothermal to thermal FP. Our model describes the radial propagation of an isothermal front from the lateral surface of a test tube toward the axis, which may give rise to the thermal mode of propagation due to the temperature build-up.
Study of silicon solar cell double triangular nano-gratings

ABSTRACT This study concentrates on solar light absorption power in a silicon solar cell using a double diffraction triangular nano-grating. The first grating is located on top of the so lar cell and the second grating is located on bottom of the solar cell above a reflective metallic substrate of Ar (Si 3 N 4 ) (Argon gas mixed with Silic on Nitride). We simulate the solar cell behavior over varying grating parameters as it absorbs sunlight and compare the average power output absorbed at the center of the solar cell. Each case simulates a period (A t ) that varies from 100nm to 800nm in 100nm interval for the top lattice, while maintaining the bottom lattice at a constant period (A b ). We repeat this procedure for the bottom lattice, changing the lattice period from 100nm to 800nm in 100nm interval in order to find the optimized case. We also consider solar spectrum irradiation under wavelengths ranging from 300nm to 1100nm in 50nm intervals. The total power absorption improvement is about 170% compared to the non-grating case, occurring in the weighted solar cell simulation with top grating period greater than 300nm and bottom grating period of 500nm. Key words: Solar cell, refractive index, weighted power
The reflection of low energy phonons at the free surface of liquid4He. II. Experiment

Using a heater and bolometer as source and detector, the reflection of a pulsed beam of phonons at the free surface of liquid4He at ∼ 0.05 K has been measured for angles of incidence between 30 ° and 80 °. The energy distribution of the incident beam was obtained from the theory of phonon decay in the accompanying paper (I). The average incident phonon energy was ∼ 0.3 K, corresponding to an effective beam temperature of about 0.1 K. Both heater and bolometer were made from graphite resistor board with a layer of poly aniline fibers to increase the absorptivity for rotons. The angular distribution of the phonons from the heater is quite broad, approximately (cosn π+cosm θ)/2 with n ≈ 0.65 and m ≈ 3.4. However, the receiver response has a broad component with n ≈ 2.2 and an extraordinarily narrow one with m ≈ 106. In agreement with the theory in I, the reflection appears to be specular within the accuracy of the experiment. The reflection coefficient is unity within the experimental error; the weighted mean value is 1.001±0.025. During the experiment, the free surface became contaminated with ∼ 0.034 of a monolayer of3He, but no effect from the3He impurity was observed.
A new DNA nanostructure, the G-wire, imaged by scanning probe microscopy

G-DNA is a polymorphic family of quadruple helical nucleic acid structures containing guanine tetrad motifs [G-quartets; Williamson, J.R., Raghuraman, M.K. and Cech, T.R. (1989) Cell 59, 871-880; Williamson, J.R. (1993) Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA 90, 3124-3124]. Guanine rich oligonucleotides that are self-complimentary, as found in many telomeric G-strand repeat sequences, form G-DNA in the presence of monovalent and/or divalent metal cations. In this report we use the atomic force microscope (AFM) to explore the structural characteristics of long, linear polymers formed by the telomeric oligonucleotide d(GGGGTTGGGG) in the presence of specific metal cations. In the AFM these polymers, termed G-wires, appear as filaments whose height and length are determined by the metal ions present during the self-assembly process. The highly ordered, controllable self-assembly of G-wires could provide a basis for developing advanced biomaterials.
War gaming: virtual reality, real lessons

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to present leaders with a tool – war gaming – for effectively and efficiently stress‐testing their plans and strategies in a changing world under competitive pressures.Design/methodology/approach – The paper uses case studies and anecdotal experience accumulated over 25 years.Findings – War games reveal three basic myths regarding strategy: Everyone knows what strategy is intuitively. Improving execution is the essence of strategy. Everyone shares the leaders' enthusiasm and perceptions regarding the firm's strategic direction. Structuring war games correctly solves all three misconceptions.Practical implications – Leaders looking for effective tools to test their ideas before committing resources to them will find war games exceedingly easy to use and very quick on results. This paper provides four quick “rules” on doing it right.Originality/value – War games – long practiced by the military – have been successfully adapted for business use. Adopting the methodology...
Population characteristics of preproenkephalin mRNA-containing neurons in the globus pallidus of the rat

Anatomical, neurochemical and electrophysiological evidence indicates the presence of multiple neuronal subpopulations within the rodent globus pallidus (GP). One subpopulation that has not been well characterized is GP neurons that express preproenkephalin mRNA (PPE+ cells). The present study seeks to further characterize GP subpopulations by determining whether the PPE+ GP neurons express parvalbumin immunoreactivity (PV-IR) and where their axons project by retrogradely labeling pallidal neurons with the tracer FluoroGold (FG). Using combined PV immunocytochemistry (ICC) and PPE mRNA in situ hybridization, we observed that PV-IR and PPE mRNA identify predominantly separate pallidal cell populations. Combined FG ICC and PPE mRNA in situ hybridization also revealed that this neuropeptide mRNA is more often found in FG-labeled pallidostriatal than pallidosubthalamic neurons. Our data support a growing body of evidence that suggests the GP is more heterogeneous than accounted for by current functional models of the basal ganglia.
Arthritis Impact on U.S. Life Quality: Morbidity and Mortality Effects from National Health Interview Survey Data 1986-1988 And 1994 Using Qwbx1 Estimates of Well-Being.

Objective: To estimate the impact ofarthritis using a general health index andNational Health Interview Survey (NHIS) data.Methods: Morbidity data came from NHISPublic Use data, from the years 1986–1988 and1994. The data are 423 400 cases, representing975 421 153 person-years. Quality ofWell-being Scale (QWB) morbidity scores wereimputed from NHIS questions about healthconditions and limitations in functioning. Both the QWB and multiple linear regressionwere used to estimate the effects of arthritiswith and without adjustments for co-morbidity. Mortality data for NHIS-sampled adults weredrawn from the National Death Index by staff ofthe National Center for Health Statistics.Results: The mean QWB for those withself-reported arthritis was 0.608 on a scaleranging from 0.0 (for death) to 1.0 (for fullyfunctional without symptoms or problems). Thisobserved mean for arthritis is 39.2% below the1.000 comparison standard. QWB morbidityscores for self-reported arthritis appear(0.701 − 0.608=) 9.3% more severe than meaneffects of all other health conditions. Mortality adds an average 13.8% to themorbidity burden. Persons with arthritisconstitute 4.7% of the population, but accountfor 9.6% of Quality-Adjusted Life Years(QALYs) lost to morbidity.Conclusions: Self-reported arthritis isassociated with very significant losses inQuality-Adjusted Life in the US population.
Testing the fixed hotspot hypothesis using Ar-40/Ar-39 age progressions along seamount trails.

Abstract Hotspots and their associated intra-plate volcanism producing seamount trails have become an accepted fact in geology from a conceptual theory. The azimuths and age progressions of these seamount trails provide the only means to determine absolute plate motions with respect to an independent reference frame of ‘fixed’ hotspots. However, the presumed fixity of hotspots is in disagreement with recent paleomagnetic studies and global-circuit plate reconstructions for the Hawaiian–Emperor seamount trail. In this study, we provide independent evidence suggesting that hotspots are not fixed relative to each other. We use a straightforward test that compares the observed 40Ar/39Ar age progressions along Pacific seamount trails (0–140 Myr) with the Pacific plate velocities as predicted by their poles of plate rotation (i.e. Euler poles). In most of these comparisons, the age progressions were found incompatible with published Euler poles, or with a new set of Euler poles as derived in this study using discrete seamount locations digitized from the bathymetry maps of Smith and Sandwell [EOS 77 (1996) 315; Science 277 (1997) 1956–1921]. We conclude that the relative motion between hotspots may be required to reconcile the observed age progressions with the predicted plate velocities from their modeled Euler poles. On average, the Pacific hotspots may show motion at 10–60 mm/yr over the last 100 Myr, partly attributed to individual hotspot motion, whereas systematic motion of these hotspots (due to true polar wander) may account for the remainder.
Food insecurity and weight status among U.S. children and families: a review of the literature

Context Food insecurity disproportionately affects U.S. demographic groups of children and adult family members at the highest risk for obesity and may lead to weight gain through various pathways. This article reviews research regarding the relationship between food insecurity and weight status, and the potential role of federal food and nutrition assistance programs. Evidence acquisition A search for relevant peer-reviewed research studies among U.S. children and nonelderly adults, published between 2000 and March 2010, identified 42 studies regarding the relationship between food insecurity and weight status. There were 22 studies regarding the potential role of food and nutrition assistance programs. Evidence synthesis Among children and men, support for an association between food insecurity and weight status has been mixed. Women who experience food insecurity are more likely to be overweight or obese compared to women with adequate household resources for food; however, there is little evidence that food insecurity promotes increased weight gain over time. Long-term participation in the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program may increase risk for excess weight gain. Conclusions Additional research addressing the limitations of current studies is needed to fully understand the observed linkages between food insecurity and risk for obesity. Nevertheless, there is substantial evidence these nutritional problems coexist, and it is critical that future efforts to eliminate hunger consider opportunities to promote healthy food choices and physical activity. Evaluations of policy changes and other intervention strategies are needed to determine the potential for food and nutrition assistance programs to more effectively reduce obesity among participants.
In vivo measurement of subacromial space width during shoulder elevation: technique and preliminary results in patients following unilateral rotator cuff repair.

Abstract Background The shoulder’s subacromial space is of significant clinical interest due to its association with rotator cuff disease. Previous studies have estimated the subacromial space width to be 2–17 mm, but no study has measured in vivo subacromial space width during shoulder motion. The purpose of this study was to measure the in vivo subacromial space width during shoulder elevation in patients following rotator cuff repair. Methods Biplane X-ray images were collected during shoulder elevation of 11 patients who had undergone rotator cuff repair. Glenohumeral joint motion was measured from the biplane X-ray images for each subject’s repaired and asymptomatic, contralateral shoulders. The joint motion data were combined with subject-specific CT models to measure the subacromial space width during shoulder motion. Findings Subacromial space width decreased with shoulder elevation, ranging from 2.3 to 7.4 mm in the repaired shoulder and 1.2–7.1 mm in the contralateral shoulder. Subacromial space width in the repaired shoulder was only 0.5 mm less than the contralateral shoulder when averaged over 10–60° of glenohumeral elevation. Interpretation The results indicate that the humerus in the repaired shoulder is positioned more cranially on the glenoid than in the contralateral shoulder. It is unclear if these subtle differences in subacromial space width are due to the surgical procedure or post-operative stiffness, or if subacromial impingement contributed to the development of the rotator cuff tear. Future research will ascertain if these results represent a transient response to the surgery or a more fundamental difference in rotator cuff function between repaired and contralateral shoulders.
Indole acts as an extracellular cue regulating gene expression in Vibrio cholerae.

Indole has been proposed to act as an extracellular signal molecule influencing biofilm formation in a range of bacteria. For this study, the role of indole in Vibrio cholerae biofilm formation was examined. It was shown that indole activates genes involved in vibrio polysaccharide (VPS) production, which is essential for V. cholerae biofilm formation. In addition to activating these genes, it was determined using microarrays that indole influences the expression of many other genes, including those involved in motility, protozoan grazing resistance, iron utilization, and ion transport. A transposon mutagenesis screen revealed additional components of the indole-VPS regulatory circuitry. The indole signaling cascade includes the DksA protein along with known regulators of VPS production, VpsR and CdgA. A working model is presented in which global control of gene expression by indole is coordinated through 54 and associated transcriptional regulators. Bacterial cells synthesize myriad small organic molecules to signal and adapt to environmental, physiological, and population structure changes. These molecules include extracellular signals such as acyl homoserine lactones, butyrolactones, quinolones, a furanosyl borate diester, oligopeptides, 3-hydroxypalmitic acid methyl ester, and a hydroxyketone and intracellular signals including cyclic nucleotides and ppGpp (25; reviewed in reference 11). The phenotypic response to signaling compounds often involves traits that are beneficial under adverse conditions, such as biofilm formation, virulence, motility, bioluminescence, sporulation, competence, modification of carbon and energy utilization, and macromolecule biosynthesis.
Comparison of Gait Biomechanics: Ankle Fusion Versus Ankle Replacement

Long-term concerns about arthrodesis, including accelerated adjacent joint degenerative disease, altered gait biomechanics, nonunion rates, and activity limitations, provided an impetus for the development and refinement of total ankle arthroplasty in the treatment of end-stage ankle arthrosis. There has been a relative paucity of literature with regard to the actual impact of these surgical treatments on gait biomechanics. We present a summary of the available literature on this topic, with the goal of illuminating the differences in gait biomechanics between ankle fusion and ankle replacement.
Recurrent Bizarre Parosteal Osteochondromatous Proliferation of the Ulna With Erosion of the Adjacent Radius: Case Report

Bizarre parosteal osteochondromatous proliferation is an unusual entity that should be considered when evaluating a patient with a surface-based bone lesion. The aggressive features of bizarre parosteal osteochondromatous proliferation have occasionally led to misdiagnoses as malignant neoplasms and subsequent aggressive treatment. We present a case of a recurrent forearm bizarre parosteal osteochondromatous proliferation with unique radiographic features. This report serves to illustrate the importance of both radiographic and histopathologic review for correct diagnosis and discusses the successful management of a recurrent forearm lesion.
Time dependence of current at high electric fields in AlxGa1-xAs-GaAs heterojunction layers

Measurements of the current/voltage characteristics of layered xGa1−xAs-GaAs heterostructures are presented. We show that under special circumstances surface acoustic waves can be amplified in these structures by surface acoustoelectric effects which might offer new device opportunities. In samples where the low field conduction occurs mainly in the GaAs, we observe at high fields short current peaks which we attribute to the modulation of the hot electron depletion layer width, which is consistent with the idea of real-space transfer.
FRACTIONATION OF GELATIN

1. It is possible to fractionate gelatin by means of reprecipitation at 23 degrees C. of a salt-free solution of pH 4.7 into two fractions, one of which is soluble in water at any temperature, and a second one which does not dissolve in water even when heated to 80 degrees C. 2. The proportion of the soluble fraction in gelatin is much greater than of the insoluble one. 3. The insoluble fraction of gelatin does not swell when mixed with water, but it does swell in the presence of acid and alkali which finally dissolve it. 4. Blocks of concentrated gel made by dissolving various mixtures of the soluble and insoluble fractions of gelatin in dilute NaOH swell differently when placed in large volumes of dilute buffer solution pH 4.7 at 5 degrees C. The gel consisting of the insoluble material shows only a trace of swelling, while those containing a mixture of soluble and insoluble swell considerably. The swelling increases rapidly as the proportion of the soluble fraction increases. 5. A 5 per cent gel made up by dissolving the insoluble fraction of gelatin in dilute NaOH loses about 70 per cent of its weight when placed in dilute buffer pH 4.7 at 5 degrees C. A similar gel made up of ordinary gelatin loses only about 20 per cent of its weight under the same conditions. 6. It was not found possible to resynthesize isoelectric gelatin from its components. 7. An insoluble substance similar in many respects to the one obtained by reprecipitation of gelatin is produce on partial hydrolysis of gelatin in dilute hydrochloric acid at 90 degrees C.
The host cytokine response to Porphyromonas gingivalis is modified by gingipains.

The host–bacterial interaction that initiates periodontal disease takes place within the gingival crevice. The gingival epithelial cells that line the periodontal tissues are the first line of defense eliciting a wide array of responses to bacteria that includes cytokines and chemokines. Clinical studies have shown that proinflammatory cytokines and chemokines are present in the gingival crevicular fluid (GCF), both in health and disease, and are elevated in sites exhibiting clinical signs of inflammation (23). Interleukin-1β (IL-1β), a primary proinflammatory cytokine, was found in higher concentrations in the GCF of patients with periodontitis compared to that of healthy controls (7, 30). In contrast, IL-8, a secondary chemokine, was found in lower concentrations in the GCF of patients with either chronic (3, 13, 16) or aggressive (19) periodontitis. Furthermore, IL-6, another secondary cytokine, was detected at a low frequency in patients with periodontitis (22), and was found in lower concentrations in the GCF of sites with unresolved defects compared to resolved defects following treatment (9). The fact that primary and secondary cytokines are at different levels in the periodontal pocket is surprising because at the cellular level they are linked (5). In vitro, IL-1β has been shown to be secreted early after challenge, and so is characterized as ‘primary’; it then modulates secretion of IL-6, IL-8, and other so-called ‘secondary’ cytokines in an autocrine manner (5). Inhibition of IL-1β secretion or blockage of the IL-1 receptor significantly reduces IL-6 and IL-8 production in different cell types, indicating that IL-1β is a key regulator of the inflammatory response (5). It would be expected that upregulation of IL-1β in the GCF would be followed by increased levels of IL-6 and IL-8. Since there is a disconnect between primary and secondary cytokines in vivo, we hypothesized that Porphyromonas gingivalis, a putative periodontal pathogen with powerful proteases, might modulate the inflammatory cytokine responses (10, 14). Consistent with the published clinical data, our preliminary work reveals that gingival epithelial cells, challenged with live P. gingivalis, mount a primary cytokine response that is not followed by a secondary cytokine response. P. gingivalis possess several virulence mechanisms including the gingipains, a family of cysteine proteases that are either secreted or membrane-bound and arginine-specific or lysine-specific. The gingipains have numerous pathological actions such as dysregulation of clotting and fibrinolytic pathways, activation of the kallikrein/kinin pathway, modulation of cytokine networks, and activation of matrix metallo-proteinases (12, 21, 28, 29). Our hypothesis is that the decreased level of secondary cytokines, despite an elevated primary response in vivo and in vitro, is the result of cytokine degradation by P. gingivalis gingipains. The aim of the current study was therefore to determine the rates of IL-1β, IL-6, and IL-8 degradation by P. gingivalis and identify the role of gingipains in this process.
Game-Theoretic Target Selection in Contagion-Based Domains

Many strategic actions carry a ‘contagious’ component beyond the immediate locale of the effort itself. Viral marketing and peacekeeping operations have both been observed to have a spreading effect. In this work, we use counterinsurgency as our illustrative domain. Defined as the effort to block the spread of support for an insurgency, such operations lack the manpower to defend the entire population and must focus on the opinions of a subset of local leaders. As past researchers of security resource allocation have done, we propose using game theory to develop such policies and model the interconnected network of leaders as a graph. Unlike this past work in security games, actions in these domains possess a probabilistic, nonlocal impact. To address this new class of security games, we combine recent research in influence blocking maximization with a double oracle approach and create novel heuristic oracles to generate mixed strategies for a real-world leadership network from Afghanistan, synthetic leadership networks, and scale-free graphs. We find that leadership networks that exhibit highly interconnected clusters can be solved equally well by our heuristic methods, but our more sophisticated heuristics outperform simpler ones in less interconnected scale-free graphs.
The effect of training and experience on the magnetic resonance imaging interpretation of meniscal tears

To evaluate the effects of experience and training in the magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) diagnosis of meniscal tears 30 consecutive patients (60 menisci) in whom MRI of the knee with arthroscopic confirmation of meniscal status were studied. MRIs were interpreted by 10 reviewers of varying levels of training and experience ranging from first-year radiology residents to attending musculoskeletal radiologists. Sensitivity and specificity, and intraobserver variability of MRI interpretation of meniscal tears were calculated for each reviewer and compared to those of readers of the same and varying levels of MRI training and experience. Accuracy (range, 78% to 88%), sensitivity (range, 79% to 88%), and specificity (range, 72% to 94%) results were high, and intraobserver agreement was moderate to high (range, 0.49 to 0.77), in the diagnosis of meniscal tears for all reviewers with 4 or more years of radiology residency training and 3 months of formal MRI experience. In contrast, the accuracy (range, 63% to 82%), sensitivity (range, 58% to 79%), and specificity (range, 58% to 72%) results of reviewers with less experience and training were lower, with higher intraobserver variability. Our results suggest that experience and training play an important role in the accurate and reliable MRI diagnosis of meniscal tears.
Effects of Multiphoton Absorption on Parametric Comb Generation in Silicon Microresonators

We investigate theoretically parametric frequency comb generation in silicon microresonators for telecom and mid-infrared (MIR) wavelengths in the presence of multiphoton absorption. Parametric oscillation is inhibited at telecom wavelengths but can occur at MIR wavelengths.
The local backward-forward algorithm

The author introduces stochastic recurrent networks, which are collections of interconnected finite state units. Each unit goes into a new state at every discrete time step following a probability law that is conditional on the state of neighboring units at the previous time step. A network of this type can be trained to learn a stochastic process, where 'training' means maximizing the probability likelihood function of the model. A novel training (i.e. likelihood maximization) algorithm is introduced, the local backward-forward algorithm. This algorithm is based on the fast backward-forward algorithm of hidden Markov models training and improves speed of learning (as compared to backpropagation) substantially. Essentially, the local backward-forward algorithm is a version of Baum's algorithm which estimates local transition probabilities rather than the global transition probability matrix. >
Design and implementation of ternary exoatmospheric autopilot system

A ternary-microprocessor-based exoatmospheric autopilot system including a ternary valve servo system is designed in which the ternary processor and ternary hardware cover all navigational calculations and preprogrammed missions. The exoatmospheric autopilot system was designed completely with the symmetrical ternary (-1, 0, and +1) logic scheme. This system gives effective torque combinations into the reaction jet servo system. The functional operations of this ternary autopilot system are shown to be better than those of a binary-processor-based autopilot system. This ternary autopilot system can be reduced to few small blocks using CMOS circuits and VLSI techniques for an effective vehicle system. >
Micro-mobility protocol design and evaluation: a parameterized building block approach

In this paper, we present a novel approach to design and analyze IP micro-mobility protocols. The functionality of micro mobility protocols is partitioned into parameterized, relatively independent, building blocks. We study the requirements and design options for the building blocks by taking into consideration a wide variety of operation scenarios, including varied support from the infrastructure and underlying layers. The building block approach provides a unified framework to design and evaluate micro mobility protocols, by choosing appropriate instances of the building blocks and by generating scenarios targeting the particular building blocks. Through a case study that compares CIP, Hawaii and M&M, we illustrate how the choice of the building blocks affects performance of micro-mobility protocols, and how our systematic approach aids in better analysis and design of micro mobility protocols.
A Distributed Workflow Management System with Case Study of Real-life Scientific Applications on Grids

Next-generation scientific applications feature complex workflows comprised of many computing modules with intricate inter-module dependencies. Supporting such scientific workflows in wide-area networks especially Grids and optimizing their performance are crucial to the success of collaborative scientific discovery. We develop a Scientific Workflow Automation and Management Platform (SWAMP), which enables scientists to conveniently assemble, execute, monitor, control, and steer computing workflows in distributed environments via a unified web-based user interface. The SWAMP architecture is built entirely on a seamless composition of web services: the functionalities of its own are provided and its interactions with other tools or systems are enabled through web services for easy access over standard Internet protocols while being independent of different platforms and programming languages. SWAMP also incorporates a class of efficient workflow mapping schemes to achieve optimal end-to-end performance based on rigorous performance modeling and algorithm design. The performance superiority of SWAMP over existing workflow mapping schemes is justified by extensive simulations, and the system efficacy is illustrated by large-scale experiments on real-life scientific workflows for climate modeling through effective system implementation, deployment, and testing on the Open Science Grid.
Three-Dimensional Thermal Analysis for the Inertial Upper Stage SRM-1 Techroll Housing

A efficient technique for three-dimensional thermal modeling that involves automated preprocessing, analysis, and postprocessing is used to predict the thermal penetration in the inertial upper stage (IUS) SRM-1 Techroll housing (TRH) subject to the worst-case combustion diffusion gas heating. The technique is based on a finite-element method and computer-aided-design geometry modeling. The thermal analysis utilizes the test data obtained for (1) thermal contact resistance between the titanium housing and the titanium gib ring and (2) heating rate distribution on the exposed surfaces of the shear lip and the gib ring. The computed results show that, under normal nozzle assembly and worst-case conditions, a combustion gas leak should not pose a threat to the SRM-1 Techroll seal (TRS) thermal integrity throughout the duration of motor firing.
URBAN HEALTH: Evidence, Challenges, and Directions

▪ Abstract Urbanization is one of the most important demographic shifts worldwide during the past century and represents a substantial change from how most of the world's population has lived for the past several thousand years. The study of urban health considers how characteristics of the urban environment may affect population health. This paper reviews the empirical research assessing urban living's impact on population health and our rationale for considering the study of urban health as a distinct field of inquiry. The key factors affecting health in cities can be considered within three broad themes: the physical environment, the social environment, and access to health and social services. The methodologic and conceptual challenges facing the study of urban health, arising both from the limitations of the research to date and from the complexities inherent in assessing the relations among complex urban systems, disease causation, and health are discussed.
Evolution of crystallographic orientations in crystals subject to random and deterministic deformation

The response of polycrystals to deterministic and random deformations is investigated with respect to the evolution of the crystallographic orientation and its probability density function, the ODF. The crystals analyzed are highly simplified, being two-dimensional and with only two active slip systems. A differential equation is derived which governs the evolution of the orientation under arbitrary applied inelastic deformation. Evolution of the ODF is analyzed by either solution of a Fokker-Planck equation or Monte Carlo simulation. Two main results are presented. Applied deformation tends to reduce heterogeneity of polycrystals with an initially uniform ODF. The presence of randomness in the applied deformation leads the ODF to evolve to forms which are not obtained under any form of deterministic deformation.
WHEN EMPLOYEES FEEL BETRAYED: A MODEL OF HOW PSYCHOLOGICAL CONTRACT VIOLATION DEVELOPS

The psychological contract held by an employee consists of beliefs about the reciprocal obligations between that employee and his or her organization. Violation refers to the feelings of anger and betrayal that are often experienced when an employee believes that the organization has failed to fulfill one or more of those obligations. This article provides a model outlining the psychological sensemaking processes preceding an employee's experience of psychological contract violation. It also identifies factors that affect those processes with the aim of encouraging future empirical research.
Distribution of Mangrove Habitats of Grenada and the Grenadines

ABSTRACT Moore, G.E.; Gilmer, B.F., and Schill, S.R., 2015. Distribution of mangrove habitats of Grenada and the Grenadines. Mangroves of Grenada and the Grenadines represent significant habitat within the regional context of the Eastern Caribbean. Losses of mangroves through storms, development, and climate change have negative impacts on critical ecosystem services. Estimates of mangrove area exist in the literature but do not fully reflect current conditions, effects of disturbance, and results of recovery; they also do not differentiate these areas by community types. Advances in imagery and remote sensing approaches allow higher-resolution resource mapping. We used remote sensing, image interpretation, and field verification techniques to provide current estimates of the extent and distribution of mangroves. Our results provide the greatest areal total of mangroves to date. Despite loss of mangroves in the recent past, we accounted for approximately 15% more hectares than estimated in the 1990s and 2...
Climatology of Intrusions into the Tropical Upper Troposphere

Regions of upper tropospheric equatorial westerly winds, observed over the Pacific and Atlantic Oceans during northern fall to spring, are important for extratropical-tropical interactions. This paper focuses on one feature of these “westerly ducts” that has received relatively little attention to date: the occurrence of Rossby wave breaking events that transport tongues of extratropical air deep into the tropics, mix tropical and subtropical air, and can affect deep convection. A climatology of these “intrusion” events formed from 20 years of meteorological analyses shows a strong dependence on the basic-state flow. Notably, intrusion events are found to occur almost exclusively within westerly ducts, with more events in the presence of stronger equatorial westerlies. It is also found that there is strong interannual variability in the frequency of Pacific events, with fewer events during the warm phases of ENSO (consistent with the changes in the basic flow). Since these intrusion events laterally mix trace constituents and have been linked to tropical convection, their spatial and temporal variability may cause related variability in the distribution of trace constituents and tropical convection.
Landscape factors influencing the abundance and dominance of the invasive plant Potentilla recta.

Little is known about the relative importance of environmental, biotic, historical, and spatial factors that influence invasive plant abundance, dominance, and distribution across landscapes. We identified factors that influence the abundance and dominance of Potentilla recta L. (sulfur cinquefoil) in bunchgrass grasslands of northeastern Oregon to better understand the conditions under which it becomes a major component of plant communities. We estimated P. recta stem density and dominance from field measurements across the landscape and used classification and regression tree analyses to assess the importance of environmental, biotic, spatial, and historical factors in explaining P. recta presence, stem density, and dominance. Plots were sampled within a systematic grid with 250-m spacing within our 6.5-km 2 study landscape. At each sample point we recorded P. recta presence, stem density, and dominance as well as 11 biological, environmental, spatial, and historical variables. P. recta was widely distributed, with stem densities in occupied plots averaging 5.8 stems N m 22 and dominance values ranging from 1% to 52%. Percent cover of bare ground was the most important variable to predict the presence of P. recta, though the model fit was poor, likely because the entire study area is suitable for P. recta establishment. A strong relationship between P. recta dominance and habitat type (r 2 5 67.5%) was found, with dominance greatest in old fields on relatively flat slopes (mean dominance of 34.1%). Dominance estimates were # 1% in plots located in forest, shrub, and grassland habitats. Factors that make old fields susceptible to dominance remain unknown, though microsite conditions that increase P. recta seedling survival rates and limited native propagule availability due to previous cultivation may be involved. Since old fields are found throughout the region, are highly susceptible to P. recta invasion, and represent a source of seeds, containment and restoration activities should focus on these areas.
Assessing differences in toxicity and teratogenicity of three phthalates, Diethyl phthalate, Di-n-propyl phthalate, and Di-n-butyl phthalate, using Xenopus laevis embryos

Phthalates, compounds used to add flexibility to plastics, are ubiquitous in the environment. In particular, the diethyl (DEP), di-n-propyl (DnPP), and di-n-butyl (DBP) phthalates were found to exert detrimental effects in both mammalian and non-mammalian studies, with toxic effects varying according to alkyl chain length. Embryos of Xenopus laevis, the African clawed frog, have been used to assess toxicity and teratogenicity of several compounds and serves as a model for assessing adverse and teratogenic effects of ortho-phthalate esters. The purpose of this study was to develop a model for comparison of developmentally toxic effects of ortho-phthalate esters using Xenopus embryos. In this study developing Xenopus laevis embryos were exposed to increasing concentrations of DEP, DnPP, and DBP using the 96-h Frog Embryo Teratogenesis Assay-Xenopus (FETAX), with 96-h lethal concentrations, effective concentrations to induce malformations, teratogenic indices, and concentrations to inhibit growth determined. DEP, DnPP, and DBP showed enhanced toxicity with increasing ester length. Developing Xenopus laevis exposed to DEP, DnPP, and DBP showed similar malformations that also occurred at lower concentrations with increasing alkyl chain length. Teratogenic risk did not change markedly with alkyl chain length, with data showing only DBP to be teratogenic.
Dutch Multinational Enterprises in the United States: A Historical Summary

The story of Dutch business in America began in the colonial period and continues into the present. The early Dutch trading companies of the seventeenth century, including the Dutch West India Company, were followed in the nineteenth and twentieth centuries by such firms as the Holland-America Line, Unilever, Royal Dutch Shell, and NV Philips. The historical pattern of these Dutch businesses contributes to the growing literature on multinational enterprises (MNEs) and is relevant to recent debates on the historical convergence and/or divergence of living standards and productivity in national economies. An examination of the history of Dutch MNEs operating in the United States reveals some of the ways that these firms fit into the larger framework of Dutch business overall and provides a way to compare the strategies of Dutch MNEs with those of MNEs from other countries.
Effect of Choline on Atherosclerosis in the Rabbit Aorta.

SummaryFatty livers, with some increase in liver cholesterol, were produced by feeding rabbits a diet containing 0.43% cholesterol; 0.22% cholesterol produced no changes in liver fat. Both levels of cholesterol produced marked atheromatous lesions, and a striking increase in the cholesterol content of the aorta and blood. Three hundred mg of choline hydrochloride daily failed to counter-act the effect of cholesterol in the blood, liver or aorta.
The da vinci robot system eliminates multispecialty surgical trainees' hand dominance in open and robotic surgical settings.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES Handedness, or the inherent dominance of one hand's dexterity over the other's, is a factor in open surgery but has an unknown importance in robot-assisted surgery. We sought to examine whether the robotic surgery platform could eliminate the effect of inherent hand preference. METHODS Residents from the Urology and Obstetrics/Gynecology departments were enrolled. Ambidextrous and left-handed subjects were excluded. After completing a questionnaire, subjects performed three tasks modified from the Fundamentals of Laparoscopic Surgery curriculum. Tasks were performed by hand and then with the da Vinci robotic surgical system (Intuitive Surgical, Sunnyvale, California). Participants were randomized to begin with using either the left or the right hand, and then switch. Left:right ratios were calculated from scores based on time to task completion. Linear regression analysis was used to determine the significance of the impact of surgical technique on hand dominance. RESULTS Ten subjects were enrolled. The mean difference in raw score performance between the right and left hands was 12.5 seconds for open tasks and 8 seconds for robotic tasks (P<.05). Overall left-right ratios were found to be 1.45 versus 1.12 for the open and robot tasks, respectively (P<.05). Handedness significantly differed between robotic and open approaches for raw time scores (P<.0001) and left-right ratio (P=.03) when controlling for the prior tasks completed, starting hand, prior robotic experience, and comfort level. These findings remain to be validated in larger cohorts. CONCLUSION The robotic technique reduces hand dominance in surgical trainees across all task domains. This finding contributes to the known advantages of robotic surgery.
A New Genus of Murid Rodent from the Komodo Islands in Nusatenggara, Indonesia

A new genus is proposed for rintjanus , originally described as a species of Rattus (Sody, 1941). The rat is endemic to Rintja and Padar, two small islands between Flores and Komodo in Nusatenggara, Indonesia. Monsoon Forest covers parts of the islands; the external and cranial characteristics of rintjanus point to a ground dweller and reflect adaptations to dry or seasonally dry tropical forest where the structure of tall scrub and short, partly deciduous, trees provide dense cover above and sparse undercover at ground level. The new genus is not closely related to Rattus , and may be part of an old murid fauna known from Flores and some other islands to the east of the Sunda Shelf.
Hemocyanin Subunit Composition in the American Lobster Homarus Americanus

ABSTRACT The monomeric subunit composition of the O2 carrier hemocyanin was examined in a sample of American lobsters from Long Island Sound. The findings were compared with data obtained from a sample of animals that had been held under relatively stable conditions in the laboratory for months or even years. Both samples were somewhat polymorphic. The Long Island Sound sample was no more variable than the laboratory sample, however, indicating that the limited variation is a characteristic of the species and not a product of acclimation to stable conditions.