cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Surface dipole moments of lipids at the argon-water interface. Similarities among glycerol-ester-based lipids

Surface potential-surface pressure-area isotherms at the argon-buffer interface have been determined for 38 lipid species comprising 19 chemical classes. These lipids all exhibited a finite range of liquid-expanded surface pressure-area behavior. For most species, the linearity of surface potential with reciprocal area was excellent, but nonzero intercepts were obtained. This suggests a lipid-induced reorganization of interfacial water molecules which is area independent. The linearity of the data permits calculation of the surface dipole moment, mu perpendicular, for each lipid. The values of mu perpendicular for a series of oleoyl-containing acylglycerols, dioleoyl phosphatidylcholine, and dioleoyl phosphatidylethanolamine exhibit acylglycerol ester group mu perpendicular's which are generally consistent with known conformational properties of such lipids. The values are 132 mD for the perpendicular oleoyl glycerol-ester group and 252 mD for that in the kinked-chain conformation. Comparison of mu perpendicular's calculated using these values with homologues confirms the approximate independence of mu perpendicular from aliphatic chain length and permits identification of exceptions with possible conformational or orientational differences. Notably, diphytanoyl phosphatidylcholine shows a 45% larger mu perpendicular than predicted. Differences in mu perpendicular among lipid classes allow estimation of the electrical consequences of lipid metabolism and exchange. Calculations show that reactions such as the generation of 1,2-diacylglycerol from diacyl glycerophosphocholine or diacyl glycerophosphoinositol should produce surface potential changes of -127 and +42 mV, respectively. Thus, the two phospholipids are not simply alternative sources of diacylglycerol with respect to processes dependent on surface potential.
The odor coding system of Drosophila

Our understanding of the molecular and cellular organization of the Drosophila melanogaster olfactory system has increased dramatically in recent years. A large family of ∼60 odorant receptors has been identified, and many of these receptors have been functionally characterized. The odor responses of olfactory receptor neurons have been characterized, and much has been learned about how odors are represented in olfactory centers in the brain. The circuitry of the olfactory system has been studied in detail, and the developmental mechanisms that specify the wiring and functional diversity of olfactory neurons are becoming increasingly well understood. Thus, functional, anatomical and developmental studies are rapidly being integrated to form a unified picture of odor coding in this model olfactory system.
Ellipsometric study on the film formation of nickel in phosphate solutions

Abstract Ellipsometry was used to study in situ corrosion and passivation of nickel in phosphate solutions with pH values 9.1 and 4.5. The passive films formed in both solutions possessed the same optical constants but differed in gowth behavior. The film formed in pH 9.1 solution reached a steady state in a few minutes while that in pH 4.5 solution followed either logarithmic law or inverse-logarithmic law when the film was thin (less than 20 A) and followed parabolic law when the film was thick. After prolonged polarization, additional films were formed on top of the passive film. Experiments conducted at open circuit potential in pH 9.1 solution produced a Ni(OH) 2 film. At higher potentials this film was probably partially dehydrated and decreased in thickness. Experiments conducted in pH 4.5 solution at open circuit potential as well as at potentials more negative than the critical passive potential produced films which were identical to those films grown on top of passive film at prolonged passive polarization.
From needles to numbers: can noninvasive imaging distinguish benign and malignant adrenal lesions?

Adrenal masses are a relatively common finding on computed tomography (CT) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). Until recently, adrenal biopsy, resection, or clinical follow-up were the only methods of distinguishing benign adenomas from malignancies. On the basis of their higher lipid content, adenomas have characteristic appearances on CT and MRI that can be used to separate them from non-lipid-containing lesions such as metastases. CT densitometry with or without contrast media and chemical shift MRI (CSI) are two examples of techniques with adequate sensitivity (50–90%) and excellent specificity (>95%) for adrenal adenomas. While the need for invasive tissue sampling is reduced because of these techniques, it is eliminated because lesions not meeting the criteria for adenomas are not always malignant. However, CT densitometry and CSI are likely to reduce significantly the need for histology sampling of incidentally discovered adrenal masses due to the high specificity of these new techniques.
Why does the energy price increase when cheaper-than-avoided-cost DSM is added?

Abstract This paper systematically approaches the various cost implications of including demand-side management (DSM) in a utility's resource mix. A multidimensional cost structure is developed. The costs of DSM programmes are identified and displayed separately from the standard utility resource costs. Through the use of different marketplace conditions, likely scenarios are identified and described. Cheaper-than-avoidedcost DSM programmes are added to the cost framework, and the results are displayed and examined. The results are then generalized, and the conditions are identified wherein additions of DSM to the utility's resource mix will have a positive (or negative) effect on the utility's prices.
Explosive strengthening of a Cu--Be alloy

The effects of shock loading on the mechanical properties and microstructure of a precipitation hardening copper 1.91 wt pct beryllium alloy were studied. Sheet samples suitable for tensile testing were explosively loaded to pressures of 10, 20, 30, 40, and 50 GPa. Subsequent tensile tests were performed on samples in the as-shocked and shocked plus aged conditions. Their properties are compared to those of material deformed by cold rolling and aged after cold rolling. The mechanical strength in the as-shocked condition increases linearly with pressure. The strength of the shocked plus aged material also increases with shock pressure but at a slower rate. Unaged material shocked to 50 GPa has a higher yield strength than material cold rolled 37 pct. However, the cold rolled material responds better to aging. In the aged condition, 37 pct cold rolled material is stronger than the material shocked to 50 GPa. Transmission electron microscopy reveals the onset of deformation twinning between 10 and 20 GPa. The volume fraction of twins and the dislocation density both increase with increasing shock pressure. The results indicate that deformation twinning has little significant strengthening effect in this system and that yield strength increases can be accounted for on the basis of increasing dislocation density.
OpenTimer: A High-Performance Timing Analysis Tool

We introduce in this paper, OpenTimer, an open-source timing analysis tool that efficiently supports (1) both block-based and path-based timing propagations, (2) common path pessimism removal (CPPR), and (3) incremental processing. OpenTimer works on industry formats (e.g., .v, .spef, .lib, .sdc) and is designed to be parallel and portable. To further facilitate integration between timing and other electronic design automation (EDA) applications such as timing-driven placement and routing, OpenTimer provides user-friendly application programming interface (API) for inactive analysis. Experimental results on industry benchmarks released from TAU 2015 timing analysis contest have demonstrated remarkable results achieved by OpenTimer, especially in its order-of-magnitude speedup over existing timers.
Male genital self-mutilation combined surgical and psychiatric care.

Abstract Advances in plastic surgery require that consultation psychiatry respond with increasing sophistication. Self-mutilating patients may now undergo genital reimplantation, but few guidelines exist for their psychiatric management. We describe three contrasting cases of male genital self-mutilation, demonstrating the differential impact of psychiatric consultation, and offer guidelines for a consultative strategy to the surgical team, patient, and family. A general management plan for consulting psychiatrists is presented.
Compositional analysis of copper–silica precipitation tubes

Silica gardens consist of hollow tubular structures that form from salt crystals seeded into silicate solution. We investigate the structure and elemental composition of these tubes in the context of a recently developed experimental model that allows quantitative analyses based on predetermined reactant concentrations and flow rates. In these experiments, cupric sulfate solution is injected into large volumes of waterglass. The walls of the resulting tubular structures have a typical width of 10 µm and are gradient materials. Micro-Raman spectroscopy along with energy dispersive X-ray fluorescence data identify amorphous silica and copper(II) hydroxide as the main compounds within the inner and outer tube surfaces, respectively. Upon heating the blueish precipitates to approximately 150 °C, the material turns black as copper(II) hydroxide decomposes to copper(II) oxide. Moreover, we present high resolution transmission electron micrographs that reveal polycrystalline morphologies.
Three-dimensional structures assembled from polysilicon surface micromachined components containing continuous hinges and microrivets

Abstract A new polysilicon surface micromachining technique for fabricating and assembling three-dimensional structures has been developed. Single-layer polysilicon elements and laminated polysilicon panels incorporating trapped-glass reinforcement ribs have been successfully fabricated on a silicon substrate with robust and continuous hinges that facilitate out-of-plane rotation and assembly. To realize a stable three-dimensional structure, one of the device's elevatable panel components is terminated with an array of open windows, and the mating rotatable element has a matched set of protruding arrowheads/microrivets with flexible barbs that readily flex to facilitate their joining and assembly. Because the arrowhead/microrivet barb tip-to-barb tip separation is larger than the opening in the mating window, the barbs flex inward as they pass through the open window and then expand to their original shape upon exiting the window, resulting in a permanently latched joint and a three-dimensional structure. Three novel arrowhead/microrivet designs have been micromachined to facilitate the latching process, including a simple arrowhead, a high-aspect ratio arrowhead, and a rivet-like structure with a hemispherical shaped cap and a flexible split shank. To minimize panel breakage after the sacrificial glass release etch process and to facilitate mechanical alignment during assembly, a network of sacrificial electrothermally-actuated mechanical links (‘fuses’) have been integrated into the MEMS structure designs.
Optimized detection of phase amplified light for imaging resolution improvement

The use of quantum phase amplification has been proposed to enhance the spatial resolution of imaging systems. A key component of this approach is the production of phase-amplified light, which can be generated in a phase-sensitive three-wave nonlinear mixing process, such as an optical parametric amplifier. Here we present a refined model for detection of phase-amplified light produced by this method, which includes optimization of detector segmentation, detector noise, and detection in both the spatial and the spatial frequency domain. The implications of quantum phase amplification for resolution of optical imaging are considered in a canonical imaging resolution problem.
ISOTOPES IN GROUND-WATER INVESTIGATIONS

During the past 20 years, hydrologists have made increasing use of isotopes to obtain a better theoretical and practical understanding of ground water. The distribution of isotopic species in water provides information on sources of ground water, on flow paths and mixing, and on physical and chemical characteristics of aquifers. Numerous examples in the literature illustrate the techniques and applications of isotopes to ground-water studies. Isotopes have helped solve problems as diverse as what is a fair tax rate for people using imported water in a California water district, and why Venice is sinking. Demands are increasing for better understanding of hydrologic systems to facilitate management of water as a resource, and to evaluate environmental problems. Thus, we can anticipate isotopes will be used more and more in hydrologic studies.
Sensory coding of nest-site value in honeybee swarms

SUMMARY This study investigates the first stage of the decision-making process of a honeybee swarm as it chooses a nest site: how a scout bee codes the value of a potential nest site in the waggle dances she produces to represent this site. We presented honeybee swarms with a two-alternative choice between a high-value site and a medium-value site and recorded the behavior of individually identifiable scout bees as they reported on these two alternatives. We found that bees performed equally lengthy inspections at the two sites, but that, on the swarm cluster, they performed more dance circuits per bee for the high-value site. We also found that there was much individual-level noise in the coding of site value, but that there were clear population-level differences in total dance circuits produced for the two sites. The first bee to find a site had a high probability of reporting the site with a waggle dance, regardless of its value. This discoverer-should-dance phenomenon may help ensure that a swarm gives attention to all discovered sites. There was rapid decay in the dance response; the number of dance circuits produced by a bee after visiting a site decreased linearly over sequential visits, and eventually each bee ceased visiting her site. This decay, or `leakage9, in the accumulation of bees at a site improves a swarm9s decision-making ability by helping a swarm avoid making fast-decision errors.
Profile Measurement On IC Wafers By Holographic Interference

We present here a new technique of holographic interferometry for profile inspection of integrated circuit (IC) wafers. With this technique the lateral resolution of the profilometer will not be affected by the limitations on optical aperture. In addition, there are no stringent requirements on the spot size of the laser irradiation. A principal advantage of this system is that it needs no magnifying elements to give reasonable resolution for lateral measurements. Also the system will work even if multiple reflections exist.
General Session: Abstracts Of Invited Papers Large Optics: Realities And Possibilities

Large telescopes have been objects of interest and fascination for many years. Today it seems that very large optical systems for ground and space are entering into a new era of development. For ground-based astronomy alone, one can identify a need for up to twenty 7.5-meter-diameter primary mirrors, some of which will go into telescope arrays of such giant mirrors. Possible space-based systems have even greater potential size and resolution capabilities. This talk will focus on the present and the required technology for such telescopes, and will try to sort out the reality and the mere possibilities in the design and fabrication of such next-generation monsters. As no surprise, the work at the University of Arizona will be emphasized.
Mass transfer with heterogeneous and first order homogeneous reaction using the film theory

Abstract The problem of mass transfer with both first order irreversible homogeneous and an arbitrary heterogeneous reaction has been analyzed using the film theory, subject to the assumption of a linear profile of reactant between the bulk phase and the heterogeneous reaction surface. The enhancement factor is shown to depend on the product of two dimensionless groups. One is analogous to the usual group arising from mass transfer and first order irreversible reaction, and the other is a Damkohler number which describes the transport of the reactant to and reaction on the surface. The result is discussed in the context of solubilization of an insoluble liquid amphiphile by an aqueous surfactant solution. A maximum in the flux enhancement is observed because of the resistances associated with transport of the reactant species to the reaction surface.
Image recompression and perceptual distortion analysis

The aim of this research is to recompress the JPEG standard images in order to minimize the storage and/or communications bandwidth requirements. In our approach, we convert existing JPEG images into JPEG 2000 images. The proposed image restoration method is applied to improve the visual quality when the bit rate becomes low and visually annoying artifacts appear in existing JPEG image. The JPEG restoration algorithm here makes use of the DCT quantization noise model along with a Markov random field (MRF) prior model for the original image in order to formulate the restoration algorithm in a Bayesian framework. The maximum of a posteriori (MAP) principle based convex model is applied to restore images. The restored image is then compressed with the JPEG2000. The cumulative distribution function (CDF) based visual quality metric method has been developed to measure coding artifacts in large JPEG images. Perceptual distortion analysis is also included in this paper.
Nitric oxide measured by a porphyrinic microsensor in rat brain after transient middle cerebral artery occlusion.

We measured, in vivo, the local concentration of nitric oxide (NO) in cerebral tissue, during and after transient middle cerebral artery occlusion in the rat (n = 8). Baseline concentration of NO w...
Modeling Entrepreneurial Career Intentions among Undergraduates: An Examination of the Moderating Role of Entrepreneurial Knowledge and Skills

The purpose of this study was to empirically develop a comprehensive model of undergraduate students' entrepreneurial career intention that combines both cognitive and behavioral decision-making processes. Data were collected via a questionnaire completed by textile and apparel undergraduates at four American universities (n = 345). Based on the literature, a model of personal values—attitude—behavioral intention was developed. Structural equation modeling was used to test the hypothesized relationships in the model. Results revealed that self-actualization as a value significantly influenced attitudes, which, in turn, influenced entrepreneurial career intentions. Both entrepreneurial knowledge and skills moderated the relationship between self-actualization and entrepreneurial career attitudes. Findings shed light on the influence of personal values and entrepreneurial knowledge and skills on entrepreneurial career choice. Further testing of the model is needed.
Comment on “Mutual suppression in the 6kHz region of sensitive chinchilla cochleae” [J. Acoust. Soc. Am. 121, 2805–2818 (2007)]

Rhode [J. Acoust. Soc. Am. 121, 2805–2818 (2007)] acknowledges that two-tone neural rate responses for low-side suppression differ from those measured in basilar membrane mechanics, making one question whether this aspect of suppression has a mechanical correlate. It is suggested here that signal coding between mechanical and neural processing stages may be responsible for the fact that the total rate response (but not the basilar membrane response) for low-frequency suppressors is smaller than that for the probe-alone condition. For example, the velocity dependence of inner hair cell (IHC) transduction, membrane/synaptic filtering and the sensitivity difference between ac and dc components of the IHC receptor potential all serve to reduce excitability for low-side suppressors at the single-unit level. Hence, basilar membrane mechanics may well be the source of low-side suppression measured in the auditory nerve.
Growth of epitaxial Cu on MgO(001) by magnetron sputter deposition

Abstract 100-nm-thick Cu layers were grown on MgO(001) substrates by ultra-high vacuum magnetron sputter deposition at substrate temperatures Ts ranging from 40 to 300 °C. X-ray diffraction ω−2θ scans, ω-rocking curves, and pole figures show that layers grown at Ts = 40 and 100 °C are complete single crystals with a cube-on-cube epitaxial relationship with the substrate: (001)Cu||(001)MgO with [100]Cu||[100]MgO. In contrast, Ts ≥ 200 °C leads to polycrystalline Cu layers with 001, 203, and 1¯75-oriented grains. The transition from a single- to a polycrystalline microstructure with increasing Ts is attributed to temperature-induced mass transport that allows Cu nuclei to sample a larger orientational space and find lower energy (and/or lower lattice mismatch) configurations. The large Cu- to-MgO lattice mismatch of 14% is relieved by 7 × 7 Cu unit cells occupying 6 × 6 MgO cells. In addition, for Ts ≥ 200 °C, the 001-oriented grains relax by tilting by 4° or 15° about 〈110〉 or 〈100〉 axes, respectively, while the 203 and 1¯75-oriented grains exhibit complex epitaxial relationships with the substrate: (203)Cu||(001)MgO with [010]Cu||[110]MgO and [302¯]Cu||[11¯0]MgO; and (1¯75)Cu||(001)MgO with [211¯]Cu||[100]MgO and [43¯5]Cu||[010]MgO. The surface roughness, as determined by X-ray reflectivity, increases with growth temperature. The smoothest layers are grown at 40 °C and exhibit an rms surface and buried interface roughness of 0.7 and 1.4 nm, respectively.
Genus age, provincial area and the taxonomic structure of marine faunas.

Species are unevenly distributed among genera within clades and regions, with most genera species-poor and few species-rich. At regional scales, this structure to taxonomic diversity is generated via speciation, extinction and geographical range dynamics. Here, we use a global database of extant marine bivalves to characterize the taxonomic structure of climate zones and provinces. Our analyses reveal a general, Zipf–Mandelbrot form to the distribution of species among genera, with faunas from similar climate zones exhibiting similar taxonomic structure. Provinces that contain older taxa and/or encompass larger areas are expected to be more species-rich. Although both median genus age and provincial area correlate with measures of taxonomic structure, these relationships are interdependent, nonlinear and driven primarily by contrasts between tropical and extra-tropical faunas. Provincial area and taxonomic structure are largely decoupled within climate zones. Counter to the expectation that genus age and species richness should positively covary, diverse and highly structured provincial faunas are dominated by young genera. The marked differences between tropical and temperate faunas suggest strong spatial variation in evolutionary rates and invasion frequencies. Such variation contradicts biogeographic models that scale taxonomic diversity to geographical area.
Characterizing architectural options for electronic waste recycling systems

Several electronic waste recycling systems now exist worldwide in many different forms. In order to determine the optimal system structure for a location, a methodology for comparison must be established. This paper outlines a framework developed to compare the environmental and economic performance of recycling systems through analysis of both context and system architecture options. An overview of the available architectural options for designing an e-waste system is presented, and then the comparison framework is applied to an analysis of systems operating in Switzerland, Sweden, the Netherlands, and the US States of California, Maine and Maryland. The analysis presented here focuses on the quantity of e-waste collected by each system. The results of applying this framework to a collection analysis show that while all systems examined appear to still be increasing their mass collected per capita each year, the mass collected per electronic item at end of life may have reached a plateau in the older systems. Furthermore, as a predictor of mass of e-waste collected per capita, the number of collection points available may be significant; however it is not readily apparent whether the number of collection points per capita or per unit area is more significant, nor why some systems appear to be outliers of the otherwise apparent trends.
Characterization of a visible spectrum division-of-focal-plane polarimeter

The development of high resolution division-of-focal-plane polarimeters in the visible spectrum allows real-time capture of two chief properties of interest, the degree of linear polarization and the angle of polarization. The accuracy of these two parameters can be influenced by a number of factors in the imaged scene, from the incident intensity and wavelength to the lens used for image capture. The alignment, transmission, and contrast ratios of the pixel matched filters also impact the measured parameters. A system of measurements is presented here that shows how these factors can determine the quality of a division-of-focal-plane polarimeter.
Marital Sanctity, Relationship Maintenance, and Marital Quality:

It has been argued that individuals who consider their marriages as sacred are likely to put greater effort into protecting those marriages. As relationship maintenance behaviors have been defined as efforts enacted to maintain features such as marital satisfaction, it is possible that relational maintenance behaviors serve as a link between marital sanctity and marital satisfaction. A sample of 244 heterosexual married couples completed measures of marital sanctity, relationship maintenance, and marital quality. Analyses revealed that one’s own belief in the sanctity of one’s marriage was associated with one’s reported engagement in relational maintenance behaviors. These were linked to one’s partner’s marital satisfaction. Findings suggest that one’s perception of the sanctification of one’s marriage might be manifested in one’s engagement in relational maintenance behaviors and account, in part, for the association between one’s belief in the sanctity of one’s marriage and one’s spouse’s marital satisf...
Using Semi-Joins to Solve Relational Queries

The semi-join is a relational algebraic operation that selects a set of tuples in one relation that match one or more tuples of another relation on the joining domains. Semi-joins have been used as a basic ingredient in query processing strategies for a number of hardware and software database systems. However, not all queries can be solved entirely using semi-joins. In this paper the exact class of relational queries that can be solved using semi-joins is shown. It is also shown that queries outside of this class may not even be partially solvable using "short" semi-join programs. In addition, a linear-time membership test for this class is presented.
Institutional Living and Self-Esteem

Data gathered at a Federal narcotic hospital are analysed for categories of inmates at various stages in their institutional careers. They are consistent with the argument that total institutions affect self-evaluation in a negative way, although the effect is apparently not linear. Alternative explanations of such an effect are considered and some support is found for the hypothesis that institutional problems of self-esteem stem from reinforcement of societal rejection through subordination to custodial authorities. But reference group data suggest that this explanation is not completely adequate. In general the findings challenge the idea that institutional experiences have a pervasive effect on the self. However, variations in self-esteem are found to be linked to participation in inmate society.
Wireless sensor networks - where parallel and distributed processing meets the real world

Summary form only given. Vast networks of intelligent sensors that are deeply embedded in physical world will revolutionize practices in the life sciences, civil engineering, manufacturing, security, agriculture, ubiquitous computing, and many other areas. They also present a wonderful new venue for parallel and distributed processing. Bandwidth, storage, and energy limitations make in-network processing essential - within the node and among collections of nodes. The algorithms should be resource efficient, but also deal with noise, uncertainly and dynamically changing connectivity. Ideally, application programming is done at the level of unstructured ensembles, rather than individual nodes. To explore these issues, we have built a series of inch-scale wireless sensor platforms, along with an operating system and networking substrate for vast collections of tiny, power-constrained devices - TinyOS. This open experimental platform is being used by hundreds of research projects internationally in a wide range of disciplines. This talk describes the challenges in making networks of such devices robust and programmable, including platform architecture, operating system design, network discovery and routing, and explores novel distributed algorithms developed for such networks.
Identification of Critical Congenital Heart Disease in Vermont: The Role of Universal Pulse Oximetry Screening in a Rural State

Objective. Pulse oximetry screening (POS) is becoming the standard of care in screening for critical congenital heart disease (CCHD). Our objective was to characterize the historical diagnostic pattern in a rural tertiary care children’s hospital and explore how universal POS might affect morbidity, mortality, and care delivery. Patients and Methods. We identified patients <6 months of age in the Vermont Children’s Hospital echocardiogram database with CCHD diagnosed between 2002 and 2011. Charts were reviewed to characterize timing of diagnosis, course, and outcome. The medical examiner was consulted to identify deaths due to undetected CCHD during the study period. Results. Of 60 329 live births, 73 (0.12 %) were diagnosed with CCHD. Of these, 31 (42%) were diagnosed prenatally, 34 (47%) were diagnosed by clinical examination in the nursery, 7 (9.6%) were diagnosed after nursery discharge, and 1 (1.4%) was born at home. The 8 patients not diagnosed by prenatal ultrasound or in the nursery were considere...
Developmental Expression of Muscarinic Acetylcholine Receptors in Chick Retina: Selective Induction of M2 Muscarinic Receptor Expression In Ovo by a Factor Secreted by Müller Glial Cells

Muscarinic acetylcholine receptors (mAChRs) play an important role in signal processing in the retina. We have used subtype-specific antibodies to identify the changes in the localization of mAChR expression during embryonic development of the retina in vivo and their relationship to the changes in mAChRs in retinal cells in culture. We have demonstrated previously that treatment of fresh retinal cultures with conditioned media from mature retinal cultures specifically induces expression of the M(2) mAChR (McKinnon et al., 1998). We show that the M(2)-inducing activity, which we tentatively have called MARIA (muscarinic acetylcholine receptor-inducing activity) is produced by Muller glial cells in culture, because significant activity can be found in media conditioned by essentially neuron-free cultures of Muller glia, as well as by a Muller glial cell line but not several neuroblastoma cell lines. We also demonstrate that the appearance of the M(2) receptor in vivo occurs concomitantly with the appearance of significant numbers of Muller glial cells in the developing retina. Furthermore, the administration of crude or partially purified preparations of MARIA to developing chick embryos in ovo induces precocious expression of M(2) mAChRs in the appropriate cell types in the retina. These results show that a factor secreted by cultured retinal Muller glia can regulate M(2) mAChR expression in vivo and in vitro and suggest that the secretion of MARIA by Muller glia in vivo may be responsible for the normal induction of M(2) mAChR expression during embryonic development.
Measuring Variations in Party Unity Voting: An Assessment of Agenda Eﬀects

Measures of party divisiveness have been widely used in scholarly literature for a variety of different purposes. However, conventional measures of party divisiveness, such as the percentage of party votes in a particular Congress, fail to consider important changes in the agenda from one Congress to the next. We introduce a measure that controls for such changes, drawing attention to the affect that agenda change has on observed party divisiveness and providing a more accurate account of party divisiveness across time. We analyze party voting in the U.S. House of Representatives between 1953 and 2004, and ﬁnd that a sizable amount of the ﬂuctuation in party divisiveness identified by conventional measures is mitigated using this method. While we examine party voting in the U.S. House, our theory and method is applicable to similar measures used in the study of other legislatures (e.g., Rice and Attina indices).
Cougar Prey Selection in a White-Tailed Deer and Mule Deer Community

Widespread mule deer (Odocoilus hemionous) declines coupled with white-tailed deer (O. virginianus) increases prompted us to investigate the role of cougar (Puma concolor) predation in a white-tailed deer, mule deer, and cougar community in northeast Washington, USA. We hypothesized that cougars select for and disproportionately prey on mule deer in such multiple-prey communities. We estimated relative annual and seasonal prey abundance (prey availability) and documented 60 cougar kills (prey usage) from 2002 to 2004. White-tailed deer and mule deer comprised 72% and 28% of the total large prey population and 60% and 40% of the total large prey killed, respectively. Cougars selected for mule deer on an annual basis (αmd = 0.63 vs. αwt = 0.37; P = 0.066). We also detected strong seasonal selection for mule deer with cougars killing more mule deer in summer (αmd = 0.64) but not in winter (αmd = 0.53). Cougars showed no seasonal selection for white-tailed deer despite their higher relative abundance. The mean annual kill interval of 6.68 days between kills varied little by season (winter = 7.0 days/kill, summer = 6.6 days/kill; P = 0.78) or prey species (white-tailed deer = 7.0 days/kill, mule deer = 6.1 days/kill; P = 0.58). Kill locations for both prey species occurred at higher elevations during summer months (summer = 1,090 m, winter = 908 m; P = 0.066). We suspect that cougars are primarily subsisting on abundant white-tailed deer during winter but following these deer to higher elevations as they migrate to their summer ranges, resulting in a greater spatial overlap between cougars and mule deer and disproportionate predation on mule deer.
Novel multiplexer to enable multiple-module imaging with adjustable high spatial resolution and predetermined display bandwidth for array medical imaging systems

We describe a custom multiple-module multiplexer integrated circuit (MMMIC) that enables the combination of discrete Electron multiplying charge coupled devices (EMCCD) based imaging modules to improve medical imaging systems. It is highly desirable to have flexible imaging systems that provide high spatial resolution over a specific region of interest (ROI) and a field of view (FOV) large enough to encompass areas of clinical interest. Also, such systems should be dynamic, i.e. should be able to maintain a specified acquisition bandwidth irrespective of the size of the imaged FOV. The MMMIC achieves these goals by 1) multiplexing the outputs of an array of imaging modules to enable a larger FOV, 2) enabling a number of binning modes for adjustable high spatial resolution, and 3) enabling selection of a subset of modules in the array to achieve ROI imaging at a predetermined display bandwidth. The MMMIC design also allows multiple MMMICs to be connected to control larger arrays. The prototype MMMIC was designed and fabricated in the ON-SEMI 0.5μm CMOS process through MOSIS (www.mosis.org). It has three 12-bit inputs, a single 12-bit output, three input enable bits, and one output enable, so that one MMMIC can control the output from three discrete imager arrays. The modular design of the MMMIC enables four identical chips, connected in a two-stage sequential arrangement, to readout a 3×3 collection of individual imaging modules. The first stage comprises three MMMICs (each connected to three of the individual imaging module), and the second stage is a single MMMIC whose 12-bit output is then sent via a CameraLink interface to the system computer. The prototype MMMIC was successfully tested using digital outputs from two EMCCD-based detectors to be used in an x-ray imaging array detector system. Finally, we show how the MMMIC can be used to extend an imaging system to include any arbitrary (MxN) array of imaging modules enabling a large FOV along with ROI imaging and adjustable high spatial resolution.
Theoretically-Driven Infrastructure for Supporting Health Care Teams Training at a Military Treatment Facility

Designated a Department of Defense Team Resource Center (TRC) in 2008, Naval Medical Center Portsmouth (NMCP) currently hosts three tri-service health care teams training courses annually. Each consists of didactic learning coupled with simulation-based training exercises to provide an interactive educational experience for health care professionals. Simulated cases are developed to reinforce specific teamwork skills and behaviors, and to incorporate a variety of technologies including standardized patients, manikins, and virtual reality. The course is also the foundation of a research program designed to explore applications of modeling and simulation for enhanced team training in health care. The TRC has adopted two theoretical frameworks for evaluating training efficacy and outcomes, and has used these frameworks to guide a systematic reconfiguration of the infrastructure supporting health care teams training at NMCP.
An empirical comparison of machine learning techniques for software defect prediction

Software systems are exposed to various types of defects. The timely identification of defective classes is essential in early phases of software development to reduce the cost of testing the software. This will guide the software practitioners and researchers for planning of the proper allocation of testing resources. Software metrics can be used in conjunction with defect data to develop models for predicting defective classes. There have been various machine learning techniques proposed in the literature for analyzing complex relationships and extracting useful information from problems in less time. However, more studies comparing these techniques are needed to provide evidence so that confidence is established on the performance of one technique over the other. In this paper we address four issues (i) comparison of the machine learning techniques over unpopular used data sets (ii) use of inappropriate performance measures for measuring the performance of defect prediction models (iii) less use of statistical tests and (iv) validation of models from the same data set from which they are trained. To resolve these issues, in this paper, we compare 18 machine learning techniques for investigating the effect of Object-Oriented metrics on defective classes. The results are validated on six releases of the 'MMS' application package of recent widely used mobile operating system -- Android. The overall results of the study indicate the predictive capability of the machine learning techniques and an endorsement of one particular ML technique to predict defects.
FIOS: a fair, efficient flash I/O scheduler

Flash-based solid-state drives (SSDs) have the potential to eliminate the I/O bottlenecks in data-intensive applications. However, the large performance discrepancy between Flash reads and writes introduces challenges for fair resource usage. Further, existing fair queueing and quanta-based I/O schedulers poorly manage the I/O anticipation for Flash I/O fairness and efficiency. Some also suppress the I/O parallelism which causes substantial performance degradation on Flash. This paper develops FIOS, a new Flash I/O scheduler that attains fairness and high efficiency at the same time. FIOS employs a fair I/O timeslice management with mechanisms for read preference, parallelism, and fairness-oriented I/O anticipation. Evaluation demonstrates that FIOS achieves substantially better fairness and efficiency compared to the Linux CFQ scheduler, the SFQ(D) fair queueing scheduler, and the Argon quanta-based scheduler on several Flash-based storage devices (including a CompactFlash card in a low-power wimpy node). In particular, FIOS reduces the worst-case slowdown by a factor of 2.3 or more when the read-only SPECweb workload runs together with the write-intensive TPC-C.
More than Members: Market Revitalization in the Building Trades

For decades sociologists have been interested in the labor movement’s attempts to rebound. Most research, however, focuses on revitalization within the service industry, ignoring important efforts ...
Peripheral Signal Detection and Concurrent Compensatory Tracking

A Mackworth-clock monitoring task was introduced into a standard compensatory tracking task located at different lateral positions in S’s visual field, while the tracking task was located in the ce...
Borderland attachments: citizenship and belonging along the U.S.–Mexico border

AbstractThis article reveals how economic resources and legal status (vis-a-vis the U.S.) shape national attachments and citizenship practices in the context of the U.S.–Mexico border. Through the comparison of middle- and working-class Mexicans, this article highlights how middle-class Mexicans with tourist visas to travel to the U.S. develop what I call transborder citizenship, while deported working-class migrants – legally banned from returning to the U.S. – engage in what I call transnational citizenship. For middle-class Mexicans, transborder citizenship is exhibited through their frequent cross-border experiences and cross-border citizenship practices; however, they remain rooted locally in Mexico. In contrast, for working-class return migrants, transnational citizenship is defined by their restricted mobility even while they retain personal, social, and economic ties with the U.S. Ultimately, return migrants feel dislocated and uprooted in Mexico. The article uses data from observations and in-dep...
Personal and professional challenges confronted by hospital staff following hurricane sandy: a qualitative assessment of management perspectives

Adequate hospital staffing during and after a disaster is critical to meet increased health care demands and to ensure continuity of care and patient safety. However, when a disaster occurs, staff may become both victim and responder, decreasing their ability and willingness to report for work. This qualitative study assessed the personal and professional challenges that affected staff decisions to report to work following a natural disaster and examined the role of management in addressing staff needs and concerns. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with individuals who filled key management roles in the United States Department of Veterans Affairs New York Harbor Healthcare System’s response to Superstorm Sandy and during the facility’s initial recovery phase. All interviews were audio recorded and transcribed. Three major themes were identified: 1) Barriers to reporting (“Barriers”), 2) Facilitators to reporting (“Facilitators”), and 3) Responses to staff needs and concerns (“Responses”). Atlas.ti 7.1.6 software program was used for the management and analysis of the transcripts. Results indicated that staff encountered several barriers that impeded their ability to report to work at mobile vans at the temporarily nonoperational Manhattan campus or at two other VA facilities in Brooklyn and the Bronx in the initial post-Sandy period including transportation problems, personal property damage, and communication issues. In addition, we found evidence of facilitators to reporting as expressed through descriptions of professional duty. Our findings also revealed that management was aware of the challenges that staff was facing and made efforts to reduce barriers and accommodate staff affected by the storm. During and after a disaster event, hospital staff is often confronted with challenges that affect decisions to report for work and perform effectively under potentially harsh conditions. This study examined barriers and facilitators that hospital staff encountered following a major natural disaster from the management perspective. Insights gained from this study can be used to inform future disaster planning and preparedness efforts, and help ensure that there is adequate staffing to mount an effective response when a disaster occurs, and to recover from its aftermath.
Effect analysis of early rehabilitation nursing to Guillain-Barre syndrome children

Objective To analyze the effect of early rehabilitation nursing to Guillain-Barre syndrome children.Methods 60 cases of Guillain-Barre syndrome children in the hospital for treatment were selected for the study,they were divided into control group and research group according to the admission time.The patients in the control group were given routine care,the patients in the research group were given the routine care and rehabilitation care,then those children's life skills and muscle recovery situation were compared. Results After treatment,the life skills score of children in the research group was significantly better improved compared to the control group,the difference was statistically significant(P 0.05);The hospital stay time of children in the research group was significantly shorter than that of the control group,the difference was statistically significant(P 0.05).The improvement of muscle strength of children in the research group after treatment was better. Conclusion Early rehabilitation nursing can effectively enhance the life skills and muscle strength of children with Guillain-Barre syndrome,and can also shorten their recovery cycle,it has better clinical application.
Changes in oxidized lipids drive the improvement in monocyte activation and vascular disease after statin therapy in HIV.

BACKGROUND Oxidative stress plays a significant role in atherosclerosis development. HIV infection has been linked with heightened cardiovascular disease risk. HMG-CoA reductase inhibitors may reduce oxidative stress and subsequently subclinical vascular disease in HIV. DESIGN/METHODS This is a randomized, placebo-controlled trial to evaluate the effect of rosuvastatin in HIV-infected adults on stable antiretroviral therapy with low-density lipoprotein less than 130 mg/dl and increased inflammation or T-cell activation on subclinical vascular disease. Changes over 48 weeks in oxidative stress markers, oxidized low-density lipoprotein (oxLDL) and F2-isoprostane/creatinine ratio (F2-IsoP/Cr), were compared between groups. Spearman correlation and multivariable linear regression were used to evaluate relationships between changes in markers of oxidative stress, inflammation and monocyte activation and carotid intima media thickness (CIMT). RESULTS One hundred and forty-seven adults enrolled (72 to rosuvastatin and 75 to placebo). In the rosuvastatin group, oxLDL decreased significantly over 24 weeks compared to placebo [mean absolute change in log-oxLDL for rosuvastatin -0.2 ± 0.468 log U/l (P < 0.001 within-group) vs. placebo -0.018 ± 0.456 log U/l (P = 0.83 within-group); P = 0.004 between groups] and this change was linked with changes in soluble CD14 and proportion of patrolling monocytes (CD14dimCD16). Although oxLDL levels increased after initially declining and were not different from placebo at week 48, the early improvement in oxLDL was associated with improved CIMT at week 48. Changes in F2-IsoP/Cr were not significant between groups. CONCLUSION Rosuvastatin decreases oxLDL levels early after initiation and is associated with decreased monocyte activation. Early improvement in oxLDL is linked with improved CIMT in treated HIV infection.