cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Empowering Students in Transition.

The purpose of this study was to (a) identify potential benefits for students with disabilities taking part in a physical activity program with same-age typical peers on a Midwest university campus, and (b) to determine if the program impacted the students with disabilities empowerment. Empowerment theory was used to determine how transition students’ attitudes change over the course of the semester while participating in a workout buddy program with same-age college peers. The program was structured to provide a sense of empowerment to students to make their own decisions and learn for themselves so they don’t feel a lack of power in their lives. This study implemented elements of a quantitative design but a majority utilized a qualitative design based on the assumptions of the Interpretivist paradigm. The quantitative design elements focused on the analysis of two questionnaires: Sports Questionnaire; and The Perceived Control Scale Questionnaire. The analysis of the focus group data revealed the following themes as positive effects of the intervention; positive effect on empowerment, how happy the program made the students, what benefits the students gained from the program, the student’s familiarity with university students, and the environment and lastly the students ability to ask for assistance when need. Findings from the study determined that the empowerment of the students with disabilities was impacted while participating in the program. In general, the findings of gaining empowerment were similar to previous studies in that students with disabilities are able to gain empowerment from participation in fitness and recreation programs. The researcher noted during focus groups that some of the BOBW students were not confident in starting conversations with their university. Although the BOBW students felt a sense of losing empowerment with this specific instance, there was an overall positive impact on the BOBW students’ empowerment. By giving the students the opportunity to participate and socialize with peers their own age at a college setting, they were able gain a sense of empowerment in their own life.
Coprescribing naloxone for patients on chronic opioid therapy: Les-sons learned from a patient-safety initiative in primary care training sites.

Objective: To describe the development and implementation of a resident-led effort to increase coprescription of naloxone in a primary care setting. Design: An exploratory, prospective pilot project to increase coprescription rates of naloxone. Setting: Four primary care offices in western Connecticut serving as medical home training sites for primary care residents. Patients, Participants: All patients on chronic opioid therapy. Interventions: Over a 2-month period, eligible patients were identified and approached to receive a naloxone coprescription. Main Outcome Measure: Rate of coprescriptions written. Results: Three out of four training sites were able to increase coprescription rates, and 26 percent of eligible patients were able to have a prescription written. Conclusions: Primary care practices, particularly primary care training sites, looking to implement a coprescription initiative should take several important factors into consideration during the planning stages, including naloxone availability and availability of the patient for naloxone education. More extensive research on best practices is needed.
German and West Germanic

(1941). German and West Germanic. The Germanic Review: Literature, Culture, Theory: Vol. 16, No. 1, pp. 3-20.
Abstract 333: AAV9 Serca2a Gene Transfer Reverses Some but Not All Electrophysiological Deficits in a Chronic Model of Congestive Heart Failure

SERCA2a gene transfer (GT) to the failing heart improves it mechanical function. The electrophysiological (EP) consequences of SERCA2a GT are less clear. We investigated the EP substrate, total (t)...
Black holes, disks, and jets following binary mergers and stellar collapse: The narrow range of electromagnetic luminosities and accretion rates

We have performed magnetohydrodynamic simulations in general relativity of binary neutron star and binary black hole-neutron star mergers, as well as the magnetorotational collapse of supermassive stars. In many cases the outcome is a spinnng black hole (BH) immersed in a magnetized disk, with a jet emanating from the poles of the BH. While their formation scenarios differ and their BH masses, as well as their disk masses, densities, and magnetic field strengths, vary by orders of magnitude, these features conspire to generate jet Poynting luminosities that all lie in the same, narrow range of ~1052±1 erg s-1. A similar result applies to their BH accretion rates upon jet launch, which is ~0.1-10 M⊙ s-1. We provide a simple model that explains these unanticipated findings. Interestingly, these luminosities reside in the same narrow range characterizing the observed luminosity distributions of over 400 short and long GRBs with distances inferred from spectroscopic redshifts or host galaxies. This result, together with the GRB lifetimes predicted by the model, supports the belief that a compact binary merger is the progenitor of an SGRB, while a massive, stellar magnetorotational collapse is the progenitor of an LGRB.
The Plasma Archipelago: Plasma Physics in the 1960s

With the foundation of the Division of Plasma Physics of the American Physical Society in April 1959, plasma physics was presented as the general study of ionized gases. This paper investigates the degree to which plasma physics, during its first decade, established a community of interrelated specialties, one that brought together work in gaseous electronics, astrophysics, controlled thermonuclear fusion, space science, and aerospace engineering. It finds that, in some regards, the plasma community was indeed greater than the sum of its parts and that its larger identity was sometimes glimpsed in inter-specialty work and studies of fundamental plasma behaviors. Nevertheless, the plasma specialties usually worked separately for two inter-related reasons: prejudices about what constituted “basic physics,” both in the general physics community and within the plasma community itself; and a compartmentalized funding structure, in which each funding agency served different missions.
Hybrid ODE/SSA Model of the Budding Yeast Cell Cycle Control Mechanism with Mutant Case Study

The budding yeast cell cycle is regulated by complex and multi-scale control mechanisms, and is subject to inherent noise in a cell, resulted from low copy numbers of species such as critical mRNAs. Conventional deterministic models cannot capture this inherent noise. Although stochastic models can generate simulation results to better represent inherent noise in system dynamics, the stochastic approach is often computationally too expensive for complex systems, which exhibit multiscale features in two aspects: species with different scales of abundances and reactions with different scales of firing frequencies. To address this challenge, one promising solution is to adopt a hybrid approach. It replaces the single mathematical representation of either discrete-stochastic formulation or continuous deterministic formulation with an integration of both methods, so that the corresponding advantageous features in both methods are well kept to achieve a trade-off between accuracy and efficiency. In this work, we propose a hybrid stochastic model that represents the regulatory network of the budding yeast cell cycle control mechanism, respectively, by Gillespie's stochastic simulation algorithm (SSA) and ordinary differential equations (ODEs). Simulation results of our model were compared with published experimental measurement on the budding yeast cell cycle. The comparison demonstrates that our hybrid model well represents many critical characteristics of the budding yeast cell cycle, and reproduces more than 100 phenotypes of mutant cases. Moreover, the model accounts for partial viability of certain mutant strains. The last but not the least, the proposed scheme is shown to be considerably faster in both modeling and simulation than the equivalent stochastic simulation.
First Report of Phomopsis longicolla Causing Stem Necrosis on Soybean in Arkansas

Soybean plants (Glycine max (L.) Merr.) with stem necrosis symptoms were observed in several fields across southeast Arkansas, USA in 2016. Symptoms included reddish-brown elliptical lesions that progressed to slightly sunken cankers of varied lengths on stems with pycnidia sometimes observed in the area of necrotic tissue (Mathew et al. 2015; Vidic et al. 2013). Cankers girdling the stems 5-8 cm above the soil line were often found. Severely impacted plants were aggregated in approximately 3-10 m patches with a disease incidence >95% and <10% incidence more widespread in fields. In severely affected areas, symptoms advanced up the plant with necrosis occurring at petiole bases resulting in leaf and petiole pruning and pod abortions. Approximately 50 symptomatic plants were sampled from 5 fields in Desha (33.797790°, -91.278337°; 33.809550°, -91.278975°; and 33.946060°, -91.412891°), Lincoln (33.950424°, -91.902375°), and Jefferson (34.193164°, -91.902375°) counties. Forty fungal isolations from 3 cm piec...
A computational intelligence approach for residential home energy management considering reward incentives

The residential sector's energy consumption share is increasing in recent years. Demand response (DR) is a typical way to schedule consumers' energy consumption and help utility to reduce the peak load demand. This paper proposes a new incentive-based DR program for residential houses based on a coordinated two-level optimization framework. A central controller is used to consider the demand response potential (DRP) of the local controllers and allocates the demand reduction according to the DRP information. A mixed integer linear programming (MILP) algorithm is employed to optimize the residential appliances. The thermal comfort of resident is evaluated using comfort indicator, and rewards are used to evaluate the demand response performance. The results demonstrate the feasibility and advantages of the proposed system.
Intrinsic factor in tropical sprue.

Using an in vitro assay for gastric intrinsic factor, it was shown that seventeen of twenty-three patients with treated and untreated tropical sprue have adequate intrinsic factor in their gastric juice.
An Examination of Intrinsic and Instrumental Instruction in Art Education

The purpose of this study was to compare and contrast intrinsic and instrumental instruction in art education. To do so, the absence (no instruction), presence (intrinsic, studio-based), and type of instruction (instrumental, integrated) were examined across three fifth-grade classes to determine their effects on student artistic production, knowledge of art, and preferences about art. Student demographic responses indicated that all three fifth-grade groups were very interested (average 85%) in making art when they were not in school. High student interest significantly affected ratings on thematic drawings. There were no significant differences on the thematic or observational drawings according to the type of instruction, raising a question as to whether the type of instruction used in art education is more of a curricular choice than a concern for student achievement. Differences in groups tended to form more clearly around the absence or presence of art instruction with limited comparisons between in...
Vibrational Playback Experiments: Challenges and Solutions

Playbacks are one of the most useful experimental tools in animal communication research. Playbacks of substrate vibrations present special challenges, but conducting high-fidelity vibrational playbacks is not difficult and depends less on the specific equipment used than on avoiding some common pitfalls. We review the major issues, describing both the problems and a range of solutions. Our focus is on playback through living plants, but most of the issues apply to playback through other substrates as well. The major challenge for playback through any substrate is that the vibrational signal is almost always changed by the playback equipment and the substrate, so that the signal received by the focal animal is different from the one intended by the experimenter. The general solution to this problem is to measure the changes imposed by the playback system and to pre-filter the playback signal to compensate for them. A second challenge is to ensure that the focal animal receives a signal at the appropriate amplitude. Achieving the proper amplitude is a straightforward process. However, amplitude is substrate dependent (e.g., on a plant, amplitude is inversely proportional to stem diameter), and the experimenter should choose a realistic amplitude for the substrate. Other issues include choices of playback device, natural versus artificial substrates, single versus multiple substrate exemplars, and playback in laboratory versus field. Our goal in this chapter is to give experimenters, especially those just starting out, the knowledge and confidence needed to conduct high-quality vibrational playbacks.
17-Beta Hydroxysteroid Dehydrogenase 13 Is a Hepatic Retinol Dehydrogenase Associated With Histological Features of Nonalcoholic Fatty Liver Disease

Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is a common cause of chronic liver disease. A single-nucleotide polymorphism (SNP), rs6834314, was associated with serum liver enzymes in the general population, presumably reflecting liver fat or injury. We studied rs6834314 and its nearest gene, 17-beta hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase 13 (HSD17B13), to identify associations with histological features of NAFLD and to characterize the functional role of HSD17B13 in NAFLD pathogenesis. The minor allele of rs6834314 was significantly associated with increased steatosis but decreased inflammation, ballooning, Mallory-Denk bodies, and liver enzyme levels in 768 adult Caucasians with biopsy-proven NAFLD and with cirrhosis in the general population. We found two plausible causative variants in the HSD17B13 gene. rs72613567, a splice-site SNP in high linkage with rs6834314 (r 2 = 0.94) generates splice variants and shows a similar pattern of association with NAFLD histology. Its minor allele generates simultaneous expression of exon 6-skipping and G-nucleotide insertion variants. Another SNP, rs62305723 (encoding a P260S mutation), is significantly associated with decreased ballooning and inflammation. Hepatic expression of HSD17B13 is 5.9-fold higher (P = 0.003) in patients with NAFLD. HSD17B13 is targeted to lipid droplets, requiring the conserved amino acid 22-28 sequence and amino acid 71-106 region. The protein has retinol dehydrogenase (RDH) activity, with enzymatic activity dependent on lipid droplet targeting and cofactor binding site. The exon 6 deletion, G insertion, and naturally occurring P260S mutation all confer loss of enzymatic activity. Conclusion: We demonstrate the association of variants in HSD17B13 with specific features of NAFLD histology and identify the enzyme as a lipid droplet–associated RDH; our data suggest that HSD17B13 plays a role in NAFLD through its enzymatic activity.
199 The effect of different doses of follicle-stimulating hormone during superovulation on ovarian function in dairy cattle

Cattle with an unknown antral follicle count (AFC) during follicular waves respond to different FSH doses during superovulation in a curvilinear fashion with the highest doses decreasing or not increasing ovulatory follicle number, number of transferable embryos, and number of corpora lutea (CL). These observations support the hypothesis that heifers treated with different FSH doses during superovulation will reach a superovulation maximum (SOVmax) and that doses exceeding SOVmax are excessive, resulting in a decrease in ovarian function. To test this hypothesis, we used eight 12-month-old Holstein heifers with a low AFC ( 0.05) for heifers treated with the 40-mg (mean ± s.e.m., 27 ± 3.7) v. 20-mg (17.9 ± 2.5) FSH dose, but the response to higher FSH doses (27.9 ± 4.4; 27 ± 3.3) did not differ from the response to the 40-mg dose. Number of ovulatory follicles was greater (P < 0.05) for heifers treated with the 40-mg (17.5 ± 2.3) v. 20-mg (10.1 ± 1.4) FSH dose, but the response to higher doses (18.9 ± 3.3; 17.3 ± 2.4) did not differ from the response to the 40-mg dose. At Day 7 post-hCG, CL number was greater (P < 0.05) for heifers treated with the 40-mg (13.8 ± 2.9) v. 20-mg (7.4 ± 1.4) dose, but response to higher doses (9.9 ± 3.2; 9.1 ± 2.3) did not differ from the response to the 40-mg dose. Ovulation rate (ovulatory follicle number divided by CL number) was greater (P < 0.05) for heifers treated with the 40-mg (79 ± 0.08%) v. 80-mg (52 ± 0.09%) or 120-mg (53 ± 0.09%) dose, but similar to that of heifers treated with 20-mg (73 ± 0.09%) FSH dose. These results support the conclusion that the 40-mg FSH dose achieves SOVmax and FSH doses greater than SOVmax in cattle with a low AFC and small ovarian reserve are excessive and detrimental to ovarian function. This project was supported by Agriculture and Food Research Initiative Competitive Grant no. 2017-67015-26084 from the USDA National Institute of Food and Agriculture (Washington, DC).
Abstract 261: Gender-Specific Differences in Behavioral and Physiological Risk Factors Associated with Childhood Obesity

Background: Prior research has shown differences in physiologic and behavioral measurements of adolescent boys and girls. This study sought to determine if similar gender-specific differences exist...
Influence of sulfur dioxide-emitting polyethylene packaging on blueberry decay and quality during extended storage

Abstract Blueberries are highly susceptible to decay after harvest and application of sulfur dioxide (SO2) has been shown to effectively control decay during extended storage. Box liners are in commonly used with other commodities to reduce water loss. In 2017 three varieties, ‘Emerald’, Jewel’ and ‘Misty’, were obtained from commercial packing houses. They were contained in plastic clamshells with 12 clamshells per box. We examined: 1) two liners that continuously emitted SO2 from sodium metabisulfite incorporated into the liner film. These ventilated with holes that comprised 0.3 % or 0.9 % of the liner surface area; 2) two solid, non-ventilated liners designed to develop a modified atmosphere (MA) during storage, either alone or with SO2 emitting sheets inside the packages within the liners; 3) control packages without liners. After packaging the fruit were placed into storage for either 3 or 6 weeks and then evaluated for decay and fruit quality. The effect on decay was determined both by assessing natural decay and by determining the spread of decay from berries inoculated with Botrytis cinerea. In 2018 two varieties, ‘Draper’ and ‘Duke’ were tested in a similar manner, except a 0.1 % vented liner replaced the 0.9 % liner, which performed poorly in 2017, and the SO2-emitting sheets were not included as a treatment. In 2018 we measured concentrations of SO2 and atmospheric gases were monitored within the packages. Results from both years indicated that the SO2-emitting liners were effective in reducing natural decay and the spread of aerial mycelial growth of B. cinerea from inoculated berries compared to treatments without SO2. Treatments that combined SO2 and MA (SO2/MA) were the most effective. MA alone did not consistently control decay. The high level of effectiveness of the SO2/MA treatment in controlling decay may be due to higher humidity levels within the packages that would enhance SO2 activity, because SO2 concentrations did not differ among the liner types and concentrations of CO2 in the MA packaging were too low to have had much effect. Weight loss was significantly less in packaging with liners with less vent area, with the least being in the MA packaging, regardless of the presence of SO2. Less weight loss was associated with reduced shrivel, although firmness was not always greater. SO2 concentrations measured in 2018 did not exceed 10 μL L-1 and bleaching of the berries did not occur in either year. SO2-emitting liners are an effective means of preserving blueberry quality during extended storage, particularly when combined with MA. The simplicity of assembling a package with a single liner versus using a conventional liner followed by a SO2-emitting sheet could be of benefit to blueberry packers.
Proper orthogonal decomposition assisted subfilter-scale model of turbulence for large eddy simulation

A subfilter-scale model for large-eddy simulation is devised using proper orthogonal decomposition, assuming self-similarity among the finest resolved and subfilter scales. The model naturally manifests the forward and backward transfer of interscale energy as well as the correct near-wall scaling.
Empirically assessing noisy necessary conditions with activation functions

Ceiling lines were recently proposed to identify necessary conditions as constraints on the outcome in a scatterplot. However, these lines do not work very well on large data sets with random observation error. This paper suggests an alternate way of empirically assessing probabilistic necessary conditions in large and noisy data sets using sigmoidal activation functions, which describe the propensity of outcome at different levels of the independent variable.
Abstract 13549: GP130 Signaling Promotes Right Ventricular Dysfunction in Pulmonary Arterial Hypertension via Microtubules

Introduction: Pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) is a lethal pulmonary arterial vasculopathy that results in right ventricle dysfunction (RVD). We showed that microtubule-mediated junctophilin-2...
NiTiHf shape memory alloys as phase change thermal storage materials

Abstract Motivated by the recent advancements demonstrating the effectiveness of NiTi shape memory alloys (SMAs) as high figure of merit (FOM) phase change materials (PCMs) for thermal management and storage, NiTiHf SMAs were explored as candidate solid-solid PCMs with high temperature capability. Differential scanning calorimetry and Archimedes’ method were used to determine the transformation temperatures, thermal hysteresis, enthalpy of transformation, and density of several different NiTiHf SMAs with varying compositions. Ni50.3Ti29.7Hf20 (at. %) demonstrated a high transformation enthalpy of 32.5 J/g, a relatively low thermal hysteresis of 31°C and a thermal conductivity of 11.19 Wm−1K−1 in the austenite phase. In general, NiTiHf SMAs exhibited FOM values an order of magnitude higher than traditional PCMs and up to about 120 % higher than the FOM value measured in binary NiTi SMAs. The clear trends relating transformation temperatures, transformation enthalpy, and thermal hysteresis to composition presented here provide for tunability of NiTiHf SMAs to specific thermal energy storage applications through composition control. High FOM values combined with transformation temperatures surpassing 500°C allows NiTiHf alloys to populate previously empty regions of FOM vs. transformation temperature property space for high FOM PCMs.
Elementary Preservice Teachers’ Trajectories for Appropriating Engineering Design–Based Science Teaching

Learning to teach science using engineering design is a complex endeavor for elementary preservice teachers (PSTs). This entails helping PSTs understand students as sense makers and recognizing ways to notice, respond, and leverage their students’ ideas throughout the design process. In this study, we follow a cohort of elementary PSTs through a 16-week method course including a related field experience in a local STEM intermediate school (grades 5–6) to better understand how they organize, plan for, and attempt to integrate engineering design–based science teaching. Data were gathered through interviews, lesson plans, reflective narratives, and classroom observations. Data were analyzed using open coding, document review, and cross case analysis. Results indicated that PSTs demonstrated three different ways they began to appropriate elements of engineering design–based science teaching, including adaptive approximations and compartmentalization of core practices as well as the replication of delivery pedagogies as practiced by school-based mentors. Recommendations for science teacher educators and instructors of science interested in integrating engineering design–based science teaching across contexts are provided.
Review: special issue on engineering communication

Summary form only given as follows. A review is given of articles published in the special issue of Language and Learning across the Disciplines. The issue is devoted to writing across the curriculum in engineering courses, guest edited by Steven Yourq Director of Communication in Engineering Program, Cornell. The special issue offers strategies for working with written communication in the classroom, and on the web, as well as administrative issues and program design and development. The focus is on the perspective of the writing program director dealing with the particular needs of engineering programs, but presents histories of writing programs and tested solutions to problems that have grown out of collaborations with engineers.
Borders and Intersections of Possibility: Multilingual Repertoires of Refugee Families in the Southwest U.S.

This study examines the linguistic and cultural intersections of recently arrived Somali Bantu refugee students in South Texas through the lens of border theory. The use of Spanish in the homes of refugee families is explored in addition to ways in which an educator used testimonios to honor students’ migration experiences. Findings show how specific approaches used in schools that affirm both the receiving communities’ and the new arrivals' local knowledge can have a lasting impact on literacy acquisition and resettlement experiences. Findings from this study also illuminate the potential impact of educators who develop a critical, inquiry stance by embedding multiple entry points for students to cross social, cultural, linguistic, and curricular borders in school.
The healthcare utilization and cost of treating patients experiencing inappropriate implantable cardioverter defibrillator shocks: a propensity score study.

Background Inappropriate shocks (IASs) from implantable cardioverter defibrillators (ICDs) are associated with decreased quality of life, but whether they increase healthcare utilization and treatment costs is unknown. We sought to determine the impact of IASs on subsequent healthcare utilization and treatment costs. Methods We conducted a case-control analysis of ICD patients at a single institution from 1997 to 2010 and who had ≥12 months of post-ICD implant follow-up. Cases included all patients experiencing an IAS during the first 12 months after implantation. Eligible control patients did not receive a shock of any kind during the 12 months after implantation. Propensity scores based on 36 covariates (area under curve = 0.78) were used to match cases to controls. We compared the rate (occurrences/person year [PY]) of healthcare utilization immediately following IAS to the end of the 12-month follow-up period to the rate in the no-shock group over 12 months of follow-up. We also compared 12-month postimplant treatment (outpatient clinic, emergency room, and hospitalization) costs in both groups. Results A total of 76 patients experiencing ≥1 IAS during the first 12 months after implant (contributing 48 PYs) were matched to 76 no-shock patients (contributing 76 PYs). Cardiovascular (CV)-related clinic visit and hospitalization rates were increased following an IAS compared to those not receiving a shock (4.0 vs 3.3 and 0.7 vs 0.5, respectively, P = 0.02 for both). CV-related emergency room visitation (0.15 vs 0.08) rates were also numerically higher following an IAS, but did not reach statistical significance (P = 0.26). Patients experiencing an IAS accrued greater treatment costs during the 12 months postimplant compared to no-shock patients ($13,973 ± $46,345 vs $6,790 ± $19,091, P = 0.001). Conclusion Recipients of IAS utilize the healthcare system more frequently following an IAS than patients not experiencing a shock. This increased utilization results in higher costs of treating IAS patients during the 12 months postimplant.
An Evaluation of the Efficiency of Minnow Traps for Estimating the Abundance of Minnows in Desert Spring Systems

AbstractDesert springs are sensitive aquatic ecosystems that pose unique challenges to natural resource managers and researchers. Among the most important of these is the need to accurately quantify population parameters for resident fish, particularly when the species are of special conservation concern. We evaluated the efficiency of baited minnow traps for estimating the abundance of two at-risk species, Foskett Speckled Dace Rhinichthys osculus ssp. and Borax Lake Chub Gila boraxobius, in desert spring systems in southeastern Oregon. We evaluated alternative sample designs using simulation and found that capture–recapture designs with four capture occasions would maximize the accuracy of estimates and minimize fish handling. We implemented the design and estimated capture and recapture probabilities using the Huggins closed-capture estimator. Trap capture probabilities averaged 23% and 26% for Foskett Speckled Dace and Borax Lake Chub, respectively, but differed substantially among sample locations, t...
Conspecific density dependence in seedlings varies with species shade tolerance in a wet tropical forest

Density-dependent seedling mortality could increase with a species relative abundance, thereby promoting species coexistence. Differences among species in light-dependent mortality also could enhance coexistence via resource partitioning. These compatible ideas rarely have been considered simultaneously. We developed models of mortality as functions of irradiance and local conspecific density (LCD) for seedlings of 53 tropical woody species. Species varied in mortality responses to these factors, but mortality consistently increased with shading and LCD. Across species, density-dependent mortality on a per-neighbour basis was inversely related to species community abundance, but higher LCD in more common species resulted in a weak relationship between species abundance and density-dependent mortality scaled to species maximum LCD. Species mortality responses to shading and maximum LCD were strongly and positively correlated. Our results suggest that species differences in density-dependent mortality are more strongly related to physiologically based life-history traits than biotic feedbacks related to community abundance.
Multiple dielectric anomalies in xBiLaO3-(1 -x)PbTiO3 piezoelectrics

Compositions of xBiLaO3–(1 − x) PbTiO3 over the range 0 ≤ x ≤ 0.225 were calcined and sintered. The dielectric constant with temperature and differential scanning calorimetry measurements were in excellent agreement with respect to Curie-like tetragonal to cubic transformations starting at 495 °C for pure PbTiO3, shifting to lower temperatures with increasing x. For compositions of x ≥ 0.05, a second higher-temperature (∼600 °C) endotherm, and matching dielectric anomaly, were consistently observed, for which there were no structural changes indicated by hot-stage x-ray diffraction. This transformation was speculated to be based on a thermally induced desegregation of B-site cations.
Learning During Design for Six Sigma Projects—A Preliminary Investigation in Behavioral Healthcare

AbstractAs individual members of an organization engage in activities, such as continuous quality improvement efforts, they learn. However, it is not yet well known what impact this type of learning has on individuals/teams within organizations. To examine this issue, this research used an action research, multiple case study approach to examine the use of structured, continuous quality improvement methods in behavioral/mental healthcare organizations. It explored how the use of Design for Six Sigma generated individual learning among team members as they worked to improve their organization by designing/redesigning their operational processes. Findings suggest that learning occurs through hands-on practice and guidance/support from others. In addition, communication, collaboration, and teamwork helped to overcome some of the challenges faced and facilitate learning.
Synthetic studies of didemnins. i. revision of the stereochemistry of the hydroxyisovalerylpropionyl (hip) unit.

Abstract Synthetic and spectral evidence for the absolute configuration of the asymmetric centers of the hydroxyisovalerylpropionyl (HIP) unit present in the depsipeptides didemnins is discussed.
Gas-lens type deflection structure for light beams

The efficient transmission along a curved path represents a problem which has to be solved before the application for long-distance communication can be further considered. Small changes of the direction of propagation can be achieved directly by curved gas lenses. It is the purpose of this letter to describe a method by which a light beam can be deflected with low losses. The method is based on the effects of thermal gradients in gases. The study carried out in our laboratory actually has a two-fold purpose, namely, a) the design of a test section in whch the effects of thermal gradients on light beams can be investigated under well defined experimental conditions; and b) to show the possibility of using such a structure for the beam deflection separated from the focusing gas lenses.
Some general observations on Ph.D. production in computer science

Based on remarks made as a participant of Panel on the Ph.D. Production Rate, Meeting of Heads of Ph.D. Computer Science Departments, Snowbird, Utah, July 1-2, 1974.
Introduction of Parallel GPGPU Acceleration Algorithms for the Solution of Radiative Transfer

General-purpose computing on graphics processing units (GPGPU) is a recent technique that allows the parallel graphics processing unit (GPU) to accelerate calculations performed sequentially by the central processing unit (CPU). To introduce GPGPU to radiative transfer, the Gauss-Seidel solution of the well-known expressions for 1-D and 3-D homogeneous, isotropic media is selected as a test case. Different algorithms are introduced to balance memory and GPU-CPU communication, critical aspects of GPGPU. Results show that speed-ups of one to two orders of magnitude are obtained when compared to sequential solutions. The underlying value of GPGPU is its potential extension in radiative solvers (e.g., Monte Carlo, discrete ordinates) at a minimal learning curve.
Serum immunoglobulins: Methods for the determination of normal values in international units

This paper describes the proper statistical methods for the determination of the range of normal values of serum immunoglobulins in any population and for the conversion of those ranges, or any serum immunoglobulin value, from mg per ml to World Health Organization International Units. In determining the normal range, it is argued that the analysis should be based upon the logarithms of the serum immunoglobulin values and that the range of normal values about the mean should be determined by the application of tolerance limits, rather than the more familar but incorrect confidence limits. For converting normal ranges from mg per ml to International Units, methods of parallel line bioassay (for IgG and IgA) and non-linear bioassay (for IgM and IgD) are used. For both bioassay methods, graphical techniques are described.
Can lipid peroxidation damage the amputated digit prior to replantation

The free radical induced lipid peroxidation has often been implicated in cellular damage (1). One of the requirements for this process to occur is the presence of molecular oxygen (2). When this principle is applied to the discussion of amputated digits before replantation, one can ask the question whether or not lipid peroxidation is involved in causing damage. However, one has to be careful in answering this question because the net perfusion of the amputated digit is zero and hence the oxygen content is negligible. In this situation, can lipid peroxidation occur and, if so, is it due to the diffusion of oxygen from the atmosphere into the digit? Also, one has to be concerned about the fate of the Superoxide ion that is formed.
Effect of Fractional Fluorination on the Properties of ATRP Surface-Initiated Poly(hydroxyethyl methacrylate) Films

Acylation of a surface-initiated poly(hydroxyethyl methacrylate) (PHEMA) film with a perfluoroalkyl acid chloride (C7F15COCl) results in a highly blocking film with fluorocarbon side groups that orient at the air−film interface to produce an ultralow-energy surface. The kinetics of the acylation step was monitored with reflectance-absorption infrared spectroscopy to reveal that the rate of fluorination depends on the chain length and solution concentration of the perfluorinated acid chloride as well as the solvent used. By control of the time of exposure to C7F15COCl, films with fractional conversion of the hydroxyl groups to fluorinated esters between 0 and 0.8 were produced. Increasing fractional conversion from 0 to ∼0.2 has a dramatic effect on surface wettability and electrochemical barrier properties as a densely packed, oriented fluorocarbon surface region is formed that greatly reduces water and ion transport. Additional fluorination has no effect on wettability but gradually increases film resist...
American Urological Association Symptom Index for lower urinary tract symptoms in women: correlation with degree of bother and impact on quality of life.

Abstract Objectives To determine first whether the American Urological Association Symptom Index (AUASI) correlates with the degree of bother caused by lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS) in women and whether the association varies with a woman’s age and continent status; and second, whether the AUASI and degree of bother caused by symptoms correlate with a woman’s quality of life (QOL) and whether the association varies with a woman’s age and continent status. LUTS occur in women and may produce significant bother and affect their QOL. The AUASI has been used to evaluate LUTS in female patients; however, its correlation with the degree of bother and QOL has not been clearly established in women. Methods The charts of 1232 women who completed the AUASI, as well as the Symptom Problem Index and global QOL question, were reviewed. Spearman’s rank order correlation was computed to assess the correlation between the AUASI and Symptom Problem Index. It was also computed after stratifying the women’s age and continence status (continent versus incontinent). A linear regression model was applied, with the AUASI and Symptom Problem Index as the response variables and QOL as the continuous explanatory variable. Results The mean age was 54.6 years. Six hundred women (49%) were incontinent. Spearman’s rank order showed a strong correlation between symptoms and problems caused by symptoms (0.858, P Conclusions The AUASI accurately described LUTS in women and, as with men, is a good indicator of the degree of bother and affect on QOL.
Boron-doped carbon powders formed at 1000 °C and one atmosphere

Abstract Boron-doped amorphous carbon powders were produced at 1000 °C and under one atmosphere of pressure using a simple tube furnace. Doping was monitored using XRD and Raman spectroscopy, and boron content was confirmed by XPS. The XPS data showed a peak at 188 eV which coincides with the B1s energy when bound to carbon. XRD data showed a decreasing d002-spacing, indicating increased graphitization upon doping. The full width at half maximum of this peak decreased, probably due to an increase in grain size upon boron doping. Raman spectroscopy showed a decrease in the height of the G-band, due to the boron substitution. The intensity ratio of the G- to D-bands increased, indicating larger grain sizes in the powders.
Improving music artist recommendations through analysis of influences

To improve the quality of search results in huge digital music databases, we developed a simple algorithm based on artist influences and complex network theory that produces interesting and novel results. Traditionally, music recommendation engines use audio feature similarity to suggest new music based on a given artist. We propose a search that takes influences into account provides a richer result set than one based on audio features alone. We constructed an artist influence network using the Rovi dataset and studied it using complex network theory. Analysis revealed many complex network phenomena which we used to tune the search algorithm. Finally, we consider the difficulty of qualitatively rating our results and the need for a tool to exercise the algorithm.
Evaluation of image tracker algorithms

This paper presents the results of applying a digital simulation of three conventional image- tracking algorithms to the task of tracking a synthetic target image in the presence of both moving background clutter and sensor noise. The background clutter model is based on two- dimensional correlated noise equations and is repeatable for each test. The Fortran listings of the clutter algorithm are given. Centroid, correlation, and a feature-matching algorithms were used for testing, with a simple criterion for adequacy of tracking. Results are shown with clutter signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) plotted against sensor SNR, which illustrates the relative merit of each tracking algorithm.
RGS6 interacts with DMAP1 and DNMT1 and inhibits DMAP1 transcriptional repressor activity.

Abstract RGS6 is a member of a subfamily of mammalian RGS proteins that possess DEP (disheveled, Egl-10, pleckstrin) and GGL (G protein γ subunit-like) domains in addition to the hallmark RGS domain. RGS proteins negatively regulate heterotrimeric G protein signaling by virtue of the GTPase-activating protein activity of their RGS domains. RGS6 exists in multiple splice forms with a long (6L) or short (6S) N terminus, a complete or incomplete GGL domain, in combination with various C-terminal domains. Green fluorescent protein-tagged RGS6L and RGS6S forms exhibit predominantly cytoplasmic and nuclear patterns of distribution in COS-7 cells, respectively, and traffic from these sites to nucleoli in response to stress signaling. We undertook a yeast two-hybrid screen for nuclear RGS6-binding proteins and here identify DMAP1 as an RGS6-interacting protein. DMAP1 is a component of the Dnmt1 complex involved in repression of newly replicated genes. The domains of interaction were mapped to the N-terminal region of the GGL domain of RGS6, a region distinct from its Gβ5 binding region, and the C-terminal domain of DMAP1. Gβ5 and DMAP1 did not compete for each other's interaction with RGS6. Co-immunoprecipitation studies in COS-7 cells showed that RGS6L and RGS6S, but not RGS6LΔ258-293 deletion mutant lacking a DMAP1-binding module, co-immunoprecipitate DMAP1 as well as Dnmt1 in a DMAP1-dependent manner. A recombinant GGL domain of RGS6 precipitated endogenous DMAP1 and Dnmt1 in neuroblastoma cell lysates and endogenous DMAP1 co-immunoprecipitated with RGS6L from mouse brain. Co-expression of DMAP1 with RGS6L promoted nuclear migration of RGS6L and its co-localization with DMAP1, a response not observed with RGS6LΔ258-293. RGS6 inhibited the transcriptional repressor activity of DMAP1. RGS6 is the first member of the RGS protein family shown to interact with proteins involved in transcriptional regulation.
Ouabain Effect on Transmural Transport of Potassium by Canine Small Intestine.

SummaryEvidence of the alteration of the unidirectional, mucosa to serosa, trans-mural potassium flux by ouabain has been presented. This evidence suggests several conclusions concerning the transport of potassium by the small intestinal mucosal cell. It seems likely that potassium actually passes through the cell, rather than passing through extracellular channels between cells as is commonly suggested. This alteration in cellular potassium transport would appear to be carrier linked, and the carrier involved in the ouabain-enhanced transmural flux is on the serosal surface of the mucosal cell. Because potassium cannot be shown to be transported against an electrochemical gradient, and potassium transport has a low Q10 suggestive of a diffusion process, the carrier process involved in potassium transport may be an example of an equilibrating carrier system. Whether potassium has a carrier mechanism regularly available, or whether it is able to use the sodium carrier when the latter is altered by the addi...
Predictors of Severe Hypotension in Neurocritical Care Patients Sedated with Propofol

Introduction Propofol is used extensively in neurocritical care (NCC) due to its pharmacologic properties allowing for facilitation of serial neurologic examinations. Despite widespread use, few studies have identified risk factors for hypotension in these patients. We aimed to determine predictors of hypotension in NCC patients sedated with propofol.
Failure of Therapy for Tuberculosis in Human Immunodeficiency Virus Infection

Optimum treatment of tuberculosis in persons with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection is still being defined. Tuberculosis treatment failure in an HIV-infected patient is described and 10 similar cases from the medical literature are reviewed to search for common patterns associated with an adverse outcome of therapy in this setting. Six patients were poorly compliant. In nine patients, the subsequent episode of tuberculosis was disseminated or extrapulmonary; in four the central nervous system was involved. In five patients, a problem with rifampin usage was encountered: Three had rifampin-resistant Mycobacterium tuberculosis, one experienced an adverse reaction to rifampin, leading to withdrawal from the regimen after 1 week, and one was receiving a drug that may interfere with rifampin's antimycobacterial effect. This case report and literature review suggest that particular attention should be directed toward ensuring that patients with HIV infection comply with treatment of tuberculosis. For the majority of patients, the already stretched resources available for the treatment of tuberculosis and HIV infection should be devoted to compliance enhancement rather than to more prolonged or intensive drug regimens. However, it should be emphasized that patients with disseminated tuberculosis or central nervous system disease and those who are not able to receive rifampin because of drug resistance or an adverse reaction should be managed individually.
There Are No Classical Glueballs

I show that there are no finite-energy non-singular solutions of classical Yang-Mills theory in four-dimensional Minkowski space that do not radiate energy out to spatial infinity. Finite-energy non-singular solutions that are either static or periodic in time, are a fortiori non-radiant; thus this generalizes earlier theorems that state that there are no such solutions.
Magnetic and Electrical Properties of Random and Digital Alloys of GaSb:Mn

We have investigated the effect of Sb/Ga flux ratio on the magnetic and electronic properties of Mn-incorporated GaSb random and digital alloys grown by low-temperature molecular beam epitaxy. The magnetic and magnetotransport properties of Ga1−xMn x Sb random alloys are strongly dependent on Sb/Ga flux ratio. Clear square-like hysteresis loops were observed for Sb/Ga flux ratios between 4.60 and 5.25. The coercive field and negative magnetoresistance increase with decreasing Sb/Ga flux ratio, while the Curie temperature remains constant at approximately 23 K, with no systematic dependence on the hole density. In contrast, the Curie temperatures for the GaSb:Mn digital alloys with different Mn surface coverages depend significantly on the Sb/Ga flux ratio, and it is also directly correlated with the hole density.