cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Comparison of reproductive parameters for populations of eastern North Pacific common dolphins: Delphinus capensis and D. delphis

Reproductive parameters were estimated and compared for eastern North Pacific populations of common dolphins using specimen and photogrammetric data. Age and length data for Delphinus capensis and D. delphis specimens recovered as bycatch or strandings were used to estimate the postnatal growth rates needed to estimate age for calves measured in aerial photographs. Bayesian methods propagated uncertainty among models and revealed that the 2009 cohort of calves had birth dates centered on 6 March 2009 for D. capensis and 12 December 2008 for D. delphis .T he evidence for discrete calving seasons suggests a mechanism of reproductive isolation has evolved between species. Photogrammetric data and Bayesian methods were also used to estimate the average length at which calves swim independently: 145.1 cm (� 11.1 mo) in D. capensis and 140.1 cm (� 14.0 mo) in D. delphis, and the proportion of calves (calves/dolphins counted): 0.045 in D. capensis and 0.069 in D. delphis. The latter parameter was converted to an index of calf production (calf/female dolphin) that was >50% lower than pregnancy rates suggesting few births occurred during the study year. Comparisons of regional differences in calf production suggest variability in habitat use patterns within the study area. Knowledge of reproductive characteristics is essential to understanding the demography of wild animal populations. Comparing reproductive parameters among populations often reveals unique adaptations to local habitats, and quantifying interannual variability in reproduction facilitates understanding how populations respond to changing ecosystems and to anthropogenic activities. Most studies of reproduction for pelagic small cetacean populations are based on specimens collected from largescale fishery mortalities over an extended period of time. Due to their preference for productive, upwelling-modified oceanographic habitats (Au and Perryman 1985,
The partnership imperative: Joint working between social services and health

This paper explores the partnership between social services and primary care, in one geographical area, in relation to five potential types of obstacle: structural; procedural; financial; professional; and status and legitimacy. It examines the theory of partnership and the Government’s attitude towards it. It uses semi‐structured interviews with a range of stakeholders to study partnership in practice. Finally, it highlights some of the challenges for the future.
Gene Targeting in Rat Embryo Fibroblasts Promoted by the Polyomavirus Large T Antigen Associated With Neurological Diseases

Expansions of trinucleotide repeats in DNA, a novel source of mutations associated with human disease, may arise by DNA replication slippage initiated by hairpin folding of primer or template strands containing such repeats. To evaluate the stability of single-strand folding by repeating triplets of DNA bases, thermal melting profiles of (CAG)10, (CTG)10, (GAC)10 and (GTC)10 strands are determined at low and physiological salt concentrations, and measurements of melting temperature and enthalpy change are made in each case. Comparisons are made to strands with three times as many repeats, (CAG)30 and (CTG)30. Evidence is presented for stable intrastrand folding by the CAG/CTG class of triplet repeats. Relative to the GAC/GTC class not associated with disease, the order of folding stability is found to be CTG > GAC approximately = CAG > GTC for 10 repeats. Surprisingly, the folds formed by 30 repeats of CTG or CAG have no higher melting temperature and are only 40% more stable in free energy than those formed by 10 repeats. This finding suggests that triplet expansions with higher repeat number may result from the formation of more folded structures with similar stability rather than fewer but longer folds of greater stability.
Should Antihypertensive Treatment Recommendations Differ in Patients With and Without Coronary Heart Disease? (from the Antihypertensive and Lipid-Lowering Treatment to Prevent Heart Attack Trial [ALLHAT])

Thiazide-type diuretics have been recommended for initial treatment of hypertension in most patients, but should this recommendation differ for patients with and without coronary heart disease (CHD)? The Antihypertensive and Lipid-Lowering Treatment to Prevent Heart Attack Trial (ALLHAT) was a randomized, double-blind hypertension treatment trial in 42,418 participants with high risk of combined cardiovascular disease (CVD) (25% with preexisting CHD). This post hoc analysis compares long-term major clinical outcomes in those assigned amlodipine (n = 9048) or lisinopril (n = 9,054) with those assigned chlorthalidone (n = 15,255), stratified by CHD status. After 4 to 8 years, randomized treatment was discontinued. Total follow-up (active treatment + passive surveillance using national databases for deaths and hospitalizations) was 8 to 13 years. For most CVD outcomes, end-stage renal disease, and total mortality, there were no differences across randomized treatment arms regardless of baseline CHD status. In-trial rates of CVD were significantly higher for lisinopril compared with chlorthalidone, and rates of heart failure were significantly higher for amlodipine compared with chlorthalidone in those with and without CHD (overall hazard ratios [HRs] 1.10, p <0.001, and 1.38, p <0.001, respectively). During extended follow-up, significant outcomes according to CHD status interactions (p = 0.012) were noted in amlodipine versus chlorthalidone comparison for CVD and CHD mortality (HR 0.88, p = 0.04, and 0.84, p = 0.04, respectively) in those with CHD at baseline (HR 1.06, p = 0.15, and 1.08, p = 0.17) and in those without. The results of the overall increased stroke mortality in lisinopril compared with chlorthalidone (HR 1.2; p = 0.03) and hospitalized heart failure in amlodipine compared with chlorthalidone (HR 1.12; p = 0.01) during extended follow-up did not differ by baseline CHD status. In conclusion, these results provide no reason to alter our previous recommendation to include a properly dosed diuretic (such as chlorthalidone 12.5 to 25 mg/day) in the initial antihypertensive regimen for most hypertensive patients.
Observations of the interstellar gas with the Copernicus satellite

Results are reviewed for Copernicus far-UV measurements of the absorption lines of H I, D I, H2, and heavier elements in the interstellar gas. Column densities along several lines of sight, as estimated from Ly-alpha absorption-line profiles, confirm that wide differences in the gas density are present in various directions. The measurement of interstellar D I implies an open universe unless alternate sources for this nuclide are found. Analysis of reddened stars for which the line of sight passes through one or more interstellar clouds indicates a depletion of several heavy elements in the gas. It is suggested that the depleted elements may be present in grains rather than molecules and that the intercloud medium may consist primarily of H II with a few small H I clouds.
How is actin polymerization nucleated in vivo

Actin polymerization in vivo is dependent on free barbed ends that act as nuclei. Free barbed ends can arise in vivo by nucleation from the Arp2/3 complex, uncapping of barbed ends on pre-existing filaments or severing of filaments by cofilin. There is evidence that each mechanism operates in cells. However, different cell types use different combinations of these processes to generate barbed ends during stimulated cell motility. Here, I describe recent attempts to define the relative contributions of these three mechanisms to actin nucleation in vivo. The rapid increase in the number of barbed ends during stimulation is not due to any single mechanism. Cooperation between capping proteins, cofilin and the Arp2/3 complex is necessary for the development of protrusive force at the leading edge of the cell: uncapping and cofilin severing contributing barbed ends, whereas activity of the Arp2/3 complex is necessary, but not sufficient, for lamellipod extension. These results highlight the need for new methods that enable the direct observation of actin nucleation and so define precisely the relative contributions of the three processes to stimulated cell motility.
Kinetics of DNA force-induced melting

Once stretched beyond its B-form contour length, double-stranded DNA reveals a sudden increase in length over approximately constant force at about 65 pN. During this conformational transition, DNA base pairing and base stacking are disrupted, converting double stranded DNA (dsDNA) into single stranded DNA (ssDNA). While thermodynamic and recent chemical labeling and fluorescence imaging experiments indicate that this transition is analogous to thermal melting, the kinetics of DNA force-induced melting have not been characterized. We present a predictive model of force-induced melting in which thermal fluctuations induce local melting and re-annealing of DNA. These fluctuations are stabilized by the application of tension during the overstretching transition, favoring the conversion to ssDNA as the applied force is increased. This model quantitatively predicts small changes in the melting force as the pulling rate is varied. We verify that the DNA melting force varies with pulling rate, consistent with this model, and that DNA force-induced melting depends only weakly on pulling rate at slow pulling rates, as melting occurs cooperatively with a domain size of 100-200 base pairs. As the pulling rate is increased beyond the natural duplex opening rate, the melting force depends strongly on pulling rate and the melted domain size decreases to 5-10 base pairs, as the DNA is ripped sequentially from the free ends (or any boundary). The final strand separation occurs at much higher forces, representing the nonequilibrium ripping of the most stable regions that remain at the end of the low force transition. The results indicate that force only weakly enhances base pair opening, while strongly inhibiting base pair closing.
Spectral emissivity measurements of candidate materials for very high temperature reactors

Abstract Heat dissipation by radiation is an important consideration in VHTR components, particularly the reactor pressure vessel (RPV), because of the fourth power temperature dependence of radiated heat. Since emissivity is the material property that dictates the ability to radiate heat, measurements of emissivities of materials that are being specifically considered for the construction of VHTR become important. Emissivity is a surface phenomenon and therefore compositional, structural, and topographical changes that occur at the surfaces of these materials as a result of their interactions with the environment at high temperatures will alter their emissivities. With this background, an experimental system for the measurement of spectral emissivity has been designed and constructed. The system has been calibrated in conformance with U.S. DoE quality assurance standards using inert ceramic materials, boron nitride, silicon carbide, and aluminum oxide. The results of high temperature emissivity measurements of potential VHTR materials such as ferritic steels SA 508, T22, T91 and austenitic alloys IN 800H, Haynes 230, IN 617, and 316 stainless steel have been presented.
Noise reduction in low-dose x-ray fluoroscopy for image-guided radiation therapy.

Purpose To improve the quality of low-dose X-ray fluoroscopic images using statistics-based restoration algorithm so that the patient fluoroscopy can be performed with reduced radiation dose. Method and Materials Noise in the low-dose fluoroscopy was suppressed by temporal and spatial filtering. The temporal correlation among neighboring frames was considered by the Karhunen-Loeve (KL) transform ( i.e. , principal component analysis). After the KL transform, the selected neighboring frames of fluoroscopy were decomposed to uncorrelated and ordered principal components. For each KL component, a penalized weighted least-squares (PWLS) objective function was constructed to restore the ideal image. The penalty was chosen as anisotropic quadratic, and the penalty parameter in each KL component was inversely proportional to its corresponding eigenvalue. Smaller KL eigenvalue is associated with the KL component of lower signal-to-noise ratio (SNR), and a larger penalty parameter should be used for such KL component. The low-dose fluoroscopic images were acquired using a Varian Acuity simulator. A quality assurance phantom and an anthropomorphic chest phantom were used to evaluate the presented algorithm. Results In the images restored by the proposed KL domain PWLS algorithm, noise is greatly suppressed, whereas fine structures are well preserved. Average improvement rate of SNR is 75% among selected regions of interest. Comparison studies with traditional techniques, such as the mean and median filters, show that the proposed algorithm is advantageous in terms of structure preservation. Conclusions The proposed noise reduction algorithm can significantly improve the quality of low-dose X-ray fluoroscopic image and allows for dose reduction in X-ray fluoroscopy.
Establishing a threshold for surgery in recurrent acute rhinosinusitis: a productivity-based analysis.

Objective. Treatment of recurrent acute rhinosinusitis (RARS) has 2 effective modalities: medical therapy with exacerbations or surgery to reduce the frequency and severity of infections. However, it is unclear when one therapy should be recommended over the other. This study seeks to identify a threshold number of infections where the morbidity of surgery is offset by the morbidity of RARS.Study Design. Health economic breakeven threshold analysis.Setting. Clinical otolaryngology practice.Subjects. None.Methods. A model of productivity was constructed to simulate the first 1 to 3 years after surgery using literature reported rates of medical and surgical response rates, quality of life, and productivity.Results. Based on lost productivity, the lost time for the postoperative period balances out when patients suffer from 4 episodes per year (range, 1.8-12.8).Conclusion. Because of possible confusion with upper respiratory tract infections (URTIs), the authors have adopted an approach similar to that adopt...
Clinicopathological findings of canine seborrhoeic keratosis with comparison to pigmented viral plaques.

Background Seborrhoeic keratoses (SKs) are common benign epidermal neoplasms in humans and are rarely diagnosed in the dog. These circumscribed, raised, variably pigmented plaques arise in middle aged to older humans, with a focal or multicentric distribution; although common, the underlying cause of these lesions is not known. Although less common in the dog, the lesions are similar and have features that overlap with papillomavirus-associated pigmented viral plaques. Hypothesis/Objectives Seborrhoeic keratoses in the dog are negative for canine papillomavirus. Animals Eleven cases of SK from a 12 year period were reviewed. Methods This was a retrospective study of the histopathological findings and case histories. Complete clinical records following collection of the skin biopsy were available in five of 11 cases. Immunohistochemistry was performed for all cases; PCR analysis was carried out for papillomavirus in six cases. Results Histologically, SKs had an exophytic to mildly endophytic epidermal proliferation, creating a papillomatous to acanthotic, hyperkeratotic, frequently pigmented plaque. There was an absence of hypergranulosis or viral cytopathic effect; PCRs for canine papillomavirus within the formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded skin biopsies were negative. No breed, sex or site predilection was recognized. The mean age at biopsy of the lesions was 8.8 years (range 5–14 years). Conclusions and clinical importance Histopathological features and negative papillomavirus status distinguish SK as an important differential diagnosis for pigmented viral plaques in dogs.
Subtilin; antibiotic produced by Bacillus subtilis; effect on type III pneumococcus in mice.

ConclusionsSubtilin has been shown to exert a powerful in vivo action on the course of experimental pneumococcus Type III infections in mice. Animals treated with subtilin 9 hours after being injected with the organism were quickly cured of the infection. The antibiotic exhibited no apparent toxic reaction in the animals.
Chasing Clarity: Rumination as a Strategy for Making Sense of Emotions:

Research is needed on the affective mechanisms that motivate people to ruminate. One possibility is that some people might ruminate in response to deficits in emotional clarity because not knowing ...
Optimal auctions with financially constrained buyers

Abstract We study the sale of an indivisible good to liquidity constrained buyers: they cannot pay more than their “budget” regardless of their valuation. Both valuation and budget are private information. We derive the symmetric revenue maximizing and constrained efficient auctions in this setting. We show an implementation via a modified all-pay auction. The highest bidder need not win the good outright, or, stated differently, the auction has “pooling,” despite the usual regularity conditions. Subsidizing low budget buyers cannot increase revenue. From a technical standpoint, we contribute to auction design with multidimensional private information by working directly with reduced-form allocation rules.
Priming and the retrieval of names from long-term memory

Retrieval from long-term memory was investigated in a task in which S was shown a series of pictures of well-known people and asked to say the surname of the person pictured. For half of the pictures S had learned the correct name in a previous free-recall task, i.e., the name was primed. The results were interpreted to indicate that priming facilitated two aspects of retrieval from memory: search and recovery.
A Qualitative Examination of Mexican Immigrants' Career Development: Perceived Barriers and Motivators.

This study examines the variables shaping career development among Mexican immigrants. Based on qualitative interviews with 17 adult, Mexican immigrants, a model describing the barriers and motivators to career development for this sample is offered. Findings indicate that Mexican immigrants' careers are shaped by three sets of interrelated variables: individual-level variables (i.e., personal characteristics and personal goals), group-level variables (i.e., cultural value orientation, immigrant status, and workplace discrimination), and contextual variables (i.e., the state of the labor market and immigration trends). In addition, findings indicate a need to examine progression into higher level line positions separately from supervisory and/or managerial positions.
Microstructure study of thin films of hcp cadmium

Abstract The X-ray diffraction patterns of thin films of Cd, prepared by vacuum evaporation onto glass plates at temperature of 45°C and pressure of about 10−6 Torr, were recorded using Nifiltered CuKα radiation. Several diffraction peaks, with fault and without fault, were selected for this investigation. The films were characterized by a strong preferred orientation along the 002 direction parallel to the surface of the substrate; however, the 101, 102 and 103 peaks were relatively less stronger. The quantitative line broadening analysis of these films was carried out to investigate the effect of various factors contributing to the line broadening phenomena. The geometrical broadening, including the preferred orientation, was removed by an analytical method through the analysis of Fourier coefficients. The particle size and microstrain were found from 100, 002 and 004 peaks, but the fault probabilities were determined from 101, 102, 103 and 104 peaks. While the average particle size D was found to increase from 546 to 620 A for the thickness range 14,700 to 27,700 A, the mean strain ēL decreased by about 50% in the same range. D was apparently isotropic, but ēL were found to be strongly anisotropic for various crystallographic directions. The fault size also showed an increase with thickness, for example, for the 101 direction, it increased from 2377 to 8117 a in the above thickness range.
Measurement uncertainty in rainfall kinetic energy and intensity relationships for soil erosion studies: An evaluation using PARSIVEL disdrometers in the Southern Appalachian Mountains

Abstract The increased use of observations of rainfall microphysics from disdrometers to produce more accurate rainfall kinetic energy estimates requires closer analysis of measurement uncertainty, and in particular how the type of sensor influences rainfall kinetic energy estimates in different hydrometeorological regimes. This study evaluates the performance of Parsivel1 (P1) and Parsivel2 (P2) in measuring rainfall DSDs (drop size distributions) in terms of rain depth (P), rain rate (I), and kinetic energy (KE) at three locations in the Southern Appalachian Mountains for warm season rainfall. For the same storm system, there is large spatial variability of rainfall DSDs between ridges and valleys, and between exposed upwind ridges and the inner region. Parsivel1 measures underestimate the number of small drops, while all rainfall variables are overestimated for DSDs with a large number of drops in the midsize range (1–2 mm in diameter) for both P1 and P2. Overall, results show differences of 40% in KE estimates when P1 is used compared with the more recent P2. The uncertainty analysis clearly illustrates the dependence on hydrometeorological regime and the instrument proper. Relationships between rainfall KE and intensity (I) need to account for the instrumental influence towards better characterization of the rainfall erosion potential locally; and regional scale studies must include spatially distributed observations to capture the dominant hydrometeorological regimes, especially in regions of complex topography where the spatial variability of rainfall is very high.
Overview of 2013 American College of Cardiology/American Heart Association cholesterol guideline for reducing cardiovascular risk

The 2013 American College of Cardiology (ACC)/American Heart Association (AHA) Guideline for the Treatment of Blood Cholesterol to Reduce Atherosclerotic Cardiovascular Risk in Adults represents a paradigm shift in how cardiovascular prevention guidelines are developed and how cholesterol is treated [1]. The National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute convened the Adult Treatment Panel IV in 2008 to update the ATP III guidelines. The updated guidelines were never intended to provide comprehensive recommendations for the identification, detection and treatment of lipid disorders. The updated guidelines are intended to provide focused recommendations for reducing the risk of atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (ASCVD) events based on evidence from randomized controlled trials (RCTs). Therefore, the Guideline Pane undertook a rigorous systematic review of RCTs of cholesterol-lowering drug therapy that had ASCVD outcomes, and meta-analyses of these RCTs to address three critical questions important for clinical practice. The guideline development process adhered to most of the principles that were subsequently advocated by the Institute of Medicine for developing trustworthy guidelines [2]. The 2013 ACC/AHA cholesterol recommendations focus on using the appropriate intensity of statin therapy in those most likely to experience a net ASCVD risk-reduction benefit. By contrast, the previous ATP III guideline recommended treatment to specific low density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) and nonhigh density lipoprotein cholesterol (non-HDL-C) treatment goals. The major 2013 cholesterol recommendations highlighted below.
Cyclic nucleotides and protein kinase activity in the rat brain postmortem.

— The components of the cyclic nucleotide system were studied in rat brain at various times after death to determine the stability of the system postmortem. The concentration of cyclic AMP in 4 brain regions was highest 10 min after death and declined to stable levels within 6 h after death. At this time concentrations approximated those normally seen in vitro. The concentration of cyclic GMP in brain regions fell markedly postmortem and was undetectable 6 or 16 h after death. Nor-epinephrine-stimulated cyclic AMP accumulation measured in vitro in slices of the cerebral cortex was the same 10 min and 16 h postmortem. In the cerebellum, however, accumulated levels of cyclic AMP were lower 16 h postmortem, although the degree of stimulation elicited by norepinephrine was the same 10 min and 16 h after death. Cyclic AMP-dependent and independent protein kinase activities were detected in the rat brain at all times after death. There was no change in the cyclic AMP-dependent enzyme activity postmortem, but activity in the absence of cyclic AMP was significantly higher immediately after death compared to 6 or 16 h postmortem. These studies indicate that it should be possible to study the cyclic AMP system in human brain tissue obtained at autopsy.
Microwatt-level XUV Frequency Comb via Intracavity High Harmonic Generation

We demonstrate microwatt-level XUV frequency combs produced by a cavity enhanced, ultra-coherent IR frequency comb. Cavity enhancement and efficient XUV output-coupling enable power-scaling >200MW. We present a study of the intensity dependence of the high-harmonics.
The physician, rationing, and medical care in the Veterans Administration.

Excerpt As the debate about ways to influence the ever-increasing costs for health care continues, consideration is being given to limiting that portion of the federal budget related to health care...
Oscillatory Flow Phenomena in Simple and Complex Fluids

Pulsatile and oscillatory flows are prevalent in many biological, industrial, and natural systems. Nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) is a noninvasive method for evaluating fluid mechanics and can be used to obtain spatially resolved velocity maps in simple and complex fluids. A system has been constructed to provide a controllable and predictable oscillatory flow in order to gain a better understanding of the impact of oscillatory flow on Newtonian and non-Newtonian fluids, specifically water, xanthan gum, polyacrylamide and a colloidal suspension. A core shell particle colloidal suspension is used as a model system since measurements can be obtained separately from the suspending fluid (water) and the liquid particle core (hexadecane oil) using NMR. The oscillatory flow system coupled with NMR measures the velocity distributions and dynamics of the fluid undergoing oscillatory flow at specific points in the oscillation cycle.
Effect of Ixtoc I crude oil and Corexit 9527 dispersant on spot (Leiostomus xanthurus) egg mortality

A comparison is made of the effects of Ixtoc I crude oil and Corexit 9527 dispersant on the egg mortality of a fish species (spot) occurring in the Gulf of Mexico. Experiments were conducted to (1) determine the effect of the dispersant at various concentrations when added either to sea water alone or the LC/sub 20/ oil-accomodated seawater (OAS), (2) compare the effects of LC/sub 20/ OAS/Corexit (20 ppm) together, and (3) test eggs from time of fertilization of LC/sub 20/ OAS and Corexit (20 ppm), and to LC/sub 20/ OAS alone. The egg stages in the last experiments included blastula, gastrula, and early embryo. Results show that untreated Ixtoc crude, at a dilution of 1 part oil-accomodated seawater to 2.5 parts seawater, is less toxic to L. xanthurus eggs than crude dispersed chemically by Corexit 9527 applied at concentrations greater than 20 ppm. This level is equal to 0.5 U.S. gal/acre, but application of these results as field guidelines should be treated with caution as the experiments did not simulate ocean-oil spill conditions with respect to factors such as depth of the water column, surface agitation, and solar radiation. (JMT)
Alcohol use disorder among adolescents: impact of paternal alcoholism on drinking behavior, drinking motivation, and consequences

This study examined the impact of an Alcohol Use Disorder (AUD) in biological fathers on drinking history, context, motivation, and consequences in male and female adolescents dichotomized according to the presence or absence of an AUD. Main effects for paternal history of an AUD were not found on any variable. Significant interactions were observed between father-son diagnostic status with respect to age of first alcohol use (p < 0.001) and peer relationships (p < 0.001). No significant interactions were observed between father-daughter diagnostic status. As expected, adolescents with AUD differed from adolescents without AUD on numerous variables pertaining to drinking behavior, history, and consequences. These findings indicate that there is no strong or pervasive effect of paternal AUD on adolescent offspring's AUD characteristics.
Latent classes of PTSD symptoms in Iraq and Afghanistan female veterans.

Abstract Background Recent studies have used latent class analysis (LCA) to identify subgroups of individuals who share similar patterns of PTSD symptom endorsement; however, further study is needed among female veterans, whose PTSD symptom expression may vary from that of their male counterparts. The current study examined latent PTSD symptom classes in female veterans who returned from recent military service in Iraq and Afghanistan, and explored military and demographic variables associated with distinct PTSD symptom presentations. Methods A retrospective analysis was conducted using existing medical records from female Iraq and Afghanistan veterans who were new users of VA mental health outpatient (MHO) care, had received a PTSD diagnosis anytime during the post-deployment period, and completed the PTSD checklist within 30 days of their first MHO visit ( N =2425). Results The LCA results identified four latent classes of PTSD symptom profiles in the sample: High Symptom, Intermediate Symptom, Intermediate Symptom with High Emotional Numbing (EN), and Low Symptom. Race/ethnicity, age, time since last deployment, and distance from a VA facility emerged as predictors of PTSD symptom presentation. Limitations The current study was cross-sectional and utilized administrative data. The results may not be generalizable to female veterans from other service eras. Conclusions Longer times between end of last deployment and initiation of MHO services were associated with more symptomatic classes. Exploration of PTSD symptom presentation may enhance our understanding of the service needs of female veterans with PTSD, and suggests potential benefits to engaging veterans in MHO soon after last deployment.
Molecular dynamics simulations of silicon-fluorine etching.

Abstract Molecular dynamics simulations of the reactions between gaseous fluorine atoms and (SiF x ) n adsorbates on the Si{100} — (2 × 1) surface are performed using the SW potential and compared to simulations with the WWC reparameterization of the SW potential. Theoretical and experimental work has demonstrated that the reactive fluorosilyl layer during siliconfluorine etching is composed of tower-like adspecies of SiF, SiF 2 , and SiF 3 groups. The objective of the simulations is to determine how the chemical composition, mechanism of formation, and energy distribution of the etched gas-phase products depend on the identity of the reacting adsorbate, the incident kinetic energy, and the parameterization of the potential energy function. Three reactions are simulated: F(g) + SiF 3 (a), F(g) + SiF 2 SiF 3 (a), and F(g) + SiF 2 SiF 2 SiF 3 (a). SiF 4 is the major product and Si 2 F 6 and Si 3 F 8 are minor products. In Si 2 F 6 and Si 3 F 8 , the silicon-fluorine bond that is formed is stronger than the silicon-silicon bond in the molecule and, therefore, the majority of these products have enough energy to dissociate and will fragment before reaching the detector. An S N 2-like mechanism is the primary mechanism responsible for the formation of SiF 4 , Si 2 F 6 , and Si 3 F 8 . In addition, at higher energies, the simulations have discovered a previously unknown mechanism for the formation of SiF 4 , which involves an insertion between a silicon-silicon bond. The results of the simulations with the two potentials differ quite substantially in their prediction of the reactivity of the adsorbates. The SW potential predicts a 2- to 3-eV lower energy threshold for reaction and a much higher reaction cross-section, especially for the SiF 4 product. These results are explained in terms of the differences in the potential energy functions used to describe the silicon-fluorine interactions. In addition, the results are compared to experimental data on silicon-fluorine etching.
Cost Function for Dynamic Load Balancing of Explicit Parallel CFD Solvers with Variable Time-stepping Strategies

Abstract Parallel computing has been the main approach for solving large-size computational problems as in computational fluid dynamics, electromagnetics, structural mechanics, computational chemistry, etc. Due to the rapid advance of networking technology and wide availability of workstations in many institutions, networked heterogeneous workstations become attractive for parallel computations. One inherent problem for parallel computing on networked heterogeneous workstations is load balancing. Since parallel processes exchange information periodically, fast processes frequently wait for needed information from slow processes. Therefore, the slowest process among all parallel computation processes dictates the computation time of the whole program execution. The main task of load balancing is to reduce the processing time for the slowest process and to reduce the communication time among processes. It is not very difficult to find a reasonably good optimization algorithm for load balancing. However, the...
The effects of hydroxy fatty acids on the hyphal branching of germinated spores of AM fungi.

Abstract Two hydroxy fatty acids, tentatively identified previously in carrot root exudates, were tested for their effects on hyphal growth of the arbuscular mycorrhizal (AM) fungus, Gigaspora gigantea (Nicol. and Gerd.) Gerdemann and Trappe. Best results were achieved with a long-term bioassay (7–8 d) with nanomolar concentrations throughout the Petri dish in contrast to the rapid microinjection bioassay (16–24 h) in which nanogram quantities were injected near growing hyphal tips. When 5 nM 2-hydroxy fatty acids of various chain length were tested, the length of the hydroxyl fatty acid was significant since only 2-hydroxytetradecanoic acid (2OH-TDA) and to a slightly lesser degree, 2-hydroxydodecanoic acid (2OH-DDA) induced a hyphal growth response while 2-hydroxydecanoic acid (2OH-DA) and 2-hydroxyhexadecanoic (2OH-HDA) acid did not. The position of the hydroxyl group was critical since 5 nM 3-hydroxytetradecanoic acid (3OH-TDA) had no effect on hyphal growth. The length of the non-hydroxy containing straight chain fatty acid, per se, did not appear significant since none of these fatty acids had an effect on hyphal growth. The morphological growth response promoted by 2OH-TDA consisted of multiple lateral branches, spaced fairly regularly apart, along the primary germ tubes as well as some lateral branch formation off the major secondary hyphae. This growth response was identical to that observed when germinated spores were allowed to grow towards cultured carrot roots in vitro. This response to 2OH-TDA also was observed with an unidentified Gigaspora species but no morphological response was observed with Glomus intraradices Schenck and Smith. The results indicate that 2-hydroxy fatty acids are another putative category of root exudate signals perceived by Gigaspora species, stimulating an increase in elongated lateral branches.
The lattice mismatch between (112) chalcopyrite films and (0001) CdS substrates

Abstract The lattice mismatch for (112) copper and silver chalcopyrite films grown on (0001)CdS substrates is calculated for the different chalcopyrites, for different degrees of substrate surface roughness, and for different compositions of the solid solutions of the type I-III-VI 2- x -VI x . It is shown that the mismatch can be reduced to zero only if γ t = 2, as it does for CuInSe 2- x Te x , and if the CdS substrate is smooth. It is also shown that, of all these chalcopyrites, the CuInSe 2 has the best lattice match with the CdS. The misorientation between equivalent planes, and the lattice distortion, which is due to atoms across the interface occupying different atomic positions, is discussed.
Immune evasive mechanisms contributing to persistent Leishmania donovani infection

The protozoan parasite Leishmania donovani, a causative agent of visceral leishmaniasis, has evolved several strategies to interfere with the immune system and establish persistent infections that are potentially lethal. In this article, we discuss two mechanisms of immune evasion adopted by the parasite: the induction of immune suppressive IL-10 responses and the generation of poor and functionally impaired CD8+ T-cell responses.
The aspect sensitivity of spread-F irregularities

Abstract A high latitude oblique incidence echo, previously shown to be produced by irregularities strongly aligned along the magnetic field, is found to occur whenever vertical incidence spread- F is recorded from the same volume of the F -layer. Frequently, the southern boundary of the irregular region is sharp, and occasionally large-scale structure can be detected within the irregular region. G.A.M. King recently concluded that the irregularities producing spread- F are large scale surfaces that are not field aligned. These various results suggest that the agent responsible for spread- F produces large-scale F -layer irregularities that are at times sharply bounded and contain small-scale, weak-scattering, field-aligned irregularities.
Estimation of the intensity of a Poisson point process by means of nearest neighbor distances

A new unbiased consistent asymptotically normal estimator Uk of the intensity λ of a stationary multivariate Poisson point process is exhibited. This estimate is based on a combination of the j-th nearest neighbor (possibly non Euclidean) distances (j=1, ..., k) to a single fixed site x. A simple closed form containing logarithmic terms is obtained for E(Ulk)(0<l<k).
Interelectron Scattering in Quasi-Intrinsic Germanium and Silicon

The transient conductivity of germanium and silicon, induced by the generation of excess carriers by high-energy electrons, has been measured as a function of generation level. At the high generation levels (10/sup 16/--10/sup 17/ carriers/ cm/sup 3/), a striking reduction in the carrier mobility is observed both at 300 and 80 deg K. Specifically, for a generation level of 4 x 10/ sup 16//cm/sup 3/ in germaniuNonem at 80 deg K, the mobility is found to be decreased by a factor of 5 as a result of interelectron scattering. At 300 deg K, interelectron scattering is observed at higher generation levels because lattice scattering is relatively more important. A quantitative comparison with theory is made, with excellent agreement found. (auth)
Sharing the News: Effects of Informational Utility and Opinion Leadership on Online News Sharing

This study examined the joint effect of message and personality attributes on online news sharing. In two experiments (N = 270, N = 275), readers indicated their likelihood to share news representing two content domains and three informational utility dimensions. A moderated mediation path analysis was used. On average, news consumers shared news containing informational utility. Opinion leaders shared news irrespective of informational utility because they discerned informational utility in news that, objectively speaking, lacked such utility. In one experiment, opinion leaders also were more likely than nonleaders to share news perceived to contain informational utility.
Rational Choice? Crisis Bargaining Over the Meech Lake Accord

From June 3 to 9, 1990, the Canadian federal and provincial governments bargained intensively over the final draft of a constitutional agreement known as the Meech Lake Accord. Although that crisis produced a tentative settlement, ratification ultimately failed in two provinces. The objective of the present investigation is to use an expected utility model to assess the fate and implications of the compromise that emerged at the time. This study unfolds in six stages. The first reveals why the Accord's failure is puzzling and establishes the general relevance of Canadian constitutional affairs. The second phase introduces the perspective of rational choice as a source of insight. This overview provides the foundation for the third stage, which presents an expected utility model of intergovernmental bargaining. In the fourth phase, data are assembled and the model is operationalized for the Canadian crisis of June 1990. The model's results are analyzed at the fifth stage. Sixth, and finally, general implic...
Phosphoserine as a recognition determinant for glycogen synthase kinase-3: Phosphorylation of a synthetic peptide based on the G-component of protein phosphatase-1

Prior phosphorylation of its substrate has been shown to be important for substrate recognition by the protein kinase glycogen synthase kinase-3 (GSK-3). Phosphorylation of glycogen synthase by GSK-3 is known to be enhanced by the previous action of casein kinase II and the sequence -SXXXS(P)- was proposed as the minimal recognition determinant for GSK-3. The glycogen binding subunit of type 1 phosphoprotein phosphatase has been shown to be phosphorylated by cyclic AMP-dependent protein kinase at serine-13 in the sequence KPGFS(5)PQPS(9)RRGS(13)ESSEEVYV (F.B. Caudwell, A. Hiraga, and P. Cohen (1986) FEBS Lett. 194, 85-89). Inspection of the sequence revealed potential GSK-3 sites at residues 5 and 9. Using a synthetic peptide with the above sequence, we found that phosphorylation of serine-13 by cyclic AMP-dependent protein kinase permitted the recognition of serine-9 and serine-5 by GSK-3. The work provides another example of a substrate for GSK-3 and demonstrates that the action of GSK-3 is linked to the presence of phosphate in the substrate and not the action of any particular protein kinase. In the course of the analyses, a novel feature of trypsin cleavage of phosphopeptides was noted. In the sequence -SRRGS(P)- trypsin acted uniquely after the first arginine whereas in the sequence -S(P)RRGS(P)- it cleaved randomly at either arginine residue. The fact that GSK-3 could phosphorylate a peptide derived from a phosphatase subunit also raises the possibility that GSK-3 might be involved in controlling glycogen-associated type 1 phosphatase and, more generally, in mediating cyclic AMP control of protein phosphorylation in cells.
Curriculum and pedagogical effects of the creation of a minor in cyber security

In January 2006, Armstrong Atlantic State University (AASU) offered its first course in Information Security. At the same time, the university received funding for its Cyber Security Research Institute, a non-academic unit closely related to and funded by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security. The establishment of this research institute led the administration, the Department of Criminal Justice in the College of Arts and Sciences, and the School of Computing to create an academic minor in Cyber Security to be cross-listed between Criminal Justice and Information Technology. This paper describes the pedagogical effects of the creation of the minor and future implications for it and for the teaching of Information Security at Armstrong Atlantic State University.
Preliminary Diagnostics of Dynamic Systems From Time Series

The state space reconstruction technique was recognized by Edward N. Lorenz as “one of the most surprising developments in nonlinear dynamics” [1]. Nowadays, the technique is applied in various scientific areas for prediction, analysis and diagnostics. This paper aims to discuss the possibility of using the embedding dimension of a reconstructed state space of time series as a tool for preliminary diagnostics. After a short description and illustration of the method, the paper considers two case studies: a single degree of freedom (DOF) and a 2 DOF system. The results of the analysis help detect a class of structural defects, including defects connected to a coupling mechanism. There is clearly a huge potential of such an approach for diagnostics of complex machinery.Copyright © 2014 by ASME
Survival and clinical outcome after endoscopic duodenal stent placement for malignant gastric outlet obstruction: comparison of pancreatic cancer and nonpancreatic cancer

Background Data on endoscopic stenting of malignant gastric outlet obstruction (GOO) are based on studies predominantly involving patients with pancreatic adenocarcinoma. Objective To compare survival and clinical outcome after stent placement for GOO due to pancreatic cancer compared with nonpancreatic cancer. Design Retrospective study. Setting Single tertiary hospital. Patients A total of 292 patients with malignant GOO. Intervention Stent placement. Main Outcome Measurements Post–stent placement survival and clinical outcome. Results In 196 patients with pancreatic cancer and 96 with nonpancreatic cancer, median post–stent placement survival was similar (2.7 months in pancreatic cancer vs 2.4 months in nonpancreatic cancer). Overall survival was shorter in patients with pancreatic cancer (13.7 vs 17.1 months; P = .004). Clinical success rates at 2 months (71% vs 91%) and reintervention rates (30% vs 23%) were comparable. Post–stent placement chemotherapy and the absence of distant metastasis were associated with better post–stent placement survival in both groups (pancreatic cancer: chemotherapy vs no chemotherapy, 5.4 vs 1.5 months, P P = .005; nonpancreatic cancer: chemotherapy vs no chemotherapy, 9.2 vs 1.8, P = .001; metastasis vs no metastasis, 2.1 vs 6.1, P = .009). Limitations Retrospective study. Conclusions In this large series of patients undergoing stent placement for malignant GOO in North America, we observed no difference in post–stent placement survival despite better overall survival in patients with nonpancreatic cancer. GOO is a marker for poor survival in malignancy, regardless of the type. Chemotherapy and the absence of distant metastasis were associated with better post–stent placement survival in both groups.
An assessment of women’s access to natural resources through communal projects in South Africa

With the passing of the apartheid regime and its multi-faceted mechanisms of exclusion, women in rural South Africa have begun expanding their access to natural resources for livelihood enhancement. One of the ways this has occurred is through community-based organizations that focus on local production as a mechanism to transform natural resources into material goods. While this practice is nearly ubiquitous throughout sub-Saharan Africa, the apartheid regime was particularly effective in limiting access to natural resources, a phenomenon reversed by the current democratic government. In this paper, we assess the impact of organizational design on women’s livelihood systems as a means of alleviating rural poverty. We surveyed women on both more formal, or bureaucratic, organizations and more informal, or socially-embedded, organizations. After locating the discussion in the relevant gender, environment, and livelihoods literatures, we employ four concepts, organizational context, environmental entitlement, livelihood systems, and gender and power relations to assess the impact of organizational design on livelihood enhancement. Having found that women derived no significant material benefit from participation in either type of organization, we conclude that women are straddling two processes, neo-liberalization and neo-traditionalism, that impact gender and power relations. This situation has left women in vulnerable positions within their organizations and with little livelihood enhancement.