cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Aldhelm's Enigmata and Byzantine riddles

Around the year 695 Aldhelm, abbot of Malmesbury, wrote a collection of one hundred Latin enigmata or riddles to illustrate the rules of Latin metrics and versification, hoping that through that exercise ‘the rudiments of his small talent’ might grow sufficiently to enable him to write eventually ‘of more important subjects’. Almost instantly his Enigmata gained universal popularity: they were read as a primer of Latin poetry, they inspired other Anglo-Saxons (such as Tatwine and Eusebius, whose combined Latin enigmata make another hundred-piece collection) to follow in his footsteps, and they are said to have influenced the vernacular Old English riddles of the Exeter Book.
Improved knowledge management through first-order logic in engineering design ontologies

This paper presents the use of first-order logic to improve upon currently employed engineering design knowledge management techniques. Specifically, this work uses description logic in unison with Horn logic, to not only guide the knowledge acquisition process but also to offer much needed support in decision making during the engineering design process in a distributed environment. The knowledge management methods introduced are highlighted by the ability to identify modeling knowledge inconsistencies through the recognition of model characteristic limitations, such as those imposed by model idealizations. The adopted implementation languages include the Semantic Web Rule Language, which enables Horn-like rules to be applied to an ontological knowledge base and the Semantic Web's native Web Ontology Language. As part of this work, an ontological tool, OPTEAM, was developed to capture key aspects of the design process through a set of design-related ontologies and to serve as an application platform for facilitating the engineering design process. The design, analysis, and optimization of a classical I-beam problem are presented as a test-bed case study to illustrate the capabilities of these ontologies in OPTEAM. A second, more extensive test-bed example based on an industry-supplied medical device design problem is also introduced. Results indicate that well-defined, networked relationships within an ontological knowledge base can ultimately lead to a refined design process, with guidance provided by the identification of infeasible solutions and the introduction of “best-case” alternatives. These case studies also show how the application of first-order logic to engineering design improves the knowledge acquisition, knowledge management, and knowledge validation processes.
Genetic deletion of NP1 prevents hypoxic-ischemic neuronal death via reducing AMPA receptor synaptic localization in hippocampal neurons.

Background Trafficking of α‐amino‐3‐hydroxy‐5‐methyl‐4‐isoxazole propionic acid receptors (AMPARs) to excitatory synapses is critical to their synaptic functions. Previously, we have shown induction of neuronal pentraxin 1 (NP1) and its colocalization with AMPAR subunit GluR1 in hypoxic‐ischemic (HI) brain injury. However, the role of NP1 in mediating GluR1 surface expression, trafficking, and clustering at synapses in HI neuronal death is unclear. Methods and Results Primary hippocampal neurons, isolated from wild‐type (WT) and NP1‐knockout (C57BL/6 background) mice at DIV 12 to 14 were exposed to 2 to 8 hours of oxygen glucose deprivation (OGD)—in vitro conditions that mimic human stroke. OGD exposure resulted in time‐dependent induction of NP1 (∼4‐fold), enhanced redistribution of AMAP GluR1 receptors at excitatory synapses, and increased neuronal death. We observed a significant increase in surface and synaptic GluR1 clusters that colocalized with PSD‐95 on dendrites with a simultaneous decrease in internalized GluR1. Surface cross‐linking with BS3 showed enhanced membrane insertions of GluR1, and increased phosphorylation at Ser‐845 further supported enhanced surface availability of GluR1 after OGD. NP1 protein colocalized with GluR1 and PSD‐95, and OGD significantly increased their synaptic coclustering. Most strikingly, the genetic deletion of NP1 resulted in decreases in surface GluR1 cluster density, synaptic localization, phospho‐GluR1 (Ser‐845) levels, and neuronal death after OGD compared with WT neurons. AMPA (50 μmol/L) induced NP1 and significant cell death in WT but not in NP1−/− neurons. Conclusions Our results indicate that NP1 plays a key role in synaptic clustering of GluR1, suggesting that targeting NP1 might be a practical approach to preventing ischemic brain damage.
Testing mediators of intervention effects in randomized controlled trials: An evaluation of two eating disorder prevention programs.

We investigated mediators hypothesized to account for the effects of two eating disorder prevention programs using data from 355 adolescent females who were randomized to a dissonance or healthy weight intervention or an active control condition. The dissonance intervention produced significant reductions in outcomes (body dissatisfaction, dieting, negative affect, bulimic symptoms) and the mediator (thin-ideal internalization), change in the mediator correlated with change in outcomes and usually occurred before change in outcomes, and intervention effects became significantly weaker when change in the mediator was partialed, providing support for the hypothesized mediators and this new approach to testing mediation in randomized trials. Findings provided somewhat less support for the hypothesis that change in healthy eating and exercise mediated the healthy weight intervention effects.
Neuropsychology of dual diagnosis: Understanding the combined effects of schizophrenia and substance use disorders

Abstract Empirical studies of cognitive functioning in patients suffering from schizophrenia and a substance use disorder are lacking. Consensus exists that schizophrenia is a neurobehavioral disorder with cognitive deficits. With this ready explanation for cognitive impairment in schizophrenia, there exists the possibility that other treatable sources of cognitive decline in schizophrenia, such as substance abuse, may be ignored. The cognitive impairments (e.g., abstraction, selective attention, effortful processing, episodic memory and denial of deficits/illness) and biologic abnormalities (e.g., reduced P300 amplitude, enlarged ventricles, and hypofrontality) common to both schizophrenia and substance use disorders are reviewed. Differences in the cognitive status of the disorders are also noted. Factors altering the cognitive status of these patients are discussed, and seven potential frameworks are offered for conceptualizing the etiologic relation and cognitive impact of these disorders.
Iterative oblique projection onto convex sets and the split feasibility problem

Let C and Q be nonempty closed convex sets in R N and R M , respectively, and A an M by N real matrix. The split feasibility problem (SFP) is to find x ∈ C with Ax ∈ Q ,i f suchx exist. An iterative method for solving the SFP, called the CQ algorithm, has the following iterative step: x k+1 = PC (x k + γ A T (PQ − I )Ax k ), where γ ∈ (0, 2/L) with L the largest eigenvalue of the matrix A T A and PC and PQ denote the orthogonal projections onto C and Q, respectively; that is, PC x minimizesc − x� ,o ver allc ∈ C.T heCQ algorithm converges to a solution of the SFP, or, more generally, to a minimizer ofPQ Ac − Acover c in C, whenever such exist. The CQ algorithm involves only the orthogonal projections onto C and Q, which we shall assume are easily calculated, and involves no matrix inverses. If A is normalized so that each row has length one, then L does not exceed the maximum number of nonzero entries in any column of A, which provides a helpful estimate of L for sparse matrices. Particular cases of the CQ algorithm are the Landweber and projected Landweber methods for obtaining exact or approximate solutions of the linear equations Ax = b ;t healgebraic reconstruction technique of Gordon, Bender and Herman is a particular case of a block-iterative version of the CQ algorithm. One application of the CQ algorithm that is the subject of ongoing work is dynamic emission tomographic image reconstruction, in which the vector x is the concatenation of several images corresponding to successive discrete times. The matrix A and the set Q can then be selected to impose constraints on the behaviour over time of the intensities at fixed voxels, as well as to require consistency (or near consistency) with measured data.
The Effect of Tax Preparation Software on Tax Compliance: A Research Note

ABSTRACT: Tax software is commonly used in the preparation of U.S. federal and state income tax returns. A common feature of tax return preparation software is the prepayment-position status bar, which automatically calculates an updated refund/tax-due position. This paper examines whether the prepayment-position status bar, influences taxpayer decision making. This study utilizes a 2 × 2 experimental design, manipulating the taxpayers' prepayment position (refund/tax-due) and manipulating whether the prepayment-position status bar is present or absent. Using experienced taxpayers as study participants, the results of the experiment show that taxpayers are more aggressive when they are in a tax-due position compared to a refund position and that this effect is exaggerated when the tax software contains a prepayment-position status bar.
THE MEASUREMENT AND ANALYSIS OF EPITAXIAL RECRYSTALLIZATION KINETICS IN ION-BEAM-AMORPHIZED SRTIO3

The solid-state epitaxial-regrowth kinetics of ion-beam amorphized SrTiO[sub 3] surfaces annealed in water-vapor-rich atmospheres have been studied using time-resolved reflectivity (TRR). For this material, the conversion of the reflectivity-versus-time data obtained from the TRR measurements to recrystallized depth-versus-time data is more complicated than in systems such as silicon, where the reflectivity can be fit by assuming that the refractive index [ital N] ([ital N]=[ital n]+i[ital k]) in the amorphous layer is constant. In SrTiO[sub 3], agreement between measurements made directly with Rutherford backscattering spectroscopy (RBS) and those made using TRR can be obtained only when [ital N] is permitted to vary within the amorphous layer, with non-zero values for both the real and imaginary components. In some cases, the roughness of the amorphous/crystalline interface must also be considered. Additionally, a model for H[sub 2]O-enhanced epitaxial regrowth is presented which is in good agreement with the shape of the depth-versus-time profiles that are obtained from the TRR data.
Keck Interferometer update

The Keck Interferometer combines the two 10 m Keck telescopes for high sensitivity near-infrared fringe visibility measurements, nulling interferometry at 10 μm to measure the quantity of exozodiacal emission around nearby stars, and differential-phase measurements to detect "hot Jupiters" by their direct emission. First fringes with the interferometer were obtained in March 2001 using the two Kecks with their adaptive optics systems. Subsequent engineering work has been focused toward the visibility mode in the areas of system validation, and improving sensitivity, increasing automation, and adding functionality in preparation for nulling and differential phase. Recently four shared-risk teams were selected by NASA to participate in early science observations, and initial shared-risk science observations have begun.
Chapter 8 Culture Media for Euglena gracilispter1

Publisher Summary This chapter reviews Euglena gracilis group II strains, which may also include var. bacillaris . All have an intense photosynthesis of the green-plant type, and in the dark, given various simple substrates, grow as colorless cells with equal or even superior vigor. They again turn green in a few hours on restoration to light. Permanently bleached strains are easily induced. This array of organisms simplifies decision as to whether a substance is localized in the chloroplast; examination of light- vs. dark-grown cultures generally settles the question. As such inquiries increasingly revolve around trace constituents and large quantities of cells are often needed, this chapter emphasizes high-yield media and how to compound media as dry mixes, which may be prepared cheaply in bulk and have a long shelf life. The use of Euglena for vitamin B 12 assay enhances the desirability of high-yield media, which permit a linear response through a wide range of vitamin B 12 concentrations along with rapid growth.
Effect of Reflective Fabric on Yield of Mature ‘d’Anjou’ Pear Trees

Reflective fabric was installed before bloom in 2009 and 2010 in alleyways of a mature, low-density 'Anjou' pear orchard (269 trees/ha). Four treatments were applied to study intracanopy light environments on fruit growth rate and size, cropload, yield, and fruit quality: 1) no fabric (NF); 2) partial-season fabric applied before full bloom (FB) and removed 75 days after full bloom (dafb) (PSF); 3) full-season fabric applied before FB and removed at harvest (FSF); and 4) shadecloth (60%) applied 60 dafb through harvest (SC). PSF and FSF improved yield by 12% and 18%, re- spectively, over the two-yearperiod relative to NF. The high yields of fabric treatments were attributed to fruit number in the lower (less than 2.4 m) interior, mid-, and exterior zones of the canopy. Photosynthetic active radiation (PAR )w as increased by fabric 28%, 95%, and 30% in the lower exterior, mid-, and interior canopy, re- spectively. Photosynthesis:light response curves indicated improved carbon assimila- tion of pear leaves developing in the elevated PAR environment of the lower canopy. Fruitgrowthrateand finalsizewereunaffectedbyfabrictreatments.FSFfruitsizewas similar to NF despite higher fruit density. Compared with NF, FSF had a small, non- significant effect on fruit maturity (increased softening) at harvest. Yield and fruit size of SC fruit were significantly reduced. The number of fruit in SC trees did not differ from NF in 2009, but the effect of shade reduced fruit number in 2010. Fabric did not affect fruit quality attributes after three and six months of regular atmosphere cold storage.PearsfromSCtreesdid notattainripeningcapacityafterthreemonthsofcold storage and a 7-day ripening period and hadlower sugar content compared with other treatments. The cumulative yield advantages associated with FSF support its use in mature pear orchards.
Genetic divergence and geographic diversification in Nautilus

Despite exhaustive investigation of present-day Nautilus, the phylogenetic relationships of the five or six recognized species within this genus remain unclear. Mitochondrial and nuclear DNA sequence data plus a suite of morphological characters are used to investigate phylogenetic relationships. Systematic analysis of the morphological variation fails to characterize described species as independent lineages. However, DNA sequence analysis indicates that there are three geographically distinct clades consisting of western Pacific, eastern Australian/Papua-New Guinean, and western Australian/Indonesian forms. The morphologically and genetically distinct species Nautilus scrobiculatus falls outside the three geographically recognized assemblages. Members of the genus Nautilus also exhibit low levels of sequence divergence. All these data suggest that Nautilus is currently undergoing diversification, which may have begun only several million years ago. These data also suggest that some of the morphological features used to define Nautilus species may simply represent fixed variations in isolated populations within the same species.
Lipopolysaccharide Regulation of Intestinal Tight Junction Permeability Is Mediated by TLR4 Signal Transduction Pathway Activation of FAK and MyD88

Gut-derived bacterial LPS plays an essential role in inducing intestinal and systemic inflammatory responses and have been implicated as a pathogenic factor in necrotizing enterocolitis and inflammatory bowel disease. The defective intestinal tight junction barrier was shown to be an important factor contributing to the development of intestinal inflammation. LPS, at physiological concentrations, causes an increase in intestinal tight junction permeability (TJP) via a TLR4-dependent process; however, the intracellular mechanisms that mediate LPS regulation of intestinal TJP remain unclear. The aim of this study was to investigate the adaptor proteins and the signaling interactions that mediate LPS modulation of intestinal tight junction barrier using in vitro and in vivo model systems. LPS caused a TLR4-dependent activation of membrane-associated adaptor protein focal adhesion kinase (FAK) in Caco-2 monolayers. LPS caused an activation of both MyD88-dependent and -independent pathways. Small interfering RNA silencing of MyD88 prevented an LPS-induced increase in TJP. LPS caused MyD88-dependent activation of IL-1R–associated kinase 4. TLR4, FAK, and MyD88 were colocalized. Small interfering silencing of TLR4 inhibited TLR4-associated FAK activation, and FAK knockdown prevented MyD88 activation. In vivo studies also confirmed that the LPS-induced increase in mouse intestinal permeability was associated with FAK and MyD88 activation; knockdown of intestinal epithelial FAK prevented an LPS-induced increase in intestinal permeability. Additionally, high-dose LPS–induced intestinal inflammation was dependent on the TLR4/FAK/MyD88 signal transduction axis. To our knowledge, our data show for the first time that the LPS-induced increases in intestinal TJP and intestinal inflammation were regulated by TLR4-dependent activation of the FAK/MyD88/IL-1R–associated kinase 4 signaling pathway.
A pedestrian introduction to fast multipole methods

This paper provides a conceptual and non-rigorous description of the fast multipole methods for evaluating convolution kernel functions with source distributions. Both the non-oscillatory and the oscillatory kernels are considered. For non-oscillatory kernel, we outline the main ideas of the classical fast multipole method proposed by Greengard and Rokhlin. In the oscillatory case, the directional fast multipole method developed recently by Engquist and Ying is presented.
Graduated Interest Rates in Small Loans

(1962). Graduated Interest Rates in Small Loans. The American Mathematical Monthly: Vol. 69, No. 1, pp. 15-21.
Studies on the Amino Acid and Soybean Protein Requirements of White Leghorn Hens Fed Diets Composed Principally of Corn

Abstract IT WAS recently reported by Waibel and Johnson (1961) that White Leghorn hens receiving only 9% protein in a diet containing 92.5% corn and 2.5% soybean oil meal laid eggs at the rate of 42.3% during a 40 week period. It was possible to correct only partially the protein deficiency of a similar diet containing 10% protein with supplementary methionine, lysine, tryptophan, and valine. Since corn was nearly the sole source of protein in these diets, it appeared desirable to determine the amino acid requirements of hens fed a diet containing corn as the only protein-bearing ingredient. The development of such a diet would be useful in a variety of studies involving nutrient requirements and inter-relationships. Using a basal diet containing 80% corn and 14.5% dextrose monohydrate (as a convenient ingredient for substitution purposes), the objective of this study was to achieve satisfactory egg production and body weight maintenance with …
P1-11-05: Investigation of Epidemiological Factors as Barriers to Indicated Radiation Therapy in Post-Mastectomy Breast Cancer Patients in South Carolina.

Purpose: Post-mastectomy radiation therapy (PMRT) has been shown to provide improved locoregional control and overall survival in intermediate and high-risk breast cancer patients 1,2 . To investigate the frequency of utilization and potential barriers to receipt of adjuvant PMRT in South Carolina, an analysis of the S.C. Cancer Registry (SCCR) database was undertaken. Methods: Epidemiological factors such as age, race, and geographic distance from a radiation therapy facility were analyzed as potential predictors of whether patients received the indicated radiotherapy. Post-mastectomy breast cancer patients (n=1080) recorded in the SCCR from 2006–2008 were stratified as low (Tis/T1, N0) (43%), intermediate (T1/T2, N1) (27%), or high (T3/T4, N2/N3) (30%) risk. Logistic regression models were used to predict receipt of adjuvant radiotherapy based on factors such as race, age, and geographical distance from radiation treatment facility. Results: Adjuvant PMRT was received in 4% (19/469) of low risk patients, 23% (67/288) of intermediate risk patients, and 44% (141/323) of high risk patients. In both intermediate and high risk groups, older patients were less likely to receive PMRT. The odds of receiving PMRT decreased by 3% (OR= 1.03; 95% CI: 1.01−1.05; p=0.01) and 2% (OR=1.02; 95% CI: 1.002−1.035; p=0.03) per year in the intermediate and high risk groups, respectively. Race and distance from treatment facility were not predictive of receipt of PMRT in high risk patients. Conclusion: Utilization of adjuvant PMRT in intermediate and high risk breast cancer patients in South Carolina is low, despite the evidence that it confers a survival benefit in both premenopausal and postmenopausal women. Of the patient-related factors analyzed, only age predicted lower odds of receiving radiotherapy in both the intermediate and high risk group. In high risk patients of advanced age (>70), breast cancer continues to be a major cause of mortality which can be improved by radiotherapy 3 . Future educational efforts should focus on addressing patient and physician bias against radiotherapy based on patient age. Further study is needed to identify socio-economic-, physician- and health system- related factors that maybe impacting the underutilization of PMRT in South Carolina. References : 1. Overgaard, M, PS Hansen, et al. 1997. Postoperative radiotherapy in high-risk premenopausal women with breast cancer who receive adjuvant chemotherapy. NEJM, 337:14, pg 949–955. 2. Overgaard M, Jensen M-J, Overgaard J, et al. 1999. Postoperative radiotherapy in high-risk postmenopausal breast-cancer patients given adjuvant tamoxifen: Danish Breast Cancer Cooperative Group DBCG 82c randomised trial. Lancet. 353: 1641–1648. 3. Smith, BD, BG Haffty, A Hurria, DH Galusha, and CP Gross. 2006. Postmastectomy radiation and survival in older women with breast cancer. JCO, 24:30, pg 4901–4907. Citation Information: Cancer Res 2011;71(24 Suppl):Abstract nr P1-11-05.
Emerging technologies for the in-situ production of MMCs

Among the numerous methods of producing discontinuously reinforced metal-matrix composites, technologies allowing insitu production of the reinforcing phase offer significant advantages from a technical and economic standpoint. The in-situ formation of a ceramic second phase provides greater control of the size and level of reinforcement, yielding better tailorability of the composite properties. As an example, significantly finer ceramic particulates are possible, which minimizes toughness degradation that is traditionally associated with composites containing relatively large particles. Several emerging, innovative technologies in this area are under development. As with any new technology there are technical challenges, but it is believed that these processes have unique capabilities and, thus, they present cost-effective production processes for metal-matrix composites.
Solidification and Epitaxial Re-Growth in Surface Nanostructuring With Laser-Assisted Scanning Tunneling Microscope

In this work, parallel molecular dynamics simulation is conducted to study the long-time (up to 2 ns) behavior of argon crystal in surface-nanostructuring with laser-assisted STM. A large system consisting of more than one hundred million atoms is explored. The study is focused on the solidification procedure after laser irradiation, which is driven by heat conduction in the material. Epitaxial re-growth is observed in the solidification. Atomic dislocation due to thermal strain-induced structural damages is observed as well in the epitaxial re-growth. During solidification, the liquid is featured with decaying normal compressive stresses and negligible shear stresses. Two functions are designed to capture the structure and distinguish the solid and liquid regions. These functions work well in terms of reflecting the crystallinity of the material and identifying the atomic dislocations. The study of the movement of the solid-liquid interface reveals an accelerating velocity in the order of 3~5 m/s. The spatial distribution of the solid-liquid interface velocity indicates a non-uniform epitaxial re-growth in space. The bottom of the liquid solidifies slower than that at the edge.© 2005 ASME
How the Health Care Industry Can Learn from Marketing Mistakes that Businesses Make

As the health-care Industry moves towards a fuller implementation of marketing techniques, it is likely to repeat many of the marketing mistakes that businesses have made over the years. The purpose of this paper is to review and explain some of the more common marketing mistakes so as to stimulate a greater understanding of the marketing discipl:l.ne on the part of health-care professionals and lead to better marketing practices.
Splenic Erythroclasia: An Electron Microscopic Study of Hemoglobin H Disease

This is an electron microscopic study of the spleen in a case of hemoglobin H disease. The patient showed evidence in the peripheral blood of marked erythrocyte fragmentation. The spleen acted upon the abnormal erythrocytes in two major ways: 1. The erythrocytes entered the sinus lumen simultaneously via two intercellular slits on opposite sides of a lining cell and then split into two sphered fragments (which lay free in the sinus lumen) and the long, thin connecting fragment (which was retained in the cordal compartment and phagocytized). 2. Small, dense, spherical portions of erythrocytes were retained in the cord while the major portion of the cell was released into the sinus lumen. This is suggestive of pitting of rigid intracellular precipitates. The erythrocytes emerged from their passage through the cords and maintained bizarre forms in the sinus lumen. It is possible that the contents of these cells may be partially gelated to account for this. 11 This gelation is thought to largely underlie their behavior in their circulation through the spleen. Evidence of increased erythrocytic breakdown was found in the numerous large macrophages present in the cords.
The Effectiveness of Pair Programming: Software Professionals' Perceptions

Researchers surveyed software professionals on their views regarding the effectiveness of pair programming compared to traditional solo programming. The survey produced three main findings. First, the respondents believed that project complexity and pair composition (the individual programmers' expertise and pair-programming experience) affect pair programming's effectiveness in terms of the effort, defect rate, knowledge transfer, and overall project cost. Second, respondents with pair-programming experience viewed pair programming more positively than those without it. Finally, the more pair-programming experience the respondents had, the more favorably they viewed pair programming.
“One Doesn’t Fit All”: A Comparative Study of Various Finger Gesture Interaction Methods

Thanks to the increasing popularity of mobile applications, finger gesture interactions are prevalent; evaluation studies of finger gesture interaction for these devices also gain attention recently. However, prior studies fail to examine users’ interaction preferences and performance of three most popular mobile interaction patterns in mobile games (Tap, Swipe, and Tilt) and link their usage appropriateness with different operation settings (such as lying on the bed, running in a treadmill, etc.), which motivate our study here. In particular, in this paper we offer a comparative study of the three popular finger interaction types under different operation modes in terms of users’ performance accuracy and experiences. Experiment results were mixed, which lead us to suggest that designers should consider users’ most common operation mode before determining interaction styles. We are currently modifiying the testing user interfaces and simplifying the testing tasks so as to investigate how children with autism tend to respond to these various interaction styles as we had observed that Chinese children with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) are more inclined to interact with the touch-screen-enabled applications; and to the best of our knowledge, such research is under-explored and yet key to inform the development of appropriate interactions for these children.
Measurement of Volatile Organic Compounds in the Urban Atmosphere of Harris County, Texas

Volatile organic compounds (VOCs) are a major component of urban air pollution. It is well documented that exposure to certain types of VOCs can cause adverse health effects such as cancer, immune and neurological damage, and reproductive and endocrine disorders. Urban air samples were collected at five locations in Harris County, Texas to determine the measurement of VOCs in the ambient air of residential areas in close proximity to industrial facilities that emit toxic air pollutants into the air. Three locations used in this study were located along the Houston Ship Channel (HSC), in the heart of one of the largest petrochemical complexes in the nation. Two other sampling locations were located many miles away from the ship channel and any industrial facilities that are required to report toxic air emissions. Air samples were collected daily over an 8-h period from December 2002 to March 2003. The samples were collected in 6-L stainless steel Silonite-coated canisters and analyzed using a modified version of EPA Method TO-15. A total of 53 compounds was quantitated using a gas chromatograph mass spectrometer system coupled to a cryogenic preconcentrator. Eighteen alkanes and oxygenated compounds were identified, along with 7 alkenes and 5 aromatic compounds. Several alkanes such as butane, isobutane, 2-methyl butane, and pentane were detected at all five sites. The total VOC concentrations determined were highest at two of the industrial sites and lowest at the site farthest away from the ship channel and any industrial facilities. This study concluded that the atmosphere near Harris County's industrial complex had higher concentrations of VOCs than the atmosphere in areas farther away from the HSC. The atmosphere of areas downwind from emission sources were found to be directly affected by toxic air emissions from industrial process but not at the levels seen in areas closer to the HSC.
Public speaking versus hybrid introductory communication courses: exploring four outcomes

ABSTRACTThe purpose of this study was to compare student growth in public speaking and hybrid introductory communication skills courses on four outcomes: public speaking anxiety, self-perceived communication competence, intercultural effectiveness, and connected classroom climate. This study also sought to find out whether there were differences in the achievement of outcomes and growth in each outcome by sex and ethnicity. Data from 908 participants utilized a within-subjects and between-subjects repeat measures design. Results showed that public speaking and hybrid communication courses reduced public speaking anxiety and increased self-perceived communication competence and connected classroom climate a similar amount, but did not significantly increase intercultural effectiveness for students overall. Small effects were found for sex on all outcomes and for ethnicity on two outcomes.
The importance of traditional ecological knowledge in agroecological systems in Peru

ABSTRACTThis study argues that a critical element in the success of an ecosystem service (ES) approach at any level is the higher qualitative valuation of local traditional ecological knowledge (TEK). As such, the objectives of this research were to illustrate the role of TEK in agroecological systems in Peru and to develop recommendations about this type of knowledge acquisition. The data were gathered using interviews and focus groups with subsistence farmers along with key informant interviews to elicit TEK at local and regional scales in five provinces in the Lake Titicaca region of Puno, Peru. Qualitative analysis revealed dominant themes of TEK provided by farmers and key informants, and how this knowledge can enhance the application of an ES approach for environmental management. Climate variability, predicting the timing of seasonal changes, water availability, and adapting the agricultural calendar and agricultural techniques were all central themes. This research concludes that environmental man...
Korean bilingual children’s conversations about gender in online books: a case study of critical media literacy in the United States

AbstractAlthough a great deal of research has been undertaken in media literacy, early bilingual instruction, gender, and critical thinking, nothing has been documented about the intersection of these four areas. This interdisciplinary study explored the transformative potential of early critical media literacy practices as a medium to prompt authentic discussions about gender with young bilingual children. Adopting a qualitative case study approach, the current article focuses on kindergarten-age Korean-English bilingual children at the Korean Language School in a city in the Midwest United States. Multi-modal data were collected for a semester through classroom observations, one-to-one interviews with the parents and teacher, and the children’s artifacts. The findings suggest that critical media practice can offer young bilingual children a wide range of opportunities for critically examining gender representations in online storybooks and questioning dominant gender ideologies. The practical implicatio...
Distributed Quantization of Correlated Images

This work describes a practical implementation of a theoretically optimal distributed source quantization algorithm applied to the problem of encoding correlated images with separate encoders and a common decoder. We develop multi-dimensional codebooks based on a distributed form of the generalized Lloyd algorithm. We model image patches as elements of a Gaussian mixture model and show how a two-dimensional codebook of image patch codevectors can be used to significantly compress one image by using the reconstructed second image as partial side information. To test the approach we experiment with multimodal images of highly correlated electro-optical and infrared images and show the performance advantage of distributed source quantization over conventional non-distributed lossy compression.
The effectiveness of online reviews in the presence of self-selection bias

Abstract Online reviews suffer from self-selection biases. One of these is under-reporting bias: those who have an extreme experience, either positive or negative, are more likely to review a product than those who have a moderate experience, and consequently are overrepresented in the sample of reviews. In this paper we study whether under-reporting bias decreases the effectiveness of the mean star-rating as a criterion for choosing between competing products of different but unobservable qualities. We formulate a model of consumer choice and the decision to review, and simulate this model in a variety of scenarios. We find that if under-reporting bias decreases the effectiveness of the mean star-rating, this is usually only for products that are of either extremely poor or extremely good quality. Even in these cases, the effectiveness is reduced only when the extent of bias is extreme and the variance in quality is low. Otherwise, the presence of under-reporting bias generally does not decrease, and in fact, often enhances the effectiveness of the mean star-rating as a measure of relative quality.
Resistance Spot Welding: Fundamentals and Applications for the Automotive Industry

Abstract The early chapters of this book provide thorough coverage of resistance spot welding fundamentals and principles. Topics covered include lobe and current range curves, contact resistance vs. electrode force, dynamic resistance, heat balance, nugget growth, etc. Equipment issues such as machine types, power supplies, and electrodes are addressed. Subsequent chapters focus on specific spot welding challenges to modern automotive manufacturing. Approaches to welding modern materials including advanced high-strength steels, coated steels, and aluminum alloys are covered in much detail. The final chapters focus on many common production and quality control issues, such as electrode wear, monitoring and testing, computational modeling, and welding codes. The overall goal of the book is to provide a comprehensive resource for automotive engineers and technicians who work with modern spot welding equipment and automotive materials. Table of Contents: Preface / Introduction to Resistance Spot Welding / Re...
0163 Comparison of risk estimates from cox proportional hazards and poisson modeling for association of occupational titanium dioxide exposure and selected causes of death

Cox proportional hazards and stratified Poisson regression are commonly used models for time-dependent data in epidemiologic studies. However, whether these methods consistently produce comparable results for the estimate of risk for both rare and prevalent outcomes is unclear. Data from a previous study that utilized stratified Poisson regression to investigate relationships between selected causes of death and annual cumulative exposures to titanium dioxide (TiO2) were reanalysed using Cox proportional hazards modelling. The study cohort included 3,607 workers employed in three US manufacturing facilities, followed 1935–2006. Analyses were completed for cumulative doses in mg/m3-year with no lag and lagged 10 years, with all models specified similarly for covariates. Overall, the Cox and Poisson models resulted in similar estimates in most dose categories for the selected causes of death, with no statistically significant indication of a positive association between TiO2 exposure and death from all cancers, lung cancers, non-malignant respiratory disease, or all heart disease. The Cox model routinely produced narrower 95% confidence intervals (CI), although overlapping with those from Poisson. Borderline disagreement results were associated with risk estimates lagged 10 years for heart disease at dose >80: 1.51 (CI: 1.00, 2.25) from Poisson and 1.356 (CI: 0.922, 1.995) from Cox; and for all cancers at dose 15-35: 1.35 (CI: 0.89, 2.04) from Poisson and 1.485 (CI: 1.005, 2.193) from Cox.
Inducible Pluripotent Stem Cells In Autism Spectrum Disorders

The generation of human neurons from patients with autism spectrum disorders (ASD) offers a novel and complementary opportunity for basic research and the development of therapeutic compounds aiming to revert or ameliorate this family of conditions. Neurons “in-a-dish” from monogenic and other single locus forms of ASD opened new avenues for the stratification of different subtypes of autism. This chapter covers the conceptual and practical issues related to modeling ASD using induced pluripotent stem cells.
Correction to: From materials to systems: a multiscale analysis of nanomagnetic switching

The original version of this article unfortunately contained an error. The authors would like to correct the error with this erratum.
Lebanon’s Youth Clubs and the 1936 Summer Olympics: Mobilizing Sports, Challenging Imperialism and Launching a National Project

In 1936, Pierre Gemayel and Hussein Saja‘an led a delegation to the summer Olympics in Berlin. Impressed by European youth clubs, they returned to French mandate Lebanon to organize their youth, fo...
Laser Radiation of Enzyme Systems, DNA and Antigens

Radiation of cellular components, such as enzyme systems DNA and RNA, has been used to study the mechanism of laser reaction in tissue. Such studies not only help to determine how the photons react with living cells, but also whether such radiation is mutagenic or carcinogenic in comparison with other modalities of radiation such as ultraviolet light and x-ray.
Production of acoustic radiation force using ultrasound: methods and applications

Introduction: Acoustic radiation force (ARF) is used in many biomedical applications. The transfer of momentum in acoustic waves can be used in a multitude of ways to perturb tissue and manipulate ...
Improving communication about prognosis on an academic inpatient solid tumor oncology consult service.

46Background: As the number of patients living with cancer increases, a growing proportion of hospital inpatients will have an advanced cancer diagnosis. Data suggests that an unscheduled hospitalization for a patient with advanced cancer strongly predicts a median survival of less than 6 months. As hospitalists more frequently become the primary team taking care of admitted cancer patients, communication between a patient's oncologic care team and inpatient primary providers is crucial. We sought to implement and assess the impact of improved oncology consult documentation of patient prognosis on outcomes of advanced cancer patients admitted to our hospitalist medicine teaching services. Methods: We implemented an EMR-based oncology consult note template which required documentation of prognosis, potential future treatment options (if available), and advance care planning. We reviewed all patients with stage IV solid tumors admitted to the hospitalist teaching service for 8 weeks prior and 8 weeks post-t...
Financial Leverage, Information Quality, and Efficiency

In this paper, we examine how financial leverage and information quality interactively affect the equilibrium investment and effort decisions, therefore affect overall efficiency. We find that when the financial leverage is in an intermediate range, overall efficiency may decrease in information quality, because higher information quality discourages the entrepreneur from working hard when the prior project prospect is low. We also find that overall efficiency is very sensitive to financial leverage if information quality is poor; when information quality is higher, overall efficiency becomes less sensitive to leverage. In addition, given financial leverage, the optimal level of information quality to maximize overall efficiency in general "matches" the level of financial leverage.
Work-in-Progress: What Recent Artificial Intelligence Breakthroughs in the Game of GO Mean for Human Learning and Engineering Education

Artificial intelligence, led by the method of deep learning, has generated enormous interest in both professional circle and general public in the last two years thanks to Deepmind’s AlphaGo’s stunning mastery of Go, the most sophisticated board game. While most interest since then has been shown in exploring the applications of AlphaGo’s algorithms in machine learning, it is the potential impact of its learning strategy on human learning that captures our attention. Can AlphaGo’s success, aside from taking advantage of superior computing power, lead to more effective learning for humans? Does AlphaGo’s learning lend support to any of the learning theories? Or does the training data reveal any notable pattern or trajectory that may suggest new perspectives on human cognition? In this work-in-progress paper, we try to make connection between human and machine learning using the technical details revealed by the Deepmind team, and examine what insights can be gained from AlphaGo’s training on human cognitive development and more specifically, engineering education.
In defense of) pedagogies of obscenity

Despite best efforts to the contrary, obscenity oozes out from under the rugs of “polite” schooling and “tidy” society. In this post-qualitative inquiry, the authors pursue questions in defense of ...
First-principles study of interfacial energy between alpha-zirconium and zirconium hydride

The interfacial energies among α-Zr, ζ-, γ ′-, γ-, and δ-phase zirconium hydride have been calculated via first-principles calculations. Hydrogen biplane configurations of ζ and γ ′ are confirmed by binding energy calculations. Based on binding energy calculations and convex hull plots, the ζ phase is not a local stable configuration, and ZrH 0.4 is more stable. ζ can be viewed as composed of α and γ ′, as well as α ∣ γ ′ interfaces with a 65 mJ/m 2 interfacial energy. Thus, ζ is less stable than γ ′, assuming no hcp-fct/fcc transformation occurred. Based on the calculated convex hull plots, γ is more stable than δ. The negative interfacial energy between ζ (or γ ′) and δ may promote the δ hydride formation.
Influence of convection on stratospheric water vapor in the North American monsoon region

Abstract. We quantify the connection between deep convection occurrence and summertime 100-hPa water vapor anomaly over the North America (NA) region and find substantial consistency of their interannual variations and that the water vapor mixing ratio over the NA region is up to ~ 1 ppmv higher when deep convection occurs. We use a Lagrangian trajectory model to demonstrate that the structure and the location of the NA anticyclone, as well as the tropical upper tropospheric temperature, determine how much contribution the deep convection could make to moistening the lower stratosphere. The deep convection mainly occurs over the Central Plains region, and most of the convectively moistened air is then transported to the center of the NA anticyclone and the anticyclonic structure helps maintain high water vapor content there. Our hypothesis explains both the summer seasonal cycle and interannual variability of the convective moistening efficiency in the NA region, and can provide valuable insight on modeling stratospheric water vapor.