cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Interplay of Corrosion and Photocatalysis During Nonaqueous Benzylamine Oxidation on Cadmium Sulfide

The photo(electro)chemical properties of bulk, nanowire, and chemical bath deposits of cadmium sulfide (CdS) for benzylamine oxidation to N-benzylidenebenzylamine (N-BB) in acetonitrile have been evaluated as a model for the activity and stability of CdS toward selective organic oxidations. CdS photocatalysts selectively deliver N-BB at rates ranging from 5 to 26 mM h–1. Although CdS is a capable photocatalyst, SEM imaging and XPS analysis reveal significant morphological and compositional changes to the particles upon photolysis in benzylamine. These surface changes and surface sulfide oxidation are accompanied by Cd2+ leaching and hydrogen sulfide evolution, highlighting both redox and acid–base pathways of nonaqueous CdS corrosion. All facets of corrosion have been linked directly with amine reactivity, as the CdS particles are unaffected by substrate-free photolysis. A series of experiments using N,N-dimethylbenzylamine, 4-N,N-trimethylaniline, and ferrocene show that nonaqueous CdS corrosion is facil...
Negative affect and past month binge eating may drive perceptions of loss of control.

Abstract Objective To evaluate how subjective control over intake is influenced by objective aspects of consumption, negative affect, and recent binge eating. Method 105 participants with or without current binge eating (BE) consumed a meal replacement shake following a 12-hour overnight fast in a 2 × 2 design: participants were instructed to either consume the entire shake (no control) or decide on their own how much to consume (affirmative control). They were allotted either 5 (fast) or 15 (slow) minutes to complete the task. Participants reported on subjective control and negative affect following consumption. Results Compared to the slow condition, participants in the fast condition reported higher negative affect after eating. Individuals without a history of BE reported lower subjective control in the no control compared to the affirmative control condition; however, this pattern was reversed among those with BE, such that individuals reported higher subjective control following consumption in the no control condition. In addition, subjective control was positively associated with negative affect in the no control condition whereas it was negatively associated with negative affect in the affirmative control condition. Discussion Eating rate influences affect, and subjective control over eating may be the result of an interaction of objective control with affect. Thus, distress may drive perceptions of control. This should be directly tested in future studies and has implications for how we understand BE.
Transient Epileptic Amnesia: a Retrospective Analysis of Cases from the Mayo Clinic (P3.035)

Objective: Characterize the demographic, clinical, electrographic, and neuroimaging profiles of transient epileptic amnesia (TEA). Background: TEA is a focal epilepsy characterized by transient episodes of isolated amnesia. With typical onset in late adulthood and frequent interictal memory impairment, TEA can mimic early neurodegenerative disease or be mistaken for cognitive aging. Given the potential for complete resolution with anti-epileptic drugs (AEDs), accurate diagnosis of TEA is crucial for initiation of therapy. Design/Methods: We performed a retrospective analysis of individuals diagnosed with TEA at the Mayo Clinic. Potential cases were identified utilizing a search tool for the Mayo Clinic Enterprise Data Trust. Inclusion criteria included: recurrent amnestic spells and an epilepsy trait (abnormal EEG, clinical seizure traits, or response to AEDs); or archetypal memory complaints and an epilepsy trait; or recurrent amnestic spells and archetypal memory complaints. Results: Thirty-one cases were identified, with median age 70 years old and a 2:1 male predominance. Twenty-four (77%) individuals endorsed interictal memory complaints. Twenty (65%) individuals exhibited abnormalities on EEG, with all but one of these involving the temporal lobes. Brain MRI revealed focal abnormalities in only six (19%) cases. Eleven (69%) of the 16 individuals who underwent brain FDG-PET exhibited abnormalities that did not fit known patterns for neurodegenerative disease. Of the 22/31 cases where follow-up was available, all displayed improvement with AEDs. Conclusions: Our findings highlight TEA as a form of potentially treatable temporal lobe epilepsy and support the role of EEG in the evaluation of memory impairment in older adults. Additional studies are needed to identify biomarker patterns on FDG-PET which can distinguish TEA from neurodegenerative diseases. Disclosure: Dr. Ramanan has nothing to disclose. Dr. Jones has nothing to disclose. Dr Graff-Radford has nothing to disclose. Dr. Savica has nothing to disclose.
Climate Resilience Planning and Organizational Learning on Campuses and Beyond: A Comparative Study of Three Higher Education Institutions

Higher education institutions around the world are confronting challenges associated with climate change, and many are trying to model practices that support climate change mitigation and resilience. This work initiates an inventory of good practices and introduces a theoretical framework for the assessment of resilience planning in order to guide and support institutions of higher education in their efforts to plan for resilience. We analyzed the resilience planning initiatives of three higher education institutions. Smith College, a small liberal arts college, conducted participatory research to help plan for climate change. Large, research-focused Cornell University nurtured collaborations and examined its own capacity for climate action. Boston University played an important role in the efforts of the Boston Green Ribbon Commission to plan for climate resiliency in the city of Boston. We analyzed the climate change mitigation and resilience planning processes of these three institutions using a theoretical framework of organizational change, resilience thinking, and adaptive co-management. Our analysis showed that, although each institution approached the process differently, all three gained significant benefits beyond the scope of climate action. Each experienced a meaningful opportunity to engage with its community and explore the values of stakeholders, and each fostered local social capital and action while building a strong consensus on directions for the future. Aspects of the process supported the institutions’ missions of education, research, and outreach and provided opportunities to pause and think deeply about how the institution chooses to engage with the world. All three organizations learned valuable lessons and experienced transformation, but Boston University in particular developed new ways to promote institutional learning on the topic of climate change, a process we describe as triple-loop learning.
Economic Impact Associated with Respiratory Disease in Beef Cattle

Respiratory disease is reported to be the most costly disease of beef cattle. This article discusses the impact of respiratory disease, citing The Texas Ranch to Rail Program, the United States Meat Animal Research Center (MARC) Evaluation of Therapeutic Treatment, and Lung Lesions in Beef Cattle at Slaughter studies in evaluating the economic imapct of bovine respiratory disease (BRD).
Nanometer-Scale Patterning of Surfaces Using Self-Assembly Chemistry. 1. Preliminary Studies of Polyaniline Electrodeposition on Self-Assembled Mixed Monolayers

We report the template-directed growth of polyaniline nanostructures at Au electrodes modified with mixed monolayers of 4-aminothiophenol (4-ATP) and noctadecanethiol (ODT). Adsorbed 4-ATP serves as a nucleation site for polymer growth when these monolayers are oxidized in aqueous aniline solutions: Islands of 4-ATP within the ODT film template the growth of small polyaniline domains. AFM experiments reveal an average feature diameter of 150 nm and an average height of 7 nm. The number density of nanostructures scales with the mole fraction of 4-ATP in the monolayer and the concentration of aniline in solution.
Overview: Structural Biology of Integrins

Integrins are cell adhesion molecules that play important roles in many biological processes including hemostasis, immune responses, development, and cancer. Their adhesiveness is dynamically regulated through a process termed inside-out signaling. In addition, ligand binding transduces outside-in signals from the extracellular domain to the cytoplasm. Advances in the past several years have shed light on structural basis for integrin regulation and signaling, especially how the large-scale reorientations of the ectodomain are related to the inter-domain and intra-domain shape shifting that changes ligand-binding affinity. Experiments have also shown how the conformational changes of the ectodomain are linked to changes in the α- and β-subunit transmembrane and cytoplasmic domains.
The reliability of YouTube videos in patients education for Glioblastoma Treatment.

Abstract Background Glioblastomas (GBMs) are one of the most devastating primary tumors in humans and often results in minimal survival rates. Over the past 2 decades, patients have accessed the internet to obtain information related to their diagnoses. In this study, we aimed to evaluate the accuracy and the reliability of GBM-related YouTube videos. Methods In June of 2017, a search was conducted on YouTube using 6 keywords. Videos were sorted using “Relevance-Based Ranking” option, and the first 3 pages for each search were selected for further analysis. Three independent reviewers evaluated the videos using the validated DISCERN Tool. Results After sorting 23,100 videos, 9 videos were identified and included for analysis. Of the 9 videos analyzed, 88% (8/9) were from hospitals affiliated with prestigious universities across the country. Of the nine videos included in the analysis, two (22%) scored above a 3. There was an average 55% overlap in the videos analyzed by key term and the keyword search of “Malignant Glioma Treatment” had the highest percentage of videos above a score of 3 (66%). Conclusion Many patients with GBM and their families access information on YouTube to familiarize themselves with the epidemiology, survival, and treatment options for this form of tumor. However, the information that is currently available online is not monitored or vetted using an official filtering process prior to its release. Medical institutions must work to produce more peer-reviewed content in order to improve the availability of credible health information on internet platforms.
Optimal Virtual Monoenergetic Image in "TwinBeam" Dual-Energy CT for Organs-At-Risk Delineation Based on Contrast-Noise-Ratio in Head-And-Neck Radiotherapy

PURPOSE Dual-energy computed tomography (DECT) using TwinBeam CT (TBCT) is a new option for radiation oncology simulators. TBCT scanning provides virtual monoenergetic images which are attractive in treatment planning since lower energies offer better contrast for soft tissues, and higher energies reduce noise. A protocol is needed to achieve optimal performance of this feature. In this study, we investigated the TBCT scan schema with the head-and-neck radiotherapy workflow at our clinic and selected the optimal energy with best contrast-noise-ratio (CNR) in organs-at-risks (OARs) delineation for head-and-neck treatment planning. METHODS AND MATERIALS We synthesized monochromatic images from 40 keV to 190 keV at 5 keV increments from data acquired by TBCT. We collected the Hounsfield unit (HU) numbers of OARs (brainstem, mandible, spinal cord, and parotid glands), the HU numbers of marginal regions outside OARs, and the noise levels for each monochromatic image. We then calculated the CNR for the different OARs at each energy level to generate a serial of spectral curves for each OAR. Based on these spectral curves of CNR, the mono-energy corresponding to the max CNR was identified for each OAR of each patient. RESULTS Computed tomography scans of ten patients by TBCT were used to test the optimal monoenergetic image for the CNR of OAR. Based on the maximized CNR, the optimal energy values were 78.5 ± 5.3 keV for the brainstem, 78.0 ± 4.2 keV for the mandible, 78.5 ± 5.7 keV for the parotid glands, and 78.5 ± 5.3 keV for the spinal cord. Overall, the optimal energy for the maximum CNR of these OARs in head-and-neck cancer patients was 80 keV. CONCLUSION We have proposed a clinically feasible protocol that selects the optimal energy level of the virtual monoenergetic image in TBCT for OAR delineation based on the CNR in head-and-neck OAR. This protocol can be applied in TBCT simulation.
Courts of the Twenty-first Century: A View from Hawaii

I am truly honored to have been invited to participate in this exciting and important Technology Renaissance Courts Conference 1996. I have had the opportunity of working with judiciaries, primarily in the United States, but also in Japan, Korea, and Micronesia, for 30 years, and while I have been a frequent visitor to some neighboring South and Southeast Asian countries, and have often changed planes in Singapore, this is the first time that I have had the opportunity to discuss issues of law, justice, technology and the future with a primarily Singapore audience.
A Curiously Linear Path to Academic Drug Discovery

Medicinal chemistry graduate students interested in drug discovery usually consider only two career paths: become a tenure track principal investigator of a lab with a focused research interest, or become an industry scientist at a pharmaceutical company. This Viewpoint article will highlight a unique career path that is neither of these and is a new model, involving collaboration, creative problem solving, and a willingness to learn new things, that perhaps can prove successful for others.
Contextualising coronavirus geographically

This editorial introduces a special virtual issue aimed at providing online access to articles that can contribute to the work of coming to geographical terms with the COVID-19 pandemic. It outlines seven sub-themes of enquiry and analysis that are especially useful for contextualising coronavirus geographically. These are explored in turn as geographies of: (1) infection, (2) vulnerability, (3) resilience, (4) blame, (5) immunisation, (6) interdependence, and (7) care. In each case, connections are made between publications that are included in the special virtual issue and other more recent writings related specifically to COVID-19. In an effort to make these connections as useful as possible to geographers who have been drafted into online teaching in and about the pandemic, hyperlinks are used throughout to highlight additional online resources and reports.
Eosinophilic solid and cystic renal cell carcinoma with TSC2 gene mutations in children

Objective: To study clinical pathological characteristics, immunohistochemical, molecular genetical changes and prognosis in pediatric eosinophilic solid and cystic renal cell carcinoma (ESC RCC) with TSC2 gene mutations. Methods: The tissue samples were collected from two pediatric ESC RCC patients between 2017 and 2018. The tissues were subjected to histological examination and immunohistochemistry using EnVision system. The TFE3, TFEB gene rearrangements were tested using FISH and molecular genetic study. The paraffin sections were used for DNA extraction, PCR amplification and NGS sequencing. Results: The two patients with ESC RCC were both male, aged at 9 years and 8 months, and 13 years, respectively. The tumors were from the right kidney, 5 cm and 7 cm in size, respectively, with solid and cystic changes in cross section, and grey-reddish or grey-whitish fish meat appearance. Microscopic observation revealed the tumors had fibrous capsules, which were infiltrated by the tumor cells. The tumor cells were diffusely distributed, round-shaped, or polygon-shaped, and had voluminous cytoplasm, eosinophilic cytoplasm, various sizes of vacuoles and clear cell-like appearance. There were papillary structures in some areas, with visible fiber septa. The nuclei were round and vesicular, with multi-nucleated cells and megakaryocytes. The mitoses were not seen. A few cystic structures were visible in different sizes, and capsule walls were covered with a single layer of spike-like tumor cells. Thick-walled blood vessels were seen in the stroma, with focal lymphocytic infiltration, eosinophilic necrosis, calcifications and cholesterol crystals. Immunohistochemistry of the tumor cells was positive for PAX8 (diffuse), CK20 (focal), CKpan (focal), CK10 (1 focal, 1 diffuse), INI1, vimentin, CD68, and Ki-67 (5%~10%); the tumor cells were negative for HMB45, S-100, Melan A, p53, desmin, TFE3, CK7, CK19, EMA, CD56, CgA, Syn, CD30, CD117, WT1 and SMA. Molecular genetic study showed that TFE3 and TFEB gene rearrangements were not detected by FISH. NGS sequencing showed TSC2 p.Lys574Ter (0.198) was found in patient one and TSC2 p.Arg406Ter (0.355) in patient two. Conclusions: ESC RCC in children is a rare disease, and can be misdiagnosed easily. It has unique pathological characteristics, and immunohistochemical, molecular and genetic changes. The prognosis is relatively good.
Current state of therapeutic apheresis and cellular therapy education for transfusion medicine fellows in the United States.

BACKGROUND Numerous conditions are responsive to therapeutic apheresis (TA) and cellular therapy (CT) treatments. Both TA and CT are two broad and diverse knowledge fields within transfusion medicine (TM). We therefore sought to survey all the TM fellowship program directors (PDs) in the United States to examine the current fellow state education in TA and CT. METHODS A 37-question survey was sent to all PDs to collect details of TA and CT training for TM fellows. RESULTS Responses from 29/51 (56.9%) surveyed programs were received. Most PDs considered TA and CT training for their fellows more than adequate. Two PDs from programs that did not directly oversee TA and CT services at their training sites stated that their program's training in these two areas were only "slightly adequate" or "moderately inadequate." Detailed analysis of training in TA, cell collection, and CT suggests that trainees from programs with direct oversight of these services had longer training and more learning experiences compared to those in which outside rotations were required. CONCLUSIONS Transfusion medicine fellowship training in TA and CT varies. Most respondents, and particularly those from programs directly overseeing TA services, reported their fellows were adequately prepared in TA. Cellular therapy collections and laboratory operations, however, are less consistent areas of training despite the rapid expansion of these fields. Our survey suggests that a greater emphasis in CT training is needed.
Understanding the differences between climate change deniers and believers’ knowledge, media use, and trust in related information sources

Abstract The purpose of this study was to understand the similarities and differences between climate change deniers and believers’ knowledge, news media consumption, and trust in related information sources. Using surveys conducted among 310 climate change-denying American adults, and 337 climate change believers, this study investigated these points with a few surprising results. As expected, climate change deniers displayed significantly lower levels of trust in the scientific community and the EPA than did climate change believers. Furthermore, commonly noted points of attack used by climate change disinformation efforts were found to have been accepted by climate change deniers, and disturbingly, in some cases by climate change believers as well. Implications for public relations scholars and practitioners are discussed (117 words).
ChromeBat: A Bio-Inspired Approach to 3D Genome Reconstruction

Background: With the advent of Next Generation Sequencing and the Hi-C experiment, high quality genome-wide contact data is becoming increasingly available. This data represents an empirical measure of how a genome interacts inside the nucleus. Genome conformation is of particular interest as it has been experimentally shown to be a driving force for many genomic functions from regulation to transcription. Thus, the Three-Dimensional Genome Reconstruction Problem seeks to take Hi-C data and produce the complete physical genome structure as it appears in the nucleus for genomic analysis. Results: We propose and develop a novel method to solve the Chromosome and Genome Reconstruction problem based on the Bat Algorithm which we called ChromeBat.We demonstrate on real Hi-C data that ChromeBat is capable of state of the art performance. Additionally, the domain of Genome Reconstruction has been criticized for lacking algorithmic diversity, and the bio-inspired nature of ChromeBat contributes algorithmic diversity to the problem domain. Conclusions: ChromeBat is an effective approach at solving the Genome Reconstruction Problem. The source code and usage guide can be found here: https://github.com/OluwadareLab/ChromeBat.
Import Compression and Export Performance in Developing Countries

In recent years many developing countries have had to compress imports to generate the trade surpluses needed to service foreign debt. However, since imports of intermediate and capital goods are critical inputs in export production, import compression can adversely affect export performance. In turn, slower export growth limits foreign exchange availability, inducing further import compression. This paper develops a model that incorporates feedbacks between imports and exports arising from the effects of import compression on exports and of the availability of foreign exchange on imports. Estimates using a sample of 34 developing countries and simulation experiments confirm both these hypotheses.
A learning health system approach to COVID‐19 exposure notification system rollout

Introduction Methods Results Conclusions Digital exposure notification (EN) approaches may offer considerable advantages over traditional contact tracing in speed, scale, efficacy, and confidentiality in pandemic control. We applied the science of learning health systems to test the effect of framing and digital means, email vs Short Message Service (SMS), on EN adoption among patients of an academic health center.We tested three communication approaches of the Apple and Google EN system in a rapid learning cycle involving 15 000 patients pseudorandomly assigned to three groups. The patients in the first group received a 284‐word email that presented EN as a tool that can help slow the spread. The patients in the second group received a 32‐word SMS that described EN as a new tool to help slow the spread (SlowTheSpreadSMS). Patients in the third group received a 47‐word SMS that depicted the system as a new digital tool that can empower them to protect their family and friends (EmpowerSMS). A brief four‐question anonymous survey of adoption was included in a reminder message sent 2 days after the initial outreach.One hundred and sixty people responded to the survey within 1 week: 2.33% from EmpowerSMS, 0.97% from SlowTheSpreadSMS, and 0.53% from emails;29 (41.43%), 24 (41.38%), and 11 (34.38%) reported having adopted EN from each group, respectively. Patient reported barriers to adoption included iOS version incompatibility, privacy concerns, and low trust of government agencies or companies like Apple and Google. Patients recommended that healthcare systems play an active role in disseminating information about this tool. Patients also recommended advertising on social media and providing reassurance about privacy.The EmpowerSMS resulted in relatively more survey responses. Both SMS groups had slightly higher, but not statistically significant EN adoption rates compared to email. Findings from the pilot not only informed operational decision‐making in our health system but also contributed to EN rollout planning in our State. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR] Copyright of Learning Health Systems is the property of Wiley-Blackwell and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)
Recurrent disc herniation: Etiology, evaluation, treatment, outcomes, and prevention (annular repair)

Recurrent disc herniation is a challenging problem for spine surgeons. They occur in approximately 6–24% of patients after a discectomy procedure. They are defined by at least 6 months of symptom improvement following the index procedure with subsequent recurrence of symptoms with MRI evidence of a new disc herniation. The differential diagnosis includes epidural fibrosis. Without neurologic deficit, initial non-operative treatment modalities are employed. If symptoms persist after non-operative treatment attempts, or if there is significant neurologic deficit, surgery is indicated. Surgery entails either a revision decompression alone or a decompression with interbody and posterolateral fusion depending on the size of the herniation, associated instability, and surgeon preference and experience. Revision decompression risks include neurologic injury and spinal fluid leak.
Registration in Multi-Sensor Data Fusion and Tracking

This report presents a simple and direct method of solving the registration problem associated with multiple radar tracking. The registration proceedure is split into two distinct parts that are independent from one another. The first part is a deterministic tranformation from the measurement domain to the measurement error or bias variable domain, and the second part is a filtering to track the actual value of the bias variables. Only the transformation part will be covered.
An introduction to wavelets

An Overview: From Fourier Analysis to Wavelet Analysis. The Integral Wavelet Transform and Time-Frequency Analysis. Inversion Formulas and Duals. Classification of Wavelets. Multiresolution Analysis, Splines, and Wavelets. Wavelet Decompositions and Reconstructions. Fourier Analysis: Fourier and Inverse Fourier Transforms. Continuous-Time Convolution and the Delta Function. Fourier Transform of Square-Integrable Functions. Fourier Series. Basic Convergence Theory and Poisson's Summation Formula. Wavelet Transforms and Time-Frequency Analysis: The Gabor Transform. Short-Time Fourier Transforms and the Uncertainty Principle. The Integral Wavelet Transform. Dyadic Wavelets and Inversions. Frames. Wavelet Series. Cardinal Spline Analysis: Cardinal Spline Spaces. B-Splines and Their Basic Properties. The Two-Scale Relation and an Interpolatory Graphical Display Algorithm. B-Net Representations and Computation of Cardinal Splines. Construction of Spline Approximation Formulas. Construction of Spline Interpolation Formulas. Scaling Functions and Wavelets: Multiresolution Analysis. Scaling Functions with Finite Two-Scale Relations. Direct-Sum Decompositions of L2(R). Wavelets and Their Duals. Linear-Phase Filtering. Compactly Supported Wavelets. Cardinal Spline-Wavelets: Interpolaratory Spline-Wavelets. Compactly Supported Spline-Wavelets. Computation of Cardinal Spline-Wavelets. Euler-Frobenius Polynomials. Error Analysis in Spline-Wavelet Decomposition. Total Positivity, Complete Oscillation, Zero-Crossings. Orthogonal Wavelets and Wavelet Packets: Examples of Orthogonal Wavelets. Identification of Orthogonal Two-Scale Symbols. Construction of Compactly Supported Orthogonal Wavelets. Orthogonal Wavelet Packets. Orthogonal Decomposition of Wavelet Series. Notes. References. Subject Index. Appendix.
Statistical Analyses of Field Serviceability of Throw-and-Roll Pothole Patches

AbstractIn order to evaluate the effectiveness of different pothole patching methods and materials, it is necessary to conduct a long-term field survey of patches installed at different environmental and traffic conditions. The research reported in this paper investigated the service life of different throw-and-roll pothole patches through a 14-month field survey. Three statistical methods, including (1) logistic regression, (2) classification tree, and (3) survival analysis, were employed to characterize the influence of different factors on the service life of installed patches, and to identify the performance of different patching materials. The factors investigated in the research reported in this paper included the length, width, and depth of patches; traffic level; speed limit; and freeze times. All the three statistical methods identified similar trends of the significance of factors and performance rankings of materials. Generally, patches installed on road sections with less freeze cycles, lower ...
μGC × μGC microsystem with resistive and optical detection

The integration of microfabricated chemiresistor (CR) and micro-optofluidic ring resonator (μOFRR) sensors with other microfabricated components to yield a microsystem capable of performing comprehensive two dimensional gas chromatography (μGC × μGC) is described. Two CRs with different monolayer protected Au nanoparticle (MPN) interface layers were tested along with one μOFRR with a PDMS interface layer. All three provided modulation numbers similar to those of a reference flame ionization detector (FID). Modulated peak widths (full width at half maximum, fwhm) for the CR detectors ranged from 0.31 to 1.9 sec, and those for the μOFRR ranged from 0.24 to 1.2 sec. Although these fwhm values were greater than those from the FID and they increased with the vapor pressure of the analyte, most were < 1 sec and all peaks were narrow enough to permit efficient μGC × μGC separations. Analyses of mixtures of 6–18 volatile organic compounds are demonstrated.
COMPARING STRATIFICATION SCHEMES FOR AERIAL MOOSE SURVEYS

Stratification is generally used to improve the precision of aerial surveys. In Minnesota, moose (Alces alces) survey strata have been constructed using expert opinion informed by moose density from previous surveys (if available), recent disturbance, and cover-type information. Stratum-specific distributions of observed moose from plots surveyed during 2005-2010 overlapped, suggesting some improvement in precision might be accomplished by using a different stratification scheme. Therefore, we explored the feasibility of using remote-sensing data to define strata. Stratum boundaries were formed using a 2-step process: 1) we fit parametric and non-parametric regression models using land-cover data as predictors of observed moose numbers; 2) we formed strata by applying classical rules for determining stratum boundaries to the model-based predictions. Although land-cover data and moose numbers were correlated, we were unable to improve upon the current stratification scheme based on expert opinion.
Productive Efficiency under Capitalism and State Socialism: An Empirical Inquiry Using Chance-Constrained Data Envelopment Analysis

In this paper we undertake a comparison of the productive efficiency of a set of West European market economies and a set of East European planned economies. We employ the techniques of chance-constrained data envelopment analysis to conduct the comparison. These techniques are particularly appropriate when the performance of producers depends on their ability to make resource allocation decisions in the presence of technological and market uncertainties. We find the market economies to have been much more efficient in their allocation of resources.
Online Interactive Quality Procedures

Corporations often seek to centralize quality control standards and records over several locations. This paper describes an interactive web site for acceptance sampling, a common quality procedure.
Convergence analysis of ADMM-based power system mode estimation under asynchronous wide-area communication delays

In our recent paper [1], we proposed a distributed PMU-PDC architecture for estimating power system oscillation modes by integrating a Prony-based algorithm with Alternating Direction Method of Multipliers (ADMM). A critical assumption behind the proposed method was that the communication between local PDCs and the central averager is completely synchronized. In realistic wide-area networks, however, such synchronous communication may not always be possible. In this paper we address this issue of asynchronous communication, and its impact on the convergence of the distributed estimation. We first impose a probability model for the communication delays between the central PDC and the local PDCs, and then implement two strategies of averaging at the central PDC based on a chosen delay threshold. We carry out simulations to show possible instabilities and sensitivities of the ADMM convergence on delay distribution parameters under these two averaging strategies. Our results exhibit a broad view of how the convergence of distributed estimation algorithms in physical processes depends strongly on the uncertainties in the underlying communications in a generic cyber-physical system.
The effect of MMF dose and trough levels on adverse effects in pediatric heart transplant recipients

Limited pharmacokinetic and safety data exist for MMF in pediatric HTR. Previously targeted MPA-TL are 1.5-3.0 μg/mL. The objective of this study was to assess the outcomes targeting MPA-TL of 0.8-2.0 μg/mL in pediatric HTR. MPA-TL were retrospectively collected 2-12 months post-transplant. Acute rejection, infection, leukopenia, and GI complaints were then correlated with MPA-TL. A total of 355 MPA-TL from 22 HTR were included. Median age was 2.5 yr. Primary indication for transplant was dilated cardiomyopathy (64%). Mean MPA-TL was 1.7 ± 0.9 μg/mL. African American patients received significantly higher doses (702 ± 235 mg/m(2) ) compared with other races (p = 0.035). Leukopenia was less common in patients with SUB MPA vs. others (p = 0.01). MMF was discontinued for GI complaints in one patient and leukopenia in two patients. One SUB patient had acute rejection, and one SUP patient had infection. One-yr survival was 100%. Targeting a lower range for MPA-TL was not associated with significant rejection or infection. Despite lower MPA-TL, MMF was discontinued in 3/22 patients for adverse effects.
Investigation of Building Passive Thermal Storage for Optimal Heating System Design

Heating and cooling load calculations are critical to size Heating, Ventilation and Air conditioning (HVAC) systems and determine energy use of their operations. The ASHRAE (2009) model, which is most commonly used for heating load calculations, adopts a simplified approach by considering only steady-state instantaneous conductive heat transfer and ignoring internal heat gains and thermal storage effects. Those assumptions evaluate the worst case conditions which can reasonably occur at nights when the outdoor air temperature is lowest and with no inputs from solar, occupants, lights, or any electronic devices. However, due to thermal storage effect, heat generated in daytime can be still stored in buildings. Such ignorance leads to significantly over-sized heating system, high initial cost and a higher cost of energy uses. On the other hand, by considering passive thermal storage of buildings and allowing space air to drift to reasonably lower values, buildings need to be warmed up in the morning before being occupied. The worst case conditions might happen in the morning warm-up period, when heating is needed. This study therefore examines the thermal response of different constructions (heavy, medium, and light) of the building envelope and investigates the effect of their passive thermal storage on the size of the heating system. Results show tremendous opportunities for downsizing of the heating system while still maintaining thermal comfort requirements. As such, this paper is a fundamental study of building thermal characteristics in order to investigate the potentials of establishing a new heating device design standard.Copyright © 2014 by ASME
Varicella infection is not associated with increasing prevalence of eczema: a U.S. population-based study.

Summary Background Chickenpox infection early in childhood has previously been shown to protect against the development of childhood eczema in line with the hygiene hypothesis. In 1995, the American Academy of Pediatrics recommended routine vaccination against varicella zoster virus in the United States. Subsequently, rates of chickenpox infection have dramatically decreased in childhood. Objectives We sought to understand the impact of declining rates of chickenpox infection on the prevalence of eczema. Methods We analysed data from 207 007 children in the 1997–2013 National Health Interview Survey. One-year prevalence of eczema and ‘ever had’ history of chickenpox were analysed. Associations between chickenpox infection and eczema were tested using survey-weighted logistic regression. The impact of chickenpox on trends of eczema prevalence was tested using survey logistic regression and generalized linear models. Results Children with a history of chickenpox compared with those without chickenpox had a lower prevalence [survey-weighted logistic regression (95% confidence interval, CI)] of eczema [8·8% (8·5–9·0%) vs. 10·6% (10·4–10·8%)]. In pooled multivariate models controlling for age, sex, race/ethnicity, household income, highest level of household education, insurance coverage, U.S. birthplace and family size, eczema was inversely associated with chickenpox [adjusted odds ratio (95% CI), 0·90 (0·86–0·94), P < 0·001]. The prevalence of eczema significantly increased over time (Tukey post-hoc test, P < 0·001 for comparisons of survey years 2001–13 vs. 1997–2000, 2008–13 vs. 2001–04 and 2008–13 vs. 2005–07). In multivariate generalized linear models, the odds of eczema was not associated with chickenpox in 2001–13 (P ≥ 0·06). Conclusions These findings suggest that lower rates of chickenpox infection secondary to widespread vaccination against varicella zoster virus are not contributing to higher rates of childhood eczema in the U.S.
In vivo Burn Severity Assessment in a Mouse Model Using Spectroscopic Optical Coherence Tomography

Depth resolved spectra obtained from spectroscopic optical coherence tomography (SOCT) are used to evaluate burn injuries ;in vivo in a mouse model. Spectral differences between different burn severities are quantified by a power-law fitting model.
Segregation of lutetium and yttrium to grain boundaries in iridium alloys

The equilibrium segregation of lutetium and yttrium to grain boundaries in iridium alloys containing 0.3 wt% tungsten was studied. The segregation level of Lu decreased with increasing annealing temperature whereas that of Y initially increased with increasing temperature but then decreased with further increases in temperature. At all temperatures, Y segregated more strongly than lutetium. The observed segregation behavior of the two dopants was explained on the basis of their free energies of segregation and solid solubilities, and the solvus lines for Lu and Y were obtained from the results. Energies of segregation and energies of solution for Lu and Y in the iridium alloy were also determined.
Facing up to facebook

Facebook, MySpace, Friendster, and dozens of other online social networks are substantially changing the way students interact with others. For good, or ill, it's time that colleges and universities learn to effectively deal with the impact.
Lagging adaptation to warming climate in Arabidopsis thaliana

If climate change outpaces the rate of adaptive evolution within a site, populations previously well adapted to local conditions may decline or disappear, and banked seeds from those populations will be unsuitable for restoring them. However, if such adaptational lag has occurred, immigrants from historically warmer climates will outperform natives and may provide genetic potential for evolutionary rescue. We tested for lagging adaptation to warming climate using banked seeds of the annual weed Arabidopsis thaliana in common garden experiments in four sites across the species’ native European range: Valencia, Spain; Norwich, United Kingdom; Halle, Germany; and Oulu, Finland. Genotypes originating from geographic regions near the planting site had high relative fitness in each site, direct evidence for broad-scale geographic adaptation in this model species. However, genotypes originating in sites historically warmer than the planting site had higher average relative fitness than local genotypes in every site, especially at the northern range limit in Finland. This result suggests that local adaptive optima have shifted rapidly with recent warming across the species’ native range. Climatic optima also differed among seasonal germination cohorts within the Norwich site, suggesting that populations occurring where summer germination is common may have greater evolutionary potential to persist under future warming. If adaptational lag has occurred over just a few decades in banked seeds of an annual species, it may be an important consideration for managing longer-lived species, as well as for attempts to conserve threatened populations through ex situ preservation.
Peer educators in a theoretical context: Emerging adults

The peer educator and the directing supervisor encounter a variety of challenges within a higher education organization. Both theory and examples of practice are provided to give a clear understanding of some of the issues they face.
Comparative performance of linear, cross-linked, and plasma-deposited PMMA capacitive humidity sensors

Abstract The role of cross-linking density in the performance of poly(methyl methacrylate) (PPMA) capacitive relative-humidity (RH) sensors is investigated. Four materials are studied: linear PMMA (no cross-linking), PMMA cross-linked with 5% ethylene glycol dimethacrylate (EGDM), ‘low-density’ plasma-deposited methyl methacrylate (PPMMA), and ‘high-density’ PPMMA. We find that the capacitance of the linear and cross-linked PMMA sensors increases by about 20% from 0 to 100% RH, and the maximum sensitivity of the plasma-deposited materials to moisture is about 13%. The hysteresis of the capacitance versus RH characteristic is found to be signifiant only for the cross-linked PMMA sensor below 1 kHz excitation frequency. A dielectric loss peak is present at approximately 50 Hz in the linear and cross-linked PMMA materials, but is absent in the PPMMA materials. All materials investigated exhibit evidence of a loss peak above 100 kHz. The linearity at 100 kHz of the response to RH of the devices using PPMMA as the dielectric is higher than that of the devices using linear and cross-linked PMMA. PPMMA films are promising materials for moisture-sensing applications.
Insig Regulates HMG-CoA Reductase by Controlling Enzyme Phosphorylation in Fission Yeast

Summary Insig functions as a central regulator of cellular cholesterol homeostasis by controlling activity of HMG-CoA reductase (HMGR) in cholesterol synthesis. Insig both accelerates the degradation of HMGR and suppresses HMGR transcription through the SREBP-Scap pathway. The fission yeast Schizosaccharomyces pombe encodes homologs of Insig, HMGR, SREBP, and Scap, called ins1 + , hmg1 + , sre1 + , and scp1 + . Here, we characterize fission yeast Insig and demonstrate that Ins1 is dedicated to regulation of Hmg1, but not the Sre1-Scp1 pathway. Using a sterol-sensing domain mutant of Hmg1, we demonstrate that Ins1 binding to Hmg1 inhibits enzyme activity by promoting phosphorylation of the Hmg1 active site, which increases the K M for NADPH. Ins1-dependent phosphorylation of Hmg1 requires the MAP kinase Sty1/Spc1, and Hmg1 phosphorylation is physiologically regulated by nutrient stress. Thus, in fission yeast, Insig regulates sterol synthesis by a different mechanism than in mammalian cells, controlling HMGR phosphorylation in response to nutrient supply.
Measuring protein self-diffusion in protein–protein mixtures using a pulsed gradient spin-echo technique with WATERGATE and isotope filtering

Here we report a modified pulsed gradient spin-echo (PGSTE) pulse sequence to measure diffusion coefficients. This approach incorporates WATERGATE combined with isotopic filtering into a standard PGSTE experiment. Doing this eliminates much of the disadvantages from the combination of diffusion encoding and heteronuclear selection intervals and allows for facile modification of the diffusion pulse sequence with flexibility of the time period between RF pulses. The new diffusion pulse sequence is demonstrated using an 15N-labeled peptide and an 15N-labeled protein in a mixture with a protein of similar size.
Attainment of Statistical Equilibrium in Excited Nuclei

The usual interpretation of high-energy nuclear reactions entails a two-step mechanism: (1) a first step, which includes the emission of knock-on particles in an intranuclear cascade generated by the incident particle, followed by (2) the "evaporation" of particles from the residual excited nucleus, which is assumed to be at statistical equilibrium. If the independent-particle model with residual two-body interaction is taken as a description of the residual excited nucleus, the assumption in the second step requires that the nonequilibrium distribution of nucleons and holes that are produced in the fast step approach the equilibrium distribution before more particles leave the nucleus. This requirement has been investigated and shown to be valid by numerically solving a Boltzmann-like master equation for a Fermi-gas system.
A Comparison of Complication Rates in Early-Stage Breast Cancer Patients Treated with Brachytherapy Versus Whole-Breast Irradiation

Background The adoption of breast brachytherapy into clinical practice for early-stage breast cancer has increased over the last several years. Studies evaluating complication rates following treatment with brachytherapy have shown conflicting results. We compared local toxicity in patients treated with brachytherapy with those treated with whole-breast irradiation (WBI).
Magnetic Domain-Wall Racetrack Memory

Recent developments in the controlled movement of domain walls in magnetic nanowires by short pulses of spin-polarized current give promise of a nonvolatile memory device with the high performance and reliability of conventional solid-state memory but at the low cost of conventional magnetic disk drive storage. The racetrack memory described in this review comprises an array of magnetic nanowires arranged horizontally or vertically on a silicon chip. Individual spintronic reading and writing nanodevices are used to modify or read a train of ∼10 to 100 domain walls, which store a series of data bits in each nanowire. This racetrack memory is an example of the move toward innately three-dimensional microelectronic devices.
Typologies of Intimacy

Despite a general consensual definition of intimacy, few attempts have been made to clarify the different aspects of this broad behavioral category. This paper is an attempt to formulate typologies...
The Intellectual Development of Modern Products Liability Law: A Comment on Priest's View of the Cathedral's Foundations

FEw scholars in recent years have seriously studied the intellectual history of modern products liability theory. Although the economics of the area has caught the fancy of many recent scholars, only a few writers have critically reviewed the original (and still conventional) rationales for strict manufacturer accountability for product accidents.' Perhaps this lack of scholarly interest is attributable to the compelling force of the academic scholarship-spearheaded by James, Prosser, and others in the 1950s and early 1960s and elaborated in the late 1960s and 1970s by Wade, Keeton and others-which set firmly in place the now conventional rationales.2 Probably the lack of interest was reinforced by the rapid and overwhelming judicial acceptance of the doctrine and its standard rationales-led by Judge Francis in Henningsen in 1960 and Judge Traynor