cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Multiphase Finite Element Modeling of Machining Unidirectional Composites: Prediction of Debonding and Fiber Damage

A multiphase finite element model using the commercial finite element package ABAQUS/EXPLICIT is developed for simulating the orthogonal machining of unidirectional fiber reinforced composite materials. The composite materials considered for this study are a glass fiber reinforced epoxy and a tube formed carbon fiber reinforced epoxy. The effects of varying the fiber orientation angle and tool rake angle on the cutting force and damage during machining are considered for the glass fiber reinforced epoxy. In the case of carbon fiber reinforced epoxy, only the effect of fiber orientation on the measured cutting force and damage during machining is considered. Two major damage phenomena are predicted: debonding at the fiber-matrix interface and fiber pullout. In the multiphase approach, the fiber and matrix are modeled as continuum elements with isotropic properties separated by an interfacial layer, while the tool is modeled as a rigid body. The cohesive zone modeling approach is used for the interfacial layer to simulate the extent of debonding below the work surface. Bulk deformation and shear failure are considered in the matrix for both the models and the glass fiber. A brittle failure criterion is used for the carbon fiber specimen and is coded in FORTRAN as a user defined material (VUMAT). The brittle failure of the carbon fibers is modeled using the Marigo model for brittle failure. For validation purposes, simulation results of the multiphase approach are compared with experimental measurements of the cutting force and damage. The model is successful in predicting cutting forces and damage at the front and rear faces with respect to the fiber orientation. A successful prediction of fiber pullout is also demonstrated in this paper.
Pyruvate Improves Recovery after PARP-1-Associated Energy Failure Induced by Oxidative Stress in Neonatal Rat Cerebrocortical Slices:

Previous neuron and glial cell culture studies of excessive poly (ADP-ribose) polymerase (PARP-1) activation found NAD(+) depletion, glycolytic arrest, and cell death that could be avoided by exogenous tricarboxylic acid cycle (TCA) metabolites, especially pyruvate (pyr). Pyruvate neuroprotection has been attributed to cytosolic NAD(+) replenishment, TCA metabolism, and antioxidant activity. We investigated the first two mechanisms in respiring cerebrocortical slices after a 1-h H(2)O(2) exposure to activate PARP-1. H(2)O(2) was followed by a 4-h recovery with oxy-artificial cerebrospinal fluid superfusion having either: (1) no glucose (glc) or pyruvate; (2) 10 mmol/L glc only; (3) 10 mmol/L pyruvate only; (4) both 10 mmol/L glc and 10 mmol/L pyruvate. Poly-ADP-ribosylation was quantified from Western blots and immunohistochemistry. Perchloric acid extracts were quantified with 14.1 T (31)P nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy. Just after H(2)O(2) exposure, ATP and NAD(+) decreased by approximately 50%, PCr decreased by 75%, and the ADP/ATP ratio approximately doubled. ATP and NAD(+) changes, but not PCr changes, were nearly eliminated if PARP inhibitors accompanied the H(2)O(2). Recovery with both pyruvate and glc was better than with glc alone, having higher ATP (0.161 versus 0.075, P<0.01) and PCr levels (0.144 versus 0.078, P<0.01), and higher viable cell counts in TUNEL and Fluoro-Jade B staining. Two-dimensional [(1)H-(13)C] HSQC spectra showed metabolism during recovery of (13)C glc or pyr. Pyruvate metabolism was primarily via pyruvate dehydrogenase, with some via pyruvate carboxylation. Pyruvate superfusion of PARP-injured brain slices helps replenish NAD(+) while providing metabolic fuel. Although this augments recovery, a strong antioxidant role for pyruvate has not been ruled out.
Origins of features in wave number‐frequency spectra of space‐time images of the ocean

[1] Wave number-frequency spectra measured with remote sensing systems consist of energy along the ocean wave dispersion relation and additional features that lie above and below this relation. At low frequencies a feature passing through the origin as a straight line is observed while one or more high-frequency features exhibit substantial curvature. Here we utilize images obtained on the open ocean from microwave Doppler shifts, which are directly related to scatterer velocity and allow us to calculate expected wave-wave interaction effects. We show that the strongest features lying off the first-order dispersion relation are not primarily due to second-order interactions, breaking caused by wind turbulence, advection by turbulence, or shadowing. The low-frequency feature can be seen traveling in the opposite direction to swell when looking nearly crosswind. We show that the most probable cause of these features is the interference of long ocean waves, which causes breaking near local maxima of surface slope. Doppler spectra observed by the radars indicate that the maximum speed reached by water particles on the open ocean is less than 6 m/s and usually close to the speed of the low-frequency feature in the wave number-frequency spectrum. Since this is much less than the phase speeds of dominant wind waves and swell, neither of these waves can be the breaking wave. Rather, we hypothesize that the superposition of these waves steepens short gravity waves on the surface, which then break to produce water parcels traveling near their phase speed, the speed observed by the radar.
Markovian queueing systems with retrials and heterogeneous servers

Abstract The asymptotic performances of a random access and an ordered entry G/M/K/Oqueueing system with a stationary counting arrival process, K heterogeneous parallel servers, no waiting room and retrials are approximated based on a two-parameter method. In a random access system, units upon arrival are randomly assigned to one of the servers. In an ordered entry system, servers are indexed from 1 to K , and units first arrive at server i and if the server is found to be busy, those units arrive at server ( i + 1), for i = 1 to K − 1. In both queueing systems, if units are not processed by one of the servers, those units are not lost, instead they retry to receive service by merging with the incoming arrival units. To approximate the asymptotic performance of the above queueing systems, a recursive algorithm is suggested, and appropriate performance measures are presented to be used as comparison criteria at the design stage. Furthermore, numerical results are provided and approximation outcomes are compared against those from a simulation study.
Wavelet neural networks for supervised training of multispectral data and classification of soil moisture

Artificial neural networks (ANN) constitute a powerful class of nonlinear function approximates for model-free estimation. Neural network models are characterized by topology, activation function and learning rules. The wavelet neuron model is obtained by replacing an activation function with wavelet bases in the traditional neuron model. The wavelet is a localized function that is capable of detecting some features in signals. A wavelet basis function is assigned for each neuron and each synaptic weight is determined by learning. Wavelet neural networks are used in this study to process remotely sensed data and classify soil based on its moisture content. To evaluate the effectiveness of the wavelet neural networks, a soil moisture data set consisting of 750 vectors, each with three components (surface temperature, brightness temperature at L-Band (TB-L) and at S-Band (TB-S)) and some remotely sensed images are evaluated in the experiments. A comparison with Backpropagation networks is investigated for the supervised training of remotely sensed data and classification of soil moisture.
Structure and evolution of artiodactyla haptoglobins.

Abstract 1. 1. Artiodactyla haptoglobins (Hps), goat, sheep and cattle (family Bovidae), and pig (family Suidae) were structurally characterized. 2. 2. The polymeric Hp systems of goat, sheep and cattle were similar to the polymeric human Hp system, while the monomeric system of pig was more comparable to the monomeric human form. 3. 3. All members of the Artiodactyla (family Bovidae) examined exhibited a large polypeptide subunit, comparable to that of the β subunit of human Hp. 4. 4. In addition, a small subunit, similar in molecular weight to the human α2 subunit, was demonstrated. Pig Hp was shown to have two subunits, one slightly larger than the human β subunit and the other intermediate in size to the human α1 and α2 subunits. 5. 5. Immunoelectrophoretic and immunodiffusion studies indicated complete cross reactivity among the polymeric Artiodactyla Hps. 6. 6. The polymeric Hps do not, however, cross react with the monomeric pig Hp.
ELECTRICAL AND FRACTAL PROPERTIES OF COMPOSITE SOLID ELECTROLYTES

Abstract It has been found from the study of AgI Al 2 O 3 and LiI Al 2 O 3 composite electrolytes that the dc conductivity of composite solid electrolytes can be related with the surface (or interface)-fractal character of the dispersed insulating grains simply in terms of the results of the improved effective-medium theory and the fractal-relation of specific surface area and grain size. The fractal character indeed has some effect on the electrical properties of composite electrolytes.
Possible observation of a disconnected magnetic structure in a coronal transient

Solar Maximum Mission coronagraph/polarimeter observations of the coronal transient of March 15-16, 1980, which show a bright front convex toward the sun propagating out through the corona at 175 km/sec, are reported. A fan-shaped bright region connecting this front to the inner corona collapses into a narrow, bright ray over the next few hours. These observations are interpreted as resulting from the disconnection of magnetic loops from the underlying prominencelike loop structures seen rising earlier in the event. Other similar inverted arches exist in the C/P data, but are usually seen with poorer temporal resolution.
Microstructure, bombardment effects and SEM characterization of reactively rf-sputtered Fe-N films

Abstract In rather complex Fe-N thin films obtained by reactive rf-sputtering in Ar-N2 mixture it has been shown that three types of species play an important role in determining their microstructure and corresponding physical properties. These species are (a) high-energy secondary electrons, (b) positive ions, and (c) elastically back-scattered low mass N atoms. These factors have been shown to be responsible for the mobility of the adatoms, which in turn affect their microstructure. This was investigated in detail by scanning electron microscopy. The role of the temperature of the substrate (Ts) and the self-bias voltage (Vsb) in inducing the positive ion bombardment are discussed.
Microstructure and Densification of Pressureless‐Sintered Al2O3/Si3N4‐Whisker Composites

Composite densification was studied by performing slip casting and sintering experiments on an Al2O3 matrix and Si3N4 whisker system. Even though all the slip-cast powder compacts exhibited high green densities (up to 70% of the theoretical) and narrow pore-size distribution (pore radius around 15 to 30 nm), significant differential densification on a microscopic scale was found due to the existence of local whisker agglomeration. The inhomogeneous whisker distribution resulted in a binary mixture of large and small pores in the sintered composites, in which whisker-associated flaws remained stable even after prolonged sintering. The sintered microstructures showed that the spatial distribution as well as the volume fraction of the Si3N4 affect composite densification. Inhomogeneous whisker distribution dominated the complete densification of the composites.
Differences in Etiology Affect Mefenoxam Efficacy and the Control of Pink Rot and Leak Tuber Diseases of Potato.

ABSTRACT Data supplementing a previously published survey of North American isolates of Phytophthora erythroseptica and Pythium ultimum demonstrated that the proportion of the populations sensitive to mefenoxam remains high, 79.6 and 96.9% with EC50 sensitivities ranging from <0.01 to 0.9 µg ml-1 and <0.01 to 0.8 µg ml-1, respectively. Mefenoxam should provide control of these pathogens in most potato production areas. Factors affecting the development of pink rot and leak in potato tubers and the efficacy of mefenoxam to control these diseases with different etiologies were examined. Results confirmed that P. erythroseptica is capable of directly infecting potato tubers causing pink rot, whereas Pythium ultimum requires a wound to infect and cause leak. Mefenoxam was applied to replicated field plots as a single in-furrow application at planting, as an in-furrow application at planting followed by an additional sidedress application 3 weeks after planting, as a single foliar application when tubers were ...
Temperature-Dependent Development of Xyleborus glabratus (Coleoptera: Curculionidae: Scolytinae)

Redbay ambrosia beetle, Xyleborus glabratus Eichhoff (Coleoptera: Curculionidae: Scolytinae), is a nonnative pest that transmits the pathogenic fungus Raffaelea lauricola T.C. Harr., Fraedrich & Aghayeva (Ophiostomatales: Ophiostomataceae), which causes laurel wilt disease in trees of the family Lauraceae. Laurel wilt is present in the commercial avocado (Persea americana Mill.; Laurales: Lauraceae) growing areas of Florida and poses a potential threat to the avocado industries of California and Mexico. The life cycle of X. glabratus was studied in avocado logs at 16, 20, 24, 28, and 32 °C. Xyleborus glabratus successfully completed its life cycle at 24, 28, and 32 °C, with the greatest oviposition and development rate at 28 °C. Development of the egg and pupal stages was studied at 12, 16, 18, 20, 24, 28, 32, and 36 °C. One linear and 7 nonlinear developmental models were used to estimate the temperature-dependent development of both stages. The linear model estimated the lower threshold temperatures for egg and pupal development to be 13.8 °C and 11.1 °C, respectively, and the degree-days (DD) for egg and pupal development to be 55.1 DD and 68.2 DD, respectively. The Brier-2, Ratkowsky, Logan, and polynomial models gave the best estimates for the temperature-dependent development of the egg stages, whereas the Brier-1, Logan, and polynomial models gave the best estimates of temperature-dependent development of the pupal stages. Our results suggested that the optimal temperature for development of X. glabratus was around 28 °C, and that temperature will play an important role in the spread and successful establishment of X. glabratus.
The Music of Max Reger

In the two decades after 1900, Max Reger was recognized as one of the leading figures of German modernism, the equal-in notoriety as well as achievement-of Richard Strauss, Arnold Schoenberg, or Gustav Mahler. His music is charged with complex historical meaning and innovative compositional techniques. Germany has a long history of scholarship on Reger, which in recent years has been greatly enriched by the publications of the Max Reger Institut (formerly in Bonn, now in Karlsruhe). Yet consideration of Reger within Anglo-American scholarship has lagged behind that of the other major icons of modernism. There has been suspicion of Reger's prolixity, his self-promotion. Many analysts (and performers) only scratch their heads at his music's harmonic and contrapuntal density. At the joint meeting of the American Musicological Society and Society of Music Theory in Columbus, Ohio, in November 2002, two music theorists (Daniel Harrison and Andrew Mead) and two musicologists (Antonius Bittmann and myself) presented a joint session on Reger's music-the first such session in the history of either society. The session was chaired by Reinhold Brinkmann, a musicologist with a long-held interest in Reger. Our goal was to bring Reger into the "conversation" in English-language musicology and theory. Four of the essays included here originated from the Reger session. They are complemented by Brinkmann's essay, first published in German in 2000 and generously (and expertly) translated by Bittmann. The editors of the Musical Quarterly added Christopher Anderson's essay on Reger's performances of Bach to the mix. It is probably fair to say that Brinkmann's magisterial, wide-ranging essay on Reger's position within twentieth-century music-at once learned and engaging-is (as of this publication) the best general introduction to Reger in English. Brinkmann does not provide a mere survey, but rather seeks to place Reger into the context especially of the troubled, expressive Austro-German Geist in the years around World War I. Especially illuminating is Brinkmann's extended comparison of Reger with the painter Max Beckmann, which represents cross-disciplinary commentary of the highest quality.
PRMT5 and the role of symmetrical dimethylarginine in chromatoid bodies of planarian stem cells

Planarian flatworms contain a population of adult stem cells (neoblasts) that proliferate and generate cells of all tissues during growth, regeneration and tissue homeostasis. A characteristic feature of neoblasts is the presence of chromatoid bodies, large cytoplasmic ribonucleoprotein (RNP) granules morphologically similar to structures present in the germline of many organisms. This study aims to reveal the function, and identify additional components, of planarian chromatoid bodies. We uncover the presence of symmetrical dimethylarginine (sDMA) on chromatoid body components and identify the ortholog of protein arginine methyltransferase PRMT5 as the enzyme responsible for sDMA modification in these proteins. RNA interference-mediated depletion of planarian PRMT5 results in defects in homeostasis and regeneration, reduced animal size, reduced number of neoblasts, fewer chromatoid bodies and increased levels of transposon and repetitive-element transcripts. Our results suggest that PIWI family member SMEDWI-3 is one sDMA-containing chromatoid body protein for which methylation depends on PRMT5. Additionally, we discover an RNA localized to chromatoid bodies, germinal histone H4. Our results reveal new components of chromatoid bodies and their function in planarian stem cells, and also support emerging studies indicative of sDMA function in stabilization of RNP granules and the Piwi-interacting RNA pathway.
A Decade of Tissue Microarrays: Progress in the Discovery and Validation of Cancer Biomarkers

This year, 2008, marks the 10-year anniversary of the development of the modern tissue microarray (TMA). During the last decade, the use of TMAs has grown steadily and accounts for a small but increasing percentage of all cancer biomarker studies performed. The growing popularity of TMA-based studies attests to their benefits in the discovery and validation of new biomarkers. This review will focus on these benefits, but also on the faults of TMAs and the challenges of TMA studies that have been overcome in the last decade. We will also discuss the role of TMAs in the latest revolution in cancer treatment, the use of targeted drug therapy.
Analysis of a Decentralized Production-Inventory System

We model an isolated portion of a competitive supply chain as aM/M/1 make-to-stock queue. The retailer carries finished goods inventory to service a Poisson demand process, and specifies a policy for replenishing his inventory from an upstream supplier. The supplier chooses the service rate, i.e., the capacity of his manufacturing facility, which behaves as a single-server queue with exponential service times. Demand is backlogged and both agents share the backorder cost. In addition, a linear inventory holding cost is charged to the retailer, and a linear cost for building production capacity is incurred by the supplier. The inventory level, demand rate, and cost parameters are common knowledge to both agents. Under the continuous-state approximation where theM/M/1 queue has an exponential rather than geometric steady-state distribution, we characterize the optimal centralized and Nash solutions, and show that a contract with linear transfer payments replicates a cost-sharing agreement and coordinates the system. We also compare the total system costs, the agents' decision variables, and the customer service levels of the centralized versus Nash versus Stackelberg solutions.
Transdisciplinary research strategies for understanding socially patterned disease: the Asthma Coalition on Community, Environment, and Social Stress (ACCESS) project as a case study

As we have seen a global increase in asthma in the past three decades it has also become clear that it is a socially patterned disease, based on demographic and socioeconomic indicators clustered by areas of residence. This trend is not readily explained by traditional genetic paradigms or physical environmental exposures when considered alone. This has led to consideration of the interplay among physical and psychosocial environmental hazards and the molecular and genetic determinants of risk (i.e., biomedical framing) within the broader socioenvironmental context including socioeconomic position as an upstream "cause of the causes" (i.e., ecological framing). Transdisciplinary research strategies or programs that embrace this complexity through a shared conceptual framework that integrates diverse discipline-specific theories, models, measures, and analytical methods into ongoing asthma research may contribute most significantly toward furthering our understanding of socially patterned disease. This paper provides an overview of a multilevel, multimethod longitudinal study, the Asthma Coalition on Community, Environment and Social Stress (ACCESS), as a case study to exemplify both the opportunities and challenges of transdisciplinary research on urban asthma expression in the United States.
Automatic intention recognition in conversation processing

Abstract A fundamental assumption of many theories of conversation is that comprehension of a speaker’s utterance involves recognition of the speaker’s intention in producing that remark. However, the nature of intention recognition is not clear. One approach is to conceptualize a speaker’s intention in terms of speech acts [Searle, J. (1969). Speech acts. Cambridge, England: Cambridge University Press]. Four experiments were conducted to examine whether speech acts play a role in language comprehension. Participants performed either a recognition probe task or a lexical decision task after being exposed to utterances that performed specific speech acts (e.g., warn) or to carefully matched controls. Consistent with speech act theory, participants recognized the speech acts that speakers performed with their utterances. This recognition was automatic and occurred for both written and spoken utterances and for both observers and participants. Speech acts capture in a single word the action a speaker is performing with an utterance and this allows for efficient (good-enough) processing of conversation turns.
Negotiating the semantic gap: from feature maps to semantic landscapes

In this paper, we present the results of our work that seeks to negotiate the gap between low-level features and high-level concepts in the domain of web document retrieval. This work concerns a technique, latent semantic indexing (LSI), which has been used for textual information retrieval for many years. In this environment, LSI determines clusters of co-occurring keywords, sometimes, called concepts, so that a query which uses a particular keyword can then retrieve documents perhaps not containing this keyword, but containing other keywords from the same cluster. In this paper, we examine the use of this technique for content-based web document retrieval, using both keywords and image features to represent the documents.
DOWNCURRENT DECLINE OF GRAIN SIZE AND THICKNESS OF SINGLE TURBIDITE BEDS: A SEMI‐QUANTITATIVE ANALYSIS

Sedimentologists have noted that turbidite sequences become thinner bedded and finer grained as traced downcurrent. We provide a semi-quantitative explanation of this behavior based on the idea that turbulence in a turbidity current decays downcurrent so that in its zone of deposition both the total load in suspension and the grain size of that load decrease with increasing distance from the source. Semi-empirical equations proposed by Chezy, Lokhtin and Sundborg are central to our argument.
Second-order dimensions of the Work Values Inventory (WVI)

Abstract An item factor analysis of the 45 items of the Work Values Inventory (WVI) for 445 physically disabled clients produced six second-order dimensions: Stimulating Work, Interpersonal Satisfaction, Economic Security, Responsible Autonomy, Comfortable Existence, and Esthetic Concerns. These second-order factors provide a summary of clients' work motivation at a higher level of generality that is consistent with the WVI primary structure. The six factors are virtually independent of age, education, and intelligence and can be hand-scored by a simple procedure.
Technology Strategies to Address Grade-Level Outcomes: National Standards 1 and 2.

The need to prepare students to thrive in the digital world and the benefit of using instructional technology have both been widely recognized in education. As new technology becomes available, its use by both students and teachers must be carefully evaluated. Technology can help enhance learning and facilitate the teaching process, if and when it is properly integrated. As new and emerging technologies surface, it becomes difficult for teachers to stay current on the types of tools that can support teaching and learning. Unfortunately, uninformed teachers may implement technology that could actually inhibit learning. This article provides developmentally appropriate progressions in which students use technology to gain movement competency as guided by the K-12 National Standards and grade-level outcomes.
Testing for size and allometric differences in fossil hominin body mass estimation

Body size reconstructions of fossil hominins allow us to infer many things about their evolution and lifestyle, including diet, metabolic requirements, locomotion, and brain/body size relationships. The importance of these implications compels anthropologists to attempt body mass estimation from fragmentary fossil hominin specimens. Most calculations require a known “calibration” sample usually composed of modern humans or other extant apes. Caution must be taken in these analyses, as estimates are sensitive to overall size and allometric differences between the fossil hominin and the reference sample. Am J Phys Anthropol 151:215–229, 2013. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Instrumentation for DC and Low-Frequency Electric-Field Measurements on ISEE-A

The double-probe floating-potential technique is applied using long-wire antenna-probes with an effective electric-field baseline of 179 meters. 14-bit A/D conversion is used for the prime dc-field measurements. An 8-channel spectrometer is used for ac-field measurements over the range 0.19 to 1900 Hz.
A Process to Produce Light Colored Protein Isolate from Defatted Glandless Cottonseed Flour

Light colored protein isolates could be produced from aqueous protein extract (at pH 9.0) of defatted cottonseed flour by filtering through an ultrafiltration membrane with 100,000 MWCO (molecular weight cut off) pore size and then spray-drying the retentate. The yield of this protein fraction was approximately 68% of the extracted solid. About 15% of the extracted solid was recovered with the low molecular fraction (50,000 daltons) when the permeate of 100,000 MWCO was applied to 50,000 MWCO membrane. Most of the color-causing pigments were associated with the low molecular fraction.
Antigen-Specific Inhibition of High-Avidity T Cell Target Lysis by Low-Avidity T Cells via Trogocytosis

Current vaccine conditions predominantly elicit low-avidity cytotoxic T lymphocytes (CTLs), which are non-tumor-cytolytic but indistinguishable by tetramer staining or enzyme-linked immunospot from high-avidity CTLs. Using CTL clones of high or low avidity for melanoma antigens, we show that low-avidity CTLs can inhibit tumor lysis by high-avidity CTLs in an antigen-specific manner. This phenomenon operates in vivo: high-avidity CTLs control tumor growth in animals but not in combination with low-avidity CTLs specific for the same antigen. The mechanism involves stripping of specific peptide-major histocompatibility complexes (pMHCs) via trogocytosis by low-avidity melanoma-specific CTLs without degranulation, leading to insufficient levels of specific pMHC on target cell surface to trigger lysis by high-avidity CTLs. As such, peptide repertoire on the cell surface is dynamic and continually shaped by interactions with T cells. These results describe immune regulation by low-avidity T cells and have implications for vaccine design.
Strategies to promote HDL-C: an emerging therapeutic target.

This editorial refers to ‘High-density lipoprotein, but not low-density lipoprotein cholesterol levels influence short-term prognosis after acute coronary syndrome: results from the MIRACL trial’† by A.G. Olsson et al. , on page 890 Hydroxy-methyl glutaryl coenzyme A reductase inhibitors (statins) have accumulated an extraordinary record of successful randomized clinical trials, transforming the practice of preventive cardiology. However, most placebo-controlled statin trials have reported not more than 25–35% reduction in morbidity/mortality during 5 year follow-up. Thus, despite their established benefits in primary and secondary prevention, statin drugs fail to prevent the majority of clinical events. In acute coronary syndromes (ACS), despite aggressive use of statins, the prognosis is even less favourable. In a recent trial of lipid lowering in ACS, the 2 year event rate was still 22% in the most aggressively treated patients.1 These findings highlight the need to develop new strategies to compliment statins in reducing cardiovascular risk. Emerging therapeutic targets include C-reactive protein, recently shown to have a strong link to outcomes during statin administration.2 However, few therapies other than statins have been shown to reduce C-reactive protein. A particularly inviting therapeutic target is high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C), a lipoprotein with well-established protective properties in epidemiological studies. Olsson et al. 3 present data from the MIRACL study describing the ability of plasma lipoproteins to predict recurrent clinical events. Surprisingly, the incidence of clinical events could not be predicted by the plasma LDL-C concentration at baseline. Further, the reduction in clinical events with high dose atorvastatin did not correlate with the degree of LDL-C lowering. This finding adds further evidence to support the concept that the benefit of commencing statins early in the setting of ACS may result from their pleiotropic properties. A pivotal finding of this analysis … *Corresponding author. Tel: +1 216 445 6852; fax: +1 216 445 5497. E-mail address : nissens{at}ccf.org
Early experience with electronic prescribing of controlled substances in a community setting

Background In 2010, the US Drug Enforcement Administration issued regulations allowing electronic prescribing of controlled substances (EPCS), a practice previously prohibited. Objective To carry out a survey of the experience of prescribers in the nation's first study of EPCS implementation. Materials and methods Prescribers were surveyed in a community setting before and after implementation of EPCS, to assess adoption, attitudes, and challenges. Results Of the 102 prescribers enabled to use EPCS and who responded to surveys before and after implementation, 70 had sent at least one controlled substance prescription electronically. Most users reported that EPCS was significantly less burdensome than expected. Over half reported that EPCS was easy to use and improved work flow, accuracy of prescriptions (69.5%), monitoring of medications (59.3%), and coordination with pharmacists, though high prior expectations for improved efficiency were not met. EPCS users reported a significant decrease in the perceived frequency of medication errors and drug diversion, compared with controls. Barriers to use of EPCS included limited pharmacy participation and instances of unreliability of the technology. Discussion Interest in adoption of EPCS is considerable among providers, pharmacies, and vendors. The results suggest that while most EPCS security features may be more acceptable to providers than expected, barriers such as the limited participation by pharmacies may also partly explain slow adoption rates for EPCS nationally. Conclusions EPCS was a better experience for many providers than they had expected, but related improvements in practice efficiency and quality of care will depend upon implementation strategies.
Resistance to change: Developing an individual differences measure.

The Resistance to Change Scale was designed to measure an individual's dispositional inclination to resist changes. In Study 1, exploratory analyses indicated 4 reliable factors: Routine Seeking, Emotional Reaction to Imposed Change, Cognitive Rigidity, and Short-Term Focus. Studies 2, 3, and 4 confirmed this structure and demonstrated the scale's convergent and discriminant validities. Studies 5, 6, and 7 demonstrated the concurrent and predictive validities of the scale in 3 distinct contexts. The scale can be used to account for the individual-difference component of resistance to change and to predict reactions to specific change.
What Percentage of Western North Pacific Tropical Cyclones Form within the Monsoon Trough

AbstractIt is frequently stated that 70%–80% of western North Pacific tropical cyclones form “within the monsoon trough,” but without an objective definition of the term. Several definitions are tested here. When the monsoon trough (MT) is defined as the contiguous region where long-term (1988–2010) mean July–November 850-hPa relative vorticity is positive, 73% of all July–November tropical cyclones form within the MT. This percentage varies interannually, however, from as low as 50% to nearly 100%. The percentage correlates with the Nino-3.4 index, with more storms forming within the MT during warm periods. When the MT is defined instead using long-term monthly mean ζ850, more than 80% of tropical cyclones form within the MT in all months except July and August, when more than 30% of storms form poleward of the MT. It is hypothesized that the known peak in the frequency of upper-tropospheric midlatitude wave breaking in July and August is responsible. It is argued that any long-term mean provides a suita...
Projections of the second cervical dorsal root ganglion to the cochlear nucleus in rats

Physiological, anatomical, and clinical data have demonstrated interactions between somatosensory and auditory brainstem structures. Spinal nerve projections influence auditory responses, although the nature of the pathway(s) is not known. To address this issue, we injected biotinylated dextran amine into the cochlear nucleus or dorsal root ganglion (DRG) at the second cervical segment (C2). Cochlear nucleus injections retrogradely labeled small ganglion cells in C2 DRG. C2 DRG injections produced anterograde labeling in the external cuneate nucleus, cuneate nucleus, nucleus X, central cervical nucleus, dorsal horn of upper cervical spinal segments, and cochlear nucleus. The terminal field in the cochlear nucleus was concentrated in the subpeduncular corner and lamina of the granule cell domain, where endings of various size and shapes appeared. Examination under an electron microscope revealed that the C2 DRG terminals contained numerous round synaptic vesicles and formed asymmetric synapses, implying depolarizing influences on the target cell. Labeled endings synapsed with the stalk of the primary dendrite of unipolar brush cells, distal dendrites of presumptive granule cells, and endings containing pleomorphic synaptic vesicles. These primary somatosensory projections contribute to circuits that are hypothesized to mediate integrative functions of hearing.
Reviewing GAA-BAP shrimp farm data to determine whether certification lessens environmental impacts

The sustainable seafood movement is over a decade old. It has done much to raise awareness regarding improper production and harvest of seafood and to derive a course to lessen the deleterious environmental impacts of this industry. Certification has been a key tool, yet few programmes have demonstrated comprehensive improvements. Here, the degree of aquaculture improvement through the implementation of certification was assessed using data from the Global Aquaculture Alliance (GAA) Best Aquaculture Practice (BAP) shrimp standard. An examination of 323 audits from 192 farms spanning 2005–2012 showed that overall, 35% of the farms were conditionally certified, indicating they had to improve prior to being certified. This version of the BAP shrimp farm audit had both compliance and scored components. Out of the 28 critical points, only six were in full compliance by all farms during all audits and hence provided no value to determine farm performance. Farms that passed the audit without compliance issues had a greater aggregate scored value than those that farms with noncompliances. However, performance-based metrics exhibited few differences between the compliant and noncompliant farms. Overall, issues pertaining to water quality were a leading cause of farms being scored as noncompliant, although they were distributed among the seven different water quality parameters. Certification systems have not been designed specifically to demonstrate adherence to continual improvement. Because of this, and the multitude of factors with which a fully compliant farm needs to acquiesce, the specific means by which certification improves aquaculture and the overall value of improvement will remain challenging to demonstrate.
Teacher-Based Assessment in the Elementary and Middle Grades

Abstract Informed judgments by classroom teachers are the most valid basis for instructional assessments for all curriculum areas and all students. Two models are presented as a foundation for clas...
Imaging features of primary extranodal histiocytic sarcoma: report of two cases and a review of the literature

Histiocytic sarcoma is an extremely rare and aggressive malignancy of bone marrow origin that occurs in lymph nodes, skin, and the gastrointestinal tract. We report on the imaging features of two cases of primary histiocytic sarcoma, one in the retroperitoneum causing a tumor-bowel fistula and another with primary bone involvement.
Side-aspect target-strength measurements of bay anchovy (Anchoa mitchilli) and Gulf menhaden (Brevoortia patronus) derived from ex situ experiments

Boswell, K. M., and Wilson, C. A. 2008. Side-aspect target strength measurements of bay anchovy (Anchoa mitchilli) and Gulf menhaden (Brevoortia patronus) derived from ex situ experiments. - ICES Journal of Marine Science, 65: 1012-1020.Acoustic target strengths (TSs) of bay anchovy [Anchoa mitchilli, 4.7-6.1 cm TL (total length)] and Gulf menhaden (Brevoortia patronus, 5.1-7.7 cm TL) were measured at 420 kHz during side-aspect, ex situ experiments. TS-TL relationships were derived at aspect for tethered individuals, and TS distributions were compared with those of free-swimming fish. Linear models relating TS and TL were fitted to data at two levels of pulse duration (0.1 and 0.4 ms) for both side aspect and all horizontal aspects of each species, and for pooled data from both species. At a pulse duration of 0.4 ms, the side-aspect TS-TL relationships were anchovy: TS lateral = 19.5 log 10 TL cm − 62.4; menhaden: TS lateral = 26.1 log 10 L cm − 65.6; pooled: TS lateral = 32 log 10 TL cm − 70.9. For all horizontal-aspect orientations (0-180° in the horizontal) the best-fit TS-TL relationships were anchovy: TS all = 20 log 10 TL cm − 65.4; menhaden: TS all = 20 log 10 TL cm − 64.8; pooled: TS all = 20 log 10 TL cm − 65. However, the “fit” for all angles was consistently low. Predicted TS comparisons with side-aspect models presented by earlier authors suggested biases in the estimated TL. Additionally, relationships between TS and wet weight (W) were derived for each species. Variation in TS by pulse-duration level suggests the potential for the use of this factor as a time-dependent variable by which to separate echoes from bay anchovy and Gulf menhaden.
Liquid phase enhanced hybrid MOD approach for high performance YBCO films development

High performance YBCO films have been realized through MOD approach by hybrid of Ba-TFA with TMAP (trimethylacetates with propionic). High I/sub c/ over 140 A/cm-w and high J/sub c/ up to 2.4 MA/cm/sup 2/ at 77 K for 0.6 /spl mu/m YBCO films on RABiTS have been shown on un-bridged and bridged samples. Texture characterizations performed in XRD four-circle diffractometer confirmed well-aligned YBCO grains with a volume fraction of cubic phase /spl sim/95%. T/sub c/ measurements showed sharp transitions in less than 1 K and zero resistance above 90 K. The formation of YBCO phase follows the mechanism of interface island nucleation and epitaxial growth. The liquid phase in the precursor enhances Y123 epi-growth and accelerates the conversion process.
Use of Fallen Trees for Spawning by the Spotfin Shiner (Cyprinella spiloptera) in the Upper Mississippi River

ABSTRACT We investigated the association of the spotfin shiner (Cyprinella spiloptera), a crevice spawner, with woody snags in a channel border habitat of the upper Mississippi River during July, August, and October. Spotfin shiners in breeding condition were present in July, the peak of the breeding season, but the mean catch declined in August and October. The decline in the use of woody snags after the breeding season suggests that during the summer woody snags were used for spawning rather than for cover.
Mechanisms of benthic algal succession in lotic environments

Although seasonal patterns of algal succession have received considerable attention, few studies have attempted to elucidate the processes that contribute to short- term algal succession following disturbance. We framed the present study around four general mechanisms of succession in order to investigate the contribution of species-specific autecologies and interspecific interactions to observed short-term patterns of algal succes- sion in a productive third-order stream in Kentucky, USA. Observations in different current environments in the stream during two consecutive winters were used to classify dominant species as early or late successional based on changes in relative abundance through time on newly exposed substrates. Assemblages of the same age but differing in the relative abundance of early- and late-successional species were developed in streamside channels recreating both current environments to measure growth parameters (e.g., reproduction) of dominant species and to test for interspecific interactions. Of the five dominant species of algae in the winter assemblage, three species were consistently classified as early successional (i.e., decreased in relative abundance with in- creasing assemblage age) and two species as late successional. Early-successional species differed in their growth form and strategy for initially dominating the substrate, having high densities in the water column, high probabilities of attaching, or fast early reproductive rates. Late-successional species exhibited a more extended growth form and had the highest per capita reproductive rates during later growth. Late-successional species reduced the reproductive rate of early species as succession proceeded in both current environments but were not themselves inhibited by biovolume increases. While differences in growth strategies between early- and late-successional species indicated the importance of passive tolerance mechanisms of succession, density-dependent interactions during community development were consistent with active tolerance mechanisms. As in terrestrial plant communities, successional patterns in benthic algal assemblages appear to result from several processes that defy explanation by a single mechanistic model.
Oriented Luminescent Nanostructures From Single Molecules Of Conjugated Polymers

Dipole emission pattern imaging experiments on single chains of common conjugated polymers (solubilized poly phenylene vinylenes) isolated by ink-jet printing techniques have revealed surprising uniformity in transition moment orientation perpendicular to the support substrate. In addition to uniform orientation, these species show a number of striking differences in photochemical stability, polarization anisotropy,[1] and spectral signatures[2] with respect to similar (well-studied) molecules dispersed in dilute thin-films. Combined with molecular mechanics simulation, these results point to a structural picture of a folded macromolecule as a highly ordered cylindrical nanostructure whose long-axis (approximately collinear with the conjugation axis) is oriented, by an electrostatic interaction, perpendicular to the coverglass substrate. These results suggest a number of important applications in nanoscale photonics and molecular-scale optoelectronics.
SYSCO's best business practices (BBPs)

The purpose of this paper is to present a case about SYSCO's ‘Best Business Practices’ (BBPs). The analysis focuses on both the system and the impact of the system, particularly the measurable effects and the overall organizational impact. Perhaps, the most interesting issue is how a system for BBPs is used to manage a highly decentralized firm, and push the individual corporate entities to better performance, without requiring specific processes or best practices. Use of the system is illustrated through an example.
Women’s Work Pathways Across the Life Course

Despite numerous changes in women's employment in the latter half of the twentieth century, women's employment continues to be uneven and stalled. Drawing from data on women's weekly work hours in the National Longitudinal Survey of Youth (NLSY79), we identify significant inequality in women's labor force experiences across adulthood. We find two pathways of stable full-time work for women, three pathways of part-time employment, and a pathway of unpaid labor. A majority of women follow one of the two full-time work pathways, while fewer than 10% follow a pathway of unpaid labor. Our findings provide evidence of the lasting influence of work-family conflict and early socioeconomic advantages and disadvantages on women's work pathways. Indeed, race, poverty, educational attainment, and early family characteristics significantly shaped women's work careers. Work-family opportunities and constraints also were related to women's work hours, as were a woman's gendered beliefs and expectations. We conclude that women's employment pathways are a product of both their resources and changing social environment as well as individual agency. Significantly, we point to social stratification, gender ideologies, and work-family constraints, all working in concert, as key explanations for how women are "tracked" onto work pathways from an early age.
Which worksite supports for healthy weight do employees use

This paper explores factors associated with employee use of available supports for improving nutrition and activity behaviors. A cross-sectional telephone-survey assessed presence and use of available program, facility, and policy supports. Logistic regression was used to explore associations between job characteristics (e.g., supervising others) and use of available supports, adjusting for demographic characteristics. After adjustment, most supports were associated with at least one job-related factor. Participants supervising others were more likely to utilize eight supports including personal services for fitness, indoor exercise and shower facilities, and flextime for physical activity. The programs and facilities associated with the most factors were health fairs (e.g., increased likelihood with increased hours worked/week) and indoor exercise and shower facilities (e.g., increased likelihood with increased flexibility at work), respectively. Policies were associated with fewer factors. Since use of many programs and facilities differed based on job-related factors, employers might target supports based on job-related factors.