cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Formant frequency-based speech enhancement technique to improve intelligibility for hearing aid users with smartphone as an assistive device

In this paper, we present a Speech Enhancement (SE) method implemented on a smartphone, and this arrangement functions as an assistive device to hearing aids (HA). Many benchmark single channel SE algorithms implemented on HAs provide considerable improvement in speech quality, while speech intelligibility improvement still remains a prime challenge. The proposed SE method based on Log spectral amplitude estimator improves speech intelligibility in the noisy real world acoustic environment using the priori information of formant frequency locations. The formant frequency information avails us to control the amount of speech distortion in these frequency bands, thereby controlling speech distortion. We introduce a ‘scaling’ parameter for the SE gain function, which controls the gains over the non-formant frequency band, allowing the HA users to customize the playback speech using a smartphone application to their listening preference. Objective intelligibility measures show the effectiveness of the proposed SE method. Subjective results reflect the suitability of the developed Speech Enhancement application in real-world noisy conditions at SNR levels of −5 dB, 0 dB and 5 dB.
Object Identification and Search: Animate Vision Alternatives to Image Interpretation

We are accustomed to thinking of the task of vision as being the construction of a detailed representation of the physical world. However, a paradigm that we term animate vision argues that vision is more readily understood in the context of the tasks that the system is engaged in, and that these tasks may not require elaborate categorical representations of the 3-D world. As an example, we show how the general problem of image interpretation can be replaced in many cases by a combination of two simpler problems, identification and search. Both tasks use multidimensional color histograms to represent the model and images. Color histograms are shown to permit efficent matching and a sufficiently rich representation to distinguish among a large number of objects.
Multispectral light scattering endoscopic imaging of esophageal precancer.

Esophageal adenocarcinoma is the most rapidly growing cancer in America. Although the prognosis after diagnosis is unfavorable, the chance of a successful outcome increases tremendously if detected early while the lesion is still dysplastic. Unfortunately, the present standard-of-care, endoscopic surveillance, has major limitations, since dysplasia is invisible, often focal, and systematic biopsies typically sample less than one percent of the esophageal lining and therefore easily miss malignancies. To solve this problem we developed a multispectral light scattering endoscopic imaging system. It surveys the entire esophageal lining and accurately detects subcellular dysplastic changes. The system combines light scattering spectroscopy, which detects and identifies invisible dysplastic sites by analyzing light scattered from epithelial cells, with rapid scanning of the entire esophageal lining using a collimated broadband light beam delivered by an endoscopically compatible fiber optic probe. Here we report the results of the first comprehensive multispectral imaging study, conducted as part of routine endoscopic procedures performed on patients with suspected dysplasia. In a double-blind study that characterized the system’s ability to serve as a screening tool, 55 out of 57 patients were diagnosed correctly. In addition, a smaller double-blind comparison of the multispectral data in 24 patients with subsequent pathology at locations where 411 biopsies were collected yielded an accuracy of 90% in detecting individual locations of dysplasia, demonstrating the capability of this method to serve as a guide for biopsy. An imaging technique that can help detect early stage esophageal cancer has been shown to be highly effective. Developed by Lev Perelman, Le Qiu and colleagues from Harvard University the approach combines a scanning endoscopic fiber probe with multispectral light scattering spectroscopic imaging to detect subcellular dysplastic changes in the esophageal lining. Dysplasia, an abnormal change in biological tissue, is an important signature of precancer but can be hard to detect. In a series of double-blind studies to assess the approach's effectiveness as a screening tool the Harvard team report that their technique diagnosed 55 out of 57 patients correctly and also had a 90% accuracy rate in detecting dysplasia in biopsies that had been taken. The portable system makes use of broadband LED as a light source and fits into a case.
The {mu}Mural : a six-projector tiled display.

Tiled displays have become a recent technical solution to aggregating commodity displays in order to provide higher resolution displays. This document describes the background, design, and implementation of the micromural, a six projector tiled display developed at Argonne National Laboratory.
Calorimetric Study of the Desorption and Phases of 3He And 4He Adsorbed on Two Layers of H2-plated Graphite Above 0.2K

We have conducted new heat capacity studies of films of 3 He and 4 He adsorbed on 2.15 layers of hydrogen plating exfoliated graphite for temperatures T > 0.2K and coverages (n) over the entire first layer and beginning of the second layer. Low-density 3 He films show two-dimensional Fermi fluid behavior with no liquid-vapor condensation below 0.9K. We have mapped the n-T melting tine and estimated monolayer completion density using heat capacity isotherms. By fitting 3 He films' desorption specific heats to a theoretical model, we have calculated the 3 He binding energy (21.3K to 21. 7K) and compare it to a previous measurement for 4 He films on the same substrate (25.1K to 25.5K).
Observing the mid-latitude aurora

The aurora is a beautiful night sky optical phenomenon that is readily seen at high-latitude locations, but with more effort can also be seen and enjoyed at mid-latitude locations. Guidelines for when and where to look are presented, along with a rich array of photographic examples of mid-latitude auroras exhibiting all the usual range of green, red, and purple colors.
But what will the results be?: Learning to tolerate uncertainty is associated with treatment-produced gains.

Abstract The current study examined the association between changes in intolerance of uncertainty (IU) and treatment outcomes for anxious youth. Participants were youth ages 7 to 17 who received cognitive behavioral therapy for anxiety (N = 73). Youth and their primary caregivers completed a diagnostic interview and self- and parent-report measures at pre- and post-treatment, including the Intolerance of Uncertainty Scale for Children (IUS-C/P; Przeworski, 2006 ), the Coping Questionnaire (CQ-C/P; Kendall, 1994 ) and the Multidimensional Anxiety Scale for Children (MASC-C/P; March et al., 1997 ). Hierarchical regression analyses evaluated the role of change in IU (the IUS-C/P) in predicting changes in functional impairment, coping efficacy, and anxiety severity post-treatment, controlling for demographic variables (age and gender), and baseline levels of IU, anxiety severity, functional impairment, and coping efficacy. Results demonstrated that treatment was associated with improvements across child-, parent- and clinician-report, and decreased IU from pre- to post-treatment was associated with (a) decreased functional impairment, (b) increased coping efficacy and (c) decreased anxiety severity. The findings indicate that a greater reduction in IU over treatment is associated with better outcomes in children and adolescents with anxiety across informants, suggesting the possibility that an increased focus on IU during treatment for youth anxiety may improve treatment outcomes. Future research should assess the causality of this relationship.
Synergism of Deep Neural Network and ELM for Smart Very-Short-Term Load Forecasting

Load forecasting has been identified as one of the cornerstones in efficiently managing the power grid. However, accurate forecasting is high challenging due to the inherent stochasticity of the load. This paper introduces a new methodology for smart load forecasting for a day ahead horizon. In particular, the introduced method utilizes the synergism of two machine learning paradigms: a deep neural network (DNN) and an extreme learning machine (ELM). The forecasting procedure is built on two steps. Firstly, the DNN is used to make day ahead load forecasting, while in the second step the ELM learns the most recent observed load values to tune the DNN forecasts for the next half an hour. The introduced method is tested on datasets of real-world 5-min load measurements, and is benchmarked against another smart learning tool and more specifically the learning Gaussian process. Results exhibit the superiority of the proposed method as compared to Gaussian processes for forecasting the load demand over a very short time horizon.
How Europe Brought Judicial Review to France: A Response to Bruce Ackerman

This paper responds to the persistent myth that the European Union is an external threat to constitutionalism in the Member States. In particular, it responds to Bruce Ackerman’s recent suggestions that the European Union is fundamentally incompatible with the various constitutional traditions of the Member States. Focusing on one of the principal examples of revolutionary constitutionalism, this paper shows how the constitutional traditions of the EU’s Member States are not pre-existing conditions confronting Europe, but how Europe profoundly furthered the basic project of domestic constitutionalism within the Member States themselves.
Targeting Amyloidogenic Processing of APP in Alzheimer’s Disease

Alzheimer’s disease (AD) is the most common type of senile dementia, characterized by neurofibrillary tangle and amyloid plaque in brain pathology. Major efforts in AD drug were devoted to the interference with the production and accumulation of amyloid-β peptide (Aβ), which plays a causal role in the pathogenesis of AD. Aβ is generated from amyloid precursor protein (APP), by consecutive cleavage by β-secretase and γ-secretase. Therefore, β-secretase and γ-secretase inhibition have been the focus for AD drug discovery efforts for amyloid reduction. Here, we review β-secretase inhibitors and γ-secretase inhibitors/modulators, and their efficacies in clinical trials. In addition, we discussed the novel concept of specifically targeting the γ-secretase substrate APP. Targeting amyloidogenic processing of APP is still a fundamentally sound strategy to develop disease-modifying AD therapies and recent advance in γ-secretase/APP complex structure provides new opportunities in designing selective inhibitors/modulators for AD.
The Challenges of Learning from Experience

Yip and Wilson (2010) offered challenging insights into the well-quoted saying that “experience is the best teacher”, notably by distinguishing the main event cluster of experiential learning to be challenging assignments, not the corporate staple of coursework and training. This precis comments on the main precepts of learning from experience including Yip and Wilson’s (2010) roadmap to help organizations on the journey of experience-based learning. The precis argues that creating work environments that give everyone the opportunity to flourish in the age of volatility, uncertainty, complexity, and ambiguity demands more tailored and democratic approaches.
Caveolae Impacts Cellular RNA Levels through Transcription and Translational Processes

ABSTRACT Caveolae are membrane domains that provide mechanical strength to cells and localize signaling molecules. Caveolae are composed of caveolin-1 or −3 (Cav1/3) molecules that assemble into domains with the help of cavin-1. Besides organizing caveolae, cavin-1, also known as Polymerase I and Transcript Release Factor (PTRF), promotes ribosomal RNA transcription in the nucleus. Cell expression of Cav1 and cavin-1 are linked. Here, we find that deforming caveolae by subjecting cells to mild osmotic stress (300 to 150 mOsm), changes the levels of cellular proteins (GAPDH, Hsp90 and Ras) change only when Cav1/cavin-1 levels are reduced suggesting link between caveolae deformation and protein expression. We find that this link may be due to relocalization of cavin-1 from the plasma membrane to the nucleus upon caveolae deformation caused by osmotic stress. Cavin-1 relocalization is also seen when Cav1-Gαq contacts change upon stimulation with carbachol. Cav1 and cavin-1 levels have profound effects on the amount of cytosolic RNA and the size distribution of these RNAs that in turn impact the ability of cells to form stress granules and RNA-processing bodies (p-bodies) that protect mRNA when cells are subjected to environmental stress. Studies using a cavin-1 knock-out cell line show adaptive changes in cytosolic RNA levels but a reduced ability to form stress granules. Our studies show that caveolae, through release of cavin-1, communicates mechanical and chemical cues to the cell interior to impact transcriptional and translational processes.
Oncogenic and Tumor Suppressor Functions for Lymphoid Enhancer Factor 1 in a Murine Model of T Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia

T lymphocyte acute lymphoblastic leukemia (T-ALL) is a heterogeneous disease affecting T cells at multiple stages of their development and is characterized by frequent genomic alterations. The transcription factor LEF1 is inactivated through mutation in a subset of T-ALL cases but elevated LEF1 expression and activating mutations have also been identified in this disease. Here we show, in a murine model of T-ALL, that the developmental timing of Lef1 mutation impacts its ability to function as a cooperative tumor suppressor or oncogene. T cell transformation in the presence of LEF1 allows leukemic cells to become addicted to its presence. In contrast, deletion prior to transformation both accelerates leukemogenesis and results in leukemic cells with altered expression of genes controlling receptor signaling pathways. Our data demonstrate that the developmental timing of Lef1 mutations impact its apparent oncogenic or tumor suppressive characteristics and demonstrate the utility of mouse models for understanding the cooperation and consequence of mutational order in leukemogenesis.
Igniting the power of community : the role of CBOs and NGOs in global public health

Dedication Acknowledgements Foreword Harvey V. Fineberg, MD, PhD About the Editor Paul A. Gaist, PhD, MPH, Editor Global Public Health: The Fight of Our Lives Section 1: Preparing for Action Ch 1: A Brief History of CBOs/NGOs in Health and Public Health Julie A. Stachowiak, PhD Ch 2: From an Idea to a Sustainable Organization: Getting a Grassroots CBO Off the Ground Danielle German, PhD, MPH Ch 3: The Importance of Sustainability in International Public Health NGOs Meaghan Smith, MIA Ch 4: Donor Organizations: What You Need to Know Kandy S. Ferree, MCP Section 2: Areas of Action Ch 5: Philanthropy and the Culture of Giving: Its Beginnings, Current Character, and Future Expectations Anisha S. Dharshi, MPH Paul A. Gaist, PhD, MPH Ch 6: The Freedom to Innovate: The Contributions of Social Entrepreneurs to the Field of Global Public Health Beverly Schwartz, MS Ch 7: Faith-Based Organizations and Public Health Rolando L. Santiago, PhD Ch 8: Disasters and Conflict Zones around the World: The Roles and Relationships of the Military and Non-governmental Organizations Ramey L. Wilson, MD Ch 9: Evidence, Equity, and Economics: Lessons and Challenges of the Environmental Health Movement Mary C. Sheehan, MALD, MPH (PhD Candidate) Ch 10: On the Frontline: Community-based Organizations in Health Research ManChui Leung Shobha Srinivasan, PhD Section 3: Citizens in Action Ch 11: YEAH: One Story of Inspiration and Success Alischa Ross Ch 12: The American Red Cross: Delivering Services and Working with Partners in the U.S. and Around the World Christy Feig, MPH Ch 13: CARE: The Contribution of an International NGO to Global Health Helene Gayle, MD, MPH Sanjay Sinho, MD, MA Ch 14: Health Care for the Homeless: Beyond Repairing the Safety Net L. Louise Treherne, MSW, LCSW-C Jeff Singer, MSW Ch 15: Practical and Pragmatic: Strategically Applying Gender Perspectives to Increase the Power of Global Health Policies and Programs Geeta Rao Gupta, PhD Sarah Degnan Kambou, PhD, MPH Ch16: 'Happy Healthy Muppets': A Look at Sesame Workshop's Health Initiatives Around the World Charlotte F.Cole, EdD Jennifer Kotler, PhD Seeta Pai, PhD Ch 17: Working across Sectors: Preventing Disease and Promoting Health through Policy and Practice John M. Clymer Ch 18: Human Trafficking and Its Public Health Implications Emily Nykaza Ch 19: Healthy Carolinians Microfinancing: Igniting the Power of the Community Mary Bobbitt-Cooke, MPH Ch 20: Working Across Borders: Transnational NGOs Saul Levin, MD, MPA Section 4: Call to Action Ch 21: Players and Pawns: The Current Controversy with and Clampdown on NGOs in Russia Chris Cavanaugh, EdM, MPH Ch 22: Community Based Organizations in the Millennium: Opportunities for Growth, Challenges to Survival Victoria A. Cargill, MD, MSCE Global Public Health: Winning the Fight Paul A. Gaist, PhD, MPH, Editor
Biosynthesis of the Scrapie Prion Protein in Scrapie-Infected Cells

Compelling evidence argues that the major component of the scrapie prion is a host- encoded protein, the scrapie prion protein (PrPSc) (reviewed in Prusiner, 1991). The events of PrPSc biosynthesis are thus of central importance to understanding the biology of scrapie. PrPSc is the abnormal isoform of a normal phosphoinositol glycolipid (GPI)-anchored plasma membrane sialoglycoprotein PrPC. While the two PrP isoforms differ strikingly in many of their properties, their structural differences have not yet been elucidated. PrPSc is insoluble in detergents and possesses a protease-resistant core, while PrPC is readily soluble in most detergents and is completely degraded by proteases. In infected cells in culture, PrPSc becomes protease-resistant as a result of an as yet unidentified post-translational event (Borchelt et al., 1990) unrelated to PrP N-linked glycosylation (Taraboulos et al., 1990a). In scrapie infected cells in culture, PrPSc accumulates primarily within secondary lysosomes (Taraboulos et al., 1990b; McKinley et al., 1991). All PrP antibodies described to date react equally well with both PrPC and denatured PrPSc, but are much less reactive with native PrPSc. To study further the biosynthesis of protease-resistant PrPSc, we have used scrapie-infected ScN2a and ScHaB cells in pulse-chase radiolabeling experiments.
The Power of the Purse - Agenda Setting by International Organizations

The title “non-governmental organization” suggests that NGOs act independently of government influence, but many NGOs receive huge grants to pursue the policy priorities of international organizations. The money ensures the NGOs face no restrictions in mobilizing on issues of shared priority, independent of the interests of their membership base or the demands of donors. While providing funding to NGOs has the potential to increase the effectiveness of an international organization by maximizing the pressure for policy change on national governments, simply allocating money to NGOs to pursue shared priorities may not fundamentally change policy outcomes from what they would have been without the funding. In this paper, I present a formal model that shows how by leveraging information about an NGOs financial capacity, the European Commission is able to maximize the impact of the funding by changing the priorities and agenda of the NGOs that receive the grants. The power this funding provides international bureaucrats to affect which issues receive the attention of citizens and governments speaks to the effectiveness of international organizations in advancing a policy agenda, and the power to change the preferences and behavior of the member-states they represent.
Bionic Eye: The Resources and Limits of the Cinematic Apparatus

In 1926, Virginia Woolf, who had been reading and contemplating Henri Bergson's theory of memory and consciousness, wrote an article titled "The Movies and Reality." In it, she described film as an art of dream in which the past can be "unrolled" and "distances annihilated" (Woolf 309-10). Cinema itself made possible The Waves (1931) with its floating consciousness and several narrators crossfading in montage. Cinema also suggested narrative techniques to Joyce, Fitzgerald, Faulkner, Dos Passos. Indeed, cinematic thinking has gotten thoroughly mixed up with literature, especially narrative fiction and biography To study narrative today means to confront a challenge to think cinematically. Conversely, to study cinema means also to reflect on the basic problem of narratology: how discrete elements, orfabula, become galvanized into a plot.
On Logical Extension of Algebraic Division

Basic arithmetic is the cornerstone of mathematics and computer sciences. In arithmetic, 'division by zero' is an undefined operation and any attempt at extending logic for algebraic division to incorporate division by zero has resulted in paradoxes and fallacies. However, there is no proven theorem or mathematical logic that suggests that, defining logic for division by zero would result in break-down of theory. Basing on this motivation, in this paper, we attempt at logically defining a solution for 'division by zero' problem.
Demography as Destiny: The Role of Parental Involvement and Mathematics Course Taking Patterns among 9th Grade Students

0 0 1 225 1284 The University of Iowa 10 3 1506 14.0 Normal 0 false false false EN-US ZH-CN AR-SA Normal 0 false false false EN-US JA X-NONE /* Style Definitions */ table.MsoNormalTable {mso-style-name:"Table Normal"; mso-tstyle-rowband-size:0; mso-tstyle-colband-size:0; mso-style-noshow:yes; mso-style-priority:99; mso-style-parent:""; mso-padding-alt:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; mso-para-margin:0in; mso-para-margin-bottom:.0001pt; mso-pagination:widow-orphan; font-size:10.0pt; font-family:Garamond;} This study uses data from the National Center of Education Statistics (NCES) High School Longitudinal Study of 2009 (HLS:09). Parent responses to the Parent Involvement survey, given as part of the NCES study were considered, along with their child’s socio-economic status (SES) and self-reported level of mathematics course enrollment during their ninth grade year of high school. The purpose of this study is to identify parent behaviors that result in their child enrolling in upper level mathematics coursework in high school, regardless of SES. Seven, two-factor ANOVA tests were conducted to determine interaction effects between types of parent behaviors and level of ninth grade mathematics course enrollment. The interaction effect between Child Activities and SES was found to be significant. The main effect of SES, as well as school choice, Parent Involvement (School), Parent Involvement (Home), and Child Activities were also found to be significant. The main effect of a student’s SES was significant, in terms of level of ninth grade mathematics course enrollment. The findings from this study suggest that when students from lower SES background are grouped homogenously in a school related setting and out of school experiences, the level of mathematics course enrollment is lower in comparison to their middle and upper class counterparts. The findings from the study are also consistent with previous studies, noting the profound effect SES has on a child’s schooling experience.
The Mohorovicic discontinuity in ocean basins: Some observations from seismic data

Abstract Since the late 1970s studies of the oceanic crust using airgun sources and towed hydrophone arrays have been conducted in a wide range of ocean basin settings including mid-ocean ridges and old oceanic crust. The very earliest studies were performed at the fast-spreading East Pacific Rise (EPR) and revealed a very distinct almost continuous vertical incidence reflection event at a depth corresponding to the crust–mantle transition as inferred from seismic refraction studies. This suggested that the transition was quite sharp in comparison to the source wavelength. That Moho was observed very close to or even exactly beneath the ridge crest implied that it was formed at essentially zero age. Since then, many experiments using progressively improving airgun arrays and streamer systems have expanded these observations. Here we review the literature presenting studies of “normal” oceanic crust produced at mid-ocean ridges with the objective of assessing the age of formation of Moho and the nature of variability of Moho signature in multi-channel seismic data. Moho is observed as a consistent feature for all spreading rates but appears quite variable, being very distinct in some areas, complex in form in others and absent in many regions (as much as 40%). Although fast-spread crust is associated with the strongest, simplest and most laterally continuous Moho images we see significant variability at almost all spreading rates and ages. Where Moho is absent from vertical incidence data this cannot be fully explained by the effect of scattering or attenuation in the crustal section above. Moho can be observed at zero age in only a small number of areas at or near Overlapping Spreading Centers on the EPR. After three decades of marine seismic studies many fundamental questions remain concerning the nature of the Moho that will require targeted experiments to solve.
Antennae in the hawkmoth Manduca sexta (Lepidoptera, Sphingidae) mediate abdominal flexion in response to mechanical stimuli

Flying insects rely on the integration of feedback signals from multiple sensory modalities. Thus, in addition to the visual input, mechanosensory information from antennae is crucial for stable flight in the hawkmoth Manduca sexta. However, the nature of compensatory reflexes mediated by mechanoreceptors on the antennae is unknown. In this study we describe an abdominal flexion response mediated by the antennal mechanosensory input during mechanical body rotations. Such reflexive abdominal motions lead to shifts in the animal’s center of mass, and therefore changes in flight trajectory. Moths respond with abdominal flexion both to visual and mechanical rotations, but the mechanical response depends on the presence of the mass of the flagellum. In addition, the mechanically mediated flexion response is about 200° out of phase with the visual response and adds linearly to it. Phase-shifting feedback signals in such a manner can lead to a more stable behavioral output response when the animal is faced with turbulent perturbations to the flight path.
A study on the capacity bounds of wireless ad hoc networks from peer-to-peer to multiple nodes cooperation

Shannon's paper in 1948 has enticed researchers to explore the capacity of networks. Roughly two decades later, van der Meulen introduced relay channels and Cover introduced the idea of broadcasting and taking advantage of spatial diversity. Since then, numerous researchers have placed their focuses on different aspects of peer-to-peer networks. This paper covers three different bounds that deal with peer-to-peer networks as well as cooperative networks beyond the peer-to-peer sense. First, a novel idea of applying information theory to switching networks to allow an easily computable bound for studying the behavior of an ad hoc network via various parameters is introduced. Second, multiple nodes cooperatively relaying packets is simulated to determine the benefits of allowing more nodes to cooperate together. It is found that more than two nodes cooperating together provided insignificant gain over the two-node cooperation. The result leads to modeling a network with two-node cooperation under a frequency reuse scheme. The result shows that cooperation is useful in a small network, but the gain in capacity diminishes as SNR increases.
Origin of the structures in the /sup 12/C(/sup 16/O,. cap alpha. ) reaction: Dominance of /sup 20/Ne/sup / and /sup 16/O/sup / sequential. cap alpha. -decay processes

A series of experiments was carried out on the $^{12}\mathrm{C}(^{16}\mathrm{O},\ensuremath{\alpha})$ reaction to search for the population of molecular resonances as final state interactions. Contrary to our expectation, no positive evidence was found in $\ensuremath{\alpha}\ensuremath{-}^{12}\mathrm{C}$ coincidence measurements for molecular states. The experimental configuration was arranged to selectively observe events corresponding to decays into the $^{12}\mathrm{C}$+$^{12}\mathrm{C}$ resonance channel. A study of the incident energy dependence of the $^{12}\mathrm{C}(^{16}\mathrm{O},\ensuremath{\alpha})$ reaction clearly indicates the importance of sequential processes in the $\ensuremath{\alpha}$-particle yield. In particular, the process where the incident $^{16}\mathrm{O}$ picks up an $\ensuremath{\alpha}$ forming $^{20}\mathrm{Ne}^{*}$ resonances and then decays back to $\ensuremath{\alpha}+^{16}\mathrm{O}$ can reasonably explain most of observed structures in the inclusive $\ensuremath{\alpha}$ spectra. The sequential process caused by the inelastic excitation of $^{16}\mathrm{O}$ to $^{16}\mathrm{O}^{*}\ensuremath{\rightarrow}\ensuremath{\alpha}+^{12}\mathrm{C}$ can also contribute to the broad peaks observed in the inclusive spectra, but only in the high excitation region.
Electrotransport and radiation effects in alumina insulators during high temperature reactor applications

The effects of electric field and neutron irradiation on alumina insulators at elevated temperatures were examined. Neutron irradiation has been demonstrated to result in anisotropic growth of individual alumina crystals leading to the generation of internal stress in polycrystalline alumina. This phenomenon was modeled using a stress compliance method based on the ANSYS finite element code. The effect of irradiation conditions and operating temperature were examined. Additional relaxation due to long term creep and effect of irradiation enhanced creep were also included. Stress induced failure was predicted using Griffith's fracture theory. The electrotransport effect of alumina was determined based on the preferential migration of the aluminum and the oxygen ions. The driving force for the separation of the species was electrostatic in nature. The preferential diffusion of the ions coupled with the rapid aluminum migration resulted in the formation of oxygen bubbles at the anode in accord with experimental observation.
Enzymatic processing of renewable glycerol into value-added glycerol carbonate

Increased production of biodiesel has led to excess glycerol production worldwide, which has resulted in a significant drop in glycerol prices. Glycerol carbonate is a multifunctional compound used as chemical intermediates, solvents, additives and monomers. In this study, the enzymatic synthesis of glycerol carbonate from glycerol and a dialkyl carbonate was investigated. Glycerol carbonate was formed when reacting glycerol with dimethyl carbonate, diethyl carbonate or dibutyl carbonate in the presence of Candida antarctica lipase B (Novozym 435), using tert-butanol as a solvent. Nearly 100% glycerol conversion was reached after 12 h, with glycerol carbonate being the primary product. The effects of reaction parameters including solvent choice and biocatalyst loading were also examined. The highest activity was found at restricted water conditions and when using tert-butanol as a solvent.
An Improved Nonselective Culture Medium for Ruminal Bacteria and Its Use in Determining Diurnal Variation in Numbers of Bacteria in the Rumen

Summary An improved rumen fluid agar medium was developed that permitted the growth of about double the numbers of bacteria from ruminal contents grown in the medium previously used. It allowed much larger numbers of colonies to be counted and isolated with greater ease from a given volume of medium and after longer incubation periods. The main modifications made were the use of rumen fluid clarified by centrifugation, reducing the concentration of the sugar energy sources (glucose and cellobiose) and inclusion of soluble starch as an additional energy source, and changing the reducing agent from cysteine to a combination of cysteine and sodium sulfide. Many other modifications in the medium were tested and found to be without effect or detrimental to colony counts. Experiments indicate that about the same range of species of bacteria are cultured in the improved medium as in the old, except that the improved medium allows the growth of bacteroides strains that utilize starch but not glucose or cellobiose. Significant differences were shown in nonselective viable counts of ruminal bacteria obtained from samples of rumen contents collected at different times during the day from a cow fed alfalfa hay or a grain mixture once a day, and there were also differences in counts due to the ration.
Methylvinylmaleimide from Bilirubin Photooxidation

Irradiation of an oxygenated methanolic solution of bilirubin IXalpha in the absence of known singlet oxygen sensitizers gave methylvinylmaleimide among other products.
On the existence and role of free radicals in methanol conversion to hydrocarbons over HZSM-5 I. Inhibition by NO

The past 15 years have seen the development of zeolite-catalyzed methanol conversion to gasoline (MTG) from laboratory observation to commercial realization. The general reaction path has been elucidated; however, the nature of the critical initial step of hydrocarbon formation from methanol remains obscure. The constitution and fate of the reactive C{sub 1} species involved in the formation of the initial C-C bond have been the subject of wide speculation. Proposed reactive intermediates include carbenes, methyl cations, trimethyloxonium ions, and a variety of surface-bonded species. Since alkenes are intermediates, it is clear that C-H bond scission (from methyl or methoxyl) must occur at some early stage of the reaction. How and when this occurs is the heart of the problem. Hunter et al. found in model experiments, no participation of methoxymethyl radicals in C-C bond formation in the presence of HZSM-5. In a subsequent study Hunter et al. observed no effect of adding 1-3% NO, a known radical scavenger, during methanol, DME conversion over HZSM-5, and took this as further evidence against a radical pathway. The authors have examined the effect of NO on methanol conversion to hydrocarbons over HZSM-5 and arrive at conclusions somewhat different from those of Hunter etmore » al. Their findings are reported here.« less
Patient response to marketing minimally invasive surgery for heartburn

Background: Over 40% of Americans suffer from ``heartburn'' at least once a month. This and other manifestations of gastroesophageal reflux (GERD) are often treated with neglect by both patients and their primary care physicians. Diagnostic evaluation is all too often sought only in late stages of the disease. We studied the response to a media campaign promoting minimally invasive surgery as a cure for longstanding heartburn.
Modelocking pulse dynamics in fiber lasers

Erbium-doped fibers are ideal as the basic components for lasers and amplifiers operating near 1550 nm. Consequently, considerable interest and research in the past few years has focused on the use of Erbium-doped fibers in actively and passively modelocked fiber lasers operating in both the normal and anomalous dispersion regimes. This paper presents a variety of analytic and numerical techniques which can be used to quantitatively describe the dynamic pulse formation in a passive laser cavity which includes dispersion, nonlinearity, loss, and bandwidth limited gain-saturation. The mechanisms for modelocking (e.g. quantum-well semiconductor structures, APM action, etc.) are incorporated into the modelocking models via various appropriate approximations. The models capture the fundamental intensity-dependent loss required to achieve stable modelocked operation. This generic feature of modelocked lasers will be discussed in detail and illustrated in various modelocking devices and configurations. Additionally, the characteristic differences between modelocking in the normal dispersion regime, for which highly chirped pulses are observed, and the anomalous dispersion regime, for which soliton pulses can be achieved, will be discussed. Finally, stability of the modelocked pulses will be investigated. Here we will emphasize the range of stable one-pulse per round trip operation and the instability to multi-pulse operation. For multi-pulse operation, mechanisms for harmonic modelocking such as gain- relaxation, dispersive radiation, and the acoustic effect will be discussed. In most instances, analytic methods can be utilized to gain significant insight into the laser operation and stability.
Quantum efficiency characterization of LBNL CCD's: Part I. The quantum efficiency machine

Instrumentation was developed in 2004 and 2005 to measure the quantum efficiency of the Lawrence Berkeley National Lab (LBNL) total-depletion CCD's, intended for astronomy and space applications. This paper describes the basic instrument. Although it is conventional even to the parts list, there are important innovations. A xenon arc light source was chosen for its high blue/UV and low red/IR output as compared with a tungsten light. Intensity stabilization has been difficult, but since only flux ratios matter this is not critical. Between the light source and an Oriel MS257 monochromator are a shutter and two filter wheels. High-bandpass and low-bandpass filter pairs isolate the 150-nm wide bands appropriate to the wavelength, thus minimizing scattered light and providing order blocking. Light from the auxiliary port enters a 20-inch optical sphere, and the 4-inch output port is at right angles to the input port. An 80 cm drift space produces near-uniform illumination on the CCD. Next to the cold CCD inside the horizontal dewar is a calibrated reference photodiode which is regulated to the PD calibration temperature, 25° C. The ratio of the CCD and in-dewar reference PD signals provides the QE measurement. Additional cross-calibration to a PD on the integrating sphere permits lower-intensity exposures.
Electromagnetic Near-Field Diffraction of a Medium Slit*

Investigation of electromagnetic diffraction at any distance from an infinite slit is presented for slit widths 0.5 wavelength and wider. Plane-wave incidence of arbitrary two-dimensional angle in a plane perpendicular to the edges of the slit is used. Infinite conductivity is assumed. The contribution of this work is in the near-field and medium-slit-width regions, where no numerical results have been given. One obvious application is high-resolution, contact or near-contact, printing.
In Search of Higher Sensitivity: Pu-Isotopic Analysis

Thermal ionization mass spectrometry (TIMS) is an effective method for isotopic and ultra-sensitivity determination of plutonium. This project aims at improving the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) TIMS system sensitivity for the analysis of plutonium from environmental samples. The TIMS detection limits for direct, electrodeposition, and resin bead source loading techniques were determined by systematically varying the amount of plutonium loaded on the rhenium filament. It has been shown in our preliminary work that the resin bead could produce a stable TIMS ion beam for as long as 6 h period with »108 Pu atoms loaded onto a single resin bead.
Trypanosoma rangeli: effect on excretion in Rhodnius prolixus.

Abstract Excretion is severely reduced in Rhodnius prolixus infected with Trypanosoma rangeli , particularly in those bugs with hemocoelic infections. Several factors probably contribute to this reduction: tissue damage, lack of diuretic hormone or the presence of a chemical inhibitor in the hemolymph, and changes in its osmotic pressure. Each affects the excretion and mortality of infected insects in various ways.
Structures of two kinetic intermediates reveal species specificity of penicillin-binding proteins.

Abstract Penicillin-binding proteins (PBPs), the target enzymes of β-lactam antibiotics such as penicillins and cephalosporins, catalyze the final peptidoglycan cross-linking step of bacterial cell-wall biosynthesis. β-Lactams inhibit this reaction because they mimic the d -alanyl- d -alanine peptide precursors of cell-wall structure. Prior crystallographic studies have described the site of β-lactam binding and inhibition, but they have failed to show the binding of d -Ala- d -Ala substrates. We present here the first high-resolution crystallographic structures of a PBP, d -Ala- d -Ala-peptidase of Streptomyces sp. strain R61, non-covalently complexed with a highly specific fragment (glycyl- l -α-amino-e-pimelyl- d -Ala- d -Ala) of the cell-wall precursor in both enzyme–substrate and enzyme–product forms. The 1.9 A resolution structure of the enzyme–substrate Henri–Michaelis complex was achieved by using inactivated enzyme, which was formed by cross-linking two catalytically important residues Tyr159 and Lys65. The second structure at 1.25 A resolution of the uncross-linked, active form of the dd -peptidase shows the non-covalent binding of the two products of the carboxypeptidase reaction. The well-defined substrate-binding site in the two crystallographic structures shows a subsite that is complementary to a portion of the natural cell-wall substrate that varies among bacterial species. In addition, the structures show the displacement of 11 water molecules from the active site, the location of residues responsible for substrate binding, and clearly demonstrate the necessity of Lys65 and or Tyr159 for the acylation step with the donor peptide. Comparison of the complexed structures described here with the structures of other known PBPs suggests the design of species-targeted antibiotics as a counter-strategy towards β-lactamase-elicited bacterial resistance.
On the onset of strong mode coupling in small polyatomic molecules

The number of vibrational states corresponding to separable, quasiperiodic motion of low dimensionality is estimated by a generalization of the analysis of the quantum‐mechanical Henon–Heiles problem by Hose and Taylor. The number of nonseparable states with strongly coupled modes appears to overwhelm the number of separable ‘‘quasiperiodic’’ states whenever the molecule in question contains five or more vibrational quanta, and may dominate for states with four or even three vibrational quanta. Some comments are made to try to clarify the concepts of separability and quasiperiodicity.
Prescription opioid use among university students: Assessment of post-cue exposure craving

Abstract Despite the increasing number of prescriptions written to adolescents and young adults for opioid analgesics, the rise in non-medical use of such drugs among university students, and the potential role of craving in the misuse of opioids, there have been no published studies assessing craving for prescription opioids in this population. Therefore, the current study was designed to assess the impact of prescription opioid-related cue exposure on craving in university students. Students ( n = 277) recruited from a large university in the Midwestern United States were randomly assigned to two conditions to test the impact of cue exposure to either prescription opioid-related stimuli or control stimuli. Relative to the control condition, prescription opioid-related cue exposure significantly increased overall craving, desire and intention to use prescription opioids, relief from negative states by using prescription opioids, and perceived control over prescription opioid use. In addition, when assessing correlates of post-cue exposure craving, negative mood and procurement of prescription opioids from non-medical sources were the only measured variables that were significantly associated with overall craving and/or any of the craving measure's subscales. Craving may be important aspect of prescription opioid use among university students. Future research assessing craving as a function of non-medical user subtype is warranted.
Effects of Polarity for Monophasic and Biphasic Shocks on Defibrillation Efficacy with an Endocardial System

Electrode polarity has been reported to be one of the factors that affect defibrillation efficacy. We studied the influence of polarity on defibrillation efficacy when monophasic and biphasic waveforms were used with an endocardial lead system. In six anesthetized pigs, defibrillation catheters were placed in the right ventricular (RV) apex and at the junction of the superior vena cava (SVC) and right atrium. Monophasic shocks were 6 ms in duration, while for biphasic shocks the first phase was 6 ms and the second was 4 ms in duration. Four electrode configurations were tested: R:S, M (the RV electrode, cathode; the SVC electrode, anode, with a monophasic shock); S:R: S, B(the RV electrode, first phase cathode; the SVC electrode, first phase anode, with a biphasic shock); S:R, B. Defibrillation probability of success curves were determined using an up/down protocol requiring 15 shocks for each configuration. For monophasic shocks, total delivered energy at the 50% probability of success point was significantly lower when the RV electrode was an anode than when it was a cathode (R: S, M: 24.4 +/- 7.4 J [mean +/- SD] vs S:R, M: 16.4 +/- 5.5 J; P < 0.05). For biphasic shocks, total energy was not affected by polarity reversal of the electrodes (R:S, B: 8.7 +/- 1.4 J vs S:R, B: 8.4 +/- 2.5 J; P = NS). The endocardial electrode configuration with the RV electrode as an anode requires less energy for defibrillation with a monophasic but not a biphasic waveform.
Achieving “reviewer readiness”

As a reviewer, I must confess that, at best, I still consider myself to be a relative novice who is still actively trying to navigate up the reviewing learning curve. Even after several years of serving as a reviewer, I still find it to be challenging. When I receive a new manuscript to review, I experience a mix of emotions--part interest, especially when the article focuses on an intriguing question within my research domain, some uncertainty about whether I will be able to do a good job reviewing it, and, at times, some dismay about the tight time frame in which to complete it given competing demands. This opportunity to comment on some aspect of reviewing led me to reflect on my own progression in the craft. On the basis of the factors that have influenced my development as a reviewer and consideration of what may affect the quality of reviews produced, I will focus on issues relating to "reviewer readiness" My hope is that my observations on this topic will be of use to individuals who are beginning their career as reviewers as well as those who are in a position to mentor them and guide their development.
Improved NCAA Basketball Tournament Modeling via Point Spread and Team Strength Information

Abstract Several models for estimating the probability that a given team in an NCAA basketball tournament emerges as the regional champion were presented by Schwertman, Mc-Cready, and Howard. In this article we improve these probability models by taking advantage of external information concerning the relative strengths of the teams and the point spreads available at the start of the tournament for the first round games. The result is a collection of regional championship probabilities that are specific to a given region and tournament year. The approach is illustrated using data from the 1994 NCAA basketball tournament.