cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Towards radar-enabled sensor networks

Ultra wideband radar-enabled wireless sensor networks have the potential to address key detection and classification requirements common to many surveillance and tracking applications. However, traditional radar signal processing techniques are mismatched with the limited computational and storage resources available on typical sensor nodes. The mismatch is exacerbated in noisy, cluttered environments or when the signals have corrupted spectra. To explore the compatibility of ultra wideband radar and mote-class sensor nodes, we designed and built a new platform called the radar mote. An early prototype of this platform was used to detect, classify, and track people and vehicles moving through an outdoor sensor network deployment. This paper describes the sensor's theory of operation, discusses the design and implementation of the radar mote, and presents sample signal waveforms of people, vehicles, noise, and clutter. We demonstrate that radar sensors can be successfully integrated with mote-class devices and imbue them with an extraordinarily useful sensing modality.
The Australian fever tree in California: eucalypts and malaria prophylaxis.

ABSTRACT Trees of the genus Eucalyptus from Australia were spread widely and numerously through California after the 1850's. Several factors favored their spread, notably the production of timber and fuel, often with unrealistic hopes of financial gain. Planting for windbreaks and decorative purposes was also commonplace. An important and overlooked additional reason for the rapid dissemination of eucalypts in California, especially in the 1870's and 1880's, was the belief that trees of this genus, particularly Eucalyptus globulus or blue gum, could prevent or diminish the serious malaria problem that beset portions of the state. That certain forms of vegetation, especially trees, represented sanitary influences was an ancient notion and it survived even the germ theory of disease. The supposed method whereby eucalypts achieved their healthful influence was through the trees'imagined capacity to absorb or neutralize the noxious gases that were believed to cause malaria. This erroneous and antique miasmati...
Cellular retinaldehyde-binding protein interacts with ERM-binding phosphoprotein 50 in retinal pigment epithelium.

PURPOSE. To characterize mechanisms of apical localization of visual cycle components in retinal pigment epithelium (RPE) by the identification of cellular retinaldehyde-binding protein (CRALBP) interaction partners. METHODS. An overlay assay was used to detect interactions of CRALBP with components of RPE microsomes. Interacting proteins were identified with two-dimensional (2D)-PAGE and liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry (LC MS/ MS). Protein interactions were characterized by affinity chromatography, peptide competition, and expression of protein domains. Protein colocalization in mouse retina was examined using double-label immunocytochemistry and confocal microscopy. RESULTS. CRALBP bound to a 54-kDa protein in RPE microsomes, which was identified as ERM (ezrin, radixin, mocsin)-binding phosphoprotein 50 (EBP50), a PDZ domain protein, also known as sodium/hydrogen exchanger regulatory factory type 1 (NHERF-1). EBP50 and ezrin in solubilized microsomes bound to CRALBP-agarose but not to a control agarose column. CRALBP bound to both recombinant PDZ domains of EBP50 but not to the C-terminal ezrin-binding domain. In outer retina, EBP50 and ezrin were localized to RPE and Muller apical processes. CRALBP was distributed throughout both RPE and Muller cells, including their apical processes. CONCLUSIONS. ERM proteins are multivalent linkers that connect plasma membrane proteins with the cortical actin cytoskeleton. EBP50 interacts with ERM family members through a C-terminal domain and binds targets such as CRALBP through its PDZ domains, thus contributing to an apical localization of target proteins. Our results provide a structural basis for apical localization of a retinoid-processing complex in RPE cells and offer insight into the cell biology of retinoid processing and trafficking in RPE. (247 words)
Hysteresis Inverse Iterative Learning Control of Piezoactuators in AFM

Abstract We consider the application of iterative learning control (ILC) in which the input update law exploits an inverse model of the hysteresis behavior for piezoactuators. Compared to ILC for hysteresis that updates the control input using the measured tracking error scaled by a constant (fixed) learning gain, the proposed ILC algorithm converges more rapidly. The approach is analyzed and experimental results are presented to demonstrate the method's ability for precision output tracking.
Evolution of indirect reciprocity by social information: the role of trust and reputation in evolution of altruism

The complexity of human's cooperative behavior cannot be fully explained by theories of kin selection and group selection. If reciprocal altruism is to provide an explanation for altruistic behavior, it would have to depart from direct reciprocity, which requires dyads of individuals to interact repeatedly. For indirect reciprocity to rationalize cooperation among genetically unrelated or even culturally dissimilar individuals, information about the reputation of individuals must be assessed and propagated in a population. Here, we propose a new framework for the evolution of indirect reciprocity by social information: information selectively retrieved from and propagated through dynamically evolving networks of friends and acquaintances. We show that for indirect reciprocity to be evolutionarily stable, the differential probability of trusting and helping a reputable individual over a disreputable individual, at a point in time, must exceed the cost-to-benefit ratio of the altruistic act. In other words, the benefit received by the trustworthy must out-weigh the cost of helping the untrustworthy.
Sudden sensorineural hearing loss in haemoglobin SC disease

Presented herein is a case report of sudden sensorineural hearing loss in the setting of haemoglobin SC disease. The relationship of the two is rare; the authors have found that this is only the second report in the literature. In this instance, partial exchange transfusions were performed in an attempt to decrease viscosity and improve blood flow. Thereafter, hearing stabilized and then slowly improved. The evidence for the beneficial role of these transfusions in this setting is, at best, circumstantial, but it is theoretically sound and worthy of further study.
PERCUTANEOUS PLACEMENT OF RADIOACTIVE GOLD SEEDS IN LOCALIZED PROSTATIC CARCINOMA

Abstract Transrectal ultrasonic guidance is used to direct transperineal implantation of radioactive gold seeds (Au 198) in patients with localized prostatic carcinoma.
Who is playing doctor? -- The gap between self-perceived versus professionally diagnosed chronic conditions among the underserved minority.

Abstract Objective . To assess the gap between self-perceived and professionally diagnosed physical and mental conditions in underserved minority populations. Study setting . The study sample consisted of 287 African-American and Latino heads of households respondents, obtained from a geographically defined random sample of 418 households from three Urban Public Housing Communities in Los Angeles County, California. Study design . This study conducted a cross-sectional survey with face-to-face interviews. Results. Eighty-five percent (245) of this sample reported that they were suffering from at least one chronic condition. However, 43% of participants who suffer from chronic condition(s) claimed that a physician had never diagnosed at least one of their chronic illnesses. Depression (16%), hearing impairment (10%), arthritis (8%), dental problems (7%), and vision conditions (7%) are the most frequently reported undiagnosed chronic conditions among these populations. Conclusion. This study documents significant disparities in the detection and treatment of specific medical conditions among Hispanic and African-American population residing in public housing, which often leads to end-stage complications due to lack of timely diagnoses and treatment.
Angular Distribution of Neutrons from the Photo-Disintegration of the Deuteron

The angular distribution of neutrons arising from the photo-disintegration of deuterons by gamma-rays of 2.76 Mev energy has been investigated under conditions requiring no corrections for neutron scattering by the walls or by the heavy water. Inverse square law tests using balloon suspension indicated the clearance required for which the apparatus was free of the effects of scattering. The weighted ratio of the photomagnetic to the photoelectric cross sections was found to be 0.295\ifmmode\pm\else\textpm\fi{}0.036.
Molecular characteristics of the water soluble organic matter in size-fractionated aerosols collected over the North Atlantic Ocean

Abstract Size-fractionated aerosol impactor samples (n = 3) representing North American, North African, and marine air mass influences were collected over the North Atlantic Ocean as part of the 2011 US GEOTRACES cruise (GEOTRACES GA03), and a molecular-level chemical characterization of the water soluble organic matter (WSOM) was obtained using electrospray ionization Fourier transform ion cyclotron resonance mass spectrometry. Remarkable differences were found between the molecular characteristics of WSOM from the fine ( 7.2 μm fraction of marine-influenced aerosols. Principal component analysis (PCA) showed the 1.5) ratios including many heteroatom (N, S, P) containing formulas. Condensed aromatic compounds, which originate from anthropogenic sources and can affect the global climate by absorbing solar radiation, as well as compounds that can be attributed to secondary organic aerosols (SOA), were found in all 17 WSOM fractions analyzed. This indicates the ubiquitous nature of these types of compounds across aerosol size fractions and air mass influences, even in aerosols collected over the middle of the ocean. These results provide an indication of size-fractionated aerosol composition, and future molecular characterization work should be paired with physical characteristics to inform size-fractionated and source-resolved models of aerosol OM impacts in the atmosphere.
Lithographic performance of an El-3 system at 0.25 mm groundrules

Abstract Achieving 0.25μm performance in a shaped electron beam tool has required not only enhancements to hardware and software, but also refined techniques for optimizing and monitoring resist image quality and spot placement accuracy. A compact test pattern has been designed to facilitate adjustment of the electronics which dynamically correct for astigmatism and field curvature. In some cases, SEM analysis is ineffectual in detecting either regional image quality problems or local spot placement errors. For this purpose, full-field fine line gratings have been highly effective when viewed optically at low magnification. Noise reduction and improvements to deflection electronics have contributed to short and long term stability for accurate exposures of large chips using stitched writing fields. Tight control of the tool and process results in the ability to pattern features down to 0.15μm.
Processing and Characterization of Single-Crystalline Ultrafine Bismuth Nanowires

By pressure injecting Bi liquid melt into the nanochannels of an anodic alumina template, we have successfully fabricated Bi nanowire arrays with ultrafine wire diameters and extremely high wire packing densities. Free-standing Bi nanowires with controlled wire diameters and large aspect ratios (length/diameter) were also obtained by subsequent etching of the alumina template. Various techniques such as SEM, TEM, AFM, EFM, HREM, and XRD have been used to investigate the physical characteristics of these nanowires. The Bi nanowires were found to be dense and continuous and had a uniform diameter throughout the length of the wires. Individual Bi nanowires were shown to be single crystals, and all the wires in an array were highly oriented. An interesting metastable phase of Bi was also observed, which can be attributed to a lattice stress-induced high-pressure phase of Bi formed inside the porous anodic alumina template.
Evaluating warped projection cameras

Our primary motivation in this work is creating head-worn virtual reality (VR) and augmented reality (AR) systems that substantially improve human task performance, particularly in searching, counting, and navigation tasks. We focus on both widening the user's field of view, and also providing the user with options for seeing around occluding objects.
The time-course of trimethyltin-induced fiber and terminal degeneration in hippocampus.

Abstract Trimethyltin (TMT) produces prominent neuron death in the hippocampus. The time-course of TMT-induced damage was studied using reduced-silver procedures for impregnation of degenerating axons and their terminals, and a modified Timm's stain procedure for visualization of hippocampal transitional metals. Standard cell body stains were also used. Fifty-four, adult, Long-Evans rats were gavaged with 6.0 mg TMT/kg b.wt. and 10 rats were gavaged with distilled water as controls. Five TMT-gavaged rats and one saline-gavaged rat were sacrificed on either postgavage day 1, 3, 6, 9, 14, 19, 30, 45, 70 or 99. Histological examination revealed a band of degenerating terminals in the stratum lucidum, below the hippocampal subfields CA3a,b pyramidal cells, by postgavage day 3. This preceded dentate gyrus granule cell loss supplying the mossy fiber input to the stratum lucidum by several days. Hippocampal pyramidal cell necrosis continued through the examination period while dentate granule cell loss subsided between postgavage days 9 and 14. Fiber and terminal degeneration was more extensive in the dorsal hippocampus than in the ventral hippocampus, although Timm's-stained sections revealed “bleaching” of stainable metal in the mossy fiber pathway of the ventral hippocampus. These data suggest that loss of ventral dentate granule cells might reduce TMT-induced necrosis of pyramidal cells in the ventral (temporal) part of the Ammon's horn, possibly by preventing the spread of seizure activity in this region of the hippocampus. Additionally, although previous studies have reported the toxic effects of TMT to last approximately 60 days, the results of the present study indicate that TMT-induced degeneration continues for more than 3 months. Reduced-silver stains, such as the Fink-Heimer procedure, appear to be more sensitive indicators of enduring neuropathology than more traditional cell stains.
GENETIC ARCHITECTURE OF A SELECTION RESPONSE IN ARABIDOPSIS THALIANA

Quantitative trait locus (QTL) mapping has become an established and effective method for studying the genetic architecture of complex traits. In this report, we use a QTL mapping approach in combination with data from a large selection experiment in Arabidopsis thaliana to explore a response to selection of experimental populations with differentiated genetic backgrounds. Experimental populations with genetic backgrounds derived from ecotypes Landsberg and Niederzenz were exposed to multiple generations of fertility and viability selection. This selection resulted in phenotypic shifts in a number of life-history and fitness-related characters including early development time, flowering time, dry biomass, longevity, and fruit production. Quantitative trait loci were mapped for these traits and their positions were compared to previously characterized allele frequency changes in the experimental populations (Ungerer et al. 2003). Quantitative trait locus positions largely colocalized with genomic regions under strong and consistent selection in populations with differentiated genetic backgrounds, suggesting that alleles for these traits were selected similarly in differentiated genetic backgrounds. However, one QTL region exhibited a more variable response; being positively selected on one genetic background but apparently neutral in another. This study demonstrates how QTL mapping approaches can be combined with map-based population genetic data to study how selection acts on standing genetic variation in populations.
Formal salesforce controls and revenue production: a meta-analysis

Using data from 39 empirical studies with a cumulative sample of 6678 respondents from multiple countries, this meta-analysis examines the influence of the two main types of formal salesforce controls – behaviour and output – on salespeople's revenue performance. The authors employ Hierarchical Linear Modeling as well as Path Modeling to analyse the data. The findings show that both behaviour and output controls have a positive impact on revenue outcomes, although the average effect sizes are small. Interestingly, the effect of the former is greater than the latter. Also, the two types of controls are positively related to each other, suggesting the merits of treating them as two separate control mechanisms rather than two ends of a continuum, and also highlighting the need to control for one when estimating the effects of the other. Although the relationship between behaviour control and revenue is higher when the analysis is conducted at the organization level as opposed to individual level, the effect ...
Avoiding cultural misconceptions during globalization of tourism

Purpose – The purpose of this editorial is to introduce the current special issue of research related to cultural misconceptions during the globalization of tourism.Design/methodology/approach – The four peer reviewed articles presented in this special issue are introduced.Findings – All of the research articles examine the potential or actual result of misconceptions when different cultures interact. Culture identity is a common theme throughout the articles. Sub‐themes include how cultural identity is changed (positively or negatively) when other cultures interact. The data collection sites include: Zakopane, a small village of 30,000 residents located in the Tatra Mountains in the South of Poland; Ubud, a village in Bali, Indonesia; Great Britain and Ireland; Shandong, China; and a framework to compare data collected throughout different cultures in Asia. The first two articles presented examine the influence of tourism on a village. The third article focuses on service providers working in large citie...
An approximate infinite order perturbation theory prescription for isotropic NMR chemical shieldings

Abstract Data in the literature from NMR chemical shielding calculations at Hartree-Fock, MP2, MP3, and MP4 levels using large basis sets suggest that the ratio of the various perturbation order contributions may be approximately constant with a value of -0.5. Under this assumption one may sum the infinite perturbation series so that, with a knowledge of Hartree-Fock and MP2 results, the infinite order shielding may be estimated. Applying this method to cited literature calculations provides NMR shieldings that are as accurate as available MP4 and CCSD calculations and in good agreement with experiment.
Winter triticale response to nitrogen fertilization when grown after corn or soybean

Winter triticale (×Triticosecale Wittmack) could be more widely grown as a forage, grain, or cover crop in the US Corn and Soybean Belt, but research needed to establish best management practices is limited. This study was conducted to determine the amount of N fertilizer needed to optimize triticale productivity and to quantify the amount of N taken up following either corn (Zea mays L.) silage or soybean [Glycine max (L.) Merr.]. The response of winter triticale grown near Ames and Lewis, IA, to four N fertilization rates (0, 33, 66, 99 kg N ha -1 ) applied in mid-March was evaluated for the 2003-2004 and 2004-2005 growing seasons. Maximum dry matter and grain yields were produced with 33 kg N ha -1 at Ames and no N fertilization at Lewis. Maximum N concentrations of triticale dry matter were generally produced with 99 kg N ha '. Nitrogen uptake by winter triticale was mostly complete by early May and was 39 to 133 kg ha -1 without N fertilization. Nitrogen uptake increased with each 33 kg ha -1 increment of additional N fertilizer, totaling 98 to 192 kg ha -1 for 99 kg N ha -1 . The results of this study suggest forage and grain yields of winter triticale grown after corn silage or soybean in the midwestern USA can be maximized by applying 33 kg ha -1 N fertiliser. For N rates of 0 to 99 kg ha -1 , winter triticale captured 47 to 82 kg N ha -1 beyond that supplied as fertilizer.
The seasonal evolution of planetary waves in the southern hemisphere stratosphere and troposphere

Seasonality in planetary wave structure in the southern hemisphere stratosphere and troposphere (1000-1 mb) is studied based on eight years (1979–1986) of daily geopotential data. Emphasis is placed on the distinctive seasonality in the stratosphere, along with tracing the stratospheric fluctuations into the troposphere. Time filtering is used to separate stationary and transient components. Maximum geopotential height variance is observed in the middle to upper stratosphere in late winter-spring, with a distinct secondary, smaller maximum in late fall-early winter; these maxima sandwich the strongest mid-winter zonal winds. This sequence occurs approximately one month earlier in the upper stratosphere. Two corresponding peaks are observed in stratospheric zonal mean wind and temperature fluctuations. The two maxima in stratospheric wave variance are not in agreement with observed seasonal changes in quasi-geostrophic refractive index of the zonal mean flow. The stratospheric geopotential variance maxima result from nearly equal amounts of stationary and transient zonal wave-1 fluctuations, with transient wave 2 also contributing during late winter. Stationary wave 1 shows intriguing seasonal evolution: the early winter maximum is predominantly equivalent barotropic, whereas that of late winter-spring is highly baroclinic in the stratosphere. Stratospheric poleward fluxes of heat and momentum both exhibit pronounced maxima during September-October; these result primarily from the stationary wave-1 contributions, and the transients assume a secondary role. Although not as pronounced as the stationary wave seasonality, seasonal differences in transient wave behaviour are also documented, including three-dimensional propagation characteristics and wave-mean flow interaction diagnostics.
A comparison of concentration-glasses and temperature-hyperquenched glasses: CO2-formed glass versus temperature-formed glass

Abstract Prior work from this laboratory has reported anomalous differences in the viscoelastic responses between temperature-jump formed glasses and carbon dioxide pressure-jump or relative humidity formed glasses. In the present work, we investigate the anomalous behaviour further by examining the structural response of an epoxy resin after pre-annealing treatments. In particular, we have measured the volume change of amine-cured diglycidyl ether of bisphenol A after thermal and carbon dioxide pressure (PCO2) treatments. Our results show that contrary to prior interpretations in the literature, a plasticizer quench is different from a temperature hyperquench. Consistent with our prior work, the CO2-formed glass is more stable than the temperature-formed glass in spite of the former having a higher excess volume. Our new results show that the stability persists to above the nominal glass temperature, contrary to what happens in a temperature hyperquench.
In-ovulo embryo culture and seedling development of cotton (Gossypium hirsutum L.).

A convenient and reliable method for culturing cotton embryos is needed to obtain interspecific hybrids of this genus. C.A. Beasley and I.P. Ting (Amer. J. Bot. 60, 130, 1973) developed a phytohormone-supplemented medium (BTP) upon which the growth of ovules was similar that of in situ ovules. This medium was examined for in-ovulo embryo culture. Although good ovule growth occurred on BTP no embryos developed to maturity. However, when the medium was supplemented with NH4+, more than 50% of the ovules produced mature embryos, and many of these germinated precociously after 8–10 weeks of culture. After germination seedlings were established on a separate medium designed to give balanced root and shoot growth. Subsequently young plants could be transferred to pots for greenhouse culture.
What Children Did Not Learn in School: The Intellectual Quickening of Young Americans in the Nineteenth Century

Dans cet article, l'A. expose les points ou la pensee de Thomas Jefferson etait en tort. Il avait tort quand il imaginait que les Etats-Unis du debut du XIXe siecle allaient entrer dans une periode marquee par un consensus religieux. Et il avait tort de penser que les enfants americains pourraient de quelque facon ignorer la religion et ne gagneraient rien de positif a vivre a une epoque ou se deploierait une proliferation d'opinions religieuses et de fidelites a ses engagements. En fait, dans l'Amerique du XIXe siecle, penser consistait d'abord a penser religion. Mais l'attitude de Jefferson concernant la protection des jeunes enfants des tempetes soulevees par les divisions religieuses faisait partie du systeme americain de l'enseignement secondaire du XIXe siecle.
Novel application of computer-assisted cisternal endoscopy for the biopsy of pineal region tumors: cadaveric study

Background. Long-standing debate continues about the management and biopsy of pineal tumors because of their complex microsurgical anatomy and deep location. Inspired by the concept of biopsy under direct visualization in the absence of hydrocephalus, we explored the effectiveness of neuroendoscope outside of its traditional territory using a new minimally invasive technique, computer-assisted cisternal endoscopy (CACE), for the biopsy of pineal tumors.
Magnesium Sulfate Potentiates Several Cardiovascular and Metabolic Actions of Terbutaline

β-Adrenergic agonists are useful for the emergency treatment of asthma. Recently, magnesium sulfate (MgSO 4 ) has also been shown to be efficacious in this situation. β-Agonists have unwanted cardiovascular and metabolic actions: increased systolic blood pressure, corrected QT interval (QT c ), serum glucose and insulin, and decreased RR interval, diastolic blood pressure, serum potassium, phosphate, and calcium. As β-agonists and MgSO 4 quite possibly will be used in combination, we sought to determine how MgSO 4 would affect these actions. Healthy young male adults were administered two doses of terbutaline sulfate, 0.25 mg subcutaneously, 30 min apart on two separate occasions, in a randomized, double-blind fashion. On one occasion, 4 g of MgSO 4 was administered intravenously over the same 30-min period. On the other, normal saline solution was given as a placebo. Cardiovascular and metabolic variables were measured sequentially for 2 h. Data at 60 min with p values given for a summation of all time points are as follows: MgSO 4 increased terbutaline's effects on the RR interval by 0.09 s, p c interval by 0.01 s, p 4 also mitigated the systolic blood pressure elevating the effect of terbutaline by 5 mm Hg (p = 0.007). The magnitude of the response potentiations was modest. We conclude that combining terbutaline and MgSO 4 is unlikely to result in serious short-term adverse events, if used acutely in patients with relatively normal cardiac and metabolic function. MgSo 4 may act by potentiating the effects of β-agonists on magnesium requiring enzymes such as adenyl cyclase.
Appropriate information technology

(1985). Appropriate information technology. International Library Review: Vol. 17, No. 3, pp. 247-258.
Inhibition of tyrosine phenol-lyase from Citrobacter freundii by 2-azatyrosine and 3-azatyrosine.

The interactions of 2-azatyrosine and 3-azatyrosine with tyrosine phenol-lyase (TPL) from Citrobacter freundii have been examined. 2-Aza-dl-tyrosine and 3-aza-dl-tyrosine were synthesized by standard methods of amino acid synthesis, while the l-isomers were prepared from 3-hydroxypyridine and 2-hydroxypyridine, respectively, with TPL (Watkins, E. B., and Phillips, R. S. (2001) Bioorg. Med. Chem. Lett. 11, 2099−2100). 3-Azatyrosine was examined as a potential transition state analogue inhibitor of TPL. Both compounds were found to be competitive inhibitors of TPL, with Ki values of 3.4 mM and 135 μM for 3- and 2-aza-l-tyrosine, respectively. Thus, 3-azatyrosine does not act as a transition state analogue, possibly due to the lack of tetrahedral geometry at C-1. However, 2-aza-l-tyrosine is the most potent competitive inhibitor of TPL found to date. The Ki value of 2-aza-l-tyrosine is half that of 2-aza-dl-tyrosine, indicating that the d-enantiomer is inactive as an inhibitor. Neither azatyrosine isomer was...
How Good are Our Measures? Investigating the Appropriate Use of Factor Analysis for Survey Instruments

Background: Evaluation work frequently utilizes factor analysis to establish the dimensionality, reliability, and stability of surveys. However, survey data is typically ordinal, violating the assumptions of most statistical methods, and thus is often factor-analyzed inappropriately. Purpose: This study illustrates the salient analytical decisions for factor-analyzing ordinal survey data appropriately and demonstrates the repercussions of inappropriate analyses. Setting: The data used for this study are drawn from an evaluation of the efficacy of a drama-based approach to teaching Shakespeare in elementary and middle school. Intervention: Not applicable. Research Design: Survey research. Data Collection and Analysis: Four factor analytic methods were compared: a traditional exploratory factor analysis (EFA), a full-information EFA, and two EFAs within the confirmatory factor analysis framework (E/CFA) conducted according to the Joreskog method and the Gugiu method. Findings: Methods appropriate for ordinal data produce better models, the E/CFAs outperform the EFAs, and the Gugiu method demonstrates greater model interpretability and stability than the Joreskog method. These results suggest that the Gugiu E/CFA may be the preferable factor analytic method for use with ordinal data. Practical applications of these findings are discussed. Keywords: factor analysis; ordinal data; E/CFA; survey research.
A Standard Set of Pericyclic Reactions of Hydrocarbons for the Benchmarking of Computational Methods: The Performance of ab Initio, Density Functional, CASSCF, CASPT2, and CBS-QB3 Methods for the Prediction of Activation Barriers, Reaction Energetics, and Transition State Geometries

Experimental and theoretical data are provided for a set of 11 pericyclic reactions of unsaturated hydrocarbons. Literature experimental data are evaluated and standardized to ΔH⧧0K for comparison to theory. Hartree−Fock, MP2, CASSCF, CASPT2, density functional theory (B3LYP, BPW91, MPW1K, and KMLYP functionals), and CBS-QB3 transition-structure geometries, activation enthalpies and entropies, and reaction enthalpies and entropies for these reactions are reported and are compared to experimental results. For activation enthalpies, several density functionals rival CASPT2 and CBS-QB3 for closest agreement with experiment, while CASPT2 and CBS-QB3 provide the most accurate heats of reaction. Transition-structure geometries are reproduced well by all methods with the exception of the Cope rearrangement and cyclopentadiene dimerization transition structures.
Recent advances in magnetic resonance

The author describes some advances in magnetic resonance imaging which have been made in approximately the last two years. These are in general areas of improved speed of image acquisitions, improved spatial resolution, selective imaging of blood vessels, and reduction of image artifact. >
A compact, nanosecond pulse generator with water as dielectric and as switch medium

A pulse charged 10 ns Blumlein type pulse generator with distilled water as dielectric in the pulse-forming network (PFN), and as switch medium was built and tested. The use of water with its large relative dielectric constant, and consequently high-energy storage density allows us to reduce the size of the PFN considerably, compared to PFNs using solid dielectrics. The impedance of the PFN, a strip line consisting of two aluminum bars was 10 /spl Omega/, but can easily be varied by changing the distance of the metal lines. With an electrode separation of as small as 200 /spl mu/m of the water spark gap, maximum voltages of 15 kV could be applied. In order to determine the limitations of the water switch in a repetitively operated system, switch delay, jitter and recovery time were measured. The delay and jitter were found to be both in the range of a few microseconds for an electric field of 700 kV/cm in the water gap, but were reduced to a few hundred nanoseconds when the electric field was increased to 850 kV/cm. The recovery time was found to vary from 1 ms to 6 ms. Consequently, the maximum reliable repetition rate for switch using static water is 150 Hz. However, because of the extremely small size of the active switch volume, use of flowing water promises to allow higher repetition rate operation.
Dry matter production, nutrient uptake, and growth of cotton as affected by potassium fertilization

Abstract Insufficient potassium (K) nutrition produces detrimental effects on cotton (Gossypium hirsutum L.) lint yield and fiber quality. To further understand the deleterious effects caused by K deficiency, a 2‐yr (1991 and 1992) field study was conducted to determine how dry matter partitioning and nutrient concentrations of various plant tissues for the cotton genotypes, ‘DES 119’ and ‘MD 51 ne’, were altered by varying the application rate of fertilizer K and nitrogen (N). All plots received a preplant application of 112 kg N ha‐1, and half of the plots were later sidedressed with an additional 38 kg N ha‐1. Within each N treatment, half the plots received 112 kg K ha‐1, preplant incorporated, with the remaining plots not receiving any fertilizer K. Dry matter harvests were taken three times in 1991 and two times in 1992. At cutout (slowing of vegetative growth and flowering), plants that received K fertilization had a 14% more leaf area index (LAI), a 3% increase in the number of main stem nodes, an...
Calculating bounds on information leakage using two-bit patterns

Theories of quantitative information flow have seen growing interest recently, in view of the fundamental importance of controlling the leakage of confidential information, together with the pragmatic necessity of tolerating intuitively "small" leaks. Given such a theory, it is crucial to develop automated techniques for calculating the leakage in a system. In this paper, we address this question in the context of deterministic imperative programs and under the recently-proposed min-entropy measure of information leakage, which measures leakage in terms of the confidential information's vulnerability to being guessed in one try by an adversary. In this context, calculating the maximum leakage of a program reduces to counting the number of feasible outputs that it can produce. We approach this task by determining patterns among pairs of bits in the output, for instance by determining that two bits must be unequal. By counting the number of solutions to the two-bit patterns, we obtain an upper bound on the number of feasible outputs and hence on the leakage. We explore the effectiveness of our approach on a number of case studies, in terms of both efficiency and accuracy.
UV-curable pressure-sensitive adhesives derived from functionalized soybean oils and rosin ester

Functionalized plant oils such as epoxidized soybean oil (ESO) are widely used in plastic industries as additives and are available for more value-added applications. Pressure-sensitive adhesive (PSA) derived from petroleum feedstocks has a huge market ranging from tapes to packaging. Here we show a sustainable PSA derived from ESO/dihydroxyl soybean oil (DSO)/rosin ester (Sylvalite) via UV-initiated copolymerization. The ether crosslinks derived from cationic polymerization of ESO and copolymerization between ESO and DSO (or rosin ester) were demonstrated using 1H NMR, 2D 1H–1H COSY NMR, electrospray ionization mass spectrometry and thermal analyses (differential scanning calorimetry and thermogravimetric analysis). The PSA was formulated by modulating the ratio of ESO/DSO/rosin ester to achieve high performance. At a UV dose of 5.1–5.4 J cm−2 and 0.3–3% (w/w) of a photoinitiator, i.e. [4-(2-hydroxy-1-tetradecyloxy)-phenyl]phenyliodonium hexafluoroantimonate, the PSA at a ratio (by weight) of 1:1:0.7 (ESO/DSO/rosin ester) recorded the highest peel and loop tack strength, which was comparable to a commercial PSA, Scotch Magic Tape, and showed much stronger shear strength (>30 000 min) than the commercial tape (10 000 min). The high-shear rheological behavior and excellent thermal stability of the PSA were also demonstrated. © 2012 Society of Chemical Industry
Microcontroller Programming and Interfacing: Texas Instruments MSP430

This book provides a thorough introduction to the Texas Instruments MSP430 microcontroller. The MSP430 is a 16-bit reduced instruction set (RISC) processor that features ultra low power consumption and integrated digital and analog hardware. Variants of the MSP430 microcontroller have been in production since 1993. This provides for a host of MSP430 products including evaluation boards, compilers, and documentation. A thorough introduction to the MSP430 line of microcontrollers, programming techniques, and interface concepts is provided along with considerable tutorial information with many illustrated examples. Each chapter provides laboratory exercises to apply what has been presented in the chapter. The book is intended for an upper level undergraduate course in microcontrollers or mechatronics but may also be used as a reference for capstone design projects. Also, practicing engineers already familiar with another microcontroller, who require a quick tutorial on the MSP430, will find this book very useful.
Mutations in the P. falciparum Digestive Vacuole Transmembrane Protein PfCRT and Evidence for Their Role in Chloroquine Resistance

The determinant of verapamil-reversible chloroquine resistance (CQR) in a Plasmodium falciparum genetic cross maps to a 36 kb segment of chromosome 7. This segment harbors a 13-exon gene, pfcrt, having point mutations that associate completely with CQR in parasite lines from Asia, Africa, and South America. These data, transfection results, and selection of a CQR line harboring a novel K76I mutation point to a central role for the PfCRT protein in CQR. This transmembrane protein localizes to the parasite digestive vacuole (DV), the site of CQ action, where increased compartment acidification associates with PfCRT point mutations. Mutations in PfCRT may result in altered chloroquine flux or reduced drug binding to hematin through an effect on DV pH.
Insulin content and B cell morphology of the pancreas after chronic insulin treatment in a lizard.

Daily intraperitoneal injections of insulin into the lizard Anolis carolinensis leads to a reduced immunoreactive insulin (IRI) content of the splenic lobe of the pancreas. This reduction correlates with the observed morphologic changes. On the sixteenth day of injection the IRI content is reduced by more than 50% of the control value. At this time, the aldehyde fuchsin-reactivity of the B cells is markedly diminished and the diameter of the B cell secretory granules, as determined by electron microscopy, is reduced by approximately 125 nm. Since the number of secretory granules after 16 daily injections of insulin does not appear to be diminished, the reduced size and stainability suggest that the remaining intragranular component is predominantly a non-insulin matrix material. These observations indicate the existence of a quantitative relationship between the size of the B granules and the insulin content of the pancreas.
Inappropriate Medication Use Among Frail Elderly Inpatients

BACKGROUND:Inappropriate prescribing in frail elderly inpatients has not received as much investigation as in frail elderly nursing home patients.OBJECTIVE:To determine the prevalence and predictors of inappropriate prescribing for hospitalized frail elderly patients.METHODS:The study was conducted at 11 Veterans Affairs Medical Centers and involved a sample of 397 frail elderly inpatients. Inappropriate prescribing was measured by physician—pharmacist pair's consensus ratings for 10 criteria on the Medication Appropriateness Index (MAI). The MAI ratings generated a weighted score of 0–18 per medication (higher score = more inappropriate) and were summed across medications to achieve a patient score.RESULTS:Overall, 365 (91.9%) patients had ≥1 medications with ≥1 MAI criteria rated as inappropriate. The most common problems involved expensive drugs (70.0%), impractical directions (55.2%), and incorrect dosages (50.9%). The most common drug classes with appropriateness problems were gastric (50.6%), cardio...
Group detection for synchronous Gaussian code-division multiple-access channels

The concept of group detection Is introduced to address the design of suboptimum multiuser detectors for code-division multiple-access (CDMA) channels. A group detection scheme consists of a bank of P group detectors, one each for detecting the information symbols of users in each group of a P group partition of the K simultaneously transmitting users. In a parallel group detection scheme, these group detectors operate independently, whereas in a sequential scheme, each group detector. Uses the decisions of the previous group detectors to successively cancel the interference from those users. Group detectors based on the generalized likelihood ratio test (GLRT) are obtained for the synchronous Gaussian CDMA channel. The complexity of these detectors is exponential in the group size, whereas that of the optimum detector is exponential in K. Since the partition of users is a design parameter, group sizes can be chosen to satisfy a wide range of complexity constraints. A key performance result is that the GLRT group detectors are optimally group near-far resistant. Furthermore, upper and lower bounds on the asymptotic efficiency of the sequential group detectors are derived. These bounds reveal that the sequential group detectors can, under certain conditions, perform as well as GLRT group detectors of much larger group sizes. Group detection provides a unifying approach to multiuser detection. When the users are partitioned into K single-user groups, the GLRT, a modified form of GLRT, and the sequential group detectors reduce to previously proposed suboptimal detectors; namely, the decorrelator, the two-stage detector, and the decorrelating decision-feedback detector, respectively. For the other nontrivial partitions, the group detectors are new and have a performance that is commensurate with their complexity. >
Chaotic dynamics even in the highly damped swing equations of power systems

The authors present a simulation of the equations of a two-machine swing, each component of which has nonzero damping. The simulation confirms the nonempty transversal intersection of the stable and unstable manifolds of a saddle point and its replica. This intersection means that a homoclinic orbit exists in the dynamics. This in turn implies the existence of chaotic dynamics in the two-machine system. >
Issues and Recommendations for Teaching an Ethnic/Culture-based Course.

In this article, we present potential pedagogical concerns and strategies for instructors who teach ethnic/culture-based courses. Four specific issues form the basis of this article: (a) student comfort with ambiguous concepts, (b) different levels of student ethnic/cultural identity development, (c) student fears in examining their biases and assumptions, and (d) student emotions when acquiring new and sometimes value-conflicting information. We provide recommendations to facilitate student learning and an open classroom environment.
Use of High and Low Level Overexpression Plasmids to Test Mutant Alleles of the recF Gene of Escherichia coli K-12 for Partial Activity

We showed that sufficient overexpression of the wild-type recF gene interfered with three normal cell functions: (1) UV induction of transcription from the LexA-protein-repressed sulA promoter, (2) UV resistance and (3) cell viability at 42 degrees. To show this, we altered a low-level overexpressing recF+ plasmid with a set of structurally neutral mutations that increased the rate of expression of recF. The resulting high-level overexpressing plasmid interfered with UV induction of the sulA promoter, as did the low-level overexpressing plasmid. It also reduced UV resistance more than its low level progenitor and decreased viability at 42 degrees, an effect not seen with the low-level plasmid. We used the high-level plasmid to test four recF structural mutations for residual activity. The structural alleles consisted of an insertion mutation, two single amino acid substitution mutations and a double amino acid substitution mutation. On the Escherichia coli chromosome the three substitution mutations acted similarly to a recF deletion in reducing UV resistance in a recB21 recC22 sbcB15 sbcC201 genetic background. By this test, therefore, all three appeared to be null alleles. Measurements of conjugational recombination revealed, however, that the three substitution mutations may have residual activity. On the high-level overexpressing plasmid all three substitution mutations definitely showed partial activity. By contrast, the insertion mutation on the high-level overexpressing plasmid showed no partial activity and can be considered a true null mutation. One of the substitutions, recF143, showed a property attributable to a leaky mutation. Another substitution, recF4101, may block selectively two of the three interference phenotypes, thus allowing us to infer a mechanism for them.
Untreated Depression Predicts Higher Suicide Rates in U.S. Honor Cultures

Osterman and Brown demonstrated that U.S. honor states had higher rates of suicide than non-honor states and related this phenomenon to the higher incidence of depression and a reduced readiness to seek antidepression treatment in honor states. The present study critiques their research and re-examines the origin of the association between honor culture and suicide using a more expansive multi-year data set and controlling for culturally relevant factors (i.e., climate, gun ownership, population density, collectivism, access to health care, economic deprivation). Replicating some of their findings, higher rates of depression were related to higher levels of suicide in honor states but not non-honor states. In addition, we found state levels of antidepressant drug prescriptions to be related to lower levels of suicide in honor states but not non-honor states. A mediation analysis further revealed that levels of antidepressant drug prescriptions, but not levels of depression, mediated the relationship betwe...
CXCL13 Blockade Disrupts B Lymphocyte Organization in Tertiary Lymphoid Structures without Altering B Cell Receptor Bias or Preventing Diabetes in Nonobese Diabetic Mice

Lymphocytes that invade nonlymphoid tissues often organize into follicle-like structures known as tertiary lymphoid organs (TLOs). These structures resemble those found in spleen or lymph nodes, but their function is unknown. TLOs are recognized in many autoimmune diseases, including the NOD mouse model of type 1 diabetes. In some cases, TLOs have been associated with the B lymphocyte chemoattractant, CXCL13. Studies presented in this article show that CXCL13 is present in inflamed islets of NOD mice. Ab blockade of this chemokine unraveled B lymphocyte organization in islet TLOs, without reducing their proportion in the islets. These chaotic milieus contained B lymphocytes with the same distinct repertoire of B cell receptors as those found in mice with well-organized structures. Somatic hypermutation, associated with T-B interactions, was not impaired in these disorganized insulitis lesions. Finally, loss of B lymphocyte organization in islets did not provide disease protection. Thus, B lymphocytes infiltrating islets in NOD mice do not require the morphology of secondary lymphoid tissues to support their role in disease.