cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
The abiotic formation of TEP under different ocean acidification scenarios

Abstract In view of rising atmospheric CO 2 concentrations, the question if the marine biological carbon pump will increase or decrease in efficiency as ocean acidification progresses becomes central for predictions of future atmospheric pCO 2 . Aggregation and sinking of aggregates contributes significantly to the flux of carbon to depths and changes in aggregation behavior will have far reaching consequences for the biological pump. The abundance and characteristics of transparent exopolymer particles, TEP, are central in regulating aggregation. We investigated the impact of ocean acidification on the abiotic formation of TEP from their precursors. Our results demonstrate that, contrary to earlier suggestions, ocean acidification as expected in the future ocean has no impact on the equilibrium conditions between TEP and their precursors. However, if the carbonate system is altered by adding acid, which does not simulate the future ocean carbonate system correctly, TEP concentration increases with decreasing pH, presumably due to changes in total alkalinity (TA). This implies that abiotic TEP formation is sensitive to changes in TA, but not pH. The discrepancy in results caused by different experimental approaches emphasizes the fact that acidification experiments do not mimic future conditions adequately and may even be misleading.
Data Structures for Range Searching

Much research has recently been devoted to "multikey" searching problems. In this paper the partmular multlkey problem of range searching Is investigated and a number of data structures that have been proposed as solutions to this problem are surveyed. The purposes of this paper are to bring together a collection of widely scattered results, to acquaint the reader with the structures currently avadable for solving the particular problem of range searching, and to display a set of general methods for attacking multikey searching problems.
Prostate cancer: cryotherapy

The incidence of prostate cancer has more than doubled in the last 10 years, and 220,900 new cases will be detected in 2003. This increase is due in large part to increased use of prostate-specific antigen (PSA)-based screening, transrectal ultrasonography, and random biopsy of the prostate. The treatment of prostate cancer, however, remains controversial, and no consensus has been established as to what constitutes appropriate treatment for any stage of disease, especially for localized cancers. Radical prostatectomy, radiation therapy, or watchful waiting all have their advocates, and the risks and benefits of these approaches are discussed frequently. Skepticism about conventional treatments has stimulated patients and physicians to search for alternatives that are effective and associated with limited morbidity. Technologic developments have rekindled interest in cryotherapy as a viable alternative to other, more conventional localized therapies. Given the relative paucity of alternatives for patients who experience biochemical progression after radiotherapy, cryosurgery also may prove to be a good alternative for those patients whose tumors appear to remain localized despite progression. In addition, it appears that cryosurgery will play an increased role in the future management of prostate cancer.
Evidence Concerning Genetic Improvement in Commercial Stocks of Layers

Abstract Genetic interpretation of time trends in Random Sample Test results was studied by comparing laying performance of six major commercial stocks (A) with that of the Cornell Randombred Leghorn controls (B) under low floor (F) and high cage (C3 and C5) densities of housing: 1860 vs. 1390 cm2. during floor rearing to 20 weeks and 2230 on floor vs. 622 and 372 cm2 in cages to 72 weeks of age. Each commercial stock and each of two replicates of controls had 180 pullets per brooding density and six floor laying pens of 20 birds each plus five blocks of 9 and five of 15 birds each in 41 × 46 cm. cages. Other management was identical for all birds. Ratio of cage to floor means (C/F × 100) for A vs. B stocks was 98 vs. 91 for egg mass/hen housed, 88 vs. 90 for feed/hen-day, 108 vs. 100 for egg/feed weight, 95 vs. 88 for eggs/live hen-day, 97 vs. 89 for eggs/hen housed, 101 vs. 102 for weight/egg laid, 104 at 20 weeks and 103 vs. 107 at 71 weeks for body weight and 97.5 for albumen height; sexual maturity and adult mortality were unaffected but 0 to 20 week % mortality was 5.1/2.0 vs. 6.6/3.7. Ratio of commercial to control stocks (Ā/B × 100) under F, C3 and C5 environments was 116, 125 and 124 for egg mass/hen; 102, 102 and 97 for feed intake; 118, 128 and 129 for egg/feed weight, comparison with RST trends suggests genetic changes from 1958 to 1970 in commercial stocks under F and C environments of about 8 and 14% in both egg number and egg mass/hen housed, none in feed intake, 9 and 16% gain in both eggs/live hen-day and feed conversion, 3 and 8% lighter final body weight, 8% earlier 1st egg, 4% greater albumen height but little change in mortality, egg size or shell strength.
Masked hypertension and prehypertension: diagnostic overlap and interrelationships with left ventricular mass: the masked hypertension study

Background Masked hypertension (MHT) and prehypertension (PHT) are both associated with an increase in cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk, relative to sustained normotension. This study examined the diagnostic overlap between MHT and PHT, and their interrelationships with left ventricular (LV) mass index (LVMI), a marker of cardiovascular end-organ damage.
Detection of multiple access low-probability-of-intercept networks

Increased demands for highly connective, yet covert, communications in the tactical battlefield have fueled the development of so-called multiple access low-probability-of-intercept (MALPI) networks. Although there have been a number of research efforts regarding the design of MALPI networks, detectability analyses are typically carried out for a single network transmitter, rather than for the network at large. In this paper, we present a slightly different approach to analyzing the detectability of a MALPI network. It is assumed that the interceptor knows the basic parameters of the waveforms used (i.e., total bandwidth, number of channels, frequency hop rate, etc.). However, in the network detection scenario, we assume that the detection of any transmission(s) within the network by an unauthorised listener effectively compromises the network. What distinguishes this approach from conventional link intercept analysis is that the detection decision is based on reception of signal energy from multiple sources. Frequency hop code division multiple access (FH-CDMA) is considered. >
Dramatic enhancement of enzymatic activity in organic solvents by lyoprotectants

When seven different hydrolytic enzymes (four proteases and three lipases) were lyophilized from aqueous solution containing a ligand, N-Ac-L-Phe-NH2, their catalytic activity in anhydrous solvents was far greater (one to two orders of magnitude) than that of the enzymes lyophilized without the ligand. This ligand-induced activation was expressed regardless of whether the substrate employed in organic solvents structurally resembled the ligand. Furthermore, nonligand lyoprotectants [sorbitol, other sugars, and poly(ethylene glycol)] also dramaticaliy enhanced enzymatic activity in anhydrous solvents when present in enzyme aqueous solution prior to lyophilization. The effects of the ligand and of the lyoprotectants were nonadditive, suggesting the same mechanism of action. Excipient activated and nonactivated enzymes exhibited identical activities in water. Also, addition of the excipients directly to suspensions of nonactivated enzymes in organic solvents had no appreciable effect on catalytic activity. These observations indicate that the mechanism of the excipient-induced activation is based on the ability of the excipients to alleviate reversible denaturation of enzymes upon lyophilization. Activity enhancement induced by the excipients is displayed even after their removal by washing enzymes with anhydrous solvents. Subtilisin Carlsberg, lyophilized with sorbitol, was found to be a much more efficient practical catalyst than its “regular” counterpart. © 1993 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.
Homolog-specific PCR primer design for profiling splice variants

To study functional diversity of proteins encoded from a single gene, it is important to distinguish the expression levels among the alternatively spliced variants. A variant-specific primer pair is required to amplify each alternatively spliced variant individually. For this purpose, we developed a new feature, homolog-specific primer design (HSPD), in our high-throughput primer and probe design software tool, PRIMEGENS-v2. The algorithm uses a de novo approach to design primers without any prior information of splice variants or close homologs for an input query sequence. It not only designs primer pairs but also finds potential isoforms and homologs of the input sequence. Efficiency of this algorithm was tested for several gene families in soybean. A total of 187 primer pairs were tested under five different abiotic stress conditions with three replications at three time points. Results indicate a high success rate of primer design. Some primer pairs designed were able to amplify all splice variants of a gene. Furthermore, by utilizing combinations within the same multiplex pool, we were able to uniquely amplify a specific variant or duplicate gene. Our method can also be used to design PCR primers to specifically amplify homologs in the same gene family. PRIMEGENS-v2 is available at: http://primegens.org.
An integrated system for intelligent seam tracking in robotic welding. Conceptual and analytical development

The concept, theory, and the issues that are pertinent to the design and implementation of an adaptive real-time, intelligent seam tracker (ARTIST) are discussed. ARTIST is designed to operate in the unstructured environment of 3-D seams without preprogramming. A salient feature of the ARTIST design is that the tracking errors in any cycle do not affect the system performance during subsequent cycles. The conceptual and analytical development of a two-tier hierarchical control scheme for ARTIST is presented. The high-level controller models and interacts with the global seam environment while the low-level controller positions the torch over the seam with the correct orientation. >
Space simulation experiments on reaction control system thruster plumes.

A space simulation procedure was developed for studying rocket plume contamination effects using a 5-pound bipropellant reaction control system thruster. Vacuum chamber pressures of 3 x 10 to the minus 5 torr (70 miles altitude) were achieved with the thruster firing in pulse trains consisting of eight pulses (50 msec on, 100 msec off, and seven minutes between pulse trains). The final vacuum was achieved by cooling all vacuum chamber surfaces to liquid helium temperature and by introducing a continuous argon leak of 48 std. cc/sec into the test chamber. An effort was made to simulate propellant system flow dynamics corresponding to actual spacecraft mission use. Fast time response liquid flow rate measurements showed that large variations occurred in the ratio of oxidizer to fuel flow for pulse-on times up to 120 msec. These variations could lead to poor combustion efficiency and the production of contamination.
Natural selection at linked sites in humans

Theoretical and empirical work indicates that patterns of neutral polymorphism can be affected by linked, selected mutations. Under background selection, deleterious mutations removed from a population by purifying selection cause a reduction in linked neutral diversity. Under genetic hitchhiking, the rise in frequency and fixation of beneficial mutations also reduces the level of linked neutral polymorphism. Here we review the evidence that levels of neutral polymorphism in humans are affected by selection at linked sites. We then discuss four approaches for distinguishing between background selection and genetic hitchhiking based on (i) the relationship between polymorphism level and recombination rate for neutral loci with high mutation rates, (ii) relative levels of variation on the X chromosome and the autosomes, (iii) the frequency distribution of neutral polymorphisms, and (iv) population-specific patterns of genetic variation. Although the evidence for selection at linked sites in humans is clear, current methods and data do not allow us to clearly assess the relative importance of background selection and genetic hitchhiking in humans. These results contrast with those obtained for Drosophila, where the signals of positive selection are stronger.
"It's the little things that count": the value in receiving therapeutic letters

The focus of this qualitative study was to explore patient's perceptions of having received a therapeutic letter (TL) from a nursing student. Patient feedback contributes to student learning and is especially salient when students are trying to understand complex relationships and to deliver care that is individualized and personalized. Four themes from recipient interviews were identified, which show the influence of TLs on the student-patient relationship and the benefits of TLs to patients who receive them. Strategies to promote relationship building, such as TL writing are needed, particularly when students are required to work with patients who have long-standing psychiatric and social disabilities and find these relationships challenging. Findings are discussed in light of the value of TLs to patients and as a powerful strategy for student learning.
Controlled ovarian stimulation and ultrasound guided follicular aspiration in the baboon (Papio cynocephalus anubis).

The objective of this study was to investigate whether baboon females respond to an ovar- ian stimulation protocol incorporating pituitary suppression with a GnRH agonist (GnRHa) and highly purified human FSH (hphFSH) with follicular development and oocyte maturation. An ovu- lation induction protocol was applied to 5 adult female baboons with a history of regular menstrual cycles (33-34 days). A long-acting GnRHa implant containing goserelin acetate was placed s.c. on days 22-24 of their menstrual cycle. Daily hphFSH (75 IU im) treatments were started ~10 days following menses. When the majority of the follicles were ≥ 5 mm in diameter and the E2 levels had reached a maximum, hCG (2000 IU i.m.) was administered to induce final maturation of the oocytes and ovulation. 30 to 34 h after hCG administration, transabdominal follicular aspiration was per- formed using a variable frequency transvaginal transducer with ultrasound. A total of 71 oocytes were collected (average: 17). 91% of the oocytes were morphologically normal indicating that they were appropriate for in vitro insemination. ovarian stimulation / highly purified human FSH / GnRH agonist / ultrasound-guided oocyte retrieval / baboon
Chapter 3: Endogenous Estrogens as Carcinogens Through Metabolic Activation

A common thread linking the main risks for developing breast cancer in women is cumulative, excessive exposure to estrogen. The standard paradigm to account for this association focuses on increased cell proliferation caused by estrogen through estrogen receptor-mediated signal transduction accompanied by increased probability for mutation to occur during DNA synthesis. This chapter provides an overview of the mounting evidence, provided from cell culture and whole animal experimental studies, in support of a role for the oxidative metabolites of estrogen, in particular, the catechol estrogens, in the development of estrogen carcinogenesis. This provides a paradigm for how estrogens may contribute to the development of human breast cancer. The chapters that follow will fill in the details. Evidence shows that the catechols themselves are signaling molecules that work through the estrogen receptor. In addition, upon further oxidation, the catechols can give rise to reactive quinones capable of forming direct adducts with glutathione and purines in DNA and of redox cycling to generate reactive oxygen species that can cause oxidative damage. Estradiol and estrone, as well as their 4-hydroxy catechols, are carcinogenic in the Syrian golden hamster kidney, and ethinyl estradiol is a strong promoter of hepatocarcinogenesis in the rat. Increased oxidative DNA damage has been detected in target tissues after estrogen treatment in both animal model systems. Furthermore, several recent molecular epidemiologic studies have found that a polymorphism associated with a low-activity form of catecholO-methyltransferase, an enzyme involved in the inactivation of catechol estrogens, is associated with an increased risk for developing breast cancer. The increased risk is observed in certain women, although the studies are not consistent on which subgroup of women (e.g., premenopausal or postmenopausal) is at increased risk, and one study detected no increased risk. Reasons for such discrepancies are discussed in light of factors, such as genetic polymorphisms and environmental/lifestyle susceptibility factors, which control the tissue-specific balance within cells among the estrogen metabolites. It is concluded that such factors will have to be identified through additional mechanistic studies and that, as they are identified, they can be incorporated into future molecular epidemiologic studies designed to determine their actual impact on cancer risk in human populations.
Pre- and postnatal smoking intervention in managed care settings.

Maternal smoking has become the most preventable cause of fetal loss and preterm delivery in the United States. In addition, maternal smoking has been associated with postnatal morbidity and mortality from respiratory infections and sudden infant death syndrome.1Approximately 30% of women who are pregnant and smoke quit at some point in their pregnancy, but postpartum relapse rates in the ensuing 6–12 months average 60–80%.2 In our studies as well as others, the major predictors of continued smoking during pregnancy are daily consumption of cigarettes, low socioeconomic status, and the presence of other smokers in the home.3 Similarly, the major predictors of postnatal relapse are socioeconomic status and other …
CED-1 is a transmembrane receptor that mediates cell corpse engulfment in C. elegans.

Abstract We cloned the C. elegans gene ced-1, which is required for the engulfment of cells undergoing programmed cell death. ced-1 encodes a transmembrane protein similar to human SREC ( S cavenger R eceptor from E ndothelial C ells). We showed that ced-1 is expressed in and functions in engulfing cells. The CED-1 protein localizes to cell membranes and clusters around neighboring cell corpses. CED-1 failed to cluster around cell corpses in mutants defective in the engulfment gene ced-7 . Motifs in the intracellular domain of CED-1 known to interact with PTB and SH2 domains were necessary for engulfment but not for clustering. Our results indicate that CED-1 is a cell surface phagocytic receptor that recognizes cell corpses. We suggest that the ABC transporter CED-7 promotes cell corpse recognition by CED-1, possibly by exposing a phospholipid ligand on the surfaces of cell corpses.
The Job Costs of Family Demands Gender Differences in Negative Family-to-Work Spillover

This article uses the 1992 National Study of the Changing Workforce to examine family and workplace factors contributing to gender differences in negative family-to-work spillover. We focus on spillover as manifested when family demands negatively affect job performance. Among married workers, women were twice as likely as men to report that family demands negatively affect their job performance. This finding is due, in part, to the fact that women made more adjustments to their workloads—such as refusing overtime or turning down assignments—for the sake of family. Ordered probit analysis suggests that job characteristics are more salient than family factors for predicting the likelihood that family demands will detract from job performance and for explaining the gender gap in negative family-to-work spillover. Working in a demanding job or having little job autonomy was associated with more negative family-to-work spillover regardless of gender, while greater scheduling flexibility mitigated the gender gap.
Woolman's "I am We" Triple-Loop Action-Learning: Origin and Application in Organization Ethics

This article interprets within a behavioral science, action-learning theory framework three ethics cases where John Woolman's "I Am We" action-learning method was used. The method looks for the source of current problematic behavior in biases of a shared tradition system rather than simply within individuals; it approaches those involved in a friendly manner, asks for help in deconstructing how behaviors and values might be based on troublesome biases within our tradition, and works together with those who are agreeable to experiment with alternative behaviors that do not rest on the troublesome biases. Relevant aspects of such behavioral science concepts as exit, voice and loyalty, reciprocal interactions, and action-learning are employed and extended. Three cases where the Woolman method was used are presented and interpreted within a behavioral-science-based action-learning framework Strengths and limitations of the method are discussed. A new type of action-learning-triple-loop-is suggested.
The effectiveness of Nd:YAG laser capsulotomy for the treatment of posterior capsule opacification in children with acrylic intraocular lenses.

Introduction: Acrylic intraolcular lenses (IOLs) may result in lower rates of posterior capsular opacification (PCO) than poly(methyl methacrylate) lenses in children. Nonetheless, PCO frequently occurs eventually, especially in younger children. Here, we evaluated the success of neodymium-doped yttrium-aluminum-garnet (Nd:YAG) laser capsulotomy for the management of PCO after acrylic IOL implantation without primary capsulectomy. Methods: We reviewed 73 eyes in 57 children (age 23 months to 12 years; median, 6.4 years) who underwent Nd:YAG laser capsulotomy after AcrySof IOL implantation and who had at least 3 months follow-up (range, 3-92 months; median, 25 months). The effectiveness of laser treatment was evaluated in terms of the need for repeat laser procedures or intraocular surgery to clear the visual axis. Results: Fifty-one eyes (70%) maintained a clear visual axis after a single Nd:YAG procedure, 10 eyes (84% cumulative) after 2 Nd:YAG procedures, and another 3 eyes (88% cumulative) after 3 Nd:YAG procedures. Six eyes (8%) required pars plana membrane removal to clear the visual axis, whereas 3 eyes (4%) continue to need treatment. Life table analysis showed that the probability of continuing success after 24 months with a single Nd:YAG procedure is 68% (95% confidence interval 53-83%). In younger children (age P = 0.022). Two eyes developed mild transient elevated intraocular pressure. In 1 eye, the IOL was dislocated and replaced. Discussion: Nd:YAG laser capsulotomy is an acceptable option for the management of PCO after AcrySof IOL implantation in children and produces complications infrequently.
Observations of Interstellar Helium Pickup Ions in the Inner Heliosphere

During the MESSENGER spacecraft's interplanetary trajectory to Mercury, the Fast Imaging Plasma Spectrometer (FIPS) measured the first helium pickup ion distributions at a heliocentric distance (R) ranging between 0.3 and 0.7 AU. From several transits of MESSENGER through the interstellar helium gravitational focusing cone, we map the cone structure in the ecliptic at R=0.3 AU and compare it with observations of He+ at R=1 AU made with the Solar Wind Ion Composition Spectrometer (SWICS) on the Advanced Composition Explorer (ACE). Average downwind enhancements of ≈8 and average cone widths of ≈30° measured by each sensor match known models of neutral helium during this most recent, unusually quiet, solar minimum. The average cone center direction is calculated to be at J2000 ecliptic longitude λ_∞=76.0°(±6.0°) and 77.0°(±1.5°) from FIPS and SWICS observations, respectively. These parameters are also in agreement with previous determinations of the downwind direction of interstellar flow and demonstrate the effectiveness of using pickup ion observations inside 1 AU to map the structure of the neutral helium distribution in the heliosphere, as well as to diagnose the conditions of the interstellar medium.
Grain Boundaries in Crystallized Silicon Thin Films

The presence of residual grain boundaries in laser-crystallized thin films of silicon necessitates an understanding of their properties and effects on device operation. In CW laser crystallized silicon islands, lateral p-n junction diodes have been used to evaluate the following: (1) enhanced arsenic diffusion along grain boundaries, (2) current-voltage characteristics, and (3) effects of hydrogenation on diode operation. To study the process of hydrogen passivation, deuterium has been used as a readily identifiable isotope which duplicates hydrogen chemistry. From secondary-ion mass spectrometry, diffusion of deuterium in single-crystal and polycrystalline silicon at low temperatures (e.g., 350 C) clearly demonstrates that grain-boundary diffusion dominates bulk diffusion.
A complication of combined regional anesthesia techniques for ophthalmic surgery

Ophthalmic operations often are performed on elderly patients with significant medical problems. As a result, there may be relative contraindications to either general or regional anesthesia techniques. A patient with debilitating chronic lung disease presented for cataract extraction and intraocular lens implantation. The patient also had persistent leg and back pain that prevented him from remaining stationary for even a short period of time. It was felt that a regional block anesthesia with sedation would be hazardous. Therefore, a combination of peribulbar and lumbar epidural anesthesia was performed. This resulted in excellent patient and operating conditions. However, the patient’s intraocular pressure (IOP) increased, necessitating a delay in the operative procedure. Ultimately, the bladder distention was relieved, allowing IOP to decrease, and the operation was completed.
Comparison of oral and parenteral gold therapy and placebo in the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis.

Two hundred and eight patients entered a prospective, controlled, double-blind multicenter trial comparing auranofin, gold sodium thio-malate (GST), and placebo. One hundred and sixty-one patients completed at least 20 weeks of therapy. No remissions were seen in the trial. Response to a variety of measures of efficacy was generally modest for both gold treatment groups. There was statistically significant improvement with both gold preparations compared to placebo for the number of tender joints, the joint tenderness score, and physician assessment of disease severity. GST was also significantly better than placebo for the joint swelling score. GST demonstrated statistical improvement in patients with anaemia and thrombocytosis compared to the other treatment groups and both gold preparations were statistically superior to placebo in improvement of an elevated erythrocyte sedimentation rate. Approximately 25% of patients on GST were withdrawn from the study for adverse drug reaction with rash and stomati...
Surface processing with partially ionized plasmas

Partially ionized plasmas are used extensively to process surfaces in many areas of technology. Surface processing in this discussion includes deposition of thin films, etching of the surface itself, and modification of the existing surface by oxidation, nitriding, or texturing. Unique materials can be synthesized in reactive gas glow discharges. The development and optimization of plasma processes is impeded by both a lack of understanding of the mechanistic details and by the formidable parameter space associated with plasma equipment. The complexity of the reactive gas plasma environment coupled with the large parameter space causes difficulty in process development and optimization, but offers opportunities for discovery and invention. The ability of partially ionized plasmas to generate uniform fluxes over wide areas of energetic ions and/or reactive neutral atoms or radicals can be expected to ensure continued widespread applications for the plasma processing of surfaces. >
JETR: A ROBUST MACHINE TRANSLATION SYSTEM

This paper presents an expectation-based Japanese-to-English translation system called JETR which relies on the forward expectation-refinement process to handle ungrammatical sentences in an elegant and efficient manner without relying on the presence of particles and verbs in the source text. JETR uses a chain of result states to perform context analysis for resolving pronoun and object references and filling ellipses. Unlike other knowledge-based systems, JETR attempts to achieve semantic, pragmatic, structural and lexical invariance.
Grid Match: a basis for integrating production systems with relational databases

GridMatch, an efficient algorithm for evaluating left hand side bindings in a secondary memory environment, is described. Matching is incremental and the algorithm is state saving. Since the working-memory database and matching state are too large to fit in the main memory, careful implementation becomes crucial. GridMatch uses partitioned storage to reduce matching time. The time and space complexity of the algorithm is analyzed in detail. The algorithm was implemented in a file system environment. Results show that substantial savings in matching cost are obtained with little space overhead. As expected, matching becomes very computationally intensive in a secondary memory environment, and efficient algorithms are a must for successful integration of production systems and databases. The well-known optimisation of common subcondition evaluation is applicable to GridMatch, and it is also easily parallelizable. >
Sleep-Dependent Memory Consolidation and Reconsolidation

Molecular, cellular, and systems-level processes convert initial, labile memory representations into more permanent ones, available for continued reactivation and recall over extended periods of time. These processes of memory consolidation and reconsolidation are not all-or-none phenomena, but rather a continuing series of biological adjustments that enhance both the efficiency and utility of stored memories over time. In this chapter, we review the role of sleep in supporting these disparate but related processes.
Convex optimization for exact rank recovery in topic models

Topic models are widely used in a variety of applications including document classification and computer vision. The number of topics in the model plays an important role in terms of accuracy. We consider the problem of estimating the number of topics. In [1], a convex optimization approach was proposed to solve the problem via a constrained nuclear norm minimization. A standard semidefinite programming (SDP) was applied to solve the convex optimization only for a small size problem (e.g. 100× 100 matrix) due to its high computational complexity. To extend the applicability of the approach to large scale problems, we propose an accelerated gradient algorithm (AGA). Numerical results show that proposed algorithm can reliably solve a wide range of large scale problems in a shorter time than SDP solvers. Moreover, algorithms applied to a fairly large size real world dataset and results are provided.
Reducing the Risk of Alcohol Use Disorders in Women

Nurses and other clinicians help women to examine their lifestyles and consider changes to promote optimum health. When the question is about drinking alcohol, what is appropriate to recommend? While moderate intake may be beneficial for cardiovascular and bone health, drinking more than the recommended amount increases the risk of harmful effects. This column examines guidelines for moderate alcohol consumption for women, reviews the assessment process and demonstrates an example of a brief intervention. A program of screening, brief intervention and referral to treatment (termed SBIRT by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration) should be part of the standard assessment for every woman. Ongoing assessment of alcohol consumption can help to better target behaviors for early intervention.
AC transmission system planning choosing lines from a discrete set

Transmission system planning (TSP) is a difficult nonlinear optimization problem involving non-convex quadratic terms, as well as discrete variables. We extend prior results for linear relaxations, drawing on a preliminary notional model of the power grid for the State of Florida. Realistic line choices necessitate a binary formulation, which is at the same time substantially more expensive than the mixed-integer counterpart and more accurate. In many cases, our relaxation directly generates a feasible solution; where it does not, we apply a practical load-deflation heuristic to recover strong solutions.
Development of a wake simulator for wind energy analysis

Wind turbine and, by extension, wind farm performance is significantly impacted by the interaction between turbine generated wakes. These regions of lower wind speed created by the extraction of kinetic energy from the free stream flow by upstream turbines can lead to large losses in potential energy production for wind farms. In order to design a wind farm to take full advantage of the available wind resource, an understanding of wake phenomena must first be established. To address this, a wind turbine wake simulator was developed as part of the Mixed Reality Simulators for Wind Energy Education project, sponsored through the U.S. Department of Education's FIPSE program.Initially, a database of wind turbine and wind farm wakes for a large variety of wind conditions was generated using the commercial CFD software ANSYS Fluent. To generate wakes for single turbine cases, a 3D model of a utility-scale Horizontal Axis Wind Turbine (HAWT) was created and simulations were conducted at varying wind speeds. Additional simulations of 2D models at multi-kilometer scale were conducted using simplified arrays of 64 to 72 turbines, in order to examine the scale and intensity of wakes generated by a full wind farm. The simulator software developed then accesses the post-processed data from CFD simulations to create an interactive learning tool for examining wind turbine wake effects. The first version of the simulator is available for download at www.windenergyeducation.org.
Natural increase: the beat goes on.

A method of conveying the pace of world population growth to introductory population classes or organizations is presented. The lecturer should 1st obtain an electronic metronome preferably with volume control. The device may be borrowed from a university music department. The metronome should then be adjusted to approximately 176 beats/minute at the beginning of the presentation and the audience/class asked what each tick means. It should be explained that each tick is a net additional birth not compensated for by a death and that the beating is continuous. The lecturer may also explain that 164 beats/minute of the total; 175 stem from population growth in developing countries. The metronome may then be adjusted accordingly to the rate of 164 beats/minute. The audience may then be asked to consider whether the pace is increasing or decreasing. Despite the slow decline of the world population growth rate the pace is actually increasing and may lead to a discussion of exponential growth and population momentum.
Follow up FDG PET/CT for Recurrence Detection and Survival Outcome Prediction in Patients with non-Hodgkin lymphoma

599 Objectives This study is designed to evaluate the value of follow up PET/CT in the detection of recurrence as well as determining its prognostic value in patients with non-Hodgkin lymphoma (NHL). Methods All patients diagnosed with NHL who had at least one follow up PET/CT six months after the completion of their treatment were included. There were 204 eligible NHL patients and 560 eligible PET/CT scans. The accuracy of PET/CT scans was established with histopathology or six months clinical follow up as reference standard. The change in management was recorded after each follow up PET/CT scan in comparison to the management plan prior to the study. Cox regression model was established for clinical covariates and imaging results. Overall survival was evaluated using Kaplan-Meier plots with a Log-rank test. Results The sensitivity, specificity, PPV, NPV, and accuracy of FDG-PET/CT in detecting recurrent lymphoma were 95.1%, 90.5%, 84.5%, 97.1%, 92.1% respectively. Among 560 scans, 388 (69.3%) scans were done routinely and 172 (30.7%) scans were done due to clinical suspicion. Follow up scan results suggested disease in 22.2% routine scan and ruled out suspected disease in 17.4% scans with prior clinical suspicion. The management of NHL patients was changed after 17% of follow up scans. New treatment modalities were started for 15.7% of patients, and the treatment modality was changed or stopped after 1.6% of scans. The management of NHL patients was not changed after 74.8% scans (53.6% no treatment to no treatment and 21.2% continue the same treatment). A total of 157 (77%) patients survived and 47 (23%) patients had died during the median follow up period of 16.5 months. On multivariate Cox regression analysis, age (p Conclusions Follow up PET/CT scans added value to clinical assessment and management of NHL patients and had excellent accuracy in recurrence detection.
Struggling Readers? Using Theory to Complicate Understandings of What It Means to Be Literate in School

Theories guide many aspects of literacy research. In this article we describe four theoretical approaches that we have used in qualitative research with students who are perceived to struggle with ...
Illustrations of Fungi—XX

Pileus convex to plane or depressed, irregular, often umbonate, densely cespitose, Io-20 cm. broad; surface glabrous, saffronyellow; context thick, white or yellowish becoming sordid with age, the odor agreeable and the taste not characteristic; lamellae broad, decurrent, saffron-yellow; spores abundant, globose, hyaline, 4-5 /; stipe long, firm, glabrous, concolorous, tapering toward the base of the cluster.
Evolving Paradigm of Radiotherapy for High-Risk Prostate Cancer: Current Consensus and Continuing Controversies

High-risk prostate cancer is an aggressive form of the disease with an increased risk of distant metastasis and subsequent mortality. Multiple randomized trials have established that the combination of radiation therapy and long-term androgen deprivation therapy improves overall survival compared to either treatment alone. Standard of care for men with high-risk prostate cancer in the modern setting is dose-escalated radiotherapy along with 2-3 years of androgen deprivation therapy (ADT). There are research efforts directed towards assessing the efficacy of shorter ADT duration. Current research has been focused on assessing hypofractionated and stereotactic body radiation therapy (SBRT) techniques. Ongoing randomized trials will help assess the utility of pelvic lymph node irradiation. Research is also focused on multimodality therapy with addition of a brachytherapy boost to external beam radiation to help improve outcomes in men with high-risk prostate cancer.
Microbial Community Composition and Extracellular Enzyme Activities Associated with "Juncus roemerianus" and "Spartina alterniflora" Vegetated Sediments in Louisiana Saltmarshes

Saltmarshes are typically dominated by perennial grasses with large underground rhizome systems that can change local sediment conditions and be important in shaping the sediment microbial community. Factors such as salinity that control plant zonation in saltmarshes are also likely to influence the microbial community, but little is known as to whether microbial communities share distribution patterns with plants in these systems. To determine the extent to which microbial assemblages are influenced by saltmarsh plant communities, as well as to examine patterns in microbial community structure at local and regional scales, we sampled sediments at three saltmarshes in Louisiana, USA. All three systems exhibit a patchy distribution of Juncus roemerianus stands within a Spartina alterniflora marsh. Sediment samples were collected from the interior of several J. roemerianus stands as well as from the S. alterniflora matrix. Samples were assayed for extracellular enzyme activity and DNA extracted to determine microbial community composition. Denaturing gradient gel electrophoresis of rRNA gene fragments was used to determine regional patterns in bacterial, archaeal, and fungal assemblages, while Illumina sequencing was used to examine local, vegetation-driven, patterns in community structure at one site. Both enzyme activity and microbial community structure were primarily influenced by regional site. Within individual saltmarshes, bacterial and archaeal communities differed between J. roemerianus and S. alterniflora vegetated sediments, while fungal communities did not. These results highlight the importance of the plant community in shaping the sediment microbial community in saltmarshes but also demonstrate that regional scale factors are at least as important.
Revisiting The Use of Pioglitazone in the Treatment of Type 2 Diabetes

Abbreviations: CHF = congestive heart failure GLP-1 RA = glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonist T2D = type 2 diabetes TZD = thiazolidinedione
Valley and channel networks extraction based on local topographic curvature and K‐means clustering of contours

A method for automatic extraction of valley and channel networks from high-resolution digital elevation models (DEMs) is presented. This method utilizes both positive (i.e., convergent topography) and negative (i.e., divergent topography) curvature to delineate the valley network. The valley and ridge skeletons are extracted using the pixels' curvature and the local terrain conditions. The valley network is generated by checking the terrain for the existence of at least one ridge between two intersecting valleys. The transition from unchannelized to channelized sections (i.e., channel head) in each 1st-order valley tributary is identified independently by categorizing the corresponding contours using an unsupervised approach based on K-means clustering. The method does not require a spatially constant channel initiation threshold (e.g., curvature or contributing area). Moreover, instead of a point attribute (e.g., curvature), the proposed clustering method utilizes the shape of contours, which reflects the entire cross-sectional profile including possible banks. The method was applied to three catchments: Indian Creek and Mid Bailey Run in Ohio, and Feather River in California. The accuracy of channel head extraction from the proposed method is comparable to state-of-the-art channel extraction methods. This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved.
Optimizing selection of training and auxiliary data for operational land cover classification for the LCMAP initiative

Abstract The U.S. Geological Survey’s Land Change Monitoring, Assessment, and Projection (LCMAP) initiative is a new end-to-end capability to continuously track and characterize changes in land cover, use, and condition to better support research and applications relevant to resource management and environmental change. Among the LCMAP product suite are annual land cover maps that will be available to the public. This paper describes an approach to optimize the selection of training and auxiliary data for deriving the thematic land cover maps based on all available clear observations from Landsats 4–8. Training data were selected from map products of the U.S. Geological Survey’s Land Cover Trends project. The Random Forest classifier was applied for different classification scenarios based on the Continuous Change Detection and Classification (CCDC) algorithm. We found that extracting training data proportionally to the occurrence of land cover classes was superior to an equal distribution of training data per class, and suggest using a total of 20,000 training pixels to classify an area about the size of a Landsat scene. The problem of unbalanced training data was alleviated by extracting a minimum of 600 training pixels and a maximum of 8000 training pixels per class. We additionally explored removing outliers contained within the training data based on their spectral and spatial criteria, but observed no significant improvement in classification results. We also tested the importance of different types of auxiliary data that were available for the conterminous United States, including: (a) five variables used by the National Land Cover Database, (b) three variables from the cloud screening “Function of mask” (Fmask) statistics, and (c) two variables from the change detection results of CCDC. We found that auxiliary variables such as a Digital Elevation Model and its derivatives (aspect, position index, and slope), potential wetland index, water probability, snow probability, and cloud probability improved the accuracy of land cover classification. Compared to the original strategy of the CCDC algorithm (500 pixels per class), the use of the optimal strategy improved the classification accuracies substantially (15-percentage point increase in overall accuracy and 4-percentage point increase in minimum accuracy).
Stereoselective Synthesis of the C1–C9 and C11–C25 Fragments of Amphidinolides C, C2, C3, and F

An efficient synthesis of the C1–C9 and the C11–C25 fragments of amphidinolides C, C2, C3, and F from a common intermediate is reported. The construction of the C1–C9 fragment involves an intramolecular hetero-Michael cyclization to form the 3,5-disubstituted trans-tetrahydrofuran moiety. The approach to prepare the C11–C25 fragment utilizes a highly stereoselective aerobic cobalt-catalyzed alkenol cyclization and a chelated Mukaiyama aldol reaction to form the C13–C14 bond and to concomitantly install the C13 hydroxyl group.
Substitutional Electron and Hole Doping of WSe 2 : Synthesis, Electrical Characterization, and Observation of Band-to-Band Tunneling

Electronic applications of transition-metal dichalcogenides (TMDs) might require $p$-type or $n$-type doping. Heavy doping of TMDs also facilitates the formation of low-resistance ohmic contacts, which is essential for both device applications and fundamental study of electrical transport in these materials. The authors succeed in synthesizing WSe${}_{2}$ samples substituted with Nb ($p$-doped) and Re ($n$-doped), systematically characterize their electrical properties, and finally combine them to demonstrate an unconventional $p-n$ diode.
Hot Spots from Dislocation Pile-up Avalanches

The model of localized adiabatic heating associated with release of a dislocation pile-up avalanche is described and re-evaluated. The model supplies a fundamental explanation of shear banding behavior in metal and non-metal systems. Now, a dislocation dynamics description is provided for more realistic assessment of the hot spot heating, for both straight dislocation pile-ups and circular loop pile-ups. Such a localized heating effect was overestimated in the earlier work, in part, to show the dramatic enhancement of the work rate, and the corresponding temperature build-up, potentially occurring in the initial pile-up release, say, at achievement of the critical dislocation mechanics-based stress intensity for cleavage. Proposed applications are to potentially brittle metal, ionic, and energetic material systems.