cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Modeling Above-Ground Biomass in Tallgrass Prairie Using Ultra-High Spatial Resolution sUAS Imagery

The authors examined the relationship between tallgrass above-ground biomass (AGB) and NDVI from ultra-high spatial resolution multispectral imagery collected by small unmanned aircraft systems (sUAS). This study was conducted at the Tallgrass Prairie National Preserve in Chase County, Kansas. Results show that NDVI values computed from sUAS imagery explained up to 94 percent of the variance (p <0.01) in AGB measurements. The model coefficient of determination (r₂) decreased with increasing aircraft flight altitude suggesting image spatial resolution is a key factor influencing the strength of the relationship. A scaling-up approach from small-scale sUAS imagery to broad-scale, digital aerial imagery collected at 1,200 meters by a piloted aircraft was used to provide AGB model estimates across the entire 4,500 ha of the Preserve. Spectral reflectance data measured by spectroradiometer were also used to identify three optimal regions of the spectrum that have the highest significant correlations with tallgrass AGB.
High-efficiency microstructured semiconductor neutron detectors that are arrayed, dual-integrated, and stacked

Abstract Silicon diodes with large aspect ratio 3D microstructures backfilled with 6 LiF show a significant increase in neutron detection efficiency beyond that of conventional thin-film coated planar devices. Described in this work are advancements in the technology using detector stacking methods and summed-detector 6×6-element arraying methods to dramatically increase the sensitivity to thermal neutrons. The intrinsic detection efficiency of the 6×6 array for normal-incident 0.0253 eV neutrons was found 6.8% compared against a calibrated 3 He proportional counter.
Charge Profiling of the p-AlGaN Electron Blocking Layer in AlGaInN Light Emitting Diode Structures

Characterization of operational AlGaInN heterostructure light emitting diodes (LEDs) is critical to their performance optimization and time-to-failure analysis. Typically, device performance data needs to be corroborated with structural information such as layer thicknesses, charge profiles, and the absolute location of the pn-junction. Here, non-destructive testing by capacitance-voltage profiling is being applied to AlGaInN LED structures. Within a large set of samples with different active layer geometry, we observe distinct layers of high mobile charge accumulation. We correlate those with layer thicknesses derived from an x-ray diffraction analysis of the corresponding epiwafers. In this way, we identify the charge maxima as the upper and lower interfaces of the p-type AlGaN electron blocking layer to the neighboring GaN layers. By means of this successful analysis, we now have the opportunity to monitor epi process performance and stability as well as device degradation progress quasi-continuously over the device lifetime in a non-destructive mode.
Xanthine oxidase and adenosine deaminase in commercial bovine spleen phosphodiesterase preparations.

Abstract Commercial bovine spleen phosphodiesterase preparations contain xanthine oxidase activity; the xanthine oxidase in such preparations mediates the oxidation of a pteridine derivative as well as a standard purine substrate (hypoxanthine). The xanthine oxidase activity in the phosphodiesterase preparations is inhibited strongly by allopurinol (4-hydroxypyrazolo(3,4-d) pyrimidine). The reported ability of phosphodiesterase preparations to catalyze the deamination of adenosine derivatives appears to be due to contamination with a conventional adenosine deaminase in view of the observations that this activity is inhibited by an established inhibitor of adenosine deaminase and that the relative rates of deamination of N 1 -methyladenosine and adenosine are similar with both the phosphodiesterase preparation and calf intestine adenosine deaminase.
Phocomelia with congenital hypoplastic thrombocytopenia and myeloid leukemoid reactions.

Five patients with phocomelia of the upper extremities and associated blood cell abnormalities are reported. The skeletal anomalies were consistent in that there were five-fingered hands, absent radii and ulnae, and hypoplastic humeri. In each patient there was a persistent hypoplastic thrombocytopenia, which was most profound in the early months of life and tended to improve with age. Each patient also had episodes of myeloid leukemoid reactions. The etiology of this condition is unknown, but it is of interest that two of the patients were siblings.
What do beginning students know, and what can they do?

We are studying what students know about computer science-related topics before they take formal coursework at the university level. Preliminary results suggest that entering students have a fairly sophisticated understanding of algorithms. We are exploring other central computing topics for similar shared commonsense understanding.
Pharmacodynamics and Pharmacokinetics of Oral Contraceptives Co-administered with Alosetron (Lotronex)

The 5-HT3 receptor antagonist alosetron (Lotronex) is indicated for use in women with severe, chronic, diarrhea-predominant irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) who have failed conventional therapy. Oral contraceptives (OCs) and alosetron are potential co-medications in women of childbearing age. This study assessed the effect of alosetron co-administration on pharmacodynamic markers of contraceptive efficacy, on the pharmacokinetics of estrogen and progesterone OC components, and on the activity of biochemical markers for the risk of thrombosis. This was an open label, nonrandomized two-way crossover study in 18 healthy women stabilized for 3 months on a low-dose OC containing ethinyl estradiol (EE) and levonorgestrel (LN). Alosetron had no effect on serum concentrations of luteinizing hormone (LH) or follicle-stimulating hormone. Ovarian activity grades (assessing follicle size, progesterone, and 17β-estradiol concentrations) were similar during OC use with and without alosetron. Steady-state (Day 21) AUC24, C max, and t max of both LN and EE were similar during coadministration of alosetron with an OC. Concentrations and activity of biochemical markers of thrombosis risk were not different in the presence of alosetron. These results indicate that alosetron does not alter the pharmacokinetics or pharmacodynamic markers of efficacy for a low-dose combination OC. The results also suggest that thromboembolic risk is not increased when alosetron is co-administered with an OC.
Effects of frontal lobe lesions on hypothesis sampling during concept formation

Thirty-two subjects with unilateral cerebral tumors were assessed for the use of hypotheses and cognitive strategies during a visual discrimination task. Subjects with frontal lobe lesions attained fewer concepts and used fewer appropriate hypotheses than subjects with tumors confined to the posterior hemisphere, although there was no difference in total hypotheses used. Lose-stay errors were committed with greater frequency among patients with frontal lobe lesions, although not all subjects with frontal lobe tumors exhibited this error tendency. The results of hypothesis sampling and a second visual discrimination transfer task suggested that the frontal lobe deficit was related to difficulty in attending to multiple cues and in monitoring feedback to segregate relevant from irrelevant sources of information.
The persistence of (HIV in) memory (T cells)

Abstract Such a long, long time to be gone and a short time to be there `Box of Rain' Grateful Dead (words by Robert Hunter)
Gastric bleeding in portal hypertension: Inflammatory or congestive?

This paper reports the incidence and natural history of macroscopic gastritis in a series of 127 consecutive patients with portal hypertension of various aetiologies. Gastritis was observed endoscopically in 65 patients (51%) and was of two main types. Twenty eight patients had severe or persistent gastritis which caused clinically significant bleeding on 80 occasions and accounted for 25% of the bleeds from all sources. The remainder had mild gastritis. The presence of gastritis seemed to be independent of the severity of liver disease or the degree of rise of wedged hepatic venous pressure and there was no difference in age, sex, or drugs prescribed in patients with or without gastritis. The mean follow up period and the mean number of sclerotherapy treatments was significantly greater (p<0.005) in patients with gastritis. Full thickness gastric biopsies in seven surgical patients and 11 autopsy specimens showed dilated and tortuous submucosal veins. Endoscopic biopsies in 14 patients showed vascular ectasia in the mucosal layer which was in excess of the degree of inflammatory infiltrate. Gastritis occurred in patients with portal hypertension of all common aetiologies and the clinical and pathological evidence supports the contention that it reflects a congested gastric mucosa and should be renamed congestive gastropathy. As injection sclerotherapy improves survival from variceal bleeding congestive gastropathy may become more common. The response to conventional (‘anti-erosive’) therapy is poor and measures aimed at reducing the gastric portal pressure may be the only effective means of treating this condition.
Squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck in nonsmokers and nondrinkers: An analysis of clinicopathologic characteristics and treatment outcomes

Background: The objective of this study was to describe the clinicopathologic manifestations of disease and outcomes of treatment among individuals without a history of smoking tobacco or consuming alcohol who develop head and neck cancer. Methods: Of 1648 invasive head and neck cancer cases treated between 1970 and 2001 at Roswell Park Cancer Institute, 40 patients were identified as never having smoked tobacco or consumed alcohol during their lifetime. These cases were reviewed to gather data on multiple clinicopathologic variables. Results: Mean age at presentation of nonsmoker/nondrinker head and neck cancer patients was 60 years (range, 27 to 90 years), and 78% (n = 31) of the patients were women. The distributions of tumor sites were 75.0% oral cavity (n = 30), 20.0% oropharynx (n = 8), and 5.0% larynx (n = 2). Sixteen patients (40%) experienced a recurrence of disease during the follow-up period, and 10 patients (25.0%) developed a second primary tumor a median of 6 years after their initial diagnosis. Conclusions: The nonsmoker/nondrinker head and neck cancer patient tends to be elderly and female, have oral cavity primary tumors, and be predisposed to second primary tumor development.
Imitation of Self-Aggressive Behavior: An Experimental Test of the Contagion Hypothesis

The purpose of the present study was to experimentally examine the influence of a self-aggressive model on self-aggressive behavior under controlled laboratory conditions. Participants (N = 94) were given the opportunity to self-administer electric shock while competing with a fictitious opponent in a reaction-time task. Participants observed the opponent self-administer either increasingly intense shock (a self-aggressive model) or constant low shocks (a non-self-aggressive model). Self-aggression was defined as the intensity of shock that was self-administered by participants. Results provide support for the notion that social information can influence the expression of self-aggressive behavior. Specifically, participants attended to the opponent's shock choices in both model conditions, and chose shocks consistent with those of the observed model.
Binding properties of purified adult and fetal bovine serum albumin.

Abstract Fetal and adult bovine serum albumin were purified by standard techniques and then treated with activated charcoal at pH 2.75 to remove small molecular weight ligands. The two proteins were compared and found to be identical by the following criteria: isoelectric focusing, electrophoresis on cellulose acetate and polyacrylamide gel, by the binding of bromcresol green, salicylic acid, diphenylhydantoin, and six different fatty acids (palmitic, stearic, oleic, elaidic, linoleic, and arachidonic). Reports of marked differences in the capacities of fetal and adult plasma to bind bilirubin and various drugs have usually been attributed to the presence of a fetal albumin. Our results, however, are consistent with the view that there is no difference between adult and fetal albumin and that the observed altered binding properties of fetal plasma are due to the tight binding of a ligand to fetal albumin in blood, which modifies the protein's affinity for lipophilic compounds.
Determination of tetracycline antibiotics in beef and pork tissues using ion-paired liquid chromatography.

A simplified procedure was developed for determination of tetracycline antibiotics in tissues which improved stability of these compounds in sample extracts and eliminated the need for troublesome ...
CD40 activation in human pancreatic islets and ductal cells.

CD40 expression on non-haematopoietic cells is linked to inflammation. We previously reported that CD40 is expressed on isolated human and non-human primate islets and its activation results in secretion of IL-8, macrophage inflammatory protein 1-beta (MIP-1β) and monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 (MCP-1) through nuclear factor-κB and extracellularly regulated kinases 1/2 pathways. The objective of this study was to identify the pattern of gene expression, and to study viability and functionality affected by CD40–CD40 ligand (CD40L) interaction in human islets. Furthermore, we have studied the CD40-mediated cytokine/chemokine profile in pancreatic ductal cells, as they are always present in human islet transplant preparations and express CD40 constitutively. CD40–CD40L gene expression modulation was studied by microarray on islet cells depleted of ductal cells. Selected genes were validated by quantitative RT-PCR. The cytokine profile in purified ductal cells was evaluated by Luminex technology, based on the use of fluorescent-coated beads, known as microspheres, and capable of multiplex detection of proteins from a single sample. Glucose-stimulated insulin secretion and islet viability were assessed by perifusion and 7-aminoactinomycin D membrane exclusion, respectively. Statistical analysis of microarrays identified 30 genes exhibiting at least a 2.5-fold increase across all replicate arrays. The majority of them were related to oxidative stress/inflammation. Prominently upregulated were chemokine C-X-C motif ligand 1 (CXCL1), CXCL2 and CXCL3 belonging to the CXC family of chemokines related to IL-8. CD40-mediated CXCL1 secretion was confirmed by ELISA. The viability or in vitro function was not affected by CD40 activation. In addition to previously reported IL-8, MIP-1β and MCP-1, CD40 stimulation in ductal cells produced IL-1β, IFN-γ, TNF-α, granulocyte colony-stimulating factor and granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor. CD40 activation in islets and ductal cells produces cytokines/chemokines with a broad-spectrum range of biological functions.
SU‐E‐T‐499: Assessment of Patient Setup Accuracy at a Treatment Position after the Patient Has Been Registered at Another Location Using Robotic Positioner and a Dual KV Imaging System

Purpose: We use cardinal angle and beam eye view images with DRRs to register a patient at every treatment position. This process is time consuming; moreover, every treatment position is not amenable to imaging. This study is to assess the combined robotic positioner and gantry movement accuracy at a treatment position relative to zero yaw image registration so that additional imaging at the new location can be avoided. Methods: A Styrofoam phantom 30 cm × 30 cm × 30 cm with beekleys embedded in such a way that they could easily be distinguished on a DRR. The phantom was CT scanned with a 2.5 mm slice thickness and a 50 cm field of view. Treatment planningDRRs were created at numerous table and gantry angles. The phantom was subsequently set up in the treatment room with both table yaw and gantry at zero. The table was loaded with 200 lb weight in order to replicate a typical patient. Image registration was carried out using cardinal angle images and the DRRs. The robotic positioner and gantry were then moved to a new treatment position. The accuracy of the move was evaluated using the beam eye view image, the orthogonal images at the new position and the DRRs for this location. The process was repeated for numerous table and gantry positions as predetermined during treatment planning. Results: The accuracy was found better than a 1.0 mm for all moves except near treatment position with table yaw 90° and Gantry angle between 180° to 270°, where the accuracy was still better than 1.7 mm. Conclusions: As such, the system can be clinically used for patient registration, but we are in the process of further improving the setup accuracy for all clinically relevant robotic positioner and gantry movements without additional imaging.
When Do National Movements Adopt or Reject International Agendas? A Comparative Analysis of the Chinese and Indian Women's Movements

When do national movements adopt or reject international agendas? This question regarding the relationship between global and local thinking goes to the heart of the current globalization debates. This study examines the contrasting responses from the Chinese and Indian women s movements to the agenda adopted by the United Nations Fourth World Conference on Women. The contrast challenges the dominant assumption that global thinking can substitute for local thinking. The article shows how national movements decided for or against international agendas through context-dependent meaning-making processes. The Chinese and Indian movements drew on the international agenda to pursue similar national policy goals. Each reached its decision on the international agenda through a similar sequence of interactions with the government. However, due to mediation by nationally unique combinations of political rules and policy-related timing, the two movements attached opposite meanings to the international agenda. The Chinese movement embraced the international agenda and reinterpreted it by emphasizing its difference from the government position; the Indian movement used the international agenda as a surrogate target and rejected it by emphasizing its similarities to the government position. The article also proposes an alternative conceptualization of authoritarianism and democracy that understands better international influences on social movement dynamics.
Estimation of blood platelet survival—V. A method for the analysis of population data

Abstract A maximum likelihood estimator of the parameters for a multiple-hit curve which fits best the empirical decay of a population label of circulating platelets is derived. The model is deterministic with errors of measurement which are normally and independently distributed and with constant variance. The justification for these assumptions has been discussed in an earlier paper. The method, which is iterative, is discussed in considerable detail and the properties of the estimator have been explored by Monte-Carlo simulation. The adequacy of the large-sample estimates of the variances and covariances is explored where the ‘data' comprise ten equally-spaced points, a realistic simulation of natural experimental conditions. The following statements appear to be warranted. Individual estimates of n (the number of ‘hits to destruction') and a (the ‘intensity of the risk' of a hit) are very imprecise and positively biased. However, the ratio of them, which estimates the mean survival, is highly stable with very little bias. Thus even if the multiple-hit model is not treated as a literal description of the economy of the platelet it provides an excellent smoothing function when the data points are few and experimental error not trivial. In any case the estimate of the intercept on the vertical axis is excellent. From the residual sum of squares with the best fitting multiple-hit curve the variance of experimental error can be satisfactorily estimated by dividing by the number of data points less three. From this estimate the standard error of the estimate of the mean can be estimated in the individual set of data. Attempts to find a variance-stabilizing transformation for the estimate of the mean which will render it independent of n have failed. This method is now available for practical use.
TSH secretory responses to prolonged infusion of TRH in hypothyroid rats.

Continuous infusion of 0.1-10 micrograms/ml of TRH was performed through chronic i.v. cannulas in unrestrained, unanesthetized hypothyroid rats. Infusion of a constant concentration of TRH induced a peak in the plasma TSH concentration within 5-15 min which declined to the baseline within 1 h. The refractory period lasted 20-40 min after stopping the continuous TRH infusion. A second burst of TSH secretion was induced by increasing the TRH concentration during the refractory period while TRH was being continuously infused. These data indicate that in hypothyroid rats TSH secretion rapidly becomes refractory to continuous exposure to the same concentration of TRH but is stimulated by a higher TRH concentration. This suggests there is heterogeneity in TSH secretory units, which may consist of a constellation of thyrotrophs or of discrete intracellular secretory units, each with a threshold of specific response to TRH.
Inferring Markov chains : Bayesian estimation, model comparison, entropy rate, and out-of-class modeling

Markov chains are a natural and well understood tool for describing one-dimensional patterns in time or space. We show how to infer kth order Markov chains, for arbitrary k, from finite data by applying Bayesian methods to both parameter estimation and model-order selection. Extending existing results for multinomial models of discrete data, we connect inference to statistical mechanics through information-theoretic (type theory) techniques. We establish a direct relationship between Bayesian evidence and the partition function which allows for straightforward calculation of the expectation and variance of the conditional relative entropy and the source entropy rate. Finally, we introduce a method that uses finite data-size scaling with model-order comparison to infer the structure of out-of-class processes.
Evolution of imaging spectrometry: past, present, and future

of imaging spectrometry:past, present and futureJames B. BreckinridgeObservational Systems DivisionJet Propulsion Laboratory, California Institute of TechnologyPasadena, California 91109ABSTRACTAn overview of the physical principals of imaging spectrometry for detailed characterization of remote objects and of gasvapors is given. The terms Multi-spectral, Hyperspectral, and Ultra-spectral are defined within the framework of applicationsand instrument system design approaches. History of the development of imaging spectrometers is reviewed. We are at thethreshold of major commercial efforts for these instrument systems.1. INTRODUCTIONMan views his surroundings in color and draws conclusion about the character of the environment that effects his wellbeing. For example, red and yellow leaves on trees indicates the season is fall and perhaps an overcoat is required. A 2-inchspherical object is observed to have a rough texture and be yellow, a clue this might be a lemon. Man fuses his senses of color,shape, size and weight to characterize his surroundings. The visual colors provide clues about the maturity and health of plantsand help us to identify rock, soil and mineral types. Man's vision is limited to less than 10% of the spectral region available toimaging spectrometers. These new instruments which cover over 10 times the spectral region covered by the eye are a powerfultool that is providing new understanding of the world around us.Economic security of the US depends our ability to manage our resources of land, water, forestry, crops, coastal zone, andatmosphere. The NASA mission to planet earth (MTPE) science objectives address the fundamental physical, chemical, andbiological phenomena that govern and integrate the Earth system. Imaging spectrometers will provide much of the scientificdata required. MTPE observations will permit assessment of various Earth system processes, including the following: 1.Hydrologic processes, which govern the interactions of land and ocean surfaces with the atmosphere through the transport ofheat, moisture, and momentum. 2. Biogeochemical processes, which contribute to the formation, dissipation, and transport oftrace gases and aerosols, and their global distributions. 3. Atmospheric processes, which control the formation, dissipation, anddistribution of clouds and aerosols and their interactions with solar radiation. 4. Ecological processes, which are affected byand/or will affect global change, and their response to such changes through adaptation. 5.
A Proteomics Study of Brassinosteroid Response in Arabidopsis

The plant steroid hormones brassinosteroids (BRs) play an important role in a wide range of developmental and physiological processes. How BR signaling regulates diverse processes remains unclear. To understand the molecular details of BR responses, we performed a proteomics study of BR-regulated proteins in Arabidopsis using two-dimensional DIGE coupled with LC-MS/MS. We identified 42 BR-regulated proteins, which are predicted to play potential roles in BR regulation of specific cellular processes, such as signaling, cytoskeleton rearrangement, vesicle trafficking, and biosynthesis of hormones and vitamins. Analyses of the BR-insensitive mutant bri1-116 and BR-hypersensitive mutant bzr1-1D identified five proteins (PATL1, PATL2, THI1, AtMDAR3, and NADP-ME2) affected both by BR treatment and in the mutants, suggesting their importance in BR action. Selected proteins were further studied using insertion knock-out mutants or immunoblotting. Interestingly about 80% of the BR-responsive proteins were not identified in previous microarray studies, and direct comparison between protein and RNA changes in BR mutants revealed a very weak correlation. RT-PCR analysis of selected genes revealed gene-specific kinetic relationships between RNA and protein responses. Furthermore BR-regulated posttranslational modification of BiP2 protein was detected as spot shifts in two-dimensional DIGE. This study provides novel insights into the molecular networks that link BR signaling to specific cellular and physiological responses.
Thin tapes of high-purity silicon — Iron for magnetic amplifiers

THE CHOICE of magnetic material for use in magnetic amplifiers is related to the requirements placed upon the amplifier. In the case of low- and medium-performance amplifiers, any good ferromagnetic material may be suitable; for high-performance amplifiers, however, the ferromagnetic core material must more closely approximate that which is considered the ideal magnetic material for magnetic amplifiers. Such an ideal material would be characterized by high saturation flux density, zero differential permeability in the saturation branch of the dynamic hysteresis loop, infinite permeability below the knee of the loop, and losses and coercive force that approach zero. 1,2 Thus, silicon-iron, which has a high saturation flux density compared to other magnetic materials such as Deltamax (an oriented 50% Ni−50% Fe alloy), finds little use in high-performance magnetic amplifiers because of its relatively high coercive force and lack of loop squareness, particularly in laminations less than about 0.004 inch thick. Deltamax, which has a lower saturation flux density than silicon-iron, is used to a considerable extent in magnetic amplifiers because it has lower coercive forces and higher values of squareness than silicon-iron. The advantage of the higher saturation flux density of most silicon-irons is lost when the material is used in a magnetic amplifier. Yet, because of its high saturation flux density, silicon-iron would be useful in magnetic amplifiers if the a-c coercive force were lower and the induction at low magnetizing forces were higher. Such improvements in magnetic properties of silicon-iron have been obtained by utilizing and controlling differences in surface energy to act as the driving force for crystal growth. 3–5 Sharply improved (110) [001] crystal orientations, compared to commercial-oriented silicon-iron, have been obtained in sheets and tapes of high-purity silicon-iron from 0.001 to 0.012 inch thick. 3
Homeopathic Medications as Clinical Alternatives for Symptomatic Care of Acute Otitis Media and Upper Respiratory Infections in Children

The public health and individual risks of inappropriate antibiotic prescribing and conventional over-the-counter symptomatic drugs in pediatric treatment of acute otitis media (AOM) and upper respiratory infections (URIs) are significant. Clinical research suggests that over-the-counter homeopathic medicines offer pragmatic treatment alternatives to conventional drugs for symptom relief in children with uncomplicated AOM or URIs. Homeopathy is a controversial but demonstrably safe and effective 200-year-old whole system of complementary and alternative medicine used worldwide. Numerous clinical studies demonstrate that homeopathy accelerates early symptom relief in acute illnesses at much lower risk than conventional drug approaches. Evidence-based advantages for homeopathy include lower antibiotic fill rates during watchful waiting in otitis media, fewer and less serious side effects, absence of drug-drug interactions, and reduced parental sick leave from work. Emerging evidence from basic and preclinical science research counter the skeptics' claims that homeopathic remedies are biologically inert placebos. Consumers already accept and use homeopathic medicines for self care, as evidenced by annual US consumer expenditures of $2.9 billion on homeopathic remedies. Homeopathy appears equivalent to and safer than conventional standard care in comparative effectiveness trials, but additional well-designed efficacy trials are indicated. Nonetheless, the existing research evidence on safety supports pragmatic use of homeopathy in order to "first do no harm" in the early symptom management of otherwise uncomplicated AOM and URIs in children.
Agricultural supply response: A survey

Abstract This paper surveys the literature on agricultural supply response to prices in developing countries. Empirical estimates of elasticities depend both on the methodology adopted and on country- specific factors relating to technology, economic structure and macro constraints. The paper seeks to establish some general conclusions on supply responsiveness within these limitations. Supply response to output prices at the aggregate and at the crop levels is considered first. Crop-specific acreage elasticities range between zero and 0.8 in the short run while long-run elasticities tend to be higher—between 0.3 and 1.2. Yield elasticities are smaller and less stable than acreage elasticities. Clearly, inter-crop pricing can be relied upon to effect shifts in the commodity composition of agricultural output. Evidence also suggests that supply elasticities vary systematically with such factors as price and yield risks, multiple-cropping, the importance of the crop, farm incomes, farm size, tenancy and literacy. The most controversial and important aspect of supply response is the effect on aggregate agricultural output of agriculture's terms of trade. Conventional time-series estimates range from 0.1 to 0.3. A major cross-country study reports an aggregate elasticity as high as 1.66. It is argued that cross-country estimates are apt to exaggerate aggregate responsiveness while time-series studies underestimate it somewhat. For LDCs, a tentative range of 0.4 to 0.5 seems plausible. Hence, the distributive effects of the terms of trade are likely to be more significant than the allocative effects. Asian evidence shows that only a third of the inter-country differences in fertilizer use can be attributed to fertilizer price policies. Provided new technologies and infrastructure are in place, fertilizer subsidies can help in technology diffusion and in over-coming credit constraints. The choice between price supports and input subsidies will depend on a variety of country- or situation-specific factors. Nevertheless, a significant general factor favoring price supports is that they can more easily be coupled with price stabilization goals than input subsidies. Though sparse, the available evidence on the response of marketed surplus suggests that price policy is not a reliable instrument for regulating inter-sectoral trade.
Does Attending Worship Mitigate Racial/Ethnic Discrimination in Influencing Health Behaviors? Results From an Analysis of the California Health Interview Survey

Existing research suggests that religious institutions play a significant role in improving the health of communities, particularly those coping with racial and ethnic discrimination. Using the California Health Interview Survey, this article examines the relationship of self-reported experiences of racial/ethnic discrimination, worship attendance, and several health behaviors. Supporting existing research, higher self-reported racial/ethnic discrimination is associated with worse health behaviors. Logistic regression models indicate that the odds of engaging in healthy lifestyle behaviors significantly increase for those who report attending worship, compared with those who do not attend worship, with variations by race/ethnicity. Worship attendance moderates the association between discrimination and binge drinking, but does not moderate the association for smoking, walking, or being obese. Findings suggest that religious attendance plays an important role in the health and well-being of all population groups. More research is needed to ascertain the reasons why attending worship may have the ability to mitigate the relationship between racial/ethnic discrimination and health.
A 64GHz 6.5 dB NF 15.5 dB gain LNA in 90nm CMOS

This paper presents an integrated LNA for mm-wave applications implemented in 90 nm CMOS technology. Modeling methodology based solely on electromagnetic simulations, RC parasitic extraction and device measurements up to 20 GHz allows for "correct-by-construction" design at mm-wave frequency and first-pass silicon success. The dual-stage cascode LNA has a peak gain of 15.5 dB at 64 GHz with an NF of 6.5 dB, while drawing 26 mA per stage from 1.65 V. Output P1dB is 3.8 dBm. At VDD = 1.26 V, each stage draws 19 mA, with a peak gain and a NF of 13.5 dB and 6.7 dB respectively. To the authors' knowledge, this is the lowest measured NF at mm-wave frequencies reported so far in CMOS. Measured results are in excellent agreement with simulations. A custom set-up for mm- wave NF measurement is also extensively described in the paper.
Health Effects of Salicylates in Foods and Drugs

There is much (renewed) interest about the effects of salicylates on food intolerance, attention-deficit disorders, and cardiovascular disease. Current evidence for the efficacy of salicylate-elimination diets in the treatment of attention-deficit disorders and hyperactivity is weak, and further investigation is required on the relationship between salicylates and cardiovascular disease.
The e-Business on Demand Life Cycle

This paper addresses the problem of how to make the establishment of business partnerships more dynamic. It examines what is necessary to support the deferral and automation of decision-making, resource allocation as well as certain processes within the business life cycle: the contract establishment, the client-service configuration and the instantiation of the components and their linking.
Social skills training in psychiatric rehabilitation: recent findings

This article is a detailed critique of six recent evaluations of the effects of social skills training on the functioning and quality of life of individuals with schizophrenia. Given the many factors that affect individuals' social and role functioning, the results of the six evaluations are complex and interpretable only after careful consideration of their many methodological and procedural differences. The general pattern of their results indicates, however, that when skills training is conducted with specificity and highly structured instructional techniques, significant and durable increases in targeted behaviors and knowledge ensue. Social functioning and objective quality of life improve if (1) the knowledge and skills improved by training are actually relevant to the variables assessed by the outcome measures (e.g. workplace knowledge and skills contribute to the outcome of improved employment, not just local economic conditions); (2) the deficiencies in individuals' functioning reflect deficits i...
Effect of Bilateral Splanchnic Nerve Section on Adrenal Function in the Ovine Fetus

The effect of bilateral splanchnic nerve (SPLX) section in fetal sheep [116–121 days gestational age (dGA)] on subsequent adrenocortical function was investigated. Fetal cortisol release was stimulated by 1) ACTH-(l–24) administration (100 ng/min for 15 min) at 126–129 and at 132–135 dGA, and 2) nitroprusside-induced hypotension (50% reduction in fetal arterial blood pressure for 10 min) at 129–132 and 136–139 dGA. No differences were observed between SPLX and control fetuses (CONT) in basal arterial plasma concentrations of cortisol from 126–141 dGA. A significant effect of fetal age on basal cortisol was observed in both SPLX and CONT fetuses from 126–141 dGA. A significant (P < 0.05) increase in fetal arterial concentrations of cortisol was achieved by ACTH-(l–24) infusion in SPLX and CONT and did not differ between groups at either 126–129 or 132–135 dGA. Hypotension induced a significant increase in fetal plasma cortisol concentrations in SPLX and CONT fetuses (P < 0.05). SPLX fetuses secreted signif...
Prophetic branches: a branch architecture for code compaction and efficient execution

Deeply pipelined processors increase the cost of executing conditional branches. Several branch architectures based on both hardware and software techniques have been proposed to reduce this cost. A popular branch mechanism based on software techniques is static branch prediction with delay slot annulling. This mechanism reduces the cost of conditional branches by making delay slots visible in the architecture. Architectural visibility allows the software to exploit delay slots by executing instructions speculatively. The visibility of the delay slots, however, also results in an increase in code size; compilers must find appropriate instructions which can be scheduled into the delay slots. If no "useful" instructions can be found, then nops must be inserted in the delay slot. The authors propose a novel branch architecture called prophetic branches which allows compilers to exploit branch delays, yet could result in only a minimal increase in code size over non-pipelined code. They show that this branch mechanism can be implemented in deeply pipelined processors with only a minor change in the control logic. >
Speech data compression for embedded systems

The paper considers speech data compression for low-cost embedded systems such as voice-related toys or devices with interactive sound-responses. We use a PC to generate and compress 8-bit-speech-data that has various features such as human speech, symphony and animal songs; the compressed data are then transferred to a masked-ROM. An Intel 8051 embedded chip is employed to expand the compressed speech data stored in a masked-ROM with size ranging from 1-8 MBytes. No RAM (read/write memory) is available in the system (to reduce production cost). The ROM also stores the program that is responsible for expanding the compressed data. Since the compression is done off-line, we use simple vector-quantization techniques to perform a first stage lossy compression of the data; the lossy-compressed data are then treated by a second stage lossless compression. Because of the the lack of RAM in the expansion stage, an LZ compression technique cannot be applied. Instead, we use a runlength-Huffman encoding scheme coupled with a unary-code to perform the lossless compression. Also, because of the slow processing speed of the processor in the expansion stage, a length-limited Huffman code must be used. We develop a technique that uses splaying to achieve this goal.
One size does not fit all: special topics in stuttering therapy.

One of the greatest challenges facing clinicians working with school-age children who stutter is the fact that there are such vast differences between and among children who stutter. These differences are seen not only in the speech behaviors children may exhibit, but also in children's experiences with stuttering and in their reactions to those experiences. This article introduces the second of two issues of Seminars in Speech and Language that focuses on school-age children who stutter. The first volume addressed general issues in treatment, and this second volume is aimed at helping clinicians face the challenges posed by the differences in children who stutter. Specific topics include identifying resources designed to meet the needs of different children, tailoring treatment programs to children with specific needs (e.g., other cultural backgrounds, concomitant disorders), helping children face obstacles to achieving success outside the therapy room, and helping clinicians develop partnerships with family and teachers.
Purpose, hope, and life satisfaction in three age groups

Using the Revised Youth Purpose Survey (Bundick et al., 2006), the Trait Hope Scale (Snyder et al., 1991), and the Satisfaction with Life Scale (Diener, Emmons, Larsen, & Griffin, 1985), the present study examined the relationship among purpose, hope, and life satisfaction among 153 adolescents, 237 emerging adults, and 416 adults (N = 806). Results of this cross-sectional study revealed that having identified a purpose in life was associated with greater life satisfaction at these three stages of life. However, searching for a purpose was only associated with increased life satisfaction during adolescence and emerging adulthood. Additionally, aspects of hope mediated the relationship between purpose and life satisfaction at all three stages of life. Implications of these results for effectively fostering purpose are discussed.
The Decline of Military Adventurism in the Conservative Big Tent: Why Grassroots Conservatives in the United States Are Embracing a More Cautious Foreign Policy

It is now clear that the American conservative movement can no longer be easily categorized as “hawkish” on foreign policy. This essay examines the different perspectives, ranging from intellectuals and experts to grassroots conservatives and popular political culture, to grasp the widening range of foreign policy preferences that currently make up the conservative movement (or conservative big tent). Second, this essay considers the challenges that these hawks, mainly the neoconservatives, are likely to face due to the realities of generational politics. This essay will therefore provide a useful analysis of the different foreign policy preferences in the American conservative movement in the 21st century.
Improving the security and usability of cloud services with user-centric security models

Cloud computing is a paradigm shift in the way we define software and hardware, and architect our IT solutions. The emerging cloud technologies, due to their various unique and attractive properties, are evolving with tremendous momentum and rapidly being adopted throughout the IT industry. In this dissertation, we identify security challenges that arise in integration of cloud-based services, and present a set of novel solutions to address them. We analyze the security of our solutions, demonstrate their usage and effectiveness, and evaluate their performance by extensive experimentation. To address the problem of access control in untrusted cloud storage, we introduce K2C (Key To Cloud) protocol, which is a cryptographic access control protocol based on our new key-updating scheme referred to as AB-HKU. To improve the security and usability of integrated cloud services, we introduce a flexible client-side integration framework called OMOS. This framework enables secure and seamless client-side integration of cloud-based resources and services. Finally, to address the problem of identity management in an integrated cloud environment, we present a user-centric identity management solution called Web2ID. Our Web2ID protocol, by leveraging secure client-side cryptography and communication, introduces a privacy-preserving and secure mechanism for user authentication, fine-grained access delegation and identity attribute exchange.
Peer-to-Peer Enterprise Knowledge Management

Organizations recognize the importance of enterprise knowledge management, but what has not been realized is the enormous potential offered by peer-to-peer (P2P) networking in managing organizational knowledge. This chapter explores how P2P can confer superior knowledge management capabilities by improved search capabilities, content sensitive addressing, and the community aspect of knowledge transfer in a P2P network. While P2P offers tremendous potential, it should be recognized that this technology is severely limited by the holdup problem. This article explores the free rider problem and suggests ways to align the incentives of participants in a P2P network.
van der Waals Heterojunction Devices Based on Organohalide Perovskites and Two-Dimensional Materials.

The recently emerged organohalide perovskites (e.g., CH3NH3PbI3) have drawn intense attention for high efficiency solar cells. However, with a considerable solubility in many solvents, these perovskites are not typically compatible with conventional lithography processes for more complicated device fabrications that are important for both fundamental studies and technological applications. Here, we report the creation of novel heterojunction devices based on perovskites and two-dimensional (2D) crystals by taking advantage of the layered characteristic of lead iodide (PbI2) and vapor-phase intercalation. We show that a graphene/perovskite/graphene vertical stack can deliver a highest photoresponsivity of ∼950 A/W and photoconductive gain of ∼2200, and a graphene/WSe2/perovskite/graphene heterojunction can display a high on/off ratio (∼106) transistor behavior with distinct gate-tunable diode characteristics and open-circuit voltages. Such unique perovskite–2D heterostructures have significant potential fo...
Exchange rate sensitivity of commodity flows between the Philippines and the US

Previous studies that tried to assess the impact of exchange rate changes on the inpayments and outpayments of a country used aggregate trade flows between two countries. They are said to suffer from aggregation bias, and disaggregation by industry is recommended. In this paper, we consider response to exchange rate changes of export earnings (inpayments) of 133 industries that export from the US to the Philippines (Philippines’ importing industries) and outpayments of 65 US industries (Philippines exporting industries) that import from the Philippines using annual data over the period 1973–2012. While in most industries exchange rate changes had significant effects in the short run, the short-run effects did not last into the long run in most industries. Economic activity played more role in the long run than the exchange rate.
Orthogonal Components of Reported Male Sexual Behavior

In constructing an inventory that would yield a general measure of sexual performance and sexual interest, responses of 101 male paid volunteers were subjected to a principal component analysis. No general factor of sexual activity was found. Instead the results indicated that various components of sexual performance occur independently. Implications for the assessment of sexual behavior in basic and applied research were presented.
Predicting Performance: Self-Esteem among Soldiers Attending Health Care Specialist Training:

Reducing failure and recycling in demanding military Advanced Individual Training (AIT) programs will reduce costs: time and morale for the Soldier and financial costs for the organization. This st...