cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Practical Issues in Collecting Lifetime Work Histories in Surveys1

Problemes pratiques dans la collecte des histoires de vie de travail lors d'une enquete. Cette etude concerne les problemes cruciaux methodologiques souleves par un projet d'enquete des "Vie de travail" au Royaume-Uni. La questions etait: comment obtenlr une description detaillee et datee de toutes les etapes constituant l'histoire de vie de travail d'un interviewe avec un maximum de precisions et d'exhaustivite, mais en respectant les contraints d'une enquete par entretient quantitative et standardisee d'une population importante. Suivante une discussion des problemes pratiques, cette etude presente une enquete empirique de petite taille sur une population representative. Le premier entretient avec les interviewes a ete fait avec un questionnaire hybride recemment developpe. Plus tard, un entretien de fond a ete fait avec les interviewes en utillsant des demarches cognitives et qualitatives qui doivent maximiser la precision et l'exhaustivite du rapport final sur la vie de travail d'un interviewe. Une co...
On the Construction of Diabatic Bases Using Molecular Properties. Rigorous Results in the Vicinity of a Conical Intersection

Smoothness of a molecular propertyachieved by diagonalization of the matrix of the corresponding property operatoris a convenient and frequently used criterion for the construction of an adiabatic to diabatic state transformation. The choice of molecular property has been a matter of considerable discussion. When conical intersections are present, the performance of this approach near that intersection is key since the derivative coupling in the adiabatic basis is singular there. Thus it is desirable to know, a priori, whether use of a particular property will remove the singularity. Here it is shown that diagonalizing the matrix of any symmetric (real-valued hermitian) electronic property operator, satisfying only certain limited restrictions, generates a transformation that removes all of the singularity of the derivative coupling at the conical intersection. The result is illustrated by considering the dipole moment operator near a point on the 11A‘−21A‘ seam of conical intersection in HeH2.
Cytomegalovirus-associated Acute Retinal Necrosis Syndrome

Purpose To describe a case of acute retinal necrosis syndrome in which a polymerase chain reaction-based assay provided evidence for cytomegalovirus as the causative agent of the syndrome. Methods Polymerase chain reaction-based assays were used to analyze a vitreous aspirate from a 70-year-old man with acute retinal necrosis syndrome. The specimen was tested for cytomegalovirus, varicella-zoster virus, and herpes simplex virus type 1 and type 2. Results The polymerase chain reaction assay for cytomegalovirus was positive, and polymerase chain reaction assays for varicella-zoster virus and herpes simplex virus type 1 and type 2 were negative. Conclusion Cytomegalovirus may be a causative agent of acute retinal necrosis syndrome.
Ocular behavior and the principle of pictorial balance

Resume L'hypothese qu'il existe une relation entre l'evaluation du balancement pictural et le comportement oculaire cause par la composition a ete etudiee selon des methodes objectives. Cinquante-et-une peintures ont ete evaluees pour le balancement pictural par quarante sujets mǎles non entraǐnes. Les neuf “peintures critiques” choisies selon les evaluations resultantes ont ete trois evaluees le plus balancees a gauche, trois evaluees le plus balancees a droite, et trois evaluees balancees. On a montre statistiquement que ces classes ont ete disparates d'une facon signifiante. Pendant qu'un second groupe de 37 sujets mǎles non entraǐnes ont vu les “peintures critiques” pour la premiere fois, on a fait des enregistrements photographiques des mouvements de leurs yeux. L'observation de la moitie droite et de la gauche des peintures a ete analysee dans le nombre et la position des fixations oculaires et la position des durees des pauses oculaires. Ces deux sortes de donnees ont ete comparees chacune statisti...
Anxiogenic drugs beta-CCE and FG 7142 increase extracellular dopamine levels in nucleus accumbens

Two experiments were conducted to study the effects of anxiogenic drugs on dopamine release and metabolism in nucleus accumbens. Microdialysis probes were implanted into the nucleus accumbens, and rats were tested the day after implantation. In the first experiment, groups of rats received injections of saline, 1.25 or 2.5 mg/kg beta-CCE. In the second experiment, groups of rats received injections of saline, 10.0, 20.0 or 30.0 mg/kg FG-7142. Both drugs produced significant increases in dopamine release and metabolism in nucleus accumbens. Neither drug had significant effects on locomotor activity. These experiments indicate that exposure to anxiogenic drugs increases accumbens dopamine activity, an effect that is consistent with other studies showing that the mesolimbic dopamine system is responsive to stressful stimuli. In addition, these results demonstrate that drug-induced increases in accumbens dopamine release are not unique to drugs of abuse.
Lectin histochemistry of malignant tumors II. Concanavalin A: A new histochemical marker for macrophage–histiocytes in follicular lymphoma

Concanavalin agglutinin (Con A) binding sites were studied in paraffin embedded lymph node specimens of reactive follicular hyperplasia (12 cases) and follicular lymphoma (37) using the avidin-biotin-peroxidase complex method, and the results were compared with those of Peanut agglutinin (PNA) and lysozyme stains. Very similar to the PNA stain, two categories of Con A receptor sites were observed: cytoplasmic and cell surface. In the reactive lymph nodes, the cells showing cytoplasmic receptor sites (CR+ cells) corresponded to macrophage-histiocytes and possibly dendritic reticulum cells in the H & E stained sections, while those showing cell surface receptor sites (SR+) corresponded to lymphoid cells. Unlike the PNA binding, however, the staining reaction of SR+ lymphoid cells was weak, and another staining pattern, a dot-like stain, was observed in some lymphocytes, both SR+ and SR-. In follicular lymphomas, CR+ histiocytes were distinctly displayed within the follicular centers in 25 of 37 cases, including 12 cases in which PNA stains on adjacent or nearby sections were negative for intrafollicular macrophage-histiocytes. Similarly, Con A stains were positive for the intrafollicular CR+ cells in four of the five cases in which lysozyme stains were negative. Many of these intrafollicular CR+ cells contained inclusion-like cytoplasmic globules and/or vacuoles, a hallmark of the large CR+ cells of germinal centers. These observations suggest that macrophage-histiocytes of presumably germinal center origin are retained in neoplastic follicular centers in varying degrees, and Con A might be a useful marker for macrophage-histiocytes in paraffin-embedded routine pathological specimens, in addition to the currently accepted markers, PNA and lysozyme.
Joint time-frequency analysis for radar signal and image processing

The Fourier transform has been widely used in radar signal and image processing. When the radar signals exhibit time- or frequency-varying behavior, an analysis that can represent the intensity or energy distribution of signals in the joint time-frequency (JTF) domain is most desirable. In this article, we showed that JTF analysis is a useful tool for improving radar signal and image processing for time- and frequency-varying cases. We applied JTF analysis to radar backscattering and feature extraction; we also examined its application to radar imaging of moving targets. Most methods of JTF analysis are non-parametric. However, parametric or model-based methods of time-frequency analysis, such as adaptive Gaussian and chirplets, are more suitable for radar signals and images.
Standing and Walking After Spinal Cord Injury: Experience with the Reciprocating Gait Orthosis Powered by Electrical Muscle Stimulation

The clinical experience gained from the rehabilitation of standing and locomotion of over 200 paraplegics by using the Louisiana State University--Reciprocating Gait Orthosis (LSU-RGO) powered with electrical muscle stimulation is described. The details of a study conducted on 70 consecutively admitted paraplegics is highlighted, showing that the orthosis can be fitted successfully to patients with contractures of hip, knee, and ankle and with varying degrees of spasticity, age, level of injury, and time since injury. In general, the fitting and training of paraplegics in the use of the orthosis was implemented successfully in 75% of the cases admitted, producing improvement in various metabolic functions and psychological aspects, despite the fact that the system did not replace the wheelchair and was limited to specific daily functions that were adopted by each patient according to his objectives.
Resonant slots with independent control of amplitude and phase

The design of slot arrays requiring nonuniform phase distributions, such as those having shaped beam radiation patterns, are facilitated by the development of slots having independent amplitude and phase control. A "complex" slot (which is inclined and displaced) on the broad wall of a rectangular waveguide makes it possible to control the coupling characteristics over a range in phase from zero to 2\pi and over a range in magnitude from zero to unity. The "voltage" across the slot as a function of its orientation is found and is related to the coupling parameters used in common array design. An experimental procedure for independently verifying the amplitude and phase characteristics is described. A typical complex slot array design is made and radiation patterns are included demonstrating the accuracy and usefulness of the design procedure.
A modified procedure for isolation of astrocyte- and neuron-enriched fractions from rat brain.

Our previously published method for isolation of neurons with extensive processes (Farooqet al., 1977) has been modified to permit the isolation of both astrocyte- and neuron-enriched fractions. Rat cerebral tissue is incubated with acetylated trypsin and disrupted. The cell suspension is separated first by differential centrifugation and then by gradient centrifugation on discontinuous Ficoll gradients. The method is reproducible and is applicable equally well to immature and adult animals. The yield of astrocytes of 57% particle purity, and higher weight purity, is 4–7 × 106 cells/brain, amounting to 1.5–2.0 mg of protein. The astrocytes appear to be a mixture of fibrous and protoplasmic types. The yield of neurons of 90% particle purity is 10–14 × 106 cells/brain, amounting to 2.4–3.0 mg of protein. A total yield of neurons of 28–37 × 106 cells/brain can be obtained at 70% purity. These preparations have been characterized by light microscopy and protein, RNA and DNA content.
Association of access to parks and recreational facilities with the physical activity of young children.

Objective. To determine associations of the neighborhood and home television environments with young children's physical activity. Method. 32 boys and 27 girls age 4 to 7 years wore accelerometers for 3 weekdays and 1 weekend day. The number of televisions in the home and television watching of the child were monitored using TV Allowance™ units for 3 weeks. A geographic information system was used to measure neighborhood environment variables. Results. Hierarchical regression analysis was used to predict physical activity, initially controlling for sex, age, socioeconomic status, adiposity, and child television watching in step 1. In step 2, the number of televisions did not significantly increase the amount of variability accounted for in the prediction of physical activity. In step 3, housing density and the interaction of housing density by sex accounted for an incremental 12% (p < 0.05) of the variability and in step 4 percentage park plus recreation area accounted for a further 10% (p < 0.05) of the variability. Greater housing density predicted increased physical activity of boys, but not girls. Conclusion. Neighborhoods with increased proximity between homes and a greater proportion of park area are associated with greater physical activity in young children.
Field-based stable isotope probing reveals the identities of benzoic acid-metabolizing microorganisms and their in situ growth in agricultural soil.

We used a combination of stable isotope probing (SIP), gas chromatography-mass spectrometry-based respiration, isolation/cultivation, and quantitative PCR procedures to discover the identity and in situ growth of soil microorganisms that metabolize benzoic acid. We added [13C]benzoic acid or [12C]benzoic acid (100 μg) once, four times, or five times at 2-day intervals to agricultural field plots. After monitoring 13CO2 evolution from the benzoic acid-dosed soil, field soils were harvested and used for nucleic acid extraction and for cultivation of benzoate-degrading bacteria. Exposure of soil to benzoate increased the number of culturable benzoate degraders compared to unamended soil, and exposure to benzoate shifted the dominant culturable benzoate degraders from Pseudomonas species to Burkholderia species. Isopycnic separation of heavy [13C]DNA from the unlabeled fraction allowed terminal restriction fragment length polymorphism (T-RFLP) analyses to confirm that distinct 16S rRNA genes were localized in the heavy fraction. Phylogenetic analysis of sequenced 16S rRNA genes revealed a predominance (15 of 58 clones) of Burkholderia species in the heavy fraction. Burkholderia sp. strain EBA09 shared 99.5% 16S rRNA sequence similarity with a group of clones representing the dominant RFLP pattern, and the T-RFLP fragment for strain EBA09 and a clone from that cluster matched the fragment enriched in the [13C]DNA fraction. Growth of the population represented by EBA09 during the field-dosing experiment was demonstrated by using most-probable-number-PCR and primers targeting EBA09 and the closely related species Burkholderia hospita. Thus, the target population identified by SIP not only actively metabolized benzoic acid but reproduced in the field upon the addition of the substrate.
Stable Targets for Spaceborne Microwave Radiometer Calibration

Beginning in the 1970s, continuous observations of the Earth have been made by spaceborne microwave radiometers. Since these instruments have different observational characteristics, care must be taken in combining their data to form consistent long term records of brightness temperatures and derived geophysical quantities. To be useful for climate studies, data from different instruments must be calibrated relative to each other and to reference targets on the ground whose characteristics are stable and can be monitored continuously. Identifying such targets over land is not straightforward due to the heterogeneity and complexity of the land surface and cover. In this work, we provide an analysis of multisensor brightness temperature statistics over ocean, tropical forest, and ice sheet locations, spanning the period from 1978 to the present, and indicate the potential of these sites as continuous calibration monitoring targets
Are you having difficulty

It would be useful if software engineers/instructors could be aware that remote team members/students are having difficulty with their programming tasks. We have developed an approach that tries to automatically create this semantic awareness based on developers' interactions with the programming environment, which is extended to log these interactions and allow the developers to train or supervise the algorithm by explicitly indicating they are having difficulty. Based on the logs of six programmers, we have found that our approach has high accuracy.
An interactive algorithm for the assessment of cumulative cortisol suppression during inhaled corticosteroid therapy

The objective of the study was to develop an algorithm based on a pharmacokinetic-pharmacodynamic (PK/PD) modeling approach to quantify and predict cumulative cortisol suppression (CCS) as a surrogate marker for the systemic activity of inhaled corticosteroid therapy. Two Excel spreadsheets, one for single dose and another for steady-state multiple doses of inhaled steroids, were developed for predicting CCS. Four of the commonly used inhaled steroids were chosen for the purposes of simulation: fluticasone propionate (EP), budesonide (BUD), flunisolide (FLU), and triamcinolone acetonide (TAA). Drug-specific PK and PD parameters were obtained from previous single- and multiple-dose studies. In cases in which multiple-dose data were not available, the single-dose data were extrapolated. The algorithm was designed to calculate CCS based on 5 input parameters: name of drug, dose, dosing interval, time(s) of dosing, and type of inhaler device. In addition, a generalized algorithm was set up to calculate CCS based on clearance, volume of distribution, absorption rate, protein binding, pulmonary deposition, oral bioavailability, and unbound EC50 of the corticosteroid of interest. The spreadsheet allowed predictions of CCS for single doses as well as steady-state conditions. A simple method has been developed that facilitates comparisons between various drugs and dosing regimens and has the potential to significantly reduce the number of comparative clinical trials to be performed for evaluating the short-term systemic activity of inhaled corticosteroids).
Protocol design challenges for multi-hop dynamic spectrum access networks

Driven by the need to improve network capacity, there is a growing interest for dynamically utilizing spectrum over a wide range of frequency bands. The available spectrum is typically divided into multiple channels. Past work on designing protocols for multi-channel wireless networks has assumed that all channels are homogeneous. However, channels that are located in widely separated frequency bands exhibit considerable heterogeneity in transmission ranges, data rates, etc. In this paper, we identify' the impact of channel heterogeneity on network performance, and motivate the need to account for channel heterogeneity while designing higher layer protocols. We present some approaches for managing heterogeneity, and propose hiding most of the channel heterogeneity from higher layers by designing suitable channel abstractions
Invasive ventilation modes in children: a systematic review and meta-analysis

Introduction: The purpose of the present study was to critically review the existing body of evidence on ventilation modes for infants and children up to the age of 18 years. Methods: The PubMed and EMBASE databases were searched using the search terms ‘artificial respiration’, ‘instrumentation’, ‘device’, ‘devices’, ‘mode’, and ‘modes’. The review included only studies comparing two ventilation modes in a randomized controlled study and reporting one of the following outcome measures: length of ventilation (LOV), oxygenation, mortality, chronic lung disease and weaning. We quantitatively pooled the results of trials where suitable. Results: Five trials met the inclusion criteria. They addressed six different ventilation modes in 421 children: highfrequency oscillation (HFO), pressure control (PC), pressure support (PS), volume support (VS), volume diffusive respirator (VDR) and biphasic positive airway pressure. Overall there were no significant differences in LOV and mortality or survival rate associated with the different ventilation modes. Two trials compared HFO versus conventional ventilation. In the pooled analysis, the mortality rate did not differ between these modes (odds ratio = 0.83, 95% confidence interval = 0.30 to 1.91). High-frequency ventilation (HFO and VDR) was associated with a better oxygenation after 72 hours than was conventional ventilation. One study found a significantly higher PaO2/FiO2 ratio with the use of VDR versus PC ventilation in children with burns. Weaning was studied in 182 children assigned to either a PS protocol, a VS protocol or no protocol. Most children could be weaned within 2 days and the weaning time did not significantly differ between the groups. Conclusions: The literature provides scarce data for the best ventilation mode in critically ill children beyond the newborn period. There is no evidence, however, that high-frequency ventilation reduced mortality and LOV. Longer-term outcome measures such as pulmonary function, neurocognitive development, and cost-effectiveness should be considered in future studies.
Dependence of ozone sensitivity analysis on grid resolution

Abstract We examine the extent to which the sensitivity of ground-level ozone concentrations to precursor emissions varies with grid resolution in a regional air quality model. Nested grids of 36-, 12- and 4-km resolution are applied to model an air pollution episode in Georgia. A direct sensitivity analysis method is used to compute the response of ozone to emissions of its precursors, nitrogen oxides (NOx) and volatile organic compounds (VOCs). All three grids predict that ozone production is limited primarily by the availability of NOx, and yield similar predictions of average ozone sensitivity to both regional and local emissions of NOx. However, in urban areas, the coarsest (36-km) resolution fails to capture the extent and magnitude of VOC sensitivity and underpredicts the nonlinearity of ozone response indicated by the finest resolution. Medium (12-km) resolution is sufficient to reproduce most features of ozone response, except for the texture of local variability. Despite the consistency of average results, discrepancies in wind fields at times lead to inconsistencies in the predicted location of ozone enhancements, especially for a power plant plume.
Psoriasis, psoriatic arthritis and risk of gout in US men and women

Background and objective Individuals with psoriasis have increased blood levels of uric acid. However, there is no prospective data on the association between psoriasis and uric acid levels and subsequent development of gout. In this study, we examined the risk of gout among individuals with psoriasis and psoriatic arthritis (PsA) in two cohorts of men and women, the Health Professionals Follow-up Study (HPFS) (1986–2010) and Nurses’ Health Study (NHS) (1998–2010). Methods 27 751 men and 71 059 women were included in the analysis. Lifetime history of physician-diagnosed incident psoriasis and PsA was confirmed by validated supplementary questionnaires. Incident gout diagnoses were confirmed based on the American College of Rheumatology survey criteria. We used Cox proportional hazards models controlling for potential risk factors to calculate the HRs with 95% CIs of incident gout while simultaneously adjusting for several common risk factors. Results We documented 2217 incident cases of gout during follow-up. Psoriasis was associated with an increased risk of subsequent gout with a multivariate HR of 1.71 (95% CI 1.36 to 2.15) in the pooled analysis. Risk of gout was substantially augmented among those with psoriasis and concomitant PsA (pooled multivariate HR: 4.95, 95% CI 2.72 to 9.01) when compared to participants without psoriasis. Conclusions In this prospective study of US women and men, psoriasis and PsA were associated with an increased risk of gout.
The ste3 Pheromone Receptor Gene of Pneumocystis carinii Is Surrounded by a Cluster of Signal Transduction Genes

Although the clinical aspects of Pneumocystis carinii pneumonia are well characterized, the basic biology of the causative organism is poorly understood. Most proposed life cycles of P. carinii include both asexual and sexual replicative cycles. The two most prominent morphological forms are a trophic form, thought to undergo asexual replication by binary fission, and a cystic form or ascus containing intracystic bodies or ascospores, the products of sexual replication. To facilitate the Pneumocystis genome project, a P. carinii f. sp. carinii genomic cosmid library and an additional λ cDNA library were generated. A partial expressed sequence tag database, created as part of the genome project, revealed the transcription of meiosis-specific genes and other genes related to sexual reproduction. The ortholog of Ste3, an a -factor pheromone receptor, was cloned and genes surrounding the ste3 locus were examined. Clustered around the ste3 gene are genes encoding elements functional in the pheromone response signal transduction cascade of model fungal organisms. These include the Ste20 protein kinase, the Ste12 homoeodomain transcriptional regulator, a potential pheromone mating factor, and other DNA-binding proteins. The genomic organization of the ste3 locus bears significant similarity to that of the mating locus recently described in Cryptococcus neoformans. The P. carinii genome contains much of the genetic machinery necessary for pheromone responsiveness, and these data support the existence of a sexual replication cycle.
THE ROLE OF SUCTION IN THE ADHESION OF LIMPETS

Experiments were performed to determine the mechanism by which limpets attach to the substratum. Pressure measurements were made under the feet of three species of limpets as they were forcibly detached from the substratum. These measurements show that limpets actively decrease the pressure under their feet, and in almost every case this pressure decrease can account for all of their tenacity. The results are the same whether the pressure transducer is flush with the surface or connected to the surface via a tube. The tenacity of limpets is dependent on ambient pressure, as predicted for a suction mechanism. Leaks disrupt the attachment of limpets. Thus, for at least an hour after they have been moving, suction appears to be the primary attachment mechanism of limpets. Limpets using suction often have tenacities greater than 0.1MN m − 2, which corresponds to pressures under the foot lower than OMPa. If limpets have more than a few hours to attach, approximately 30% of them form a different, stronger attachment that appears to be based on glue. These limpets remain stationary for extended periods. It is hypothesized that limpets in the field alternate between the use of suction and glue, depending on their need for mobility.
Regional turnover of norepinephrine and dopamine in rat brain following acute exposure to air ions

Exposure to air ions has been reported to influence serotonin (5HT), although critical reviews of these studies and previous measurements in our laboratory of the concentration, release, and utilization of brain 5HT indicate that neither the data nor the interpretations of the data are particularly convincing. Measurements of other possibly relevant neurotransmitter systems--norepinephrine (NE) and dopamine (DA)--were made in brain regions selected because of their importance in the modulation of brain functions relating to motivation, arousal, endocrine function, and motor activity, all responses that have been reported to be influenced by air ion exposure. Results indicate that exposure of male Holtzman rats to high concentrations (5.0 X 10(5)/cm3) of positive or negative air ions or to DC electric fields (3.0 kV/m) for periods up to 66 h failed to affect the concentration of NE or DA significantly in any of the brain regions.
Small but versatile: the extraordinary functional and structural diversity of the β-grasp fold

The β-grasp fold (β-GF), prototyped by ubiquitin (UB), has been recruited for a strikingly diverse range of biochemical functions. These functions include providing a scaffold for different enzymatic active sites (e.g. NUDIX phosphohydrolases) and iron-sulfur clusters, RNA-soluble-ligand and co-factor-binding, sulfur transfer, adaptor functions in signaling, assembly of macromolecular complexes and post-translational protein modification. To understand the basis for the functional versatility of this small fold we undertook a comprehensive sequence-structure analysis of the fold and developed a natural classification for its members. As a result we were able to define the core distinguishing features of the fold and numerous elaborations, including several previously unrecognized variants. Systematic analysis of all known interactions of the fold showed that its manifold functional abilities arise primarily from the prominent β-sheet, which provides an exposed surface for diverse interactions or additionally, by forming open barrel-like structures. We show that in the β-GF both enzymatic activities and the binding of diverse co-factors (e.g. molybdopterin) have independently evolved on at least three occasions each, and iron-sulfur-cluster-binding on at least two independent occasions. Our analysis identified multiple previously unknown large monophyletic assemblages within the β-GF, including one which unifies versions found in the fasciclin-1 superfamily, the ribosomal protein L25, the phosphoribosyl AMP cyclohydrolase (HisI) and glutamine synthetase. We also uncovered several new groups of β-GF domains including a domain found in bacterial flagellar and fimbrial assembly components, and 5 new UB-like domains in the eukaryotes. Evolutionary reconstruction indicates that the β-GF had differentiated into at least 7 distinct lineages by the time of the last universal common ancestor of all extant organisms, encompassing much of the structural diversity observed in extant versions of the fold. The earliest β-GF members were probably involved in RNA metabolism and subsequently radiated into various functional niches. Most of the structural diversification occurred in the prokaryotes, whereas the eukaryotic phase was mainly marked by a specific expansion of the ubiquitin-like β-GF members. The eukaryotic UB superfamily diversified into at least 67 distinct families, of which at least 19–20 families were already present in the eukaryotic common ancestor, including several protein and one lipid conjugated forms. Another key aspect of the eukaryotic phase of evolution of the β-GF was the dramatic increase in domain architectural complexity of proteins related to the expansion of UB-like domains in numerous adaptor roles. This article was reviewed by Igor Zhulin, Arcady Mushegian and Frank Eisenhaber.
Identification and Use of Plant Species as Ecological Indicators of Air Pollution Stress in National Park Units

The Air Quality Division (AQD) of the National Park Service (NPS) (a Bureau of the Department of the Interior of the United States government) is composed of a Research Branch (RB), a Monitoring and Data Analyses Branch (MDAB), and Policy, Planning, and Permit Review Branch (PPPRB). The AQD is mandated under Federal Law (Organic Act, 1916; Clean Air Act Amendments, 1977, 1990) to protect Air Quality Related Values (AQRVs), in areas under NPS jurisdiction from degradation from anthropogenic air pollutants. AQRVs include biological and cultural resources, visibility (day and night), odor, and air that meets Federal health standards for humans. Recognizing that the protection of park resources sensitive to air pollution relies primarily on the actions of state and federal regulatory agencies, the AQD has committed to acquiring information needed to participate in and influence decision-making that may affect park air quality. Activities include inventorying park resources that may be sensitive to air pollution, monitoring the spatial and temporal trends of identified pollution effects, determining the significance of the effects, and identifying the sources of the pollutants causing the impact. Data collection and synthesis by the RB and MDAB are based on information needs of the PPPRB.
Plain radiography is effective for the detection of calcinosis cutis occurring in association with autoimmune connective tissue disease.

Summary Background Studies on the radiological findings of calcinosis cutis in patients with autoimmune connective tissue disease (ACTD) are limited. Objectives To describe imaging findings and radiological patterns of calcinosis cutis occurring with ACTD. Methods We retrospectively reviewed the cases of 37 patients with imaging studies assessing for calcinosis cutis associated with ACTD at our institution between 1996 and 2009. A formal blinded review of available images (i.e. radiographs, computed tomography scans) for all 37 patients was performed by radiologists. Results Of 37 patients, 30 (81%) were female. The mean age at diagnosis of calcinosis cutis was 434 years. Patients had the following ACTDs: dermatomyositis (n = 17) with classic (n = 9), juvenile (n = 7) and amyopathic (n = 1) subtypes; systemic sclerosis with limited cutaneous scleroderma (n = 8); undifferentiated connective tissue disease (n = 4); mixed connective tissue disease (n = 3); systemic lupus erythematosus (n = 2); lupus panniculitis (n = 1); overlap connective tissue disease (n = 1); and polymyositis (n = 1). Plain radiographs detected calcinosis in all 37 patients; a nodular pattern of calcification was most commonly observed (31/37; 84%). Two or more morphological patterns of calcification were present in 19 patients (51%). In general, individual patterns were not specific to a particular ACTD subtype. Conclusions Radiography detected calcinosis in all patients and is recommended for initial imaging of calcinosis. Multiple morphological patterns of calcification were observed across ACTD subtypes. Further studies should correlate radiological studies with treatment of calcinosis and underlying ACTD.
Graced Encounters: Liturgy and Ethics from a Balthasarian Perspective

The theological aesthetic framework of Hans Urs von Balthasar can be used to develop a “continuity” model for relating liturgy and the moral life: each supports the Christian's response of faith but in distinctive ways. The fundamental source of Christian faith is the graced encounter with Christ. For Balthasar, this encounter occurs narratively: our stories are invited into Christ's story where we discover a personal God calling us by name. Both liturgy and the moral life mediate the Christian's entrance into this salvific narrative; however, each does so by emphasizing a different aspect of it: liturgy underscores the eschatological fullness of the narrative; the moral life invites us into Christ's story at a point “between the times.” This different eschatological emphasis leads liturgy and the moral life to take on complementary roles in nurturing the Christian's encounter with Christ.
Cnidarians Reveal Intermediate Stages in the Evolution of Hox Clusters and Axial Complexity1

Abstract Across major phylogenetic comparisons, the evolution of Hox clusters generally parallels the evolution of axial complexity. Sponges lack a fixed primary body axis and regional axial differentiation. Correspondingly, sponges appear to lack a Hox cluster. Bilaterian animals are characterized, at least primitively, by the presence of an anterior-posterior axis. In many bilaterians, the anterior-posterior axis is finely subdivided into morphologically distinct regions; e.g., consider the many distinct vertebrae of the human vertebral column or the many distinct body segments of the fruitfly. This axial complexity is encoded in part, by the genes of the Hox cluster. Bilaterians possess from seven to upwards of forty Hox genes which sort into four monophyletic classes (anterior, group-3, central, and posterior). Cnidarians (e.g., sea anemones) display an intermediate stage of axial complexity. Unlike sponges, they possess a fixed primary body axis, known as the oral-aboral axis, with a distinct head, b...
Positive real-world effectiveness of tafamidis for delaying disease progression in transthyretin familial amyloid polyneuropathy

Background Tafamidis (Vyndaqel) was approved by the EMA in 2011 and is emerging as the standard of care for transthyretin familial amyloid polyneuropathy (TTR-FAP) in clinical settings. Efficacy was demonstrated in the clinical trials, yet little is known about its real-world effectiveness. A global disease registry, the Transthyretin Amyloidosis Outcomes Survey (THAOS), collects data on both treated and untreated patients from real-world settings. Ethics committee approval was obtained prior to patient enrolment.
The Membrane Fusion Activity of the Influenza Virus Haemagglutinin Glycoprotein

The haemagglutinin (HA) glycoprotein of influenza virus is active in promoting the fusion of the virus membrane with that of the cell to effect infectious entry into the cell. The HA protein undergoes a conformational change triggered by the low pH found in intracellular vesicles, which produces a fusion active conformation. Biochemical and spectroscopic studies of this transition indicate that a hydrophobic peptide is uncovered. The analysis of mutants with altered pH optimal for fusion illuminate elements of the conformational change.
Understanding student achievement in mathematics and science: The case of Trinidad and Tobago

This study aims to disentangle the complex relationships among student attributes, school context, and student performance in mathematics and science in Trinidad and Tobago, using the PISA 2009 data. Our findings reveal that schools account for a substantial amount of variation in students’ mathematics and science performances. School socioeconomic status (SES) had a significant effect on student achievement. Additionally, school SES had the single largest effect on mathematics and science achievement among the sample of students of all the explanatory variables. Students who never repeated primary school and who came from two-parent homes outperformed their counterparts on both subjects. Interestingly, females outscored males in science, but there was no significant gender difference in mathematics. These findings suggest the important role of school context in understanding student performance in Trinidad and Tobago and the Caribbean.
Brentuximab: a major advance in treatment of CD30-positive malignancies

Antibody-directed therapies allow greater selectivity in targeting of tumor associated antigens and spare normal cells. Brentuximab vedotin is an anti-CD30 antibody–drug conjugate. It has demonstrated impressive activity in the treatment of refractory and or relapsed Hodgkin's lymphoma, anaplastic large cell lymphoma and other CD30+ lymphoid malignancies. Several ongoing trials are testing the potential use of brentuximab vedotin for treatment of various CD30+ and CD30- malignancies in the setting of high-risk untreated disease. It is being tested in combination with chemotherapy, and testing in combination with immune therapy is also planned. CD30 plays a pivotal role in immune regulation and is also an attractive new target for intervention in the setting of select auto-immune diseases, as well as graft versus host disease.
Fairness Matters: Identification of Active RFID Tags with Statistically Guaranteed Fairness

RFID systems with battery powered active tags are widely used in various applications such as supply chain management and object tracking. In RFID identification, tags transmit their IDs to readers over a shared wireless medium, thus, transmissions from tags often collide causing some tags to use their scarce energy resources to retransmit their IDs. Existing RFID identification protocols are unfair in the sense that some tags transmit more times compared to others and thus deplete their batteries faster. Locating tags with depleted batteries for replacement is troublesome. This paper addresses the fundamental problem of ensuring required fairness in the number of transmissions per tag while minimizing identification time in active RFID tag identification. We propose the first Fair RFID Identification Protocol (FRIP) that can achieve any required amount of fairness. The key idea behind FRIP is to bound the expected number of tags that transmit more than once by finding optimal frame sizes for the standardized frame slotted Aloha. We implemented and performed side-by-side comparisons of FRIP with all nine major existing RFID identification protocols. Our results show that FRIP can achieve arbitrarily high fairness. FRIP reduces the average number of transmissions per tag by at least 2.62 times compared to the best existing protocol. At the same time, it is faster than the existing protocols. FRIP is easy to deploy because it is compliant with the C1G2 standard, and thus, requires no modifications to tags or to the communication protocol between tags and readers. It only needs to be implemented on readers as a software module. FRIP works with multiple readers.
The role of group personality composition in the emergence of task and relationship conflict within groups

Conflict is a ubiquitous feature of groups in organizations that clearly affects group performance. While prior research has investigated the role of personality on conflict resolution styles at the individual level, little work has examined the role of personality on the emergence of conflict. This may be partially due to the fact that the emergence of conflict is inherently a group-level phenomenon, and thus requires the aggregation of personality to the group (or at least dyadic) level of analysis. I propose that each of the Big Five personality traits (or specific facets), at the group level, affect the emergence of either task conflict, relationship conflict, or both. Developing our understanding of how group personality composition affects both of these types of conflict is necessary to better enable groups to manage conflict, and thereby lessen potentially harmful outcomes resulting from conflict.
Structure of Amorphous Tantalum Oxide and Titania-Doped Tantala: 17O NMR Results for Sol–Gel and Ion-Beam-Sputtered Materials

Amorphous thin films of high-refractive index metal oxides such as Ta2O5 are critical in multilayer optical components such as the main mirrors of the Laser Interferometer Gravitational-Wave Observatory (LIGO), but their atomic-scale structures are not well-known. Amorphous, pure, and titania-doped tantalum oxides were prepared by sol–gel synthesis and by ion-beam sputtering. The samples were successfully enriched with the nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR)-active 17O isotope by heating them in 17O2 gas, and they were studied using 17O solid-state NMR. 17O MAS NMR spectra of pure tantala show two resonances that correspond to two- and three-coordinated oxygens, allowing the average oxygen coordination numbers to be estimated from the relative peak areas. The average coordination number for oxide ions seems to increase as tantala changes from amorphous to crystalline. Titania-doped tantalas, (Ta1–xTix)2O5–x with x = 0.10, 0.25, and 0.50, were also studied. At the lower two dopant levels, Ta and Ti cations ar...
Adding sustainability to the engineer's toolbox: A challenge for engineering educators

The next generation of engineers must be able to design with natural resources that have very different constraints for a wider variety and greater number of end users.
Polypoid Renal Pelvic Lesions in Children

A case is presented of gross hematuria and a large polypoid renal pelvic mass in a 15-month-old boy. Operation revealed a Wilms tumor with limited parenchymal involvement and rupture into the collecting system. This rare presentation of nephroblastoma and its differentiation from other rare benign and malignant renal pelvic lesions occurring in the pediatric patient are discussed. The advantages and disadvantages of radical and conservative surgical approaches to these rare lesions are reviewed. Preoperative cystoscopy and retrograde pyelography are mandatory in all patients with renal tumors presenting with gross hematuria, regardless of age. Radical nephrectomy with total ureterectomy is recommended for Wilms tumor with extension into the collecting system.
The Relationship Between Narcissistic and Antisocial Personalities

This article explores the relationship between narcissistic and antisocial personalities and considers the concepts underlying diagnostic entities and relationships.
Weathering Rates and Major Transport Processes an Introduction

A global biogeochemical cycle is a conceptual model of the pathways and flows of individual chemical elements or their compounds in the surface environment of the Earth. The flows of materials on the Earth’s surface are driven by processes of diverse nature, such as: the major physical and tectonic forces that control the shapes and elevation of the continental plates; the major climatic processes that are responsible for the global water flows and temperature distribution over the Earth’s surface; the chemical and microbiological processes that result in dissolution of some crustal rock minerals and formation of other sedimentary minerals; the transport of the continental crustal materials by wind, rivers and ground-waters, and their ultimate delivery to the oceans.
Miscellaneous IDEA Categories and Section 504

This chapter briefly covers several IDEA categories including Visual Impairment, Hearing Impairment, Orthopedic Impairment and Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI). Additionally, it will cover English Language Learners and Section 504 eligibility, offering two sample reports of children deemed eligible under Section 504. The chapter begins with a discussion of Section 504.
Thermal Inactivation of Phosphatase by the AOAC-V Method.

Thermal inactivation of phosphatase in raw whole milk was determined by the AOAC-V method. D-values in duplicate experiments at temperatures of 63.3, 66.1, 68.9, and 71.7°C were 332.0 and 338.0 s, 91.6 and 90.2 s, 31.4 and 27.6 s, and 9.9 and 8.9 s, respectively. The ZD-value was 5.39°C. Results confirmed phosphatase activity in milk heated at 71.7°C for 15 s and the need to heat raw whole milk for at least 19 s at 72.2°C to obtain a negative test by the AOAC-V.
Pyridinium oxidations of benzyl alcohol under microwave-assisted retro-ene conditions

Benzyl alcohol is oxidized to benzaldehyde when heated in sulfolane in the presence of N-benzylnicotinamide and N-benzylpyridinium salts. The oxidation is accelerated in the presence microwaves. Oxidations with related pyridiniums suggest that these oxidations could occur via retro-ene reactions.
Survival of Clostridium perfringens and Aerobic Bacteria in Ground Beef Patties during Microwave and Conventional Cookery 1.

Conventional oven cookery was more effective than microwave oven cookery for reducing numbers of aerobic microorganisms and Clostridium perfringens in ground beef patties when the meat was heated to approximately the same internal temperatures of 65-71°C for rare or 77-93°C for well done. Reductions in numbers of C. perfringens during microwave cookery of patties inoculated with 105 vegetative cells/g ranged from 0.75 to 1.48/g (log values); for conventional cookery, these reduction values ranged from 3.51 to 8.06/g (log values). Recovery of heat-stressed cells of C. perfringens was equally efficient in Trypton-Sulfite-Cycloserine agar and Sulfite-Polymyxin-Sulfadiazine agar.
Intradialytic hypotension in acute kidney injury requiring renal replacement therapy

The treatment of severe acute kidney injury (AKI) with dialytic support for renal replacement therapy can be life sustaining and permit recovery from critical illness. Like any interventional therapy, however, renal replacement therapy with intermittent hemodialysis or continuous therapy can cause complications. Intradialytic hypotension is a common complication and can cause further ischemic injury to the recovering kidneys, thereby reducing the probability of renal recovery. The optimal dialytic technique-continuous or intermittent-has not been conclusively demonstrated in randomized controlled trials. In general, treatment or prophylactic strategies for intradialytic hypotension in AKI have not been comprehensively tested. Given the frequency of intradialytic hypotension in dialytic treatment of AKI and its adverse clinical consequences, future research should rigorously compare dialytic techniques and other prevention strategies in adequately powered, randomized controlled trials.