cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
General linear processes: A property of the empirical process applied to density and mode estimation

. General linear processes do not usually satisfy strong mixing conditions. Therefore, we investigate the empirical process based on samples from such a general linear process by using a truncation argument and derive a local fluctuation inequality. It is well known that such a fluctuation inequality is of basic importance in the study of the empirical process. Here it is applied to obtain a rate of almost sure (a.s.) convergence for certain density estimators in the supremum norm. This extends a local result obtained by Chanda. As a direct corollary a rate of a.s. convergence for a mode estimator is obtained.
Early Childhood Education and Child Care: Issues of At-Risk Children and Families

Unification of educational and custodial concerns for early childhood is a necessity, particularly for those at risk
The Effects of Intravitreal Irrigation During Vitrectomy on the Electroretinogram

Intravitreal irrigation with Balanced Salt Solution Plus (BSS Plus) produced less decrease in b-wave amplitude than either normal saline solution or Balanced Salt Solution. BSS Plus was more suitable for intravitreal irrigation because it contained the appropriate bicarbonate, pH, and ionic composition necessary for maintenance of normal retinal electrical activity, and it contained glutathione, which is necessary for maintenance of endothelial cell adenosine triphosphatase and for protection against free radical damage and oxidative stress.
Charge inversion of the halogen ions

Abstract Collision-induced charge inversion (+ → −) of 8 keV halide ions has been studied by ion kinetic energy spectrometry. Two mechanisms are observed, one-step double electron transfer and successive single electron transfers. The onsets of the peaks in the kinetic energy loss spectra can be determined to ±1 eV in many cases thus allowing, in combination with data from charge tripping, assignment of the ionic states of the reactants and products. Each of the three halogen ions behaves similarly. In each case, the agreement between the experimental and theoretical results supports the assumption that spin angular momentum is conserved. The experimental peaks do not always correspond only to reaction from the ground electronic state of the ion; excited state reactions may be observed if this results in minimization of the internal energy defect for the reaction. Double electron transfer is observed from the ground state of the halide ion and gives ground state products while involvement of the excited 1 D and 1 S states has been observed for some of the two step reactions.
Elucidating Molecular Phenotypes Caused by the SORL1 Alzheimer’s Disease Genetic Risk Factor Using Human Induced Pluripotent Stem Cells

Predisposition to sporadic Alzheimer's disease (SAD) involves interactions between a person's unique combination of genetic variants and the environment. The molecular effect of these variants may be subtle and difficult to analyze with standard in vitro or in vivo models. Here we used hIPSCs to examine genetic variation in the SORL1 gene and possible contributions to SAD-related phenotypes in human neurons. We found that human neurons carrying SORL1 variants associated with an increased SAD risk show a reduced response to treatment with BDNF, at the level of both SORL1 expression and APP processing. shRNA knockdown of SORL1 demonstrates that the differences in BDNF-induced APP processing between genotypes are dependent on SORL1 expression. We propose that the variation in SORL1 expression induction by BDNF is modulated by common genetic variants and can explain how genetic variation in this one locus can contribute to an individual's risk of developing SAD.
Frequency and seasonal variation of ophthalmology-related internet searches

Abstract Objective: To use internet search activity to reveal the intensity of public interest and seasonal variation in ophthalmology-related diseases, symptoms, and treatments. Design: Time-series analysis of internet search data. Methods: Google trend data for ophthalmology terms for the United States, the United Kingdom, Canada, and Australia from 2004 through 2008 were studied. Mean population-weighted temperature and fraction of schools in session were estimated from databases, and relative potential sunlight intensity was calculated. Multivariable linear regression was used to predict search term frequency based on environmental variables. Results: Relative to diabetes searches (100%), common US eye-related searches were: "glasses" (44%), "Lasik" (16%), "contact lenses" (12.4%), "pinkeye" (9.5%), "glaucoma" (5.9%), "cataract" (4.1%), "dry eyes" (2.1%), "eyetwitching" (1.9%), and "eye pain" (1.9%). Seasonal nature was high for "conjunctivitis" ( r 2 = 0.37), "pink eye" ( r 2 = 0.32), "eye floaters" ( r 2 = 0.26), and "stye" ( r 2 = 0.19), moderate for "glaucoma" ( r 2 = 0.09) and "eye twitching" (r2 = 0.06), and low for "uveitis" ( r 2 = 0.02) and "macular degeneration" ( r 2 p p p r 2 = 0.75–0.38) and associated with "pollen" searches. Conclusions: Internet ophthalmology searches relate (in decreasing order) to refractive correction, eye diseases, and eye symptoms. Search study reveals the seasonality and environmental associations of interest in health terms.
Saying “yes” for “no” and “no” for “yes”: A Chinese rule

Abstract ‘Contrary-to-face-value’ messages, which can only be understood from a contextual, not from a strictly text-based approach to communication, have caused many problems in communication between East Asians and Anglo-Americans. A typology of ‘contrary-to-face-value communication’ (CFVC), as identified in the Chinese culture, is proposed in this study. Four forms of CFVC are identified on the basis of the following two dimensions of CFVC: internal motivation (other-serving or self-serving), and external speech (saying “yes” for “no” or “no” for “yes”). Though confusing to cultural outsiders, each of the four forms can be justified from an insider's perspective.
Optimization of the adaptive function by the Z -transform method

A study is made on the optimization of the adjustment process in a self-optimizing system under rather general assumptions. The system is designed to keep a performance parameter m either at a prescribed value or at an unknown extremal value. A direct measurement on m is made and the adjustment is based on measured m only. Factors considered are (1) the finite measuring interval, (2) the necessity of looking ahead one interval, (3) the probable error in measurement, and (4) the changing situation. A set of weighting factors on present and past data, and the proper value of test bias for extremal seeking systems, are determined by a least square optimization process. The criterion of optimization is least reduction in m for peak seeking systems and least square error in m for systems with prescribed value of m. Two types of extremal seeking systems are studied. The alternate biasing systems are found to be superior in performance compared to the derivative sensing systems. This paper has been published by the AIEE as Paper No. CP 59-1296.
A psychometric analysis of the Mental Adjustment to Cancer Scale

This paper describes a psychometric replication study of a British coping scale, the Mental Adjustment to Cancer scale, on 239 USA cancer patients. The internal consistency and construct validity were similar to the original validation study. However, the factor structure was different. Cultural differences between the British and USA patient populations are discussed.
Niacin Decreases Removal of High-Density Lipoprotein Apolipoprotein A-I But Not Cholesterol Ester by Hep G2 Cells Implication for Reverse Cholesterol Transport

Abstract Niacin (nicotinic acid) is the most potent clinically used agent for increasing plasma HDL and apolipoprotein (apo) A-I. The mechanism by which niacin increases apoA-I is not clearly understood. We have examined the effect of niacin on the hepatic production and removal of apoA-I using Hep G2 cells as an in vitro model. Incubation of Hep G2 cells with niacin resulted in increased accumulation of apoA-I in the medium in a dose-dependent manner. Incorporation of [3H]leucine and [35S]methionine into apoA-I and apoA-I mRNA expression was unchanged by niacin, suggesting that it did not affect apoA-I de novo synthesis. Uptake of radiolabeled HDL protein and HDL apoA-I by Hep G2 cells was significantly reduced to as much as 82.9±2.2% ( P =.04) and 84.2±2.8% ( P =.02), respectively, of the baseline with increasing concentrations of niacin (0 to 3.0 mmol/L). Specific 125I-HDL protein uptake measured with a 50-fold excess of unlabeled HDL was reduced to as much as 78.3±4.8% ( P =.005) in niacin-treated cells. The uptake of labeled cholesterol esters in HDL was unaffected by niacin. Niacin also effected a similar decrease in HDL protein uptake, but not cholesterol esters, from apoA-I–containing HDL particles isolated by immunoaffinity. The conditioned medium obtained from Hep G2 cells incubated with niacin significantly ( P =.002) increased cholesterol efflux from cultured human fibroblasts. These data indicate a novel mechanism whereby niacin selectively decreases hepatic removal of HDL apoA-I but not cholesterol esters, thereby increasing the capacity of retained apoA-I to augment reverse cholesterol transport.
Risk Factors for Major Violence Among Homeless Women

Violence against women is a significant public health, criminal, and social problem, but survey research with a focus on homeless women's experiences of violence is limited. Using self-report data from a probability sample of 974 homeless women in Los Angeles County, California, this study examines severity of homelessness, social and family characteristics, subsistence activities, and alcohol and drug abuse or dependence as predictors of major violence (i.e., being kicked, bitten, hit with a fist or object, beaten up, choked, burned, or threatened or harmed with a knife or gun). One third of the women experienced major violence during the year before they were interviewed. Greater severity of homelessness, engaging in subsistence activities, and victimization during childhood were significant predictors of major violence. Analyses suggested that drug dependence might influence victimization risk through sex trade. Major violence against homeless women requires attention from multiple service sectors.
Understanding Greenland ice sheet hydrology using an integrated multi-scale approach

Improved understanding of Greenland ice sheet hydrology is critically important for assessing its impact on current and future ice sheet dynamics and global sea level rise. This has motivated the collection and integration of in situ observations, model development, and remote sensing efforts to quantify meltwater production, as well as its phase changes, transport, and export. Particularly urgent is a better understanding of albedo feedbacks leading to enhanced surface melt, potential positive feedbacks between ice sheet hydrology and dynamics, and meltwater retention in firn. These processes are not isolated, but must be understood as part of a continuum of processes within an integrated system. This letter describes a systems approach to the study of Greenland ice sheet hydrology, emphasizing component interconnections and feedbacks, and highlighting research and observational needs.
Observationally determining the properties of dark matter

Determining the properties of the dark components of the universe remains one of the outstanding challenges in cosmology. We explore how upcoming CMB anisotropy measurements, galaxy power spectrum data, and supernova (SN) distance measurements can observationally constrain their gravitational properties with minimal assumptions on the theoretical side. SN observations currently suggest the existence of dark matter with an exotic equation of state $p/\ensuremath{\rho}\ensuremath{\lesssim}\ensuremath{-}1/3$ that accelerates the expansion of the universe. When combined with CMB anisotropy measurements, SN or galaxy survey data can in principle determine the equation of state and density of this component separately, regardless of their value, as long as the universe is spatially flat. Combining these pairs creates a sharp consistency check. If $p/\ensuremath{\rho}\ensuremath{\gtrsim}\ensuremath{-}1/2,$ then the clustering behavior (sound speed) of the dark component can be determined so as to test the scalar-field ``quintessence'' hypothesis. If the exotic matter turns out instead to be simply a cosmological constant $(p/\ensuremath{\rho}=\ensuremath{-}1),$ the combination of CMB and galaxy survey data should provide a significant detection of the remaining dark matter, the neutrino background radiation (NBR). The gross effect of its density or temperature on the expansion rate is ill constrained as it can be mimicked by a change in the matter density. However, anisotropies of the NBR break this degeneracy and should be detectable by upcoming experiments.
Relationships Among Age of Dam, Egg Components, Embryo Lipid Transfer, and Hatchability of Broiler Breeder Eggs

Fertility, hatchability, and their relationships to age of dam, egg components, embryo growth, and embryo lipid transfer were studied in a broiler breeder line segregating at the sex-linked feathering locus. Early-season increases in hatchability of eggs were due to a reduction in embryo deaths between Day 1 and 7 of incubation. No late seasonal declines in either fertility or hatchability were observed. Although less proficient in young dams, embryo lipid transfer was not directly associated with the lower hatchability of their eggs. Egg weight, weights of 18-day embryos, and embryo:egg ratios increased with parental age. Also with age, there were increases in shell, albumen, and yolk weights. Heavier albumen weight was due to increased moisture content, and those for shell and yolk were due to dry matter accumulation. Changes in yolk:albumen ratios reflected large increases in relative yolk weight, on a wet and dry weight basis, that were associated with age of dam. Eggs from late-feathering dams were heavier than those from early-feathering ones. Heavier embryos by 18 days of incubation were attributed to the transfer of albumen from the egg to the embryo.
Spatially-Resolved Characterization of Dispersion Flattened Nonlinear Fiber

Spatially resolved dispersion mapping of dispersion flattened highly nonlinear fiber (DF-HNLF) is reported. The characterization of a nearly dispersionless fiber-type is achieved through a generalized counter-colliding pulse method originally developed for conventional, linear-slope HNLF type. A new algorithm is developed in conjunction with the technique and applied to a 160-m-long DF-HNLF segment. The new method is used to identify the fiber part with largest dispersion fluctuations. A combined ability to spatially resolve DF-HNLF type and measure them with high accuracy carries a large practical importance for wideband mixer construction that requires precise phase matching conditions.
Estimating global uncertainty in epipoloar geometry for vehicle-mounted cameras

We present a method for estimating the global uncertainty of epipolar geometry with applications to autonomous vehicle navigation. Such uncertainty information is necessary for making informed decisions regarding the confidence of a motion estimate, since we must otherwise accept the estimate without any knowledge of the probability that the estimate is in error. For example, we may wish to fuse visual estimates with information from GPS and inertial sensors, but without uncertainty information, we have no principled way to do so. Ideally, we would perform a full search over the 7-dimensional space of fundamental matrices to yield an estimate and its related uncertainty. However, searching this space is computationally infeasible. As a compromise between fully representing posterior likelihood over this space and producing a single estimate, we represent the uncertainty over the space of translation directions in a calibrated framework. In contrast to finding a single estimate, representing the posterior likelihood is always a well-posed problem, albeit an often computationally challenging one. Given the posterior likelihood, we derive a confidence interval around the motion estimate. We verify the correctness of the confidence interval using synthetic data and show examples of uncertainty estimates using vehicle-mounted camera sequences.
Structure of the adenovirus 2 early mRNAs

We have defined the structure of adenovirus 2 (Ad2) cytoplasmic RNAs produced during the early phase of infection. Hybrids between cytoplasmic RNA and DNA restriction fragments of the viral genome were digested with endonuclease S1 or exonuclease VII, and the products were analyzed by gel electrophoresis. Seven abundant cytoplasmic RNAs (assumed to be mRNAs) were identified, and all have a spliced structure. Different mRNAs produced from a single transcriptional unit contain extensively overlapping sequences, and differ from each other by the pattern in which genome sequences are spliced together. The structures of the early Ad2 mRNAs are consistent with a model for mRNA biosynthesis in which an initial transcript is processed into a mature mRNA by "splicing out" internal sequences. The pattern of spliced mRNAs produced from the early region responsible for the transforming activity of Ad2 resembles the splicing pattern of the oncogenic early mRNAs of simian virus 40 (SV40). This fact, in conjunction with recent DNA sequencing results, leads us to suggest that, like the SV40 tumor antigens, the polypeptides encoded by these Ad2 mRNAs have an identical amino acid sequence at their N terminal ends, but have different C terminal sequences.
Turbulent front structure of an axisymmetric compressible wake

Abstract : Intermittency measurements have been performed within the first one hundred virtual diameters of an axi-symmetric compressible wake. The primary measurements, performed with the hot-wire anemometer, concerned the intermittency factor and the frequency of zero occurrences. The intermittent flow covered most of the wake profile but for a narrow region about the axis, and was found to be normally distributed around the average front position. The latter, along with the extent of the front standard deviation, was found to agree numerically with expectations based on low speed wakes and to grow as the 1/3-power of axial distance. A weak periodicity of the front was detected at a wavelength about nine times greater than the longitudinal scale of turbulent velocity fluctuations. This periodicity affects the turbulent spectra.
Coupling and loading measurements for a dielectric-filled ICRF waveguide coupler

Experiments were carried out to verify models of the reflection coefficients and the phase transitions for matched or loaded dielectric-filled waveguide couplers in the ion cyclotron range of frequencies (ICRF). A model for the plasma load simulation in the waveguide is developed and examined permanently using the time-domain features of an HP.8510 network analyzer. The loss properties of deionized water, which was used for laboratory waveguide dielectric tests, are also discussed. Close agreement between the coupling models and measurements is noted. For a matched coupler, the optimal power-coupling efficiency obtained is 95% and for a simulated-plasma loaded coupler this value is in the range of 80%, depending upon the plasma load. If it is assumed that the effects of the high neutron flux present in a reactor environment on the dielectric strength of water are negligible (or eliminated), and that the dielectric breakdown strength of water is approximately 3 kV/cm at nearly 80% coupling efficiency, the power handling capability of the water-filled coupler is estimated to be in the range of 3-6 MW. >
The role of microscopic anisotropy in the macroscopic behavior of a phase boundary

Abstract A Landau-Ginzburg approach is implemented to study the influence microscopic anisotropy on the interfacial boundary between two phases. The continuum limit for a lattice spin system with anisotropic interactions Ji and spacing ai leads to the system of equations τ( ∂φ ∂t ) = Σ i = 1 d ξ i 2 ( ∂ 2 φ ∂x i 2 ) + 1 2 (φ − φ 3 ) + 2u , ∂u ∂t + ( l 2 )( ∂φ ∂t ) = KΔu . Here, φ is an order parameter, u is the temperature, τ is a relaxation time, ξi are related to Ji and ai, l is the latent heat of fusion, and K is the diffusivity. Both equilibrium and non-equilibrium conditions are considered. A modified Gibbs-Thompson relation Δs u(r, θ) = −[σ(θ) + σ″(θ)] κ− τνσ(θ) ξ A 2 (θ) + v(ξ 2 ) is obtained, where s is entropy density, κ is curvature, ν is normal velocity of the interface, and ξA(θ) is a measure of the thickness of the interface.
Prospects for Peircian Epistemic Infinitism

Epistemic infinitism is the view that infinite series of inferential relations are productive of epistemic justification. Peirce is explicitly infinitist in his early work, namely his 1868 series of articles. Further, Peirce's semiotic categories of firsts, seconds, and thirds favors a mixed theory of justification. The conclusion is that Peirce was an infinitist, and particularly, what I will term an impure infinitist. However, the prospects for Peirce's infinitism depend entirely on the prospects for Peirce's early semantics, which are not good. Peirce himself revised the semantic theory later, and in so doing, it seems also his epistemic infinitism.
Experiments on extended performance: Repetition, age, and limited sleep periods

Four experiments on the effects on performance of extended time periods without sleep and on the effects of limited sleep, that is, naps, within such periods are reviewed. The performance measures included subjective measures and measures of performance on attention/persistence, continuous-production, precision, and cognitive tasks. Repeated periods of sleep deprivation did not result in decreased effects: Older subjects tended to be more vulnerable to sleep-loss decrements, and three different schedules of 4 h of sleep within a 60-h sleep-deprivation period had limited differential ameliorative effects.
Personality types of flight crew members in a hospital-based helicopter program

Purpose: To determine the personality preferences of flight crew members in a hospital-based helicopter emergency medical service (HEMS) using the Myers-Briggs Type Indicator (MBTI), and to differentiate and compare these preferences between crew specialties and a historical control population. Methods: A prospective cohort study was conducted of all active crew members (nurses, respiratory therapists and pilots) in a hospital-based flight program. Data collected included the results of the MBTI, gender, age and years of flight experience. Results: Crew members were represented by 14 of 16 possible MBTI personality types, with three types predominating. For each crew specialty, extroversion preferences predominated over introversion, and perceiving characteristics predominated over judging characteristics. Differences existed by crew specialty for the sensing-intuition and thinking-feeling dimensions. Conclusions: A personality typology has been established for individual and group preferences within one hospital-based HEMS program. This data begins to develop a data base and an investigative protocol for understanding some of the human factors regarding flight programs. Future research should focus on expanding the data base and exploring specific crew interactions based on additional diagnostic and evaluative methodologies.
The role of natural killer cells in the pathogenesis of sepsis: the ongoing enigma

The study by Souza-Fonseca-Guimaraes and colleagues in the previous issue of Critical Care shows several alterations in blood natural killer (NK) characteristics during human sepsis and systemic inflammatory response syndrome, including changes in NK cell numbers, Toll-like receptor (TLR) expression, and responsiveness to TLR agonists. This paper advances our knowledge of NK cell biology during sepsis and provides the background for future investigations.
Review of the Safety and Feasibility of Rapid Infusion of Rituximab

Added to standard chemotherapy, rituximab improved survival in patients with non-Hodgkin's lymphoma; added to fludarabine-based regimens, it improved response and survival in patients with chronic B-cell lymphocytic leukemia.
Toward the future of psychiatric diagnosis: the seven pillars of RDoC

Current diagnostic systems for mental disorders rely upon presenting signs and symptoms, with the result that current definitions do not adequately reflect relevant neurobiological and behavioral systems - impeding not only research on etiology and pathophysiology but also the development of new treatments. The National Institute of Mental Health began the Research Domain Criteria (RDoC) project in 2009 to develop a research classification system for mental disorders based upon dimensions of neurobiology and observable behavior. RDoC supports research to explicate fundamental biobehavioral dimensions that cut across current heterogeneous disorder categories. We summarize the rationale, status and long-term goals of RDoC, outline challenges in developing a research classification system (such as construct validity and a suitable process for updating the framework) and discuss seven distinct differences in conception and emphasis from current psychiatric nosologies. Future diagnostic systems cannot reflect ongoing advances in genetics, neuroscience and cognitive science until a literature organized around these disciplines is available to inform the revision efforts. The goal of the RDoC project is to provide a framework for research to transform the approach to the nosology of mental disorders.
The Role of Distress Tolerance in the Use of Specific Emotion Regulation Strategies

The present study evaluated the role of distress tolerance (DT), defined as the ability to tolerate negative emotional states, in the use of four specific emotion regulation strategies (suppression, avoidance, rumination, and reappraisal). Undergraduate psychology students (N = 431, 71.7% female; Mage = 19.80 years, SD= 3.71) completed self-report measures online for course credit. It was hypothesized that, after controlling for the effects of anxiety sensitivity and negative affectivity, DT would be negatively associated with suppression, avoidance, and rumination, and positively associated with reappraisal. Consistent with prediction, low DT significantly predicted greater use of suppression, avoidance, and rumination. However, contrary to prediction, DT did not significantly predict reappraisal. These results suggest that individuals who are unable to withstand negative emotions are more likely to use maladaptive regulation strategies.
An electrochemical-based thermal flow sensor

The first thermal flow sensor to operate on the principle of measuring thermal changes in ionic mobility vis-a-vis electrochemical impedance resulting from flow was developed and demonstrated. Its biocompatible construction on a flexible polymer substrate enables unobtrusive integration with medical implants such as shunts and catheters. Flow is transduced by utilizing electrochemical impedance measurements between an electrode pair to detect temperature changes resulting from transport of liquid focally heated upstream. This approach offers increased sensitivity compared to solid sensing materials and compatibility in saline environments. Flow rates below 320 μL/min could be detected with a limit of detection of 10.7 μL/min. The simple design and performance range is suitable for in vivo applications.
Genesis and Prevention of Karst Collapse of Qintang District in Guigang

In recent thirty years,there has been serious Karst collapses in Qintang District of Guigang. The main influencing factors and development law of Karst collapse by field investigation,groundwater dynamic monitoring and other relevant means were comprehensively analyzed. Studies showed that Karst collapse depended on integrative consideration of various factors. Of which using open channel irrigation with no seepage control measures and largely excessive pumping of Karst groundwater in a short time during agricultural irrigation season was the direct cause of the collapse occurrence. The development process and forming mechanism of Karst collapses were also discussed. On this basis,in accordance with the reality of Karst collapses in the research areas,some counter measures about preventing karst collapse in order to reduce the occurrence of karst collapses are put forward.
Does nuclear desalination make sense for Saudi Arabia

Abstract Water scarcity is a global concern. Due to the limited fresh water resources in the world, seawater desalination is an important technology. Currently, most desalination systems use fossil fuels as their energy source. This presents challenges, such as depleting fuel reserves, fluctuating fuel prices, and the increasing emissions of carbon dioxide that is impacting the environment. Nuclear power has been used successfully in desalination, and is presented as an alternative option to reduce the consumption of fossil fuels and reduce carbon dioxide emissions. This alternative options is important especially for oil-based countries like Saudi Arabia with the world's largest water desalination market and the world's largest oil reserves. The country's energy and water sectors are facing two major challenges, such as rising consumption of energy and increasing water demands, this paper explores the economic potential of using nuclear desalination in oil-based Saudi Arabia. The evaluation of the economics of fossil-based and nuclear-based desalination systems were presented considering data previously presented about nuclear desalination in the literature, previous experiences in other countries and the IAEA modelling tool (DEEP). Results of this study are thus expected to be a source of information for policy decisions.
The Future of Natural Gas in China: Effects of Pricing Reform and Climate Policy

The Joint Program on the Science and Policy of Global Change is funded by a consortium of Federal awards and industrial and foundation sponsors (for the complete list see: http://globalchange.mit.edu/sponsors/all). Support from the U.S. Federal Government in the past three years was received from the U.S. Department of Energy, Office of Science under grants DE-FG02-94ER61937, DE-SC0007114, DE-FG02-08ER64597; the U.S. Department of Energy, Oak Ridge National Laboratory under subcontract 4000109855; the U.S. Department of Agriculture under grant 58-6000-2-0099; the U.S. Energy Information Administration under grant DE-EI0001908; the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency under grants XA-83505101-0, XA-83600001-1, and RD-83427901-0; the U.S. Federal Aviation Administration under agreement 09-C-NE-MIT; the U.S. National Aeronautics and Space Administration under grants NNX13AH91A, NNX11AN72G, and sub-awards 4103-60255 and 4103-30368; the U.S. National Renewable Energy Laboratory under grant UGA-0-41029-15; the U.S. National Science Foundation under grants OCE-1434007, IIS-1028163, EF-1137306, AGS-1216707, ARC-1203526, AGS-1339264 , AGS-0944121, and sub-awards UTA08.950 and 1211086Z1; the U.S. Department of Transportation under grant DTRT57-10-C-10015; and the U.S. Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration under grant NA13OAR4310084.
Fabrication and Characterization of Nanofiber Enhanced Prepregs

Typically, composites are lightweight, and high strength and hence are attractive for use in aerospace, automotive applications. For most of the aerospace applications, laminated composites serve as a primary load carrying structure and are subjected to a variety of loadings including transverse impact and fatigue loadings. The typical laminated composites are weak in the transverse direction. Since laminated composites are weak in the transverse direction, when these laminates are subjected to transverse loading, most of the time interlaminar failure occurs in the form of delaminations. Conventional methods of preventing delaminations include improving the design and improving the matrix properties. Although, improving the composite design suppress delaminations to some extent, a substantial amount of compromise with other properties like increase of resin volume fraction, degradation of inplane properties, voids, distortion in fibers and laminate, an increase of cost or process complexities are common. The present day researchers are more focused on improving matrix by nanomaterials such as Carbon Nano Tube(CNT), though the cost is hampering its potential for an industrial prospect. Electrospun nanofibers are being considered as a cheap alternative for vapor grown CNTs and other nanomaterials which involve complex fabrication and application methods in the field of interlaminar reinforcement for polymer matrix composites. Most of the aerospace quality composites are manufactured using prepreg due to the higher percentage of fiber volume fraction and hence higher mechanical properties. Although, nanomaterials have been recognized as a major advancement for improvement of composite material properties, there has been very little effort to fabricate prepregs using nanofibers. The current research focuses on the challenges involved in the fabrication of nanofiber enhanced prepregs and process difficulties and possible solutions for fabricating electrospun nanofiber overlaid prepregs. The effects of heat treatment on electrospun nanofiber overlaid woven fabric on the mechanical properties of both glass and carbon are investigated. A novel technique is proposed for manufacturing of nanofiber engineered prepregs.
Penile squamous cell carcinoma: a review of the literature and case report treated with Mohs micrographic surgery

The majority of penile carcinoma is squamous cell carcinoma. Although uncommon in the United States, it represents a larger proportion of cancers in the underdeveloped world. Invasive squamous cell carcinoma may arise from precursor lesions or de novo , and has been associated with lack of circumcision and HPV infection. Early diagnosis is imperative as lymphatic spread is associated with a poor prognosis. Radical surgical treatment is no longer the mainstay, and penile sparing treatments now are often used, including Mohs micrographic surgery. Therapeutic decisions should be made with regard to the size and location of the tumor, as well as the functional desires of the patient. It is critical for the dermatologist to be familiar with the evaluation, grading/staging, and treatment advances of penile squamous cell carcinoma. Herein, we present a review of the literature regarding penile squamous cell carcinoma, as well as a case report of invasive squamous cell carcinoma treated with Mohs micrographic surgery.
Insensitivity of cultured rat cortical neurons to mitochondrial DNA synthesis inhibitors: Evidence for a slow turnover of mitochondrial DNA

Mitochondrial dysfunction is a major contributor to aging and neurodegeneration. Defects in mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) have been identified in several neuromuscular diseases. Even though there is a high rate of phenotypic expression of mtDNA mutations in the central nervous system and replication of DNA introduces errors, little is known about the replicative activity of mtDNA in the brain. In this study, we investigated the sensitivity of cultured rat cortical neurons to mtDNA synthesis inhibitors as a means to assess the turnover rate of mtDNA. Four-day treatment with dideoxycytidine (ddC) (0.2 μM) or ethidium bromide (EtB) (0.25 μg/mL) reduced the mtDNA content approximately 80% in the human lymphoblastoid cell line, CEM. Concentrations of ddC ranging from 0.2 to 10 μM did not reduce mtDNA content in primary cultures of rat cortical neurons. Similarly, treatment with EtB (0.1, 0.25, and 0.5 μg/mL) did not affect significantly neuronal mtDNA. EtB (0.25 μg/mL) was effective in reducing mtDNA content in the undifferentiated embryonic carcinoma cell line, P 19. However, once P 19 cells were differentiated into a neuronal phenotype, they became insensitive to inhibition of mtDNA synthesis by EtB. Thus, cultured rat cortical neurons were less sensitive to mtDNA synthesis inhibitors than cell lines, suggesting that the turnover of mtDNA in central neurons is very slow. This may protect central neurons from accumulating mutations during the replication of mtDNA.
Choisir le bonheur et promouvoir le bien-être et la productivité en bibliothèques

Nous etudions ici les avancees de la psychologie positive et les appliquons a la gestion du personnel en bibliotheques afin d’ameliorer la satisfaction a l’egard de la vie des employes et la productivite au travail. Nous nous interessons a la psychologie positive et aux outils qu’elle propose de meme qu’aux avantages de choisir le bonheur comme valeur au travail. Nous appliquons ensuite nos observations a la gestion du personnel en bibliotheques, notamment en matiere d’interventions, de pratiques en place et de situations manageriales courantes.
Semilinear Wave Equation in the de Sitter Spacetime with Hyperbolic Spatial Part

For the Cauchy problem for the semilinear wave equation in the de Sitter spacetime the global in time existence of the solutions is still an open problem. In this paper we give estimates for the lifespan of the solutions of semilinear wave equation in the de Sitter spacetime with flat and hyperbolic spatial parts under some conditions on the order of the nonlinearity. In the case of hyperbolic spatial part the order of nonlinearity is less than the critical value given by Strauss conjecture.
Carbon Dioxide Capture and Activation

Research on CO 2 capture and utilization to produce chemicals and fuels has received a significant amount of attention in recent years, primarily because of the growing recognition in the scientific community that progress in this field offers opportunities for solving the problems of both fossil fuel depletion and global warming. The goal of this chapter is to display the broad array of recent developments in this area of research, including the current technology and promising methods for CO 2 capture, the thermodynamics/kinetics of CO 2 binding and structures of metal CO 2 complexes, conversion of CO 2 to industrially useful chemicals, hydrogenation of CO 2 to produce fuels, and the electrochemical and photochemical reduction of CO 2 .
3D reconstruction optimization using imagery captured by unmanned aerial vehicles

Because unmanned air vehicles (UAVs) are emerging as an indispensable image acquisition platform in precision agriculture, it is vitally important that researchers understand how to optimize UAV camera payloads for analysis of surveyed areas. In this study, imagery captured by a Nikon RGB camera attached to a Precision Hawk Lancaster was used to survey an agricultural field from six different altitudes ranging from 45.72 m (150 ft.) to 121.92 m (400 ft.). After collecting imagery, two different software packages (MeshLab and AgiSoft) were used to measure predetermined reference objects within six three-dimensional (3-D) point clouds (one per altitude scenario). In-silico measurements were then compared to actual reference object measurements, as recorded with a tape measure. Deviations of in-silico measurements from actual measurements were recorded as Δx, Δy, and Δz. The average measurement deviation in each coordinate direction was then calculated for each of the six flight scenarios. Results from MeshLab vs. AgiSoft offered insight into the effectiveness of GPS-defined point cloud scaling in comparison to user-defined point cloud scaling. In three of the six flight scenarios flown, MeshLab's 3D imaging software (user-defined scale) was able to measure object dimensions from 50.8 to 76.2 cm (20-30 inches) with greater than 93% accuracy. The largest average deviation in any flight scenario from actual measurements was 14.77 cm (5.82 in.). Analysis of the point clouds in AgiSoft (GPS-defined scale) yielded even smaller Δx, Δy, and Δz than the MeshLab measurements in over 75% of the flight scenarios. The precisions of these results are satisfactory in a wide variety of precision agriculture applications focused on differentiating and identifying objects using remote imagery.
The Bondei object pronoun in clefts and pseudo-clefts

Verbs in Bondei, a Bantu language spoken in East Africa, have crossreferencing pronouns which agree in noun class with the subject and object of the clause. This paper will examine the distribution of the syntactic category object pronoun in four grammatical constructions: (a) basic affirmative declarative clauses; (b) relative clauses; (c) clefts; and (d) pseudo-clefts. In declarative and relative clauses, the presence of the object pronoun does not require a definite interpretation of the object noun; the absence of the object pronoun does not preclude a definite interpretation of the object noun. In both cleft and pseudo-cleft constructions, however, the object pronoun obligatorily functions to grammatically mark clef ted and pseudo-clef ted objects as definite. In the cleft constructions, the definiteness of the clef ted NP forces a contrastive interpretation. Thus, a judgment concerning the function of this grammatical construction with regard to contrastive function will be made on the basis of the distribution of the syntactic category object pronoun. In the pseudo-cleft constructions, it is not possible to make the same judgment. Contrastive function is unambiguously signaled by the relative morphology on the verb of the pseudo-cleft. In this construction, the object pronoun serves only to force a definite interpretation of the NP.
Fostering Diverse Values in the Higher Education Classroom: English Language Learning Techniques that Benefit All Learners

Many students, native and international, are unfamiliar with the values grounding higher education systems. By including a few best practices for working with international and domestic students, much can be done to increase the accessibility of courses and draw from the diverse experiences in classes, which benefits all students as they move to compete in a global market. The author began a project in fall 2008 involving faculty and staff from four academic institutions where there are diverse mixtures of international and domestic students. Out of this has come a source of English language learning (ELL) techniques that are useful to all faculty, staff, and students, regardless of native language. The result is this document meant to be used as a ELL tool and resource that can be adapted to a wide array of situations.
Ventriloquism and accountability

Francois Cooren’s ventriloquist pragmatism aims to do justice to the richness and complexity of communication and is informed by a wide range of communication theories. While I share Cooren’s pragmatist intuitions, I am less certain about his ventriloquist pragmatism (or pragmatist ventriloquism). I therefore ask, first, what we gain from the ventriloquism metaphor; and, second, how pragmatism serves as a meta-perspective and how ventriloquism facilitates a dialogue between the seven traditions of communication theory he identifies. Finally, I consider a Habermasian theory of communicative action as a possibly preferable alternative.
Seed Germination of Rhododendron chapmanii: Influence of Light and Temperature

Abstract Seeds of Rhododendron chapmanii A. Gray (Chapman's rhododendron) were germinated at 25C (77F) or 8/16 hr thermoperiods of 25/15C (77/59F) or 30/20C (86/68F) with daily photoperiods of 0 (total darkness), ¼, ½, 1, 2, 4, 8, 12 or 24 hr. For all temperatures, no germination occurred during a 30-day period for seeds not subjected to light. At 25C (77F) germination was a function of photoperiod. The longer the photoperiod the greater the germination with 30-day germination ≥90% for photoperiods ≥8 hr. Alternating temperatures, particularly 25/15C (77/59F), enhanced germination when light was limiting. The highest germination (80%) by day 30 for seeds at 30/20C (86/68F) was realized with a 24-hr photoperiod, whereas 30-day germination ≥ 90% occurred at 25/15C (77/59F) and 25C (77F) for photoperiods of 8 and 12 hr and 8, 12, and 24 hr, respectively.
Effect of prenatal diagnosis on hospital costs in complete transposition of the great arteries.

OBJECTIVE Prenatal diagnosis of congenital heart disease (CHD) is associated with improved clinical outcomes, yet its impact on the cost of hospitalization is not well described. We hypothesized that prenatal diagnosis of complete transposition of the great arteries (d-TGA) results in lower total hospital costs compared with postnatal diagnosis. METHODS Retrospective analysis of infants with d-TGA repaired at our center from July 2006 to 2014. Total charges from initial hospitalization until discharge were converted to costs using the cost-to-charge ratio and then converted into 2016 dollars using the consumer price index. A direct cost comparison from the hospital perspective was performed between groups. A secondary analysis included the cost of prenatal diagnosis. RESULTS Thirty-three infants with d-TGA were identified; 8 with and 25 without prenatal diagnosis. There was no difference in baseline characteristics. Mean direct cost of hospitalization was higher in infants without prenatal diagnosis ($108 014 ± $51 305 vs $88 305 ± $22 896, P = .31). On secondary analysis, the cost of prenatal diagnosis was negligible compared with total hospital cost. CONCLUSIONS Total cost of initial hospitalization was higher for infants without prenatal diagnosis of d-TGA. Prenatal diagnosis not only improves clinical outcomes but may also be cost saving in the current era of increasing health care costs.
Topical corticosteroids reverse the antiviral effect of topical cidofovir in the Ad5-inoculated New Zealand rabbit ocular model.

Purpose. To determine how the addition of topical corticosteroids would affect the anti-adenoviral inhibitory effect of topical cidofovir (S-HPMPC) in the Ad5 New Zealand (Ad5/NZ) rabbit ocular model. Methods. In a series of experiments (two-eye design), Ad5-inoculated/NZ rabbits (10 6 pfu/eye) were treated with 1 of 3 treatment regimens. Group I was administered 1% cidofovir (CDV) twice a day for 3 days plus comfort tears four times a day for 14 days. Group 2 was administered 1% CDV twice a day for 3 days plus 1% Pred Forte four times a day for 14 days. Group 3 was administered vehicle twice a day for 3 days plus comfort tears four times a day for 14 days and served as the control. All eyes were evaluated for 21 days for serial eye titers, Ad5 positive eyes, and duration of Ad5 shedding. Results. Compared to control eyes in the Ad5/NZ rabbit ocular model, CDV alone demonstrated a significant antiviral inhibitory effect: reduced mean Ad5 eye titer during the early phase of infection (days 3 to 7), fewer Ad5-positive eyes during the early and late (days 9 to 21) phases of infection, and shortened duration of shedding. However, concomitant treatment with both Pred Forte and CDV significantly reversed the antiviral inhibitory activity of CDV: increased mean Ad5 eye titer, increased Ad5-positive eyes (early and late phases) and prolonged duration of shedding. Conclusions. These experimental data further support the clinical development of cidofovir as a topical antiviral agent, but they' do not support a treatment regimen that includes a combination of topical corticosteroids and topical cidofovir as a desirable strategy for the treatment of symptomatic adenoviral ocular infection.