cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Gas-phase Deuterium Abundances, Near and Far

Deuterium abundances in gaseous media reveal information on the baryon density of the universe Ω b and the processing of chemical elements by stars in galaxies. By observing D in its atomic form in regions that are not heavily populated by molecules, we avoid complications that arise from chemical fractionation when deuterated molecules are produced. Atomic D can be observed by a variety of means: (1) absorption features in the Lyman series, (2) fluorescent Balmer emission from photon-dominated regions associated with H II regions, and (3) emission from the 92-cm hyperfine transition. For the first of these, there is a rich history of investigations of gaseous matter in our Galaxy, and in the recent past D/H has been measured in very distant systems that appear in absorption in the spectra of quasars. Associated with these observations are a number of important technical considerations, which are explored here. The value of D/H in the local part of our Galaxy is about 23 ppm, which is slightly lower than 27 ppm derived from either the distant, low-metallicity gas systems or a prediction based on primordial nucleosynthesis yield for a value of Ω b determined from the temperature fluctuations in the cosmic microwave background radiation. Thus, the destruction of D by stellar processing in our Galaxy reduces D/H by less than about 20%, but many individual measurements far below 23 ppm indicate that significant amounts of D may be hidden on the surfaces of dust grains. A bewilderingly large dispersion of D/H seen in he distant systems may be resolved or at least better understood by the use of more powerful telescopes and spectrographs in the future.
Ultrasonic chirplet echo parameter estimation using time-frequency distributions

Chirp signals are frequently encountered in ultrasonic non-destructive testing (NDT) and imaging applications. Chirplet echo parameters signify valuable information such as size, shape and orientation of the reflectors as well as the physical properties of propagation path in ultrasonic NDT applications. In most cases, detected echoes are overlapped due to microstructure scattering and minimal spacing of reflectors. This imposes challenges in decomposing the echoes and extracting the echo parameters accurately. Hence, it is very important to develop a methodology to efficiently and accurately estimate the chirplet echo parameters. In this paper, we present a method for estimating the parameters of chirp echo by means of ellipse fitting in time-frequency domain. This study uses two different time-frequency (TF) representations of ultrasonic signal to sequentially estimate the chirplet echo parameters: (i) Wigner-Ville Distribution (WVD), and (ii) Short Time Fourier Transform (STFT). To demonstrate the parameter estimation performance of ellipse fitting method, the signal decomposition and echo estimation algorithm is applied to perform decomposition of ultrasonic experimental signals consisting of many interfering echoes acquired from testing a steel block. The comparison between the reconstructed signal and the experimental signal shows that the decomposition has been successfully performed in the presence of measurement noise and strong interference from microstructure scattering.
Simulations of Global Hurricane Climatology, Interannual Variability, and Response to Global Warming Using a 50-km Resolution GCM

Abstract A global atmospheric model with roughly 50-km horizontal grid spacing is used to simulate the interannual variability of tropical cyclones using observed sea surface temperatures (SSTs) as the lower boundary condition. The model’s convective parameterization is based on a closure for shallow convection, with much of the deep convection allowed to occur on resolved scales. Four realizations of the period 1981–2005 are generated. The correlation of yearly Atlantic hurricane counts with observations is greater than 0.8 when the model is averaged over the four realizations, supporting the view that the random part of this annual Atlantic hurricane frequency (the part not predictable given the SSTs) is relatively small (<2 hurricanes per year). Correlations with observations are lower in the east, west, and South Pacific (roughly 0.6, 0.5, and 0.3, respectively) and insignificant in the Indian Ocean. The model trends in Northern Hemisphere basin-wide frequency are consistent with the observed trends i...
Catalytic oxidation of H 2 on platinum: a robust method for generating low mixing ratio H 2 O standards

Abstract. Standard reference samples of water vapor suitable for in situ calibration of atmospheric hygrometers are not currently widespread, leading to difficulties in unifying the calibrations of these hygrometers and potentially contributing to observed measurement discrepancies. We describe and evaluate a system for reliably and quantitatively converting mixtures of H2 in air to H2O on a heated platinum surface, providing a compact, portable, adjustable source of water vapor. The technique is shown to be accurate and can be used to easily and reliably produce a wide range of water vapor concentrations (≈1 ppm −2%) on demand. The result is a H2O standard that is expected to be suitable for in situ calibration of aircraft hygrometers, with an accuracy nearly that of the available H2 standards (≈±2%).
Using Earthquake Source Durations along the Sumatra-Andaman Subduction System to Examine Fault-Zone Variations

The 26 December 2004 great Sumatran–Andaman earthquake in the Indian Ocean caused extensive damage and loss of life from intense shaking and the resulting tsunami. Several studies of this earthquake suggest that portions of the fault ruptured at variable speeds, with both fast and slow rupture velocities observed along the 1200 km long rupture length. Variations in rupture velocity during the earthquake may indicate along-strike variations in megathrust frictional conditions that may influence other earthquakes along the zone. Previous work on global subduction zone systems suggests depth-dependent frictional conditions arising from heterogeneous conditions along the fault. In many of the circum-Pacific subduction zones, shallow earthquakes along the subduction megathrust have longer scaled source durations than deeper earthquakes, possibly resulting from variations in frictional conditions with depth. This study focuses on thrust mechanism earthquakes on the Sumatra– Andaman megathrust, examining aftershocks with M w >6.0 of the 2004 earthquake, as well as earthquakes that occurred in the region between 1992 and 2004. Source duration, depth, and slip distribution are determined for this set of earthquakes to explore the possibility of both along-strike and depth-dependent variations in source parameters and frictional conditions. There is evidence of depth-dependent source parameters for these events, with longer scaled durations for the shallower earthquakes, consistent with previous global studies. No temporal change is apparent in this relationship, as source parameters for previous large earthquakes are similar to those after the earthquake. Along-strike patterns suggest long-duration character for several earthquakes in the southern portion of the rupture zone but no strong evidence of slow character in the northern portion of the rupture zone. It appears unlikely that any long-term variations in the fault-zone character influenced possible slow rupture of the 2004 earthquake.
Liquid‐Phase Transport During Removal of Organic Binders in Injection‐Molded Ceramics

A method has been developed for calculating hydraulic pressures induced by thermal expansion of liquid binders early in the removal cycle, when evaporative losses are negligible and fully saturated conditions prevail. Specific results were obtained for flat compacts containing a common wax binder, mixed with varying amounts of low-density polyethylne. In general, these results show how the risk of hydraulic fracture increases with heating rate and compact thickness. Although pressures are minimal when the binder consists entirely of wax, the continual addition of polyethylene eventually gives rise to unacceptable risk levels, even for relatively thin compacts. Binder removal at elevated temperatures is considered subsequently. In this case, vapor pressures eventually approach a critical level, thereby allowing mass removal by evaporation to overcome the effect of thermal expansion in maintaining full saturation. With the onset of void formation, the developing capillary pressure supersedes hydraulic pressure as the driving force in liquid transport. Besides representing capillary flow, the present formulation also accounts for thermal degradation of the binder during removal. The resulting system of equations was solved numerically for a variety of representative debinding conditions. Predictions for flat compact containing a balanced wax/polyethylene binder indicate that thermal degradation of the polyethylene can give rise to a marked improvement in debinding rates. It turns out, however, that this enhancement is far more effective in thinner compacts.
Pathogenesis and Treatment of Dupuytren Disease.

Dupuytren disease results from a pathologic proliferation of the palmar fascia, leading to the formation of constrictive fibrous cords and nodules that can severely impair hand function. Over the past decade, the treatment of Dupuytren disease has undergone a rapid evolution. Minimally invasive treatment options have emerged as viable alternatives to traditional palmar fasciectomy. This review will summarize the recent advances in clinical evaluation and treatment of Dupuytren disease. The incidence of Dupuytren disease varies among geographic regions, with reported prevalence rates ranging from 0.2% to 56%1. The disease shows a predilection for individuals of northern European descent. It most commonly arises in middle-age patients between the ages of forty and seventy, with men being more commonly affected than women2,3. The sex discrepancy diminishes with increasing age, indicating a possible role for sex hormones as modulators of the disease process4,5. Diabetes, tobacco use, alcohol consumption, hypercholesterolemia, hyperlipidemia, human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection, epilepsy, trauma, carpal tunnel, frozen shoulder, and manual labor have all been suggested to have an association with the development of Dupuytren disease6-11. However, large-scale epidemiologic studies have been unable to demonstrate a definitive link between Dupuytren disease and each of these implicated factors …
Superconducting Niobium Deflectors

The study of S-Band superconducting niobium cavities is being carried out for application to long-pulse rf beam separators in the momentum range of the AGS, whereas, X-Band frequencies are being considered for the NAL accelerator. Results for a 5-cell S-band prototype are: a peak field of 410 G, corresponding to an equivalent deflecting field of over 2 MV/m, and a loss improvement factor of 2 × 105. The fabrication and post-fabrication treatments are described. Perturbation measurements to determine deflector parameters are summarized. A new type of mode stabilizer is suggested. A 7-cell X-Band deflector is under construction.
Observation of coherent optical information storage in an atomic medium using halted light pulses

Electromagnetically induced transparency1,2,3 is a quantum interference effect that permits the propagation of light through an otherwise opaque atomic medium; a ‘coupling’ laser is used to create the interference necessary to allow the transmission of resonant pulses from a ‘probe’ laser. This technique has been used4,5,6 to slow and spatially compress light pulses by seven orders of magnitude, resulting in their complete localization and containment within an atomic cloud4. Here we use electromagnetically induced transparency to bring laser pulses to a complete stop in a magnetically trapped, cold cloud of sodium atoms. Within the spatially localized pulse region, the atoms are in a superposition state determined by the amplitudes and phases of the coupling and probe laser fields. Upon sudden turn-off of the coupling laser, the compressed probe pulse is effectively stopped; coherent information initially contained in the laser fields is ‘frozen’ in the atomic medium for up to 1 ms. The coupling laser is turned back on at a later time and the probe pulse is regenerated: the stored coherence is read out and transferred back into the radiation field. We present a theoretical model that reveals that the system is self-adjusting to minimize dissipative loss during the ‘read’ and ‘write’ operations. We anticipate applications of this phenomenon for quantum information processing.
The Mythology of Football Hooliganism: A Closer Look at the British Experience:

It is argued in this essay that the nature and severity of the football hooliganism problem in Great Britain has been largely overstated by the popular press and unjustly elevated to the status of ...
Design of Fabry-Perot surface-emitting lasers with a periodic gain structure

A detailed analysis of a Fabry-Perot surface emitting laser (FP-SEL) which utilizes the recently proposed concept of periodic gain is presented. It is shown that by using the periodic gain concept, close to a factor-of-two reduction in threshold current should be possible; the ideal reduction of a factor of two is only limited by the internal loss of the cavity. Multiple quantum-well active regions are also considered and shown to provide greater than a factor-of-two improvement over bulk GaAs periodic and uniform gain configurations. The effects of index perturbations within the cavity created by interleaving active and passive segments are treated for different Al mole fractions within the passive segments. The effects are found to be small for x >
Hyperextension Strain or Whiplash Injuries to the Cervical Spine- Revisited

AbstractWhiplash is a concept that is still not accepted by many physicians. In part, this is because up to now we have not had any means to demonstrate damage to the soft tissues of the neck following a rear-end accident. This review article starts with a review of the senior author's experience in the field. This is followed by a discussion of the radiological workup of a patient with suspected whiplash including a suggested series of views needed to adequately evaluate the spine on plain film. MRI of the cervical spine is next discussed and again a menu of sequences required for both a routine spine MR series and the parameters needed for a patient with suspected whiplash. Finally, this article finishes with an extensive literature review.
Analyzing mRNA-protein complexes using a yeast three-hybrid system.

RNA-protein interactions are essential for the proper execution and regulation of every step in the life of a eukaryotic mRNA. Here we describe a three-hybrid system in which RNA-protein interactions can be analyzed using simple phenotypic or enzymatic assays in Saccharomyces cerevisiae. The system can be used to detect or confirm an RNA-protein interaction, to analyze RNA-protein interactions genetically, and to discover new protein or RNA partners when only one is known. Multicomponent complexes containing more than one protein can be detected, identified, and analyzed. We describe the method and how to use it, and discuss applications that bear particularly on eukaryotic mRNAs.
6C-6 Qualitative Properties of an Entropy-Based Signal Detector

Detection of molecular epitopes associated with neo- vasculature in a growing tumor presents a unique challenge for ultrasonic clinical imaging systems. In this study, we attempt to solve the problem of detection of site-specific contrast through the use of signal receivers (i.e., mathematical operations that reduce an entire radio frequency (RF) waveform or a portion of it to a single number) based on information-theoretic quantities, such as Shannon Entropy (H), or its counterpart for continuous signal (Hf). These receivers appear to be sensitive to diffuse, low amplitude features of the signal that often are obscured by noise, or else lost in large specular echoes and, hence, not usually perceivable by a human observer. Qualitative and quantitative properties of the finite part, Hf, of the Shannon entropy of a continuous waveform f(t) in the continuum limit are derived in order to illuminate its use for waveform characterization.
Examining students' future time perspective: Pathways to knowledge building

The purpose of this study was to provide evidence for the internal structure of the domain-general and context-specific components of future time perspective (FTP) and to provide support for a top-down structure of FTP theory. The participants included 546 engineering students from a large university in the southwest of the USA. The students responded to the Future Time Perspective Scale, the Perceptions of Instrumentality Scale, and the Student Perceptions of Classroom Knowledge-building Scale. Analyses present evidence for: (a) the structural fidelity of student responses to the respective theoretical constructs, and (b) the top down, domain-general to context-sensitive relation between FTP variables and student learning behavior. The results also indicate that students' use of knowledge building strategies may be influenced by both domain-general aspects of FTP and the perceived endogenous instrumentality of coursework. Implications include support for use of valid FTP measures and the recognition of the relation between FTP and value of present school activities.
Changes in Beef Packers’ Market Power after the Livestock Mandatory Price Reporting Act: An Agent-based Auction

Controversy remains about the effectiveness of the 1999 Livestock Mandatory Price Reporting Act (MPRA). We determine the likely changes in beef packers' market power after the MPRA by using an agent-based, first-price common-value auction. Past research has employed Cournot models, but we use an auction model, which more closely resembles the actual cattle procurement process. We find that feeders benefit from the MPRA regardless of whether price uncertainty decreases for packers and/or feeders. If the packers' price uncertainty is reduced, the feeder benefits from an increase in competition between the packers. If the feeder's price uncertainty is reduced, the feeder benefits from imposing more accurate reserve prices. Copyright 2013, Oxford University Press.
Effects of select PM-associated metals on alveolar macrophage phosphorylated ERK1 and -2 and iNOS expression during ongoing alteration in iron homeostasis.

It was hypothesized that relative mass relationships among select constituent metals and iron (Fe3+) govern the pulmonary immunotoxic potential of any PM2.5 sample, as these determine the extent to which Fe3+ binding by transferrin is affected (resulting in altered alveolar macrophage [AM] Fe status and subsequent antibacterial function). Iron response protein (IRP) binding activity is a useful indirect measurement of changes in Fe status, as reductions in cell Fe levels lead to increases in IRP binding. However, AM IRP activity can be affected by an increased presence of nitric oxide generated by inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS). This study sought to determine if any changes in AM IRP activity induced by PM2.5 constituents V, Mn, or Al were independent from effects of the metals on cell NO formation. NR8383 rat AM were exposed to Fe3+ alone or combined with V, Mn, or Al at metal:Fe ratios representative of those in PM2.5 collected in New York City, Los Angeles, and Seattle during fall 2001. Cells w...
SINUSITIS: WHAT IT IS AND WHAT IT IS NOT.

Acute sinusitis progresses to a chronic state if drainage is hampered. Recovery from the acute process may be hastened by sinus lavage. Chronic sinusitis is no longer a hopeless situation; simple measures properly applied, will bring about considerable if not complete relief in most cases.
Abstract A01: Trichodermin induces G1/S cell cycle arrest in ovarian cancer cells

Ovarian cancer is a major health concern for women as it is prominent among gynecologic cancers. Trichodermin is a sesquiterpene isolated from Nalanthamala psidii and found to induce apoptosis in human chondrosarcoma cells. In this study, A2780/CP70 and OVCAR-3 ovarian cancer cell lines were treated with trichodermin to determine whether it had an anti-cancer effect. Our data presented that trichodermin reduced the viability of both ovarian cancer cells by inducing G1/S cell cycle arrest rather than apoptosis. The underlying mechanism might be that trichodermin down-regulated the expression of Cyclin D1 via inhibiting AhR and c-Myc expression. Therefore, trichodermin is promising in ovarian cancer treatment. Citation Format: Yi C. Chen, Ying Gao. Trichodermin induces G1/S cell cycle arrest in ovarian cancer cells. [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the AACR Precision Medicine Series: Cancer Cell Cycle - Tumor Progression and Therapeutic Response; Feb 28-Mar 2, 2016; Orlando, FL. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Mol Cancer Res 2016;14(11_Suppl):Abstract nr A01.
Quality over time: a longitudinal quantitative analysis of metadata change in RDA-based MARC bibliographic records representing video resources

Everyday hundreds of millions of metadata records provide users access to information. To remain functional, metadata schemas changes in response to shifts in information user needs and standards of information representation. This poster presents results of the longitudinal quantitative analysis of change occurring in a select group of library metadata records over time. This study traces the evolution of a sample of OCLC WorldCat metadata records created in MARC format according to new RDA standard of information representation. The same records were obtained at four data collection points at approximately one year intervals. Findings reveal a significant increase in the number of instances of a variety of metadata elements: both those introduced by the RDA standard and traditional pre-RDA elements. This study, along with related research, contributes to the understanding of metadata change and its relation to improvements in metadata quality and information access.
Abstract 685: Mechanisms of intrinsic and acquired resistance to third generation inhibitors in EGFR mutant NSCLC

Acquired resistance is a fundamental problem limiting the efficacy of tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKIs) in EGFR mutant NSCLC. In over half of the cases of acquired resistance to the first generation inhibitors gefitinib and erlotinib, a secondary mutation to EGFR, T790M, promotes resistance by preventing these drugs from fully suppressing the receptor. The recent development of next generation EGFR TKIs has proven to be a major breakthrough in the treatment of these patients. In clinical trials testing the third generation EGFR inhibitors CO-1686 and AZD9291, response rates of greater than 50% in T790M+ patients have been reported. While these drugs hold a great deal of promise, they too will be limited, initially by intrinsic resistance, and eventually by acquired resistance. To study intrinsic resistance in this setting, we have developed a panel of cell lines derived from biopsies of T790M+ erlotinib-resistant patients, tested their sensitivity to third generation inhibitors and identified biomarkers that predict a lack of response. To study acquired resistance, we have generated resistance in these cells lines in vitro and derived additional models directly from patient biopsies following progression on the clinical trial. Using a combination of functional, sequencing, and drug screening approaches we have begun to identify resistance mechanisms to third generation inhibitors. Citation Format: Matt J. Niederst. Mechanisms of intrinsic and acquired resistance to third generation inhibitors in EGFR mutant NSCLC. [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 106th Annual Meeting of the American Association for Cancer Research; 2015 Apr 18-22; Philadelphia, PA. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2015;75(15 Suppl):Abstract nr 685. doi:10.1158/1538-7445.AM2015-685
Radiation shielding calculation for digital breast tomosynthesis rooms with an updated workload survey

Purpose. To present shielding calculations for clinical digital breast tomosynthesis (DBT) rooms with updated workload data from a comprehensive survey and to provide reference shielding data for DBT rooms. Methods. The workload survey was performed from eight clinical DBT (Hologic Selenia Dimensions) rooms at Massachusetts General Hospital (MGH) for the time period between 10/1/2014 and 10/1/2015. Radiation output related information tags from the DICOM header, including mAs, kVp, beam filter material and gantry angle, were extracted from a total of 310 421 clinical DBT acquisitions from the PACS database. DBT workload distributions were determined from the survey data. In combination with previously measured scatter fraction data, unshielded scatter air kerma for each room was calculated. Experiment measurements with a linear-array detector were also performed on representative locations for verification. Necessary shielding material and thickness were determined for all barriers. For the general purpose of DBT room shielding, a set of workload-distribution-specific transmission data and unshielded scatter air kerma values were calculated using the updated workload distribution. Results. The workload distribution for Hologic DBT systems could be simplified by five different kVp/filter combinations for shielding purpose. The survey data showed the predominance of 45° gantry location for medial-lateral-oblique views at MGH. When taking into consideration the non-isotropic scatter fraction distribution together with the gantry angle distribution, accurate and conservative estimate of the unshielded scatter air kerma levels were determined for all eight DBT rooms. Additional shielding was shown to be necessary for two 4.5 cm wood doors. Conclusions. This study provided a detailed workload survey and updated transmission data and unshielded scatter air kerma values for Hologic DBT rooms. Example shielding calculations were presented for clinical DBT rooms.
On the Accuracy of Overturn-Based Estimates of Turbulent Dissipation at Rough Topography

AbstractEvidence in support of overturn-based methods, often used to infer turbulent dissipation rate from density profiles, is typically from regions with weaker turbulence than that at rough-topography hotspots. The present work uses direct numerical simulations (DNS) of an idealized problem of sloping topography as well as high-resolution large-eddy simulation (LES) of turbulent flow at more realistic topography in order to investigate the accuracy of overturn-based methods in sites with internal wave breaking. Two methods are assessed: Thorpe sorting, where the overturn length LT is based on local distortion of measured density from the background, and inversion sorting, where the inversion length scale LI measures the statically unstable local region. The overturn boundaries are different between the two methods. Thorpe sorting leads to an order of magnitude overestimate of the turbulent dissipation in the DNS during large convective overturn events when inversion sorting is more accurate. The LES of...
On the Evaluation of Seasonal Variability of the Ocean Kinetic Energy

AbstractThe seasonal cycles of the mean kinetic energy (MKE) and eddy kinetic energy (EKE) are compared in an idealized flow as well as in a realistic simulation of the Gulf Stream (GS) region based on three commonly used definitions: orthogonal, nonorthogonal, and moving-average filtered decompositions of the kinetic energy (KE). It is shown that only the orthogonal KE decomposition can define the physically consistent MKE and EKE that precisely represents the KEs of the mean flow and eddies, respectively. The nonorthogonal KE decomposition gives rise to a residual term that contributes to the seasonal variability of the eddies, and therefore the obtained EKE is not precisely defined. The residual term is shown to exhibit more significant seasonal variability than EKE in both idealized and realistic GS flows. Neglecting its influence leads to an inaccurate evaluation of the seasonal variability of both the eddies and the total flow. The decomposition using a moving-average filter also results in a nonneg...
Comrade McLaren: A review of Pedagogy of Insurrection:

Peter McLaren’s Pedagogy of Insurrection offers a tour de force for educators and workers interested in finding a way out of a social universe that is becoming, with each passing day, increasingly savage, imprisoned, despoiled and dominated by an out-of-control finance capital. McLaren brings more than three decades of experience as an educator, activist, and global revolutionary to over four hundred pages of biting critique and capitalist-smashing analysis.
Breaking the Cycle: Preparing Pre-Service Teachers for Disability-Related Discussions:

Teacher preparation programs play a seminal role in the development of prospective teachers, as they provide future educators with information regarding the rights of students with disabilities and...
STRESS CARDIOMYOPATHY INDUCED BY ELECTRICAL CARDIOVERSION: SHOULD WE CHANGE OUR CURRENT CLINICAL PRACTICE?

Direct current cardioversion (DCCV) for atrial fibrillation (AF) is a low risk outpatient procedure commonly with same day discharge. Atrial stunning post DCCV is a known phenomenon, but significant left ventricular (LV) dysfunction mimicking stress cardiomyopathy (SCM) is uncommon. An 87 years old
Light-weight accountable privacy preserving (LAPP) protocol to determine dishonest role of third party auditor in cloud auditing

Cloud computing is surfacing as the next disruptive utility paradigm. It provides massive storage capabilities, the development environment for application developers through virtual machines. It is also the home of software and databases that are accessible, on-demand. As security is the main constraint holding companies to engage into the cloud fully, third-party auditors (TPA) are becoming more and more common in cloud computing implementations. Of course, involving auditors comes with its issues such as trust and processing overhead. To achieve productive auditing, we need to (1) accomplish efficient auditing without requesting the data location, nor introducing processing overhead to the cloud client; (2) avoid involving new security vulnerabilities during the auditing process. In this paper, we propose a novel method allowing to detect a dishonest TPA: the Light-weight Accountable Privacy Preserving (LAPP) Protocol. This protocol determines the malicious behavior of the TPA. To validate the proposed protocol's effectiveness, simulation experiments have been conducted, using the GreenCloud simulator. Based on our simulation results, we confirm that our proposed protocol provides better outcomes as compared to the other known contending protocols concerning reliability, communication cost, and the auditing time per task by a fraction of the invalid responses.
Programmable localized wrinkling of thin films on shape memory polymers with application in nonuniform optical gratings

Shape memory polymers (SMPs) can remember different shapes and can be recovered to their permanent shapes from temporary shapes with appropriate stimuli, such as heat, humidity, and electrical field. Using programmed thermal responsive SMPs as substrates, we demonstrate a self-assembly fabrication method for programmable surface wrinkling within a highly confined area that is accurately controllable. Different from global wrinkling reported in most of the literature, Joule heating through a heating wire embedded in the SMP substrate leads to temperature increase and thus recovery in a highly confined area of the SMP substrate, inducing localized wrinkling of the stiff thin film on SMPs. The patterns show good sinusoidal profiles, with the wrinkling wavelength and amplitude decreasing gradually with the distance from the heat source. The surface wrinkling area can be accurately tuned by controlling the heat input, such as power and duration. Based on this unique surface wrinkling phenomenon, we demonstrate a nonuniform reflective optical grating device, whose peak wrinkling wavelength and amplitude decrease gradually away from the heat source. This study offers a simple method to fabricate programmable localized wrinkling patterns, with potential applications in surface engineering, advanced manufacturing, optical gratings, and other demanding areas.
The perceived benefits of student pharmacists educating children about over-the-counter medication safety.

Abstract Background and purpose To characterize the perceived impact of a student pharmacist-led over-the-counter (OTC) medication safety program for children. Educational activity and setting An OTC medication safety program was implemented by student pharmacists at a western Pennsylvania pharmacy school by educating fifth and sixth graders for three years. An online survey and follow-up interviews were conducted to examine the program's perceived effectiveness and usefulness. Findings 23% of program participants completed the survey and 18 follow-up interviews were conducted. Most participants were female, white, and student pharmacists. Respondents were satisfied with the program and perceived that it was useful (97%) and effective (94%) in teaching children OTC medication safety. Most participants (97%) reported that OTC medication safety is an important issue that children should learn about, expressed interest in participating in the program again, and recommended expanding the program. Children learned appropriate medication use, the Poison Control Center as a resource, and pharmacists' role in medication safety. Student pharmacists developed pediatric communication and community engagement skills, while learning about children's medication knowledge and interests. Program improvements included educating parents, expanding the program, and incorporating the use of technology. Summary The student pharmacist-led program was perceived to be effective in communicating with fifth and sixth grade children about OTC medication safety. The program provided experiential opportunities for student pharmacists to practice counseling skills with children regarding safe and appropriate use of medicines.
UNIT 17.13 Diagnosing Lysosomal Storage Disorders: Fabry Disease

Fabry disease (FD) is an X-linked lysosomal storage disorder due to deficiency of alpha galactosidase A (GLA). Progressive, intralysosomal accumulation of neutral glycosphingolipids in endothelial cells and podocytes leads to multi-organ involvement in affected males and to a lesser extent in affected females. Diagnosis of FD is based on GLA analysis in leukocytes or dried blood spots (DBS) in FD males while GLA activities may be within the normal range in FD females. The advent of fluorometric and mass spectrometry methods for enzyme analysis in DBS has simplified the diagnostic approach for FD males, facilitating high-throughput screening of at risk populations and newborn infants. However, the diagnostic mainstay for FD females remains molecular analysis of the GLA gene. The following unit will provide the detailed analytical protocol for measurement of GLA activity in DBS using tandem mass spectrometry. Curr. Protoc. Hum. Genet. 77:17.13.1-17.13.7. © 2013 by John Wiley & Sons, Inc. Keywords: dried blood spot; galactosidase alpha; tandem mass spectrometry; Fabry disease; glycosphingolipid
Redistribution of NORTIA in response to pollen tube arrival facilitates fertilization in Arabidopsis thaliana

Abstract During gamete delivery in Arabidopsis thaliana, intercellular communication between the attracted pollen tube and the receptive synergid cell leads to subcellular events in both cells culminating in the rupture of the tip-growing pollen tube and release of the sperm cells to achieve double fertilization. Live imaging of pollen tube reception revealed dynamic subcellular changes that occur in the female synergid cells. Pollen tube arrival triggers the trafficking of NORTIA (NTA) MLO protein from Golgi-associated compartments and the accumulation of endosomes at or near the synergid filiform apparatus, a membrane-rich region that acts as the site of communication between the pollen tube and synergids. Domain swaps and site-directed mutagenesis suggest that NTA’s C-terminal cytoplasmic tail with its calmodulin-binding domain regulates NTA movement and function in pollen tube reception. Signal-mediated trafficking of NTA to the filiform apparatus upon pollen tube arrival may facilitate intercellular communication that leads to pollen tube rupture.
Adolescent Psychopathic Traits Negatively Relate to Hemodynamic Activity within the Basal Ganglia during Error-Related Processing.

Youth with elevated psychopathic traits exhibit a number of comparable neurocognitive deficits as adult psychopathic offenders, including error-related processing deficits. Subregions of the basal ganglia play an important, though indirect, role in error-related processing through connections with cortical areas including the anterior cingulate cortex. A number of recent structural and functional magnetic resonance imaging (s/fMRI) studies have associated basal ganglia dysfunction in youth with elevated psychopathic traits, but these studies have not examined whether dysfunction occurring within subregions of the basal ganglia help contribute to error-related processing deficits previously observed in such at-risk youth. Here, we investigated error-related processing using a response inhibition Go/NoGo fMRI experimental paradigm in a large sample of incarcerated male adolescent offenders (n = 182). In the current report, psychopathy scores (measured via the Psychopathy Checklist: Youth Version (PCL:YV)) were negatively related to hemodynamic activity within input nuclei of the basal ganglia (i.e., the caudate and nucleus accumbens), as well as intrinsic/output nuclei (i.e., the globus pallidus and substantia nigra) and related nuclei (i.e., the subthalamic nucleus) during error-related processing. This is the first evidence to suggest that error-related dysfunction previously observed in youth with elevated psychopathic traits may be related to underlying abnormalities occurring within subregions of the basal ganglia.
VFTO Spectrum Analysis Method Based on Continuous Wavelet Transform

Gas insulated substation (GIS) is widely used in urban and densely populated areas. Moreover, GIS equipment is used in all UHV AC transmission projects. The operation of the isolating switch in GIS produces very fast transient overvoltage (VFTO). When the frequency component contained in the VFTO is matched with the resonant frequency of the winding type device, a resonant overvoltage of high amplitude is generated between the turns of the winding type device, which affects the insulation safety of the device, so it is necessary to perform spectrum analysis on the VFTO. VFTO is a kind of non-stationary signal, Fourier transform cannot meet the requirements of its spectrum analysis, while time-frequency analysis (TFA) methods are suitable for the analysis of non-stationary signals. In this paper, the spectral characteristics of VFTO are analyzed by continuous wavelet transform (CWT). By comparing the TFA results of CWT, short-time Fourier transform, Wigner-Will distribution and smooth pseudo Wigner-Will distribution, the good TFA performance of CWT is verified.
A qualitative study to examine how differences in motivation can inform the development of targeted physical activity interventions for African American women

Abstract Self-Determination Theory proposes that some people are motivated to initiate physical activity by externally-controlled reasons (e.g., physical appearance, approval from others), whereas others feel compelled by more autonomous sources of motivation (e.g., enjoyment, personal importance). This study used qualitative methods to examine whether individual differences in autonomous motivation offers a useful framework for developing targeted intervention programs for African American women. Focus groups (k = 6) were conducted to examine how different levels of autonomous motivation for physical activity related to differences in physical activity barriers and facilitators among African American women (N = 31). Sessions were audiotaped, transcribed, and coded by independent raters (r = 0.70). QSR NVivo 11 was used to analyze data, and themes were identified separately for women with low, medium, or high autonomous motivation. Those with high autonomous motivation focused on themes of wanting novelty, excitement, and competition, whereas those with low autonomous motivation focused on themes of wanting instrumental support and financial incentives for increasing engagement in physical activity. Implications for developing physical activity intervention programs for African American women that are targeted toward differences in autonomous motivation are discussed.
Analysis on the integration and operation of the first wind farm of mega kilowatt in Jing-Jin-Tang grid

The first large scale wind farm of mega kilowatt in Jing-Jin-Tang grid (North China) will be totally integrated into the grid around 2010, which involves transmission lines of 605 km totally and the longest one will be 189 km. Comprehensive calculation and simulation on it were conducted, concerning the stable operation and problems of the grid after the wind farm’s interconnection. The following studies were involved: charging power generated from integrated grid lines, voltage rise of regional power grid, allocation of inductive,capacitive and reactive power compensation, fluctuation of power flows caused by the variation of output of wind power generators, and the impact of system malfunction on the wind power generators. The suggestions on the security of the power grid operation were also put forward.
Promise and Peril: Reflections on Jewish International Legal Biography

The burgeoning field of Jewish legal biography has produced a profusion of new studies of Jewish lawyers, lawyering, and legal thought in the international arena. This biographicalization of legal history promises obvious rewards. Biography can unlock deeper chains of influence and forgotten acts of invention. It possesses the moral potential to restore lives displaced or disrupted by the Holocaust to their rightful places in the history of the law and law’s memory. In our own fraught moment of historical reckoning, the European Jewish experience beckons as a rich historical resource with which to rethink transnational activism and individual agency, migration and statelessness, antisemitism and fascism. Yet biography is never a neutral art. The very choice of which life to deem worthy of attention depends on an often implicit set of assumptions about relevance and uniqueness that risk historical essentialism. In this chapter, I explore these challenges by discussing the specter of “interest” in the writing of Jewish legal biography, past and present. I take “interest” in a variety of senses: the reasons why so many Jews gravitated in disproportionate numbers to international law as a profession; the biographer’s underlying motivation for choosing which specific Jewish legal lives to chronicle; and international law’s own image of itself as a neutral sphere of human action transcending political interests. Reviewing assorted key moments in the past century of attempts at Jewish legal biography, I posit that two different approaches have governed these biographical efforts vis-a-vis the concept of interest: a liberal cosmopolitan meta-narrative that frames international Jewish lawyering as a form of legalist anti-politics; and a liberal nationalist meta-narrative that hails Jewish politics as the proper starting point for a necessary legal reordering of the world. As we shall see, the links and tensions between these different kinds of interest are crucial to questions of method and meaning. They come together in the challenge at the root of all contemporary legal biography: How do we relate the one to the many without flattening individual lives into essentialist fables in the process?
The role of policy in social-ecological interactions of nitrogen management in the Mississippi River basin.

Excess nitrogen (N) loading in the Mississippi River basin is a major water quality issue, encompassing large spatial scales and feedbacks between social and biophysical entities. Effective management depends on reductions in agricultural N loading, mainly from the Corn Belt region in the upper reaches of the basin. In this study, we evaluated the role of federal Nutrient Task Force policy on N management from 2000 to 2015. We analyzed trends in nitrate (NO3 - ) concentrations from monitoring data in 148 priority watersheds. We compared water quality trends with state nutrient reduction strategies, monitoring efforts, and land use. Of the 148 watersheds, 13 displayed a significant decrease in NO3 - concentrations, 24 displayed a significant increase, 51 displayed a nonsignificant trend, and 60 had insufficient data to analyze. We demonstrate that policy efforts on a large scale are slow to establish, but states and watersheds that showed signs of policy acting successfully could serve as examples for improved N management moving forward. Despite considerable variability, states with the most comprehensive strategies, evidenced by word count and presence of recommended elements, were almost exclusively located in the Corn Belt region. States with more thorough nutrient reduction strategies also tended to have a larger number of monitoring sites in priority watersheds (R = .42), demonstrating the potential for adaptive management. States with the most consistent improvements in NO3 - concentrations tended to have the most comprehensive policies, whereas variation in water quality trends was partly attributed to land use factors including slope and dominance of corn (Zea mays L.) and soy [Glycine max (L.) Merr.].
The Effects of High-Fidelity Simulation, Low-Fidelity Simulation, and Video Training on Nursing Student Anxiety in the Clinical Setting.

ABSTRACT Education in medication administration is essential to patient safety, but there is limited evidence to describe the best way to influence clinical practice by nursing students. In a medication administration pilot study, the state anxiety of 44 nursing students was evaluated presimulation and prior to giving medications in the clinical setting. Two-way analysis of variance for repeated measures indicated no significant differences between high-fidelity simulation, low-fidelity simulation, or video training groups. However, high- and low-fidelity simulation led to decreased anxiety in the clinical setting, whereas video training led to greater anxiety.
Nanoengineering of cement using graphite platelets to refine inherent microstructural defects

Abstract We use surface-modified graphite nanoplatelets (GNPs) to engineer cement materials at the nanoscale to effectively tailor their macroscale crucial mechanical properties suitable for harsh conditions. Concerning long-term public health and global warming, nanoengineering of cement as a primary barrier for providing zonal isolation by sealing in areas requiring very low risk of serious accidents becomes imperative. Cement inherently possesses microstructural defects, such as, pores/voids and microcracks, which can jeopardize its sealing functionality under large confining in-situ stresses. Here, we develop a chemical methodology for the surface treatment of GNPs, enabling us to enhance chemical and physio-mechanical properties of the produced cement nanocomposite. This surface modification not only changes the hydrophobicity of nanoparticles to hydrophilicity and provides a uniform dispersion of nanoplatelets in aqueous media but also results in the formation of a strong bonding at the GNP/matrix interfaces. The innovative nanoengineered cement composite shows extraordinarily enhancement in the compressive strength, flexural strength, Young's modulus, and the ductility up to 317 % , 209 % , 255 % and 131 % , respectively, as compared to the neat cement without using any sort of vibrations during curing. We utilize 3D X-ray computed tomography (CT) in conjunction with the optical microscopy (OM) to visualize the quality of nanoparticles' dispersion. Moreover, scanning electron microscopy (SEM) is used to discern the formation of strong bonding at the GNP/cement matrix interfaces, pore/void refinement and crack bridging.