cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
The Calculatores in the Sixteenth Century

The two essays immediately preceding have concentrated on the conceptual foundations of the science of motion in the sixteenth century. They have argued that these foundations contained seeds of development for both kinematics and dynamics, while at the same time they opened up the possibility of an experimental approach to the study of natural motions. Reference has also been made to the mathematical tools required for a new science of mechanics that were gradually being forged at this time within the “calculatory” tradition. It is the latter topic that now requires further elucidation. This will be undertaken in the present and the following essay, first in a general way for the early sixteenth century as a whole, and then with application to the details of Domingo de Soto’s work on falling bodies and the sources from which it derived.
EPINEPHRINE IS ASSOCIATED WITH ADVERSE OUTCOMES IN THE CARDIAC INTENSIVE CARE UNIT

Use of epinephrine (EPI) may be associated with higher mortality in patients with cardiogenic shock. Outcomes associated with EPI in unselected cardiac intensive care unit (CICU) patients remain uncertain. Historical cohort study of 9989 patients admitted to a single academic CICU from January 2007
Phosphorus Stress-Induced Changes in Plant Root Exudation Could Potentially Facilitate Uranium Mobilization from Stable Mineral Forms

Apparent deficiency of soil mineral nutrients often triggers specific physio-morphological changes in plants, and some of these changes could also inadvertently increase the ability of plants to mobilize radionuclides from stable mineral forms. This work, through a series of sand-culture, hydroponics, and batch-equilibration experiments, investigated the differential ability of root exudates of Andropogon virginicus grown under conditions with variable phosphorus (P) availability (KH2PO4, FePO4, Ca3(PO4)2, and no P) to solubilize uranium (U) from the uranyl phosphate mineral Chernikovite. The mineral form of P, and hence the bioavailability of P, affected the overall composition of the root exudates. The lower bioavailable forms of P (FePO4 and Ca3(PO4)2), but not the complete absence of P, resulted in a higher abundance of root metabolites with chelating capacity at 72 hrs after treatment application. In treatments with lower P-bioavailability, the physiological amino acid concentration inside of the roo...
Routing in IoT Network for Dynamic Service Discovery

Many existing IoT systems are built with predefined tasks and system architecture. To make better use of the large number of “things” availability in the IoT infrastructure, we consider to dynamically discover and compose IoT capabilities in the IoT network for new or dynamically arising tasks. To achieve the goal, we develop a semantic-based routing protocol for IoT service discovery. In the routing protocol to reduce the space requirement for routing, each node maintains a routing table with a “telescopic view”, i.e., more precise information about the capabilities of immediate neighbors and only a summary of capabilities for a further away neighborhood. We define an ontology of capabilities and design a capability summarization algorithm based on the ontology to realize the telescopic view concept. We also design an ontology coding scheme to further reduce the memory requirement for routing while enabling capability summarization. Our solutions significantly reduce the routing table size and, hence, is suitable for IoT devices with limited memory. Also, experimental results show that our approach can yield significantly lower network traffic and latency for IoT capability lookup when compared with existing semantic based routing algorithms.
Thermal conductivity and 89Y NMR of Ca2+xY2−xCu5O10

Abstract A two-peak feature in the thermal conductivity, κ(T), and 89 Y NMR results, including a shallow minimum of T1, indicate strong copper spin correlations in the spin-chain compound Ca2+xY2−xCu5O10 at temperatures well above the previously assumed exchange coupling strength, |J/kB|=25– 80 K .
Bloodstream infections exacerbate incidence and severity of symptomatic glucocorticoid-induced osteonecrosis.

Background Osteonecrosis is a common toxicity associated with glucocorticoid (e.g., dexamethasone and prednisone) treatment of children with acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL), but risk factors are incompletely defined. Infections are also a common complication of ALL therapy. Lipopolysaccharide (LPS) is used experimentally to mimic infection-related systemic effects. To our knowledge, the contribution of systemic infections to the risk of glucocorticoid-induced osteonecrosis has not been investigated. Procedure Patients with ALL on St. Jude Total Therapy XV (n = 365) were assessed for documented bacteremia prior to development of osteonecrosis, which was confirmed by MRI, and graded using the National Cancer Institute's Common Terminology for Adverse Events (version 3.0). In a preclinical model, Balb/cJ mice treated with dexamethasone plus or minus LPS were assessed for frequency and severity of osteonecrosis and arteriopathy. Results We found that patients with ALL who experienced bacteremia had a higher frequency of symptomatic osteonecrosis (≥grade 2) than those who did not (OR: 1.88; 95% CI, 1.03-3.41, P = 0.038). LPS exacerbated experimental dexamethasone-induced osteonecrosis. Mice treated with dexamethasone plus LPS had a higher incidence of osteonecrosis (P = 0.00086) and arteriopathy (P = 0.0047) than did those treated with dexamethasone alone, and the severity of osteonecrosis (P = 0.00045) and arteriopathy (P = 0.0048) was also more pronounced with the addition of LPS treatment. The increase in osteonecrosis was not explained by any alteration of dexamethasone pharmacokinetics by LPS. Conclusions These data identify systemic infection during ALL therapy as a novel risk factor in the development of glucocorticoid-induced osteonecrosis.
“Imagine a World with No Religion”: A Word on Richard Dawkins, Christopher Hitchens, and Daniel Dennett

Moving beyond the writings of Sam Harris and Ayaan Hirsi Ali, we encounter some familiar themes in the works and statements of three other prominent New Atheists: Richard Dawkins, Christopher Hitchens, and Daniel Dennett. We begin with Dawkins, one of the most widely recognized New Atheists. Born in 1941 in British Kenya, he is a renowned English evolutionary biologist and longtime faculty member at the University of Oxford (currently an emeritus fellow). Beginning with his 1976 classic The Selfish Gene (which, among other things, gave us the term meme ), Dawkins has authored numerous books on science. Of course not all of his books are strictly scientific. For our purposes, his 2006 New York Times bestseller The God Delusion is most relevant. On the first page of the book, he sets the tone: “Imagine, with John Lennon, a world with no religion. Imagine no suicide bombers, no 9/11, no 7/7, no Crusades,… no Indian partition, no Israeli/Palestinian wars, no Serb/Croat/Muslim massacres…” Religion, we are encouraged to believe, is the best explanation for these horrors. Reflecting on 7/7, the July 7, 2005, London suicide bombings that we know now were at least loosely linked to al-Qaeda and that claimed the lives of more than fifty civilians, Dawkins proclaims, “Only religious faith is a strong enough force to motivate such utter madness in otherwise sane and decent people.” The four bombers, Dawkins tells us, “were British citizens, cricket-loving, well-mannered, just the sort of young men whose company one might have enjoyed.” And unlike some other terrorists in other countries, these men had no expectation that their bereaved families would be lionized, looked after or supported on martyrs’ pensions. On the contrary, their relatives in some cases had to go into hiding. One of the men wantonly widowed his pregnant wife and orphaned his toddler. The action of these four young men has been nothing short of a disaster not just for themselves and their victims, but for their families and for the whole Muslim community in Britain, which now faces a backlash.
Trends in the Incidence and Lethality of Suicidal Acts in the United States, 2006 to 2015.

Importance Understanding changes in the incidence rates and lethality of suicidal acts may explain increasing suicide rates. Objective To examine trends in the incidence rates and lethality of suicidal acts from 2006 to 2015 among persons aged 10 to 74 years. Design, Setting, and Participants This cross-sectional study was conducted from May 2, 2018, to January 30, 2019. Medically treated nonfatal suicide attempts were identified from the 2006 to 2015 Nationwide Inpatient Sample and Nationwide Emergency Department Sample databases. Suicides were identified from the 2006 to 2015 mortality files of the National Vital Statistics System. Main Outcomes and Measures The incidence rate of suicidal acts was calculated by dividing the number of total suicidal acts by the US population. Lethality was measured through the case fatality rates (CFRs) of suicidal acts by dividing the number of suicides by the total number of suicidal acts. Results A total of 1 222 419 (unweighted) suicidal acts, which included both suicides and nonfatal suicide attempts, were identified from 2006 to 2015. Overall, the incidence rates of total suicidal acts increased 10% from 2006 to 2015 (annual percentage change [APC], 0.8%; 95% CI, 0.3%-1.3%), and the CFRs of suicidal acts increased 13% during the 2006 to 2015 period (APC, 2.3%; 95% CI, 1.3%-3.3%). In subgroup analyses, incidence rates increased by 1.1% (95% CI, 0.6%-1.6%) per year for female individuals during the 2006 to 2015 period but remained stable for male individuals. The CFRs increased for both sexes (APC, 5.0% [95% CI, 3.1%-6.9%] since 2010 for female individuals; 1.6% [95% CI, 0.6%-2.5%] since 2009 for male individuals). Incidence rates increased among adolescents from 2011 to 2015 and among older adults aged 65 to 74 years throughout the 2006 to 2015 period. Conversely, the CFRs increased since 2009 among persons aged 20 to 44 years (APC, 3.7%; 95% CI, 2.5%-5.0%) and since 2012 for those aged 45 to 64 years (APC, 2.7%; 95% CI, 0.0%-5.4%). Persons aged 20 to 44 years and 45 to 64 years experienced increases in suicidal acts by more lethal means, whereas adolescents and older adults aged 65 to 74 years showed increased incidence by all means. Conclusions and Relevance This study found increased suicidal acts among female persons, adolescents, and older adults aged 65 to 74 years, implying the need to address emerging or exacerbating suicide risk factors for these populations. The findings on the increased lethality particularly among persons aged 20 to 64 years highlighted the need to reduce access to materials that could be used as lethal means among persons at risk of suicide. These findings on population-level epidemiologic patterns can be used to guide the development of comprehensive suicide prevention strategies.
IS DIVERSIFICATION A JOB SAFETY NET FOR SELL‐SIDE ANALYSTS?

We study sell‐side analysts’ motives to diversify their portfolios across industries. Despite the negative association between diversification and accuracy, more than 60% of analysts cover multiple industries. We argue that analysts’ choice to diversify is rooted in concerns about future job security. We find that more diversified analysts are less likely to experience job turnover and leave the profession but are not more likely to advance their careers. For experienced and all‐star analysts, diversification does not improve career outcomes. We conclude that industry diversification is a safety mechanism for inexperienced and unranked analysts who are concerned about job security.
The behavior of nanocellulose in gastrointestinal tract and its influence on food digestion

Abstract Nanocellulose (NC) has become a topic of increasing interest in recent years due to its special characteristics (including viscous properties and large specific surface area) and potential wide applications. Currently NC has been widely used in a number of fields, including textile, pharmacy, cosmetics, medicine and packaging. However, so far there are limited studies on the behavior of NC along gastrointestinal tract (GIT) if consumed as a fiber source. NC has not yet been approved by FDA as a generally recognized as safe (GRAS) material. Therefore, future studies are needed in order to aid in a better understanding of the safety of NC as well as foster decision-making regarding the usage of NC as a food-grade fiber source. This review overviews current studies on the behavior of NC along GIT as well as its influence on food digestion and nutrient absorption, and highlights the existing knowledge gaps.
Comparison of metal artifact reduction using single-energy CT and dual-energy CT with various metallic implants in cadavers.

Abstract Objectives The purpose of this study was to compare the effectiveness of metal artifact reduction using Single Energy Metal Artifact Reduction (SEMAR) and Dual Energy CT (DECT). Materials and methods Six cadavers containing metal implants in the head, neck, abdomen, pelvis, and extremities were scanned with Standard, SEMAR, and DECT protocols on a 320-slice CT scanner. Four specialized radiologists blinded to acquisition methods rated severity of metal artifacts, visualization of anatomic structures, diagnostic interpretation, and image preference with a 5-point grading scale. Results Scores were significantly better for SEMAR than Standard images in the hip, knee, pelvis, abdomen, and maxillofacial scans (3.25 ± 0.88 versus 2.14 ± 0.93, p Conclusion SEMAR was more effective at reducing metal artifacts than DECT. Radiologists should be aware of new artifacts and review both the original and SEMAR images. When the anatomy or implant is relatively small, DECT may be superior to SEMAR without additional artifacts. However, radiologist should be aware of a reduction in soft tissue contrast.
Animal assisted intervention for oncology and palliative care patients: A systematic review.

Abstract Introduction Animal assisted interventions (AAI) have been used in different contexts including oncology/palliative care and can improve mood, quality of life and wellness. The goal of this review was to evaluate studies about AAI and its effects on oncological/palliative care patients. Methods The search was conducted on PubMed, Scopus and Lilacs databases. The inclusion criteria were original articles that measured quantitatively the health-related outcomes of an AAI on oncological/palliative care patients. Results Ten studies fulfilled the inclusion criteria. Benefits related to the AAI were described. Mood, pain perception and quality of life seemed to be the variables that had improvement with the intervention. Due to the small sample sizes/heterogeneous methodologies, additional analyses could not be performed. Conclusions AAI can be an important tool for improving psychosocial/physiological parameters in cancer/palliative care patients. Further well designed studies are needed to provide a better knowledge of the AAI benefits in this setting.
Redefine obstacles

In Redefine Obstacles, a car outruns a pinball on its home turf - a pinball machine. This short was conceptualized and developed over a ten-week timeframe under the mentorship of The Mill New York. Inspired by 80s style arcade games, we utilized real time effects and mixed traditionally modeled assets with procedurally generated assets. It combines real time rendering in Unreal Engine 4 with live action footage to create a mock car commercial.
The Role of Transnational Legal Process in Enforcing WTO Law and Competition Policy

This Article creates a paradigm for future studies of the role of Transnational Legal Process in the field of the interface between trade and competition policy to enhance a legal-based trade relationship between countries. It suggests that essential synergies that exist between trade and competition. In examining cartel issues both under WTO treaty obligations and under antitrust laws, Transnational Legal Process will largely prove a positive role in constraining the opportunities for States to play one system (trade) against the other (competition). I explore several recent U.S. antitrust litigations involving Chinese export cartels. I also examine the relationship between trade associations and the government under the hybrid nature of China’s regulatory environment. I argue that the involved U.S. courts and the executive branch’s stance in the above litigations perfectly illustrates a pervasive Transnational Legal Process. The courts and the executive branch as transnational actors stimulate each other to avert gaming by the litigants due to ambiguous factual evidence in cartel cases. In this context, the U.S. not only represents all antitrust nations’ interests when it is anti-cartel. The transnational actors generated interactions that led to WTO law and competition policy interpretations that become internalized, thereby binding under domestic law.
20-m resolution longitudinal nitrate data from before and after rainfall in low-order streams spanning rural to urban gradients.

This study aimed to provide datasets useful for identifying and disentangling any complex patterns in the fine spatial heterogeneity of a common nonpoint source pollutant, nitrate, as well as other related water quality metrics (temperature, dissolved oxygen, pH, and conductivity) in streams of the eastern U.S. We aimed specifically to provide a resource dataset of uniquely high spatial detail for the better understanding of how the rapid appearance or disappearance of this common nutrient at fine scales may relate to other aspects of form and function in these watersheds. To accomplish this, the low-order streams observed in this study extend across environmental gradients in urban and rural land cover, and change from free flowing to impounded water. Study streams were also observed at different levels of steam discharge, both pre and post summer storm events. Four unique 600 m stretches of two low-order creeks in Dutchess County, New York, were observed longitudinally at a fine spatial resolution (20 m). These four 600 m stretches contrasted in land cover from heavily urban channelized streams to mainly rural meandering streams with seasonally active floodplains. Data collection occurred above and below areas where impounded water was input into to the stream via a side tributary to observe the effect of adjacent impoundments, and fine scale water quality was assessed both before and after major storm events to see the influence of wet-period flow path activation on nonpoint source fluxes. Data was organized into a final data table and maps showing how water quality parameters change in regard to land use and land cover, free flowing versus impounded water, and the influence of storm events versus dry periods. Water quality data are also mapped in comparison to thresholds of concern for growth of cyanobacteria - a common constituent of harmful algal blooms in the region. Fine spatial resolution data from this study can be used as a baseline for future studies or modeling efforts at similarly fine scales to better understand why concentrations of nitrate rapidly rise or fall longitudinally at <100 m scales within these forms of streams, and how land cover change and intensified storms due to climate change may further influence water quality dynamics at these uniquely fine scales.
The Semantics of Solidarity: Radical Vulnerability and Gendered Language in Elia Barceló’s Consecuencias naturales

A la novel·la d’Elia Barcelo, Consecuencias naturales, ambdos protagonistes es sotmeten a intervencions biologiques que els fan compartir algunes o totes de les caracteristiques fisiques atribuides a un genere amb el qual no s’identifiquen. La novel·la tambe usa deliberadament un llenguatge de genere per criticar les estructures d’una societat heteronormativa que reflecteix aquest llenguatge. L’article argumenta que la trajectoria dels protagonistes suggereix que l’encarnacio fisica no es suficient per comprometre’s amb la vulnerabilitat radical de l’Altre. En lloc d’aixo, un canvi discursiu radical es necessari per crear un paradigma linguistic mutuament entes dins del qual ambdues parts poden empatitzar amb l’experiencia viscuda per l’altre.
Study about M-Consumer Segmentation: An Approach for M-Communication, M-Distribution, and M-Accessibility

The increased use of mobile communication and the rapid development of mobile shopping technologies have significant financial implications, particularly for business-to-consumer retail markets. The purpose of this study was to examine the interrelationship among the m-consumers’ personality traits, m-communication, m-distribution, and m-accessibility utilities, as well as their willingness to m-shop. This study found that m-communication and m-accessibility utilities were key factors in predicting willingness to m-shop. Our findings demonstrated that more extraverted, more agreeable, and less neurotic m-consumers were likely to perceive high levels of m-communication utility. More conscientious m-consumers were likely to perceive high levels of m-distribution utility and low levels of m-accessibility utility. In addition, this study identified that consumers who were more open to experience, more extraverted, and less conscientious were likely to have high levels of willingness to m-shop. Managerial implications and recommendations for future research were presented.
Averaging Sequences. Universal Ergodic Theorems

Let (X, B) be a measurable semigroup; B M (B) the Banach space of all signed measures of bounded variation on B with norm ‖v‖ = var v; P(B) the set of all probability measures on B; \(\tilde p\) the set of all probability measures v on X whose carriers c(v) are finite sets; and let F B be the subspace in Ф B consisting of the bounded measurable functions on X.
Advances in Fertilizers

Publisher Summary This chapter reviews major developments in the field of fertilizers and world fertilizer industry. A major recent innovation in the field of nitrogen fertilizers has been that of locating a large-capacity ammonia plant close to the source of very low-cost natural gas and moving the liquefied ammonia by specially built tankers to international commerce. Other advances include improvement in the cyanamide process. These improvements are mostly aimed at reducing temperature requirements and increasing purity, and are reportedly strengthening cyanamide's relative position as a fertilizer material. Important advances in the phosphorus industry during recent years have been the discovery or opening up of new minable phosphate rock deposits, improvements in beneficiation or upgrading of the ore, development of superphosphoric acid, increasing output and use of triple superphosphate and the ammonium phosphates, the world trend toward higher analysis phosphate carriers, and continuing improvements in nitrophosphate processes. In case of potassium, technological advances include solution mining, extraction of potassium chloride from sylvinite ore, and flotation recovery of potassium. One of the major advances in the solid mixed fertilizer field has been the widespread adoption of granulation. The bulk blend industry, with maturity may settle down to more or less standard plants and standard spreading equipment. Or, blending of individual ingredients in small plants, as now practiced, may be replaced with granulated fertilizers compounded to grade in large central plants, thus relegating the present blending locations to centers for distribution, custom application, and other farmer services.
Removal of the Discoloring Contaminants of an East Georgia Kaolin Clay and its Dewatering

The present study deals with flotation, selective flocculation, leaching and dewatering tests conducted on East Georgia kaolin clay. Flotation and selective flocculation tests were performed on the samples to remove titanium impurities (TiO2) using different reagents at pH 9.5. The leaching tests were applied to the treated samples to dissolve the iron impurities (Fe2O3) in the presence of sodium hydrosulfite (Na2S2O4) and alum (Al2(SO4)3.18H2O) at pH 3.0. The test results showed that the brightness of the samples improved from approximately 82% to 91% . After that, the leached samples were conditioned with dodecylamine, and then a newly developed dewatering aid was added to the slurry to make the fine clay particles super hydrophobic. It was found that the moisture content of the clay sample decreased from 42.3% to 31.4% . As a result, it can be concluded that the high quality and low moisture content of the kaolin clay can be easily used for many industries.
Subjective Experience of Emotion

In psychological science, affect refers to the various feeling states humans, and perhaps other animals, experience. Affect plays an important role in our lives, serving as a mechanism of self-information about one's internal states, events that occur, and our relationship with others and our environment. Humans experience a wide range of affective phenomena, such as being tired, bored, sleepy, excited, hungry, angry, afraid, sad, ashamed, proud, embarrassed, happy, or jealous. Affect motivates our behavior, directs our goals, changes our ways of thinking, and colors all of life's experiences in meaningful, relevant, and important ways. Feeling hungry, for instance, motivates us to find food, just as feeling tired motivates us to rest. Keywords: emotion; universality studies
Extraction of Video Objects via Surface Optimization and Voronoi Order

We implement a video object segmentation system that integrates the novel concept of Voronoi Order with existing surface optimization techniques to support the MPEG-4 functionality of object-addressable video content in the form of video objects. The major enabling technology for the MPEG-4 standard are systems that compute video object segmentation, i.e., the extraction of video objects from a given video sequence. Our surface optimization formulation describes the video object segmentation problem in the form of an energy function that integrates many visual processing techniques. By optimizing this surface, we balance visual information against predictions of models with a priori information and extract video objects from a video sequence. Since the global optimization of such an energy function is still an open problem, we use Voronoi Order to decompose our formulation into a tractable optimization via dynamic programming within an iterative framework. In conclusion, we show the results of the system on the MPEG-4 test sequences, introduce a novel objective measure, and compare results against those that are hand-segmented by the MPEG-4 committee.
Patient outcomes following prehospital rapid sequence intubation for medical emergencies

Prehospital rapid sequence intubation (RSI) is an intervention utilized for airway management in noncardiac arrested patients. We report patient outcomes following prehospital RSI utilized for medical emergencies.
St. Anselm's Ontological Argument as Expressive: A Wittgensteinian Reconstruction

We offer a reading of Anselm's Ontological Argument inspired by Wittgenstein which focuses on the fact that the “argument” occurs in a prayer addressed to God, making it a strange argument since as a prayer it seems to presuppose its conclusion. We reconstruct the argument as expressive. Within the religious perspective, the issues are to be focused on the right object not to present an argument for the existence of God. While this sort of reading lets us understand much about the argument, it also opens new avenues of criticism, one of which is the problem of worship.
Improving Structural Knowledge Transfer with Parametric Adaptation

Transfer of learned knowledge from one task to another offers an opportunity to reduce development cost of knowledgebased systems by reusing existing knowledge in novel situations. However, minor differences in the initial and target environments can reduce the effectiveness of the system substantially. In previous work, we presented a system that acquired procedural knowledge of American football from video footage, and then applied it to controlling players in a simulated environment. In this paper, we extend that system by adding the ability to adapt the transferred procedures to better fit the simulator. We show that even when the transferred structural knowledge provides a quality starting point for performance in the game environment, a simple parameter optimization technique can significantly improve its performance and utility.
A Review of “Vulnerable Communion: A Theology of Disability and Hospitality”

Theodicy. God's justice. Suffering. These terms are invoked with increasing frequency in texts that address disability and people with disabilities (as well as in those texts that deal with natural...
Characterization and Expression of Four Proline-Rich Cell Wall Protein Genes in Arabidopsis Encoding Two Distinct Subsets of Multiple Domain Proteins

We have characterized the molecular organization and expression of four proline-rich protein genes from Arabidopsis (AtPRPs). These genes predict two classes of cell wall proteins based on DNA sequence identity, repetitive motifs, and domain organization. AtPRP1 and AtPRP3 encode proteins containing an N-terminal PRP-like domain followed by a C-terminal domain that is biased toward P, T, Y, and K. AtPRP2 and AtPRP4 represent a second, novel group of PRP genes that encode two-domain proteins containing a non-repetitive N-terminal domain followed by a PRP-like region rich in P, V, K, and C. Northern hybridization analysis indicated that AtPRP1 and AtPRP3 are exclusively expressed in roots, while transcripts encoding AtPRP2 and AtPRP4 were most abundant in aerial organs of the plant. Histochemical analyses of promoter/β-glucuronidase fusions localized AtPRP3 expression to regions of the root containing root hairs. AtPRP2 and AtPRP4 expression was detected in expanding leaves, stems, flowers, and siliques. In addition, AtPRP4 expression was detected in stipules and during the early stages of lateral root formation. These studies support a model for involvement of PRPs in specifying cell-type-specific wall structures, and provide the basis for a genetic approach to dissect the function of PRPs during growth and development.
Assessing remotely-sensed aboveground biomass estimates in the Sierra National Forest

Mapped estimates of forest aboveground biomass (AGB) at regular intervals are important in carbon cycle studies. In the southwestern United States, there have been extensive changes to forests over the last decade, due to wildfire, climate-driven insect outbreaks and disease, increasing forest-human interaction, resource exploitation, and increasing aridity [1]. Earlier estimates of AGB based on MISR geometric-optical model cover and height retrievals were found to be highly compatible with US Forest Service maps constructed using empirical relationships and MODIS vegetation index data [2][3]. However, these maps were not validated against field data. This paper reports on efforts to assess mapped estimates of forest AGB in the Sierra National Forest, California, against field inventory data.
A Flow-Through System for Rearing Flatfish Through Metamorphosis

Abstract The details of a flow-through system developed at the New England Aquarium for rearing starry flounders (Platichthys stellatus) through metamorphosis are presented to provide a comparison with closed systems, and an abbreviated manual for rearing of flatfish and their food organisms. The flow-through system allowed rapid response to changes in water quality and permitted the use of very high food concentrations. The success of the operation also depended on the production of up to 106 rotifers (Brachionus plicatilis) per day, which depended on the production of at least 20 liters per day of algal (Dunaliella sp.) culture. Up to 682 fish were reared through metamorphosis per 19-liter tank.
Organ-specific remodeling of the Arabidopsis transcriptome in response to spaceflight.

Spaceflight presents a novel environment that is outside the evolutionary experience of terrestrial organisms. Full activation of the International Space Station as a science platform complete with sophisticated plant growth chambers, laboratory benches, and procedures for effective sample return, has enabled a new level of research capability and hypothesis testing in this unique environment. The opportunity to examine the strategies of environmental sensing in spaceflight, which includes the absence of unit gravity, provides a unique insight into the balance of influence among abiotic cues directing plant growth and development: including gravity, light, and touch. The data presented here correlate morphological and transcriptome data from replicated spaceflight experiments. The transcriptome of Arabidopsis thaliana demonstrated organ-specific changes in response to spaceflight, with 480 genes showing significant changes in expression in spaceflight plants compared with ground controls by at least 1.9-fold, and 58 by more than 7-fold. Leaves, hypocotyls, and roots each displayed unique patterns of response, yet many gene functions within the responses are related. Particularly represented across the dataset were genes associated with cell architecture and growth hormone signaling; processes that would not be anticipated to be altered in microgravity yet may correlate with morphological changes observed in spaceflight plants. As examples, differential expression of genes involved with touch, cell wall remodeling, root hairs, and cell expansion may correlate with spaceflight-associated root skewing, while differential expression of auxin-related and other gravity-signaling genes seemingly correlates with the microgravity of spaceflight. Although functionally related genes were differentially represented in leaves, hypocotyls, and roots, the expression of individual genes varied substantially across organ types, indicating that there is no single response to spaceflight. Rather, each organ employed its own response tactics within a shared strategy, largely involving cell wall architecture. Spaceflight appears to initiate cellular remodeling throughout the plant, yet specific strategies of the response are distinct among specific organs of the plant. Further, these data illustrate that in the absence of gravity plants rely on other environmental cues to initiate the morphological responses essential to successful growth and development, and that the basis for that engagement lies in the differential expression of genes in an organ-specific manner that maximizes the utilization of these signals – such as the up-regulation of genes associated with light-sensing in roots.
Retention of Staff in the Early Childhood Education Workforce

What incentives can the administrators of early childhood education facilities offer their staff in order to retain them? In light of research identifying low staff turnover as a key component of high quality early childhood education, the answer to this question has ramifications beyond human-resources management. This paper presents the results of a statewide survey of early childhood educators, which indicate that both personal factors (age and experience) and the availability of benefits are associated with intent to remain in the field. The applicability of these findings to employment policies in the field of early childhood education are discussed.
Gravity Data from the Wiseman Quadrangle, South -Central Brooks Range: ABSTRACT

Bouger gravity in the Wiseman quadrangle is dominated by a steep north-dipping regional gradient. Within the regional gradient are several residual anomalies that correspond spatially to mapped geologic units. These residual anomalies have a persistent east-west trend, attesting to the continuity of the east-striking geology. The northern end of the gravity gradient is a broad gravity low of down to -100 Mgal and is believed to be due to a low-density root near the core of the Brooks Range. The southern termination of this gradient is a relative gravity maximum located near the "suture" of the Arctic Alaska terrane with the Angayuchum terrane. This relative high is typical of sutures found throughout the world where continental and oceanic plates once converged. In this c se, the anomalies appear to be due to the juxtaposition of denser, mafic oceanic rocks to the south (Angayuchum terrane) with less dense, metamorphic continental rocks of the Arctic Alaska terrane to the north. By accounting for the relative densities of the rock units through gravity modeling, it is evident that the low-density root extends south to underlie the schist belt and possibly the mafics of the Angayuchum terrane. End_of_Article - Last_Page 679------------
Energy minimization mechanisms of semi-coherent interfaces

In this article, we discussed energy minimization mechanisms of semi-coherent interfaces based on atomistic simulations and dislocation theory. For example, of {111} interfaces between two face centered cubic (FCC) crystals, interface comprises of two stable structures (normal FCC stacking structure and intrinsic stacking fault structure), misfit dislocations, and misfit dislocation intersections or nodes (corresponding to the high energy stacking fault (HESF) structure). According to atomistic simulations of four interfaces, we found that (1) greater spacing between misfit dislocations and/or larger slopes of generalized stacking fault energy at the stable interface structures leads to a narrower dislocation core and a higher state of coherency in the stable interfaces; (2) the HESF region is relaxed by the relative rotation and dilation/compression of the two crystals at the node. The crystal rotation is responsible for the spiral feature at the vicinity of a node and the dilation/compression is responsible for the creation of the free volume at a node; (3) the spiral feature is gradually frail and the free volume decreases with decreasing misfit dislocation spacing, which corresponds to an increase in lattice mismatch and/or a decrease in lattice rotation. Finally, the analysis method and energy minimization mechanisms explored in FCC {111} semi-coherent interfaces are also applicable for other semi-coherent interfaces.
A WEBERIAN FRAMEWORK IN THE STUDY OF ACCOUNTING.

Abstract Weber's work is shown to provide a meaningful framework for examining accounting practices in their socio-historical context. We argue that Weber's writings suggests three analytic layers within which to situate the study of the relations of accounting to organizations and society. First, we discuss the configuration of institutional features of society facilitating the development of capitalism, the corporate enterprise, and accounting practices. Next, we consider the historical dynamics following from the tensions between formal and substantive rationalities as they apply to these institutional foundations. Third, these previous layers of analysis are shown to situate the examination of important tensions within the analysis of organizations generally and accounting practices more specifically. Weber's framework suggests that although accounting practices may be considered analytically rational, their substantive rationality and the rationality of organizational operations are only understood as rational in their socio-historical context.
Electrophoretic analysis of the hemoglobins of four cetacean species.

Abstract 1. 1. Cellulose acetate electrophoresis was performed on the hemoglobins of four cetacean species: Globicephala scammoni, Lagenorhynchus obliquedens, Orcinus orca and Tursiops truncatus. 2. 2. One species, O. orca , exhibited three hemoglobin bands; the other species, exhibited two bands. 3. 3. Typical electropherograms for these species are presented and comparisons are made with previous studies.
Performance of a commercial optical CT scanner and polymer gel dosimeters for 3-D dose verification.

Performance analysis of a commercial three-dimensional (3-D) dose mapping system based on optical CT scanning of polymer gels is presented. The system consists of BANG®3 polymer gels (MGS Research, Inc., Madison, CT), OCTOPUS™ laser CT scanner (MGS Research, Inc., Madison, CT), and an in-house developed software for optical CT image reconstruction and 3-D dose distribution comparison between the gel, film measurements and the radiation therapy treatment plans. Various sources of image noise (digitization, electronic, optical, and mechanical) generated by the scanner as well as optical uniformity of the polymer gel are analyzed. The performance of the scanner is further evaluated in terms of the reproducibility of the data acquisition process, the uncertainties at different levels of reconstructed optical density per unit length and the effects of scanning parameters. It is demonstrated that for BANG®3 gel phantoms held in cylindrical plastic containers, the relative dose distribution can be reproduced by the scanner with an overall uncertainty of about 3% within approximately 75% of the radius of the container. In regions located closer to the container wall, however, the scanner generates erroneous optical density values that arise from the reflection and refraction of the laser rays at the interface between the gel and the container. The analysis of the accuracy of the polymer gel dosimeter is exemplified by the comparison of the gel/OCT-derived dose distributions with those from film measurements and a commercial treatment planning system (Cadplan, Varian Corporation, Palo Alto, CA) for a 6cm×6cm single field of 6MV x rays and a 3-D conformal radiotherapy (3DCRT) plan. The gel measurements agree with the treatment plans and the film measurements within the “3%-or-2mm” criterion throughout the usable, artifact-free central region of the gel volume. Discrepancies among the three data sets are analyzed.
The renewal function for an alternating renewal process, which has a Weibull failure distribution and a constant repair time

Abstract A series expansion is developed for the n th order distribution functions of the Weibull distribution and the coefficients are found by solving recurrence equations. The availability and the renewal function of an alternating renewal process, which consists pf a Weibull failure distribution and a constant repair time, are written as related double series. The distribution functions and the unavailability are calculated for several values of the parameters and the rate of convergence of the series is examined.
Drug-Eluting Compared With Bare-Metal Coronary Stents Among Elderly Patients

Objectives We sought to determine whether drug-eluting stents (DES) were associated with improved clinical outcomes compared with bare-metal stents (BMS) among a nationally representative, nonexperimental elderly patient cohort. Background Randomized controlled clinical trials comparing DES and BMS for treatment of coronary artery disease indicate that although the use of DES reduces rates of coronary restenosis after percutaneous coronary intervention, it does not reduce the rates of mortality or acute myocardial infarction (AMI). Nevertheless, clinical outcomes of DES in nonexperimental, routine clinical practice are uncertain. Methods We assembled a retrospective cohort of elderly Medicare beneficiaries (n = 76,525) who received DES within 9 months after Food and Drug Administration approval of the sirolimus-eluting stent (April 2003 to December 2003). Using propensity score methods, we assembled 2 matched control cohorts who received BMS from July 2002 to March 2003 (historical controls) or from April 2003 to December 2003 (contemporary controls). Patient enrollment and claims records were obtained through December 2005 to ascertain mortality, hospitalization for AMI, and subsequent coronary revascularization. Results Receipt of a DES was associated with a significant survival benefit, with an adjusted mortality hazard ratio of 0.83 (95% confidence interval 0.81 to 0.86) compared with contemporary controls, and a hazard ratio of 0.79 (95% confidence interval 0.77 to 0.81) compared with historical controls (control group heterogeneity: p Conclusions In contrast to clinical trial results, DES receipt was associated with fewer subsequent revascularization procedures, lower rates of hospitalization for AMI, and improved survival among elderly Medicare beneficiaries.
Violent crime and outdoor physical activity among inner-city youth.

Abstract Background . Previous studies have shown poor correlation between subjective assessments of neighborhood safety and physical activity. This study was performed to model relationships between adolescents' outdoor physical activity and objectively measured violent crime densities, along with other key environmental variables. Methods . Participants' physical activity was measured using a validated questionnaire. Multiple regression analysis was performed using outdoor physical activity away from school (OPA) as the dependent variable. Environmental factors included the density of violent crime within 1/2 mi of each participant's home, distance to nearest open play space, per capita income, and participants' subjective assessment of neighborhood safety. Results . Multiple regression analysis showed that distance to nearest open play space was inversely and significantly associated with boys' OPA, while density of violent crime within 1/2 mi of home was inversely and significantly associated with girls' OPA. Girls' perceptions that their neighborhood was safe for physical activity were also associated with higher levels of OPA, while boys' assessments of neighborhood safety were not significantly related to OPA. Conclusions. Neighborhood violent crime may be a significant environmental barrier to outdoor physical activity for urban dwelling Mexican-American adolescent girls. Future studies of physical activity and the environment should use objective measures of environmental factors.
Supporting small businesses in their transition to lean production

Discusses the importance of achieving alignment between buyers and sellers, with specific emphasis on efforts by buyers to improve the performance of their suppliers. Describes common barriers and presents strategies and methods that were successful in educating and developing suppliers’ capabilities in lean production across multiple tiers. Presents supporting activities that can help facilitate implementation and ensure that lean production does not become another “flavour of the month”.
Chronic administration of naltrexone alters central catecholamine levels but not the development of hypertension in spontaneously hypertensive rats

Abstract The effect of chronic administration of the opiate antagonist naltrexone on the genesis and development of hypertension and correlated changes in central norepinephrine levels was evaluated in spontaneously hypertensive rats and Wistar-Kyoto controls. Capsules of poly-e-caprolactone containing naltrexone in ethyl oleate or ethyl oleate alone were implanted in 4 week old SHR and WKY rats. Naltrexone failed to alter the genesis or magnitude of hypertension developed by the SHR and did not alter heart rates. Blood pressure and heart rate of WKY rats were also unaffected. A significant decrease in midbrain and hippocampal NE levels was observed in SHRs but not in WKYs following naltrexone.
The effect of surface oxidation and titanium dioxide on exterior PVC color retention

Titanium dioxide is widely used as a cost-effective UV radiation protector for exterior PVC applications, particularly vinyl building products. As the exterior surface weathers by oxidation, an increasing number of pigment-air interfaces are formed, resulting in increased light scattering. This increased light scattering is often mistakenly described as color fade. Results are shown to clearly measure the difference between this titanium dioxide opacity effect versus color pigment fade. The effect of several chemicals on surface color restoration and long-term color retention is explored.