cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
An AVID Dissent

Despite declarations to the contrary, AVID appears to be a study that is seriously flawed. It is unfairly biased against the ICD; it entails unresolved ethical questions; and it poses a basic question that is inappropriate and subject to broad misinterpretation. Whatever the outcome of the study, harm is likely to follow unless the results are viewed very circumspectly. Rather than conducting such a study, we instead should be directing research funds toward identifying subsets of patients who might best benefit from the ICD. To optimize the use of the ICD, we need to do more patient selection, not less. We need to define subsets of patients in whom the prevention of sudden death by the ICD yields a prolonged overall survival, as well as subsets of patients in whom the device offers little or no benefit. AVID not only fails to do this, but it also threatens to inappropriately curtail (or less likely, to inappropriately expand) the proper use this efficacious tool, the ICD.
MR portography: Preliminary comparison with CT portography and conventional MR imaging

Magnetic resonance (MR) imaging with arterial portography (MRAP) was compared with computed tomography with arterial portography (CTAP) and conventional MR imaging for preoperative evaluation of hepatic masses in eight patients (nine studies). Twenty contiguous, 10-mm-thick-section CTAP images were obtained. MR imaging included T1- and T2-weighted spin-echo and fast multiplanar SPGR (spoiled gradient-recalled acquisition in the steady state) techniques. For MRAP, 0.1 mmol/kg gadopentetate dimeglumine was injected into the superior mesenteric artery. Portographic-phase, 8-mm-thick-section, axial SPGR images were first obtained, followed by “systemic phase” SPGR images. Lesions were seen best on the portographic-phase MRAP images and were less conspicuous on the systemic-phase MRAP, CTAP and conventional MR images. Of 19 visualized lesions, 18 were seen with MRAP; however; five subcentimeter lesions seen with MRAP were not seen with conventional MR imaging or CTAP. Systemic recirculation of iodinated contrast material from the bolus and from previous angiography is a potential limitation of CTAP. For both CTAP and MRAP, optimal results are expected if all images are obtained during a single breath hold, within seconds of the onset of contrast agent administration.
Humidity behavior and the identification of hygroreceptors in the adult mealworm, Tenebrio molitor

Abstract The humidity behavior of undesiccated and desiccated adult Tenebrio molitor was investigated at 72 and 92%r.h. The behavior of the sexes was analyzed separately. The moist responses of desiccated beetles were correlated with the distribution of smooth-surfaced peg organs by removing various antennal segments. The dry responses of undesiccated beetles were associated with grooved and flat-tipped peg organs by removing various types of antennal sensilla with a laser. On the basis of their morphology and the results of the behavioral experiments, it has been concluded that the smooth-surfaced, grooved, and flat-tipped peg organs are likely to function as humidity receptors. A behavioral model has been proposed to explain the humidity responses of the beetle.
Computer-aided pole figure construction

Abstract A microcomputer application has been designed to assist in the construction of pole figures using a digital universal microscope stage. The software monitors the stage orientation and switch settings in real time. The trend and plunge of the microscope axis is displayed on an equal area (Schmidt) stereonet in a user-defined reference frame. Data may be recorded relative to the sides of the petrographic slide as reference frame. Alternatively, the specimen's field orientation may be restored and orientations may be calculated relative to the north-east-down geographical reference frame. The computer calculates, records, and graphically displays pole orientations. Data for different minerals may be stored in separate files and data from several thin sections may be merged in a single pole figure. Output to a dot matrix or laser printer is supported.
Keys and Illustrations for the Armyworm Moths of the Noctuid Genus Spodoptera Guenée from the Western Hemisphere

Characters for the recognition of the 14 Western Hemisphere species of the armyworms of the economically important genus Spodoptera Guenee are provided in keys to the species based on maculation and coloration and in keys to the male genitalia. Illustrations of adults and figures of the male and female genitalia, discussion of the geographic distribution, and synonymical bibliographies of each species are given
Scanning probe microscopy for testing ultrafast electronic devices

Scanning force microscopy has been developed as a practical, non-contact probing technique for measuring voltage waveforms at internal nodes of integrated devices and circuits. Dynamic voltage contrast is achieved with high spatial and temporal resolution. The factors contributing to system bandwidth, voltage sensitivity and spatial resolution are discussed. Time-domain and frequency-domain measurements of silicon and gallium arsenide circuits are presented.
Electrochemical Oxidation of Certain Hydrocarbons and Carbon Monoxide in Dilute Sulfuric Acid

For the hydrocarbons methane through heptane, ethylene, and carbon monoxide anodic potential/current density curves were measured in a galvanostatic half‐cell arrangement. Raney platinum proved to be an active catalyst for the conversion of the hydrocarbons. In at 100°C a stationary current density of 200 ma/cm2 was measured for ethane, propane, butane, ethylene, and carbon monoxide, and 100 ma/cm2 for methane and pentane. By coulometric analyses the conversion of methane, ethane, and propane to was found to be 100%. Complete conversion of butane, pentane, hexane, and heptane apparently requires conditions different from those employed here. In potential oscillations with time were observed, which were caused by partial poisoning of the electrode on reduction of to and the subsequent self‐regeneration of the electrode.
A thematic analysis of oral communication concerns with implications for curriculum design

Abstract This study presents a thematic analysis of the oral communication concerns of three different accounting constituencies: undergraduate accounting majors, accounting graduate students, and professional accountants in two large public accounting firms. The analysis was based on 705 total concerns statements obtained from an open-ended questionnaire administered to respondents using the “communication concerns model” as its theoretical underpinning. Based on the identification of themes of oral communication concerns that arise from this analysis, the study makes suggestions for the content and sequencing of oral communication instruction in collegiate or post-collegiate instruction.
Pharmacogenetic approaches to the treatment of alcohol addiction

Addictive disorders are partly heritable, chronic, relapsing conditions that account for a tremendous disease burden. Currently available addiction pharmacotherapies are only moderately successful, continue to be viewed with considerable scepticism outside the scientific community and have not become widely adopted as treatments. More effective medical treatments are needed to transform addiction treatment and address currently unmet medical needs. Emerging evidence from alcoholism research suggests that no single advance can be expected to fundamentally change treatment outcomes. Rather, studies of opioid, corticotropin-releasing factor, GABA and serotonin systems suggest that incremental advances in treatment outcomes will result from an improved understanding of the genetic heterogeneity among patients with alcohol addiction, and the development of personalized treatments.
A domain of the Leptospira LigB contributes to high affinity binding of fibronectin.

Abstract Adhesion of pathogenic Leptospira spp. to mammalian cells is mediated by their adhesins interacting with host cell receptors. In a previous study, we have identified two potential fibronectin (Fn) binding sites in central variable region (LigBCen) and C-terminal variable region (LigBCtv) of LigB, an adhesin of pathogenic Leptospira spp. In this study, we have further localized the Fn-binding site on LigBCen and found a domain of LigB (LigBCen2) (amino acids 1014–1165) strongly bound to Fn. LigBCen2 bound to a 70 kDa domain of Fn including N-terminal domain (NTD) and gelatin binding domain (GBD), but with a higher binding affinity to NTD (Kd = 272 nM) than to GBD (Kd = 1200 nM). Except Fn, LigBCen2 also bound laminin and fibrinogen. LigBCen2 could bind MDCK cells, and blocked the binding of Leptospira on MDCK cells by 45%. These results suggest that LigBCen2 contributed to high affinity binding on NTD or GBD of Fn, laminin, and fibrinogen and mediated Leptospira binding on host cells.
ECONOMIC ORDER QUANTITIES WITH QUANTITY DISCOUNTS: GRANDMA DOES IT BEST

We examine a new algorithm developed by Kuzdrall and Britney [5] for locating the optimal order quantity in the presence of quantity discounts. Their algorithm, based on a model for the supplier's formulation of the price schedule, involves a regression analysis to identify the supplier's variable cost per unit and the fixed cost that the supplier seeks to recover, followed by an iterative search for the optimum. The authors describe this method as a “convenient alternative to the aimless searching of traditional approaches” [5, p. 101]. We examine the allegation of superiority of their total setup lot-sizing model over the classical method and dispute their claim of superiority.
Hypomelanosis of Ito with Growth Hormone Deficiency

We report a case of Hypomelanosis of Ito, a neurocutaneous syndrome, with GH deficiency.Case: A 10-year-old Japanese girl was referred to our hospital with hypopigmentation and short stature. She was born at term (birth weight, 2, 460g) and delivery was normal. Her growth failure was severe and her height was 105.2cm (-5.3SD). Symmetrical linear hypopigmentation on the trunk and extremities was noted. Her mental development was retarded, but she had no convulsions. Her bone age was 7 years. Peak GH level after insulin and arginine stimulation was 5.5 and 6.6ng/ml, respectively. Human GH therapy was started at a dose of 0.5U/kg/week. Her height gain was 6.4cm/year for 6 months.This is the first report on GH secretion in hypomelanosis of Ito with short stature. GH therapy was effective in the short term in this patient.
Simple Methods for Purifying Balantidia

SYNOPSIS. Two methods for purifying balantidia are described. The first one may be applied to cultures which are not thriving when it is desirable to keep the purified ciliates without loss in number. Another method may be used for bulk material such as intestinal contents containing these ciliates.
High Tc superconducting Bi-Sr-Ca-Cu-O glass ceramics: A review

Abstract Glass-ceramic technology provides a convenient method for forming materials into a variety of near-net shapes. This paper reviews the current status of this method for preparing bulk Bi-Sr (Pb)-Ca-Cu-O superconducting ceramics. We also include discussion of the precursor glasses, processing techniques and reported formation mechanisms of the high Tc phases.
Laparoscopic Heller Myotomy and Fundoplication for Achalasia

Objective The goal of this study was to review the authors' results with laparoscopic cardiomyotomy and partial fundoplication for achalasia. Background Data Pneumatic dilatation and botulinum toxin (BOTOX) injection of the lower esophageal sphincter largely have replaced cardiomyotomy for treatment of achalasia. After a brief experience with a thoracoscopic approach, the authors elected to perform cardiomyotomy laparoscopically, in combination with a partial fundoplication (anterior or posterior). Patients and Methods Forty patients were treated between July 1992 and November 1996. Thirty patients had previous therapy of achalasia, 21 with pneumatic dilation, 1 with BOTOX, 6 with balloon and BOTOX, and 2 with transthoracic cardiomyotomy. Three patients had previous laparoscopic fundoplication for gastroesophageal reflux. Symptom scores (0 = none to 4 = disabling) were obtained before surgery and after surgery. Barium swallows and esophagogastroduodenoscopy were performed in all patients. Esophageal motility study was performed in 36 patients. Laparoscopic Heller myotomy and fundoplication was performed through five upper abdominal trocars. A 7-cm myotomy extended 6 cm above the GE junction and 1 cm below the GE junction. A posterior fundoplication was performed in 32 patients, anterior fundoplication in 7 patients, and no fundoplication in 1 patient. Statistical inference was performed with a Wilcoxon signed rank test. Results Mean operative duration was 199 ± 36.2 minutes. Mean hospital stay was 2.75 days (range, 1-13 days). Dysphagia was alleviated in all but four patients (90%), and regurgitation in all but two patients (95%) (p < 0.001). Chest pain and heartburn improved significantly (p < 0.01) as well. Intraoperative complications included mucosal laceration in six patients and hypercarbia in one. Postoperative pneumonia developed in two patients, and one patient had moderate hemorrhage from an esophageal ulcer 2 weeks after surgery. Conclusions Laparoscopic cardiomyotomy and fundoplication appears to provide definitive treatment of achalasia with rapid rehabilitation and few complications.
Characterization of the constitutive and wound-inducible monoterpene cyclases of grand fir (Abies grandis).

Abstract Monoterpene cyclase activity is greatly increased in grand fir ( Abies grandis ) sapling stems in response to wounding and the composition of the cyclic olefin mixture generated differs from that produced constitutively as determined by radio gas-liquid chromatography. Cell-free extracts from wounded stems and from non-wounded controls were systematically compared for monoterpene cyclase activities following partial purification and separation of these enzymes by anion-exchange chromatography (Mono Q FPLC) and native PAGE. The increase in monoterpene cyclase activity following wounding represents both the apparent enhancement of constitutive cyclase activities and the appearance of novel cyclization enzymes that are absent in nonwounded controls. A pinene cyclase was shown to be the major wound-inducible enzyme directly responsible for oleoresin monoterpene formation and was tentatively identified as a 62-kDa protein by SDSPAGE.
Aromatase in the normal breast and breast cancer

Adipose tissue and muscle constitute the larger proportion of body mass, and therefore aromatization in these tissues is the major source of circulating estrogens in postmenopausal women. Although plasma estrogen concentrations are very low, levels in breast cancers from postmenopausal patients are reported to be 10-fold higher than in plasma and normal tissue. Whereas studies on aromatase activity in the tumor suggest that estrogen may be produced locally, the significance of this contribution has been questioned. Using immunocytochemistry (ICC) to an anti-aromatase antibody, a relatively strong immunoreaction was detected in tumor epithelial cells as well as in the terminal ductal lobular units (TDLUs) of the normal breast. Aromatase expression was detected in the cytoplasm of tumor epithelial cells and the surrounding stromal cells of over 50% of tumors in a series of 19 breast cancers. In situ hybridization (ISH) to aromatase mRNA confirmed the immunocytochemical result that the epithelial cells are the primary site of estrogen synthesis in the breast and breast cancers. In the 10 tumors which showed immunoreaction to aromatase, the average aromatase activity measured in cryosections was 286.5 ± 18.6 fmol estrogen/mg protein/h (SE), whereas in nine tumors with weak aromatase immunoreaction, the enzyme activity was 154.7 ± 19.3 fmol estrogen/mg protein/h (P < 0.05) (SE). The functional significance of tumor aromatase and locally produced estrogens on the growth of tumors was suggested by the correlation between aromatase activity and proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA), a marker of cell proliferation (P < 0.005). Although intratumoral aromatase activity did not correlate with steroid receptors significantly, there was a trend for estrogen receptor (ER)-positive tumors to express aromatase. In addition, proliferation ([3H]-thymidine incorporation into DNA) during histoculture, was increased by both estradiol and testosterone in tumors with high aromatase activity. Our results suggest that some tumors synthesize sufficient estrogen to stimulate their proliferation. It may thus be important to inhibit tumor aromatase as well as to reduce circulating levels of estrogen for effective breast cancer treatment.
Thrombosed hemodialysis grafts: lyse and wait with tissue plasminogen activator or urokinase compared to mechanical thrombolysis with the Arrow-Trerotola Percutaneous Thrombolytic Device.

PURPOSE To determine if the lyse and wait (LW tPA) is a safe and effective method of declotting dialysis grafts as compared to use of the Arrow-Trerotola Percutaneous Thrombectomy Device (PTD) or the LW four were delayed 60–90 minutes after the procedure, one necessitated hospitalization, and two required additional therapies. Four of the 20 patients undergoing L&W with UK had minor puncture site bleeding during the procedure. The 3-month primary patency rates were 65%, 65%, and 60% for L&W with tPA, PTD, and L&W with UK, respectively ( P = NS). CONCLUSION The 4-mg dose of tPA is effective but results in more bleeding complications and longer hemostasis times than mechanical thrombolysis with use of the PTD. Unlike in our experience with UK, bleeding complications with tPA were both major and delayed.
Value Words and Lizard Brains: Do Citizens Deliberate About Appeals to Their Core Values?

Political elites often present citizens with frames that define issues in terms of core values. This study tests two competing accounts of how citizens might process such frames. According to the “passive receiver” thesis, citizens process elite frames automatically, without engaging in critical thought. In contrast, the “thoughtful receiver” thesis holds that the impact of frames may depend on how favorably or unfavorably citizens respond to them. An experiment in value framing produced evidence more consistent with the thoughtful receiver thesis: The message that welfare reform is “tough love” influenced opinion only among those it did not anger, whereas the message that welfare reform is “cruel and inhumane” produced an effect only among those who judged it to be strong. More generally, these findings suggest that active processing of frames may limit the power of elite framing.
The electrical and thermal conductivity of woven pristine and intercalated graphite fiber–polymer composites

A series of woven fabric laminar composite plates and narrow strips were fabricated from a variety of pitch-based pristine and bromine intercalated graphite fibers in an attempt to determine the influence of the weave on the electrical and thermal conduction. It was found generally that these materials can be treated as if they are homogeneous plates. The rule of mixtures describes the resistivity of the composite fairly well if it is realized that only the component of the fibers normal to the equipotential surface will conduct current. When the composite is narrow with respect to the fiber weave, however, there is a marked angular dependence of the resistance which was well modeled by assuming that the current follows only along the fibers (and not across them in a transverse direction), and that the contact resistance among the fibers in the composite is negligible. The thermal conductivity of composites made from less conductive fibers more closely followed the rule of mixtures than that of the high conductivity fibers, though this is thought to be an artifact of the measurement technique. Electrical and thermal anisotropy could be induced in a particular region of the structure by weaving together high and low conductivity fibers in different directions, though this must be done throughout all of the layers of the structure as interlaminar conduction precludes having only the top layer carry the anisotropy. The anisotropy in the thermal conductivity is considerably less than either that predicted by the rule of mixtures or the electrical resistivity.
Fundamental aspects of defect production in solids

Abstract Irradiation of solids with energetic particles leads to the production of lattice defects in the form of Frenkel pairs, anti-site defects, defect clusters, dislocation loops and amorphous zones in the bulk and to sputtered atoms, adatoms, and craters near the surface. Predicting which types of damage prevail in specific situations has been a difficult chore; however, recent developments in computer simulations have greatly facilitated this task. This review highlights the results of these simulations and provides a fundamental understanding of the damage process in a variety of pure metals, intermetallic compounds, and pure Si. The special role of surfaces on damage production is a central focus of this work. In addition, recent experimental investigations of alloy disordering in Cu 3 Au during 1 MeV He bombardment and STM imaging of single ion impacts on Pt will be reviewed to illustrate the level of accuracy that has now been achieved by these simulations.
TEACHING BEHAVIORALLY HANDICAPPED PRESCHOOL CHILDREN TO SHARE

Abstract We examined the effectiveness of Barton and Ascione 's (1979) package for training sharing in a classroom setting with six behaviorally handicapped preschool children, four of whom were also developmentally delayed. Individual responses in sharing and not sharing were examined. Training consisted of initial instructions, modeling, and behavioral rehearsal, followed by teacher prompts and praise regarding sharing directly in a classroom free play period. Introduction of training in a multiple-baseline design across three pairs of children resulted in substantial increases in sharing for five of the six children. Results for negative interactions were less clear but suggested that concomitant decreases occurred for the same five children. The response analysis indicated that (a) individual components of sharing (offers, requests, and acceptances ) all increased with training; (b) most children were more likely to initiate sharing through requests than through offers; (c) the proportion of sharing initiatives accepted by peers increased with training despite a much greater absolute number of initiatives; and (d) of the three negative behaviors (opposing play, taking without asking, and aggression) examined as incompatible with sharing, the most prevalent response was opposing other children's play. Individual differences in initial social repertoires and responsiveness to training were examined with respect to their implications for research and practice. Overall, the findings provide an encouraging indication of an intervention program for children with behavioral, social, and developmental handicaps.
Chemical Tuning of Nonlinearity Leading to Intrinsically Localized Modes in Halide-Bridged Mixed-Valence Platinum Materials†

The appearance of nonlinearity in multiphonon excitations is compared in the series of [Pt(en)2X2][Pt(en)2](ClO4)4 (X = Cl, Br, I; en = ethylenediamine) mixed-valence, linear-chain, charge-density-wave compounds. This comparison is made for crystals obtained under new synthetic conditions that minimize chemical defects incorporated during crystal growth. The single-crystal resonance Raman spectra collected at 77 K on this series (with natural isotope abundances) show strong red-shifting of the X−Pt−X symmetric stretch overtone peaks for X = Cl, modest red-shifting for X = Br, and no anharmonicity for X = I. When X = Cl, by the sixth overtone of the 35Cl−Pt−35Cl stretch, red shifts significantly larger than 10% of the fundamental frequency are observed. In addition, evolution of spectral line shapes corresponding to formation of dynamically localized vibrational states (intrinsically localized modes) is apparent, even by the second overtone. When X = Br, observed red shifts are less than 7% up to the eight...
Surface enrichment of inorganic nutrients in the North Pacific Ocean

Abstract Vertical profiles of the inorganic nutrients phosphate, silicate and nitrate show frequent surface enrichment (i.e. a sub-surface minimum) throughout the historical California Cooperative Oceanic Fisheries Investigations (CalCOFI) data set and in hydrographic sections across the North Pacific Ocean. Although present in the open ocean, it is especially pronounced in the offshore California Current and near the Hawaiian Islands. Its consistent occurrence over time, space, and methods argues that it is a real feature of the upper ocean ecosystem, rather than a result of some methodological problem. In the California Current, surface enrichment is spatially and temporally rare at nearshore stations. When nearshore enrichment does occur, minimum values are shallow (10–30 m). The subsurface minima become more frequent and deeper (eventually occurring at >100 m) the farther offshore one goes. A similar trend exists alongshore: the minima are deeper and more frequent towards the south. In all data, the enrichment is usually clearest and most frequent in silicate, weakest and least frequent in nitrate. Surface enrichment can contribute up to 100% of a specific inorganic nutrient available above the nutricline. The cause of surface enrichment is unknown: possible explanations include (1) nutrient scavenging and vertical transportation by rising particles or bubbles; (2) Langmuir circulations; (3) nutrient transport by vertically migrating organisms; (4) atmospheric inputs; (5) remineralization related to distributions of organisms with depth; or (6) photochemical processes. Because the three nutrients remineralize at different rates, this feature might be useful as a potential tracer of past or ongoing physical and biological processes in the mixed layer.
Durability of thermomechanical pulp fiber-cement composites to wet/dry cycling

Previous research efforts on pulp fiber-cement composites have largely concentrated on kraft pulp fiber composites. In this research program, thermomechanical pulp (TMP) fibers were investigated as an economical alternative to kraft pulp fibers as reinforcement in fiber-cement composites. Prior to wet/dry cycling, TMP composites exhibited increased first crack strength, but lower peak strength and lower post-cracking toughness, as compared to unbleached and bleached kraft pulp composites at equivalent fiber volume fractions. It is believed that this behavior can be attributed to the lower tensile strength and shorter fiber length of TMP fibers as compared to kraft fibers. After 25 wet/dry cycles, TMP composites showed losses in first crack (peak) strength and post-cracking toughness. However, TMP composites exhibited a slower progression of degradation during wet/dry cycling than composites containing bleached or unbleached kraft fibers.
Exploring origins: was John Bonica's model of modern-day pain management influenced by John Lundy's earlier work?

Contemporary pain medicine is a multimodality and multidisciplinary field. Many of the current ideas and styles of practice that influence the specialty today can be traced back to John Bonica, M.D., and his model of pain management introduced more than 50 years ago. Although much of the foundation that Bonica helped form involved several original concepts, historically, other anesthesiologists who were Bonica’s predecessors also laid the groundwork for what the practice of pain medicine is today. In particular, Emery Rovenstine, M.D., and John Lundy, M.D., had early block clinics to treat painful conditions. While in the army during World War II, Bonica worked closely with his Chief of Surgery, Joel Deuterman, M.D., a physician who had trained at the Mayo Clinic, where he was exposed to Lundy and his techniques. Deuterman may have influenced Bonica’s ideas concerning the treatment of chronic painful conditions.
Fluorinated tetraolate: Prospective ligand for the synthesis of polymetallic complexes

The potential of fluorinated tetraolate as a ligand for the synthesis of polynuclear metal complexes has been demonstrated.
Evidence for Photochemical Linkage Isomerism of the Phenylazo Ligand in M(CO)2(N2Ph)(PPh3)2 Cations (M = Fe and Ru)

Frozen-matrix photolysis studies of M(CO)2(N2Ph)(PPh3)2 cations (M = Fe and Ru) have revealed end-on/side-on photochemical linkage isomerism of the phenylazo ligand. The previously reported solvent-dependent vibrational bands of the Ru(CO)2(N2Ph)(PPh3)2 cation have now been identified as an equilibrium between the two linkage isomers. DFT calculations have been performed on the end-on and side-on isomers of the iron and ruthenium complexes.
Performance Management of Multiple-Access Communication Networks for Large-Scale Integrated Systems

This paper focuses on conceptual design and prototypical development of a performance management procedure for computer communication networks serving large-scale integrated systems. The procedure aims to improve the network performance in handling various types of messages by on-line adjustment of protocol parameters. The techniques of perturbation analysis of discrete event dynamic systems (DEDS), stochastic approximation, and learning automata have been used in formulating the performance management procedure. This prototype procedure has been evaluated on a network testbed which consists of a number of host computers interconnected by an IEEE 802.4-based MAP network. The conceptual design presented in this paper offers a step forward to bridging the gap between management standards and users' demands for efficient network operations since most standards such as ISO and IEEE address only the architecture, services, and interfaces for network management. The proposed concept for performance management can be used as a general framework to assist design and management of various DEDS such as flexible manufacturing systems (FMS).
Economic Dispatch using Particle Swarm Optimization for combined cycle generators

In this paper the Economic Dispatch (ED) problem is solved using Particle Swarm Optimization (PSO) technique. This technique is discussed in details along with a case study. An enhanced approach to overcome trapping in local minimum is also explained. As it is known combined cycle generators cost curve are non-continues, one of the best ways to solve an ED for a non-continues cost curve is using PSO. For a first step a system with ten generators will be solved then one of the generators will be replaced with a Co-gen.
Sports spectators' suspense: Affect and uncertainty in sports entertainment

To explain the attraction to sports in the media, suspense theory is extended to predict suspense during sports exposure. Viewers (n = 113) of a college football game in an intense rivalry context reported their responses to the game during commercial breaks. Multilevel analysis of the longitudinal data shows that shifts in both positive and negative affect influence suspense of supporters of both teams. Likewise, affective dispositions (rooting for a team) emerge as precondition for greater suspense, regardless of specific team preference, even though habitual fan commitment did not affect suspense. Predictions regarding increased suspense due to lower certainty of the favored team’s victory and due to smaller score difference were only corroborated for supporters of the winning team.
Using the three-stage weibull equation and tree-based model to characterize the mix fatigue damage process

The primary purpose of this paper is to demonstrate the applicability of the three-stage Weibull equation to describe the fatigue damage process using flexural controlled deformation fatigue tests. A data set of 179 beam fatigue tests originally designed for exploring the fatigue performance of conventional dense graded asphalt concrete (DGAC) and asphalt-rubber hot-mix gap-graded (ARHM-GG) mixes was used to inspect the three-stage Weibull parameters that were estimated using a genetic algorithm. The tree-based regression-category models were then used to uncover the data structure of the estimated parameters as a function of material properties, conditioning methods, temperatures, compaction methods, and strain levels. In general, the three-stage Weibull equation provides satisfactory fitting results for the three-stage fatigue damage process occurring in a beam test. It was found that the tree-based models of three-stage Weibull parameters associated with the crack initiation stage were statistically ad...
Processing Systems Optimization through Automatic Design and Reorganization of Program Modules

A methodology is described for the automatic design and optimization of program modules. Processes and files are grouped and reorganized in such a way as to produce an optimal design with respect to a specific target machine. Performance criteria for the optimal design is defined in terms of four components: (1) processing time, (2) transport volume, (3) core size, and (4) number and type of I/O units required.
A Short-Term Longitudinal Study of the Relationship between Motivation to Read and Reading Fluency Skill in Second Grade

This short-term longitudinal study investigated the relationships between students' reading self-concept, goals for reading, and reading fluency skill over the course of the second grade year. Second grade children (N=185) were administered the Test of Word Reading Efficiency, the second grade Dynamic Indicators of Basic Early Literacy Skills, and an adapted version of Motivation to Read Profile at the beginning, middle, and end of the school year. Results showed that students' goals for reading were related to reading self-concept, but unrelated to reading fluency. In addition, reading self-concept was significantly related to reading fluency at each time point. Latent-variable path analysis was used to test four potential relationships between students' reading self-concept and reading fluency skill: (a) an independence model; (b) a skill development model; (c) a self-enhancement model; and (d) a reciprocal effects model. Support for a reciprocal model was found between students' reading fluency skill and reading self-concept over the second grade year. This finding also indicated that students' reading self-concept begins to influence their reading achievement earlier than previous research had indicated. Implications for educational practice and future research will also be discussed.
Granola: low-overhead distributed transaction coordination

This paper presents Granola, a transaction coordination infrastructure for building reliable distributed storage applications. Granola provides a strong consistency model, while significantly reducing transaction coordination overhead. We introduce specific support for a new type of independent distributed transaction, which we can serialize with no locking overhead and no aborts due to write conflicts. Granola uses a novel timestamp-based coordination mechanism to order distributed transactions, offering lower latency and higher throughput than previous systems that offer strong consistency. Our experiments show that Granola has low overhead, is scalable and has high throughput. We implemented the TPC-C benchmark on Granola, and achieved 3× the throughput of a platform using a locking approach.
Jitter Analysis of Timing Codes for Neurons with Descending Action Potential Thresholds

We analyze three sources of timing jitter for (differential) time of arrival estimation for successive spikes arriving at a biological synapse. The dominant source of this jitter is believed to occur during spike generation. Other jitters introduced by propagation and estimation for time-of-arrival are on the order of 10 microseconds. We also obtain and compare several forms of the threshold curve when different assumptions about its form or error properties are imposed.
Accurate and automated classification of protein secondary structure with PsiCSI

PsiCSI is a highly accurate and automated method of assigning secondary structure from NMR data, which is a useful intermediate step in the determination of tertiary structures. The method combines information from chemical shifts and protein sequence using three layers of neural networks. Training and testing was performed on a suite of 92 proteins (9437 residues) with known secondary and tertiary structure. Using a stringent cross-validation procedure in which the target and homologous proteins were removed from the databases used for training the neural networks, an average 89% Q3 accuracy (per residue) was observed. This is an increase of 6.2% and 5.5% (representing 36% and 33% fewer errors) over methods that use chemical shifts (CSI) or sequence information (Psipred) alone. In addition, PsiCSI improves upon the translation of chemical shift information to secondary structure (Q3 = 87.4%) and is able to use sequence information as an effective substitute for sparse NMR data (Q3 = 86.9% without 13C shifts and Q3 = 86.8% with only Hα shifts available). Finally, errors made by PsiCSI almost exclusively involve the interchange of helix or strand with coil and not helix with strand (<2.5 occurrences per 10000 residues). The automation, increased accuracy, absence of gross errors, and robustness with regards to sparse data make PsiCSI ideal for high-throughput applications, and should improve the effectiveness of hybrid NMR/de novo structure determination methods. A Web server is available for users to submit data and have the assignment returned.
The validity of adding new tasks to the assessment of motor and process skills.

Objective Twenty-one new activities of daily living (ADL) tasks were evaluated for the validity of their inclusion into the Assessment of Motor and Process Skills (AMPS). Method Data from 1,484 participants who performed at least one new AMPS task were analyzed to determine whether the new tasks (a) fit the AMPS many-faceted Rasch (MFR) model and (b) increase the range of the AMPS motor and process skill scales. Results Twenty of the 21 new tasks fit the MFR model. The AMPS motor scale was increased by .25 logit at the easier end of the scale and by .30 logit at the more difficult end of the scale. The AMPS process scale was increased by .14 logit at the easier end of the scale. The more difficult end of the AMPS process scale did not increase. Conclusion These findings support the validity of adding 20 new tasks into the AMPS. The new tasks provide the following benefits for testing clients whose ADL ability levels are at the lower or higher ends of the AMPS motor or process skill scales: (a) potential for less error when estimating the ADL ability measures, (b) more task choices, and (c) more face-valid tasks for testing men.
Straightforward chromatic dispersion measurement based on phase mismatching FWM

Novel chromatic dispersion measurement is demonstrated with simple setup based on phase mismatching four-wave-mixing. According to high accuracy of measured dispersion spectra, zero-dispersion wavelength and higher order dispersion parameters of HNLF can be determined.
Coxiella burnetii superoxide dismutase gene: cloning, sequencing, and expression in Escherichia coli.

Abstract A superoxide dismutase (SOD) gene from the obligate intracellular bacterium Coxiella burnetii has been cloned, and its DNA sequence has been determined and expressed in Escherichia coli. The gene was identified on pSJR50, a pHC79-derived genomic clone, by using the polymerase chain reaction with degenerate oligonucleotide primers corresponding to conserved regions of known SODs. Sequences resembling conventional E. coli ribosomal and RNA polymerase-binding sites preceded the C. burnetii 579-bp SOD open reading frame. An E. coli SOD-deficient double mutant (sodA sodB) that carried pSJR50 had growth and survival responses similar to those of the wild type when the transformant was challenged with 0.05 mM paraquat and 5 mM hydrogen peroxide, respectively. These observations indicated that the C. burnetii gene was functionally expressed in E. coli. Staining of native polyacrylamide gels for SOD activity demonstrated that pSJR50 insert DNA codes for an SOD that comigrates with an SOD found in C. burnetii cell lysates. The enzyme was inactivated by 5 mM hydrogen peroxide, which is indicative of an iron-containing SOD. Additionally, the predicted amino acid sequence was significantly more homologous to known iron-containing SODs than to manganese-containing SODs. Isolation of the C. burnetii SOD gene may provide an opportunity to examine its role in the intracellular survival of this rickettsia.
Sustainable Use of Social Media in Libraries

Integrating social media into library programs, both academic and public, has taken a central focus in recent years, resulting in the development of new career tracks for specialists in emerging technologies and social media librarians. Early efforts in outreach and promotion morphed into branding and marketing strategies, and social media was quickly adopted as cost effective and a great tool to target millennials. The charge was led to be on the cutting edge with an organizational presence in social media, particularly Facebook and Twitter. The rapid experimentation and implementation of social media in libraries at times has displaced the formative discussions for carefully considered institutional policy. Educational institutions are wise to consider a balance with respect to issues of free expression and common sense use of university resources. How does online behavior and speech affect the future employment of millennials, if consequences are considered after serious mistakes have already been made? What is the role of libraries to outline and model appropriate online conduct as it assists communities of users in developing employment skills for the job market? Can policy balance with free speech concerns? Many questions associated with sustainable social media implementations in library organizations have not been adequately addressed. The purpose of this research is to provide analysis of issues within the environment of learning and social media, the sustainability of such programs, and to examine policy for marketing libraries through social media.
Pollinator recognition by a keystone tropical plant

Understanding the mechanisms enabling coevolution in complex mutualistic networks remains a central challenge in evolutionary biology. We show for the first time, to our knowledge, that a tropical plant species has the capacity to discriminate among floral visitors, investing in reproduction differentially across the pollinator community. After we standardized pollen quality in 223 aviary experiments, successful pollination of Heliconia tortuosa (measured as pollen tube abundance) occurred frequently when plants were visited by long-distance traplining hummingbird species with specialized bills (mean pollen tubes = 1.21 ± 0.12 SE) but was reduced 5.7 times when visited by straight-billed territorial birds (mean pollen tubes = 0.20 ± 0.074 SE) or insects. Our subsequent experiments revealed that plants use the nectar extraction capacity of tropical hummingbirds, a positive function of bill length, as a cue to turn on reproductively. Furthermore, we show that hummingbirds with long bills and high nectar extraction efficiency engaged in daily movements at broad spatial scales (∼1 km), but that territorial species moved only short distances (<100 m). Such pollinator recognition may therefore affect mate selection and maximize receipt of high-quality pollen from multiple parents. Although a diffuse pollinator network is implied, because all six species of hummingbirds carry pollen of H. tortuosa, only two species with specialized bills contribute meaningfully to its reproduction. We hypothesize that this pollinator filtering behavior constitutes a crucial mechanism facilitating coevolution in multispecies plant-pollinator networks. However, pollinator recognition also greatly reduces the number of realized pollinators, thereby rendering mutualistic networks more vulnerable to environmental change.
Voltage-mode filters using CFAs insensitive to their nonideal parameters

New voltage-mode filter configurations using commercially available CFAs are investigated. The new configuration using two CFAs with positive feedback has very low sensitivities to the internal parameters of the CFAs, specifically, in the high frequency range. The theoretical analysis is verified using PSPICE simulations of the filter designs using the models for AD844 provided by Analog Devices Inc.
Developments in low-resolution biological X-ray crystallography.

Despite the recent substantial technological developments in X-ray crystallography, solving and refining structures at low resolutions remain substantial challenges. Many macromolecular crystals, especially those of large molecules or multicomponent assemblies, diffract X-rays to resolutions that are worse than 3.5A. This report summarizes several recent advances aiding low resolution crystallographic work.
Adrenergic stimulation of Na+transport across alveolar epithelial cells involves activation of apical Cl−channels

Alveolar epithelial cells were isolated from adult Sprague-Dawley rats and grown to confluence on membrane filters. Most of the basal short-circuit current (I sc; 60%) was inhibited by amiloride (I...
Preliminary Investigations on Alumina-Fiber Reinforced Ni3Al Matrix Composites

Composites containing alumina fibers in Ni 3 Al+B or an Ni 3 Al, Cr+B alloy have been prepared by several powder metallurgical processes. Tensile tests reveal some ductility and a mixed fracture mode in both monolithic and composite alloys. Previous reports of inadequate bonding of fibers in Ni 3 Al+B have been confirmed.
Aptitude of modern salt marshes to counteract relative sea-level rise, Venice Lagoon (Italy)

In the past 100 yr, variations in relative sea-level rise (RSLR), the increase of frequency of very high tides, and a decrease of sediment availability caused progressive morphological changes of the Venice Lagoon tidal flats. In contrast with the general erosional trend, some salt marshes in the northern lagoon preserved their main original characteristics and showed accretion and development of the tidal creek network. The evolution of one of them was sketched by the interpretation of ultrahigh-resolution aerial photographs taken from A.D. 1938 to 2006, and results were compared with RSLR rates and storm tide frequency. The long-term investigation pointed out the most significant morphological changes that occurred over the entire period (i.e., erosion of the margin, modifications of the drainage network), whereas the short-term analysis showed in detail the subsequent phases of salt marsh evolution and their relations with sea-level variations. Margin shift was mainly in agreement with RSLR trend, whereas changes of the tidal creek network also reflected frequency of very high tides. Moreover, in the past 70 yr the salt marsh demonstrated a self-renewal aptitude to counteract RSLR: even if it underwent low accretion rates, it did not disappear, probably because the remobilization of sediments eroded from the marsh front and the lagoon bottom by tides and other local hydrodynamic processes, and their accumulation on the marsh surface favored by vegetation were sufficient to offset RSLR.
The Effects of an Inference-Making Strategy Taught With and Without Goal Setting:

This quasi-experimental study examined the effects of a strategy for making text-dependent inferences—with and without embedded self-regulation skills—on the reading comprehension of 24 middle-grad...